Re: Horses eating tree

[Mathew Pelletier <mathew@redhorsetech.com>]

Hi all...

Forgive any repaeats of information, but I think the digest might be
missing a few posts (I keep seeing quotes from posts I never read...
hmmm).  Anyway, black walnut is a big no-no, whether used as bedding or
eaten.  Acorns from oak trees can also cause problems.  They have a
considerable amount of tannins in the raw state (although Native
Americans leached the tannins out of acorns before using as a food
source).  Symptoms of toxic levels in the horse include excessive
slobbering, choking reactions, as well as others. I had to watch an old
pony die from grazing on acorns that had fallen into his stall.  The vet
tried his best, but to no avail, unfortunately.

Just a tad bit of info....

Kim

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

On Fri, 19 Jun 1998 12:45:13 -0400 rides2far@juno.com (Angela C. McGhee)
wrote:

> My horse has sorry pasture, basically a chert 5 acre hill side with
> occassional pathetic blades of fescue hanging on.  He gets free choice
> the prettiest Coastal you can imagine, and a little grass/clover hay for
> variety.  However, the "Three Guys" make their rounds throughout the day.
>  They get grain in the morning, eat hay, take a nap, go down and
> pantamine grazing movements, then doze under the oak trees.  In the fall
> they eat acorns (no ill effects that I know of), then, if they see me
> looking, they gnaw a little bark for effect.  Then come up, finish off
> the morning hay, get evening grain, & hay.