Re: Black Walnut

[Teddy Lancaster <Teddy@runningbear.com>]

May I add that it does not take much walnut in the bedding.  I had maybe one part
per 1000.  Thank goodness my mare had pads on her feet.  The vet was no help...she
had an evelated pulse (60+ standing still).  I gave her banamine to fluch out her
system and less than a week later got third place on the Biltmore 50.  I was lucky
enough to figure it out in time.

Teddy


Arabryder@aol.com wrote:

> Here's the entry in the "Horse Owner's Field Guide to Toxic Plants" regarding
> Black Walnut:
>
> Similar Species:  Eastern Black Walnut; Texas Black Walnut; Arizona Black
> Walnut
>
> Description:  Depending on the variety, the black walnut tree may grow up to
> 125 feet, with a grayish brown, scaly bark and pinnately compound alternate
> leaves.  It produces spiked flowers in spring or early summer and small oily
> nuts, which are often harvested in fall.
>
> The toxic principle juglone, which is a growth inhibitor, is carried in the
> roots of the tree to other plants surrounding it, inhibiting their growth.
> Experimentally, juglone has not been shown to cause toxicosis in horses.
> Furthermore, toxicity is not consistent in black walnut trees.
>
> Geographic Distribution:  Scattered throughout eastern and midwestern United
> States, south to George, Texas and Arizona
>
> Signs of Poisoning:  Horses are affected when the sawdust or shavings from the
> tree are used bedding.  They show an allergic reaction when standing in the
> shavings and do not have to ingest them to become sick.  As little as 5-20
> percent black walnut shavings can cause symptoms of laminitis, swelling in the
> legs, depression, unwillingness to move, and, in some horses, respiratory
> difficulties within 12 hours.
>
> What to Do:  Remove the horse immediately from the walnut shavings.  Wash the
> horse's legs with mild detergent, and call your veterinarian to treat the
> laminitis.