Oak Leaves

[2awesomenatives]

I have 7 oaktrees at the front of my field that provide shelter through the summer ...my boys have plenty of grass and haynets.
My New Forest is determined to eat the leaves off one of the trees, he does his best giraffe impression so he can reach them.

Are they as dangerous for him?

They are taken off this part of the field in September before the acorns shed!

 

[rabatsa]

I would worry only about the really young leaves in spring. However if he has nibbled the older stuff the previous year there should not be too much within reach to cause a problem.

 

[horseman1985]

As far as I know, acorns and leaves are harmless to horses in small quantities. If there are a lot of potential leaves that a horse can reach and eat them, I would fence this oak to limit it from the horse.

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

I’m sorry to go against the trend but I have always been taught that oak is a tree to protect your horse from..along with sycamores, yew, laburnum and Holly. I would fence off.

 

[spotty_pony]

I’ve always been told the leaves are not a problem - just the acorns. We have a few Oak trees in our fields and they are the horses occasionally nibble the leaves but aren’t too bothered. I may separate if they started eating continuously though as I know acorns can be addictive so could be a simile thing with the leaves. I also fence off/move them to a different field when the acorns are falling.