Poisonous Plants

[Hot Hooves]

I hope someone out there can help me with this. I have a large amount of Common Knapweed in my hay and I need to know whether this is poisonous to horses or is it just Russian and other Knapweeds that are ? My horses clearly don't like it and try not to eat it in the hay and my guess is that it's bitter. But I'm really worried to read about the terrible symptoms that occur in horses which eat the Russian and Yellow Star Knapweeds.

I've looked at as much info as I can find on the internet but can't find anything that actually says Common Knapweed is ok for horses in hay.
thanks

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Bumping this up for you. Anyone know???

 

[forestfantasy]

Hi,

I've found this: http://www.coopext.colostate.edu/douglas/agri/agri_docs/poisonplants.pdf

This states that Russian Knapweed is toxic.

Not sure how much difference there is between the two though?

To be on the safe side i probably wouldn't feed it.

 

[Hot Hooves]

Yes thanks. I've looked at websites about it but none of them say that Common Knapweed is safe. Have also contacted DEFRA and they are looking into it too so hopefully someone will be able to provide some definitive advice.

 

[Zuzzie]

The British Horse Society used to have a printed leaflet listing all the common poisonous plants - you could try contacting them. However, if your horses are not eating/enjoying the hay I would ask the supplier to take it back and replace it - or throw it out. I'd rather be safe than sorry. Good luck.

 

[Hot Hooves]

Thanks Zuzzie, I've been in touch with Defra who have now investigated it. They say they have no evidence of common Knapweed being poisonous but suggest that I don't include knapweed in my hay ! So no definitive answer. I grow my own hay - no supplier. I've always understood that plants that are bitter, such as Ragwort, are so for a reason - i.e. to warn off animals, just like red berries warn off some birds, so as you say better safe than sorry and have swapped most of my hay with a friend who just has sheep. Her hay is not very good but no potentially dangerous plants. I would now say to anyone as a precaution don't let knapweed of any variety contaminate your hay.

 

[Zuzzie]

Sounds like you've made the best decision and can now rest assured they will come to no harm. You will probably have to spray your field/s to ensure that the weed gets eradicated though - more expense!