Hawthorn hedges

[racebuddy]

Hi we have hor thron hedges with berries growing on them along the edges of the field , one of my horses is obsessed with eating them , does anyone know if they are poisonous ?

 

[AmieeT]

Our summer field has hawthorn- haven't had any illness yet- but will follow with interest just in case.

As a side note though- bloody hurts if you get chucked off into it!

 

[pennyturner]

'poor man's bread'. Not only edible for horses, but people too in leaner times, both the new leaves in spring, and the flesh of the fruit.

 

[Mike007]

I believe Pennyturner is correct.I would also wonder is the horse is making up for minerals missing in the diet.

 

[criso]

Good for the circulation and in old times was thought to help with navicular.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

'poor man's bread'. Not only edible for horses, but people too in leaner times, both the new leaves in spring, and the flesh of the fruit.

Exactly
Mine are loving trimming them back at present, they love the softer shoots at this time of the year

 

[FubsyMog]

You can make jelly from it - I think it used to be reasonably popular, but has fallen out of favour now. I recently got some dried hawthorn flake confectionary from an Asian supermarket 9they had loads of hawthorn flavoured stuff) - it was delicious. I'm going to try to make some this autumn. Bit like rosehip, used to be common to make preserve from that, but not so much now. It's nice too. Though when I offered some to the mare I was riding at the time, she looked at me like I was mad!

 

[hairycob]

Never had a horse that doesn't eat hawthorn so I assume they just like the taste.

 

[Cahill]

Never had a horse that doesn't eat hawthorn so I assume they just like the taste.

especially cobs

 

[Nessa4]

Hi we have hor thron hedges with berries growing on them along the edges of the field , one of my horses is obsessed with eating them , does anyone know if they are poisonous ?

Not only are they not poisonous they are beneficial!! Good as a general blood cleanser, and particularly good for in foal mares.

 

[Darbs]

The massive exposure of horses and ponies in fields surrounded with hawthorn hedges gives a good idea. If there was any negative health issue it would have become clear long, long ago.

Chomp away!

 

[Nudibranch]

They are perfectly fine to eat, as are a whole range of hedgerow plants. However eating something does not necessarily equate with some sinister mineral deficiency. Sometimes they just enjoy the taste. Sometimes there's too much read into these things!

 

[Merrymoles]

Mine have always loved it - hawthorn and willow are irresistible!