youngster eating thistles

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JadeyyBabeyy

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would this indicate internal problems?
would it put you off buying?
pony is 13months if that helps.
whenever im there it eats quite a few :/
thanks
 
Both of my two eat thistles! One's 13 and the other's 10 yrs old. They both have a vit and min supplement so I think they just like the taste of them!!
 
i asked about thistles as both my 4yo's eat them, and the general consensus on the forum was that its perfectly fine. and handy if you have a scabby paddock,
 
Lucy ate thistles. She loved them and it never did her any harm. We used to have to stop out hacking if we passed one so she could have a little snack :rolleyes: :D
Herbie also likes them. I don't think it's anything to worry about.
 
They tend to really like cut thistles but my horses also seem to really like eating the flowers on the top on occasion. I am convinced actually they have some kind of healing properties or maybe it's just because the flowers are sweet but, when my pony was very poorly after having a bad reaction to a penicillin jab, once he was up on his feet again he was actively seeking out the flowering thistles and would eat a load of them when he wouldn't normally be fussed before. Horses know best i feel.

When i got my youngster last year he had a penchant for himalayan balsam - now i am not sure that's particularly good for them (although not poinsonous as far as I'm aware) or that it'd taste nice. I guess maybe he was just experimenting!!
 
my ponies love them, the yearling has her own way of dealing with them, she stamps them down with her hooves, then eats them, must take the jaggy bits off them for her lol.
I think its fascinating seeing all the ponies eat, they certainly dont just eat grass
 
both my boys eat them, and they both take the flowers very carefully ;)

I thought this might be useful, taken from a website that sells herbs!

MILKTHISTLE SEED GROUND

Renowned for it’s ability to protect and repair the LIVER especially when damaged through the use of DRUG and TOXIC DAMAGE. An ideal SPRING TONIC that will help strengthen and regenerate new liver cells. Lowers fat deposits around liver. High in Linoleic acid(60%).

Recommended Dose: 10-15g daily Milkthistle is a slow absorbing herb it is recommended to be used for a minimum of 6 weeks. Horses will often search out the common thistle a close relation to milk thistle.
 
My two have been nibbling on the purple thistle flower buds that have come through, humans can eat them too, quite commical to watch :D

Horses are not overly daft creatures remember, they won’t feast on weeds and wild flowers if they are bad for them unless they are on the verge of starvation.
 
Joyous70 said:
both my boys eat them, and they both take the flowers very carefully ;)

I thought this might be useful, taken from a website that sells herbs!

MILKTHISTLE SEED GROUND

Renowned for it’s ability to protect and repair the LIVER especially when damaged through the use of DRUG and TOXIC DAMAGE. An ideal SPRING TONIC that will help strengthen and regenerate new liver cells. Lowers fat deposits around liver. High in Linoleic acid(60%).

Recommended Dose: 10-15g daily Milkthistle is a slow absorbing herb it is recommended to be used for a minimum of 6 weeks. Horses will often search out the common thistle a close relation to milk thistle.
Click to expand...

Well thats almost comforting to know that if either horse picked up a bit of ragwort i have missed then at least this would aid them.

now im just worried they know something i dont and are self medicating :eek:
 
ThePinkPony - Sorry i didn't intend to worry you un-necessarily(sp)

Im sure your pony is fine - most horses i know of eat them down our yard, and i have them in my field and won't dig them up, or the nettles either and i doubt they all have liver damage ;)
 
Mine is a proper Eyeore and loves them, he is the best thistle hoover I have ever met and can eat massive ones quite happily. He doesn't even look like he's that careful, just grabs big mouthfuls and munches away. Never one single problem.
 
ThePinkPony - maybe they've just over done it down the pub and are self-medicating for that?!! :D I take a lot of milk thistle to ward of nasty hangovers :D :D
 
Joyous70 said:
ThePinkPony - Sorry i didn't intend to worry you un-necessarily(sp)

Im sure your pony is fine - most horses i know of eat them down our yard, and i have them in my field and won't dig them up, or the nettles either and i doubt they all have liver damage ;)
Click to expand...

lol, its okay,im a natural born worrier anyway. the feild is really ragworty, well it was, i walk around it every evening and in the last few days ive barely pulled more than a few young plants and the odd tall one just poking through the brambles so ive broken the back of it. its just so frustrating. if it were my field i would have it sprayed and topped and harrowed but its not so i cant.
 
Don't dwell too much on medication. Chances are your boy is eating bull thistle anyway. Milk thistle is less common and looks quite different with regards to leaves/flower bulb.
 
Mine loves them, she has a big patch off thistles in the centre of her field. 9 times out of 10, when I go to get her in, thats where she will be standing :p
 
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