How poisonous is Ivy?

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canteron

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On the way back to the winter field, the horses all take a sneaky mouthful of ivy while I open the gate.

None of them have died (and this has been going on for a decade) and I seem to remember that in low doses Ivy can be used medicinally in humans for a variety of issues (respiratory mainly).

So, are my horses self medicating, or should I stop them?
 
Horses love ivy, as do pigs, sheep and cows. It isn't, as far as I'm aware poisonous at all - and if it is, they can eat a fair amounts to no ill effect (mine do).

You may be thinking of 'poison ivy', which is an American plant, and not related in any way to common (European) ivy.
 
I thought ivy was poisonous, I remember from my younger days my friends pony dieing from eating a lot of ivy. His field was surrounded by walls covered in it though. It grows around the edges of my field now and I always cut it back so no one can eat it.
 
Reminded me of this:

Mairzy doats and dozy doats
And liddle lamzy divy
A kiddly divydo, wouldn't you

My chap nicks a mouthful from the churchyard hedge when he can with no ill-effects
 
Sukistokes2 said:
Just had a Google, from what I can find out quickly common ivy is not poisonous but ground ivy is but has to be eaten a lot for it to have an affect,
Click to expand...

Ground ivy is another plant which is similar in name only. If you google it for a picture, you'll see it's not possible to confuse visually with ivy (Hedera Helix).
 
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