Re: Cherry Sawdust

["Duncan Fletcher" <dfletche@gte.net>]

Only partially useful. It doesn't say how much or whether horses are likely
to eat it. For example, bracken fern is poisonous, but it takes rather large
quantities (perhaps 30% of diet). There is absolute no way I can eliminated
it totally from the horse - it grows mouth high to a horse along every
forest trail in the state. They take a bite or two while riding, but
generally lay off the stuff that grows around the edge of the pasture.
Another common plant in our area is foxglove - more poisonous, but even less
likely to be eaten by horses.

I used to be more concerned until I talked with equine toxicologist at
Washington State University and learned what were real problem plants and
what were theoretical. Since these issues are regional, it would be useful
to talk to a vet school in your region. The vet from WSU gives talks to
horse groups on the subject.

Now letting any of these plants get baled with hay or letting a malnourished
horse into a pasture with nothing but these plants would be inviting
trouble, so I don't mean to imply they aren't poisonous.

Duncan Fletcher
dfletche@gte.net

-----Original Message-----
From: Kathy Myers <kathy@nvolve.com>
To: esppatty@juno.com <esppatty@juno.com>
Cc: ridecamp@endurance.net <ridecamp@endurance.net>
Date: Friday, January 02, 1998 4:38 PM
Subject: Cherry Sawdust


>Hi Patty!
>
>Absolutely tell you friend to refuse shipment.  Here is a url for
>a great Toxic plant page I found:
>
>http://www.horseadvice.com/articles/diseases/poisonmenu.html
>
>One of the things listed is Prunus... Wild Cherries.  No point in
>taking a chance on Tame Cherries.
>
>Stick to pine, eh?
>
>:) - kat myers
>in San Mateo (No.) Ca. with Magnum the TB ex-racer
>... where yellow star thistle is a big problem.
>cc: ridecamp
>
>