Can Horses Eat Sunflower Stalks?

While you might know exactly what your horse can eat, they’re not always the best at judging what’s safe and what isn’t. Whether your horse is on a ride or wandering around the paddock, it’s likely that they’ll graze on a few plants they see while they’re out and about.

Many plants are safe for your horse to eat, and they’ll happily munch along with no issues. However, some plants have the potential to be poisonous to horses if they consume them, so it’s important that you’re aware of them and inspect your pasture to keep your equine friends safe.

Are lilacs poisonous to horses?

Most species of lilacs, such as common lilac, are not considered toxic and are safe for your horse to eat. However, Persian lilac can be poisonous if consumed. For this reason, it’s a good idea to keep your horse or pony from eating any lilac bushes.

Poisonous plants for horses

Atypical myopathy (from sycamore poisoning) and acorn poisoning are the most common types of poisoning in horses, but there are many other plants here in the UK that can also be dangerous. To keep your horse safe and healthy, it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with the different plants and trees that can be toxic to horses, so you can avoid them.

Some of the most common toxic plants that you’ll find here in the UK include:

Alsike clover Bluebells Bracken fern Buttercups Charlock Cherry trees (including wild and black cherry) Curly dock leaves Daffodils Deadly nightshade Foxgloves Hawkweed Hemlock (also called cow bane) Horse chestnut tree (conkers) Horsetails Ivy Laburnum Larkspur

Laurel Lily of the valley Maple trees Meadow saffron Monkshood Mistletoe Oak trees and acorns Pear trees Pigweed Privet Pyracantha (also called firethorn) Ragweed Rhododendron St. John’s Wort Sycamore Wisteria Yew

You can read more about these plants, including what they look like, where they’re found, and the symptoms of poisoning in the table below.

Plant name	Appearance	Where is it found?	Symptoms
Alsike clover	Pastures, fields, roadsides, and wasteland.	Photosensitisation Head pressing Yawning Recumbency Skin irritation Jaundice Weight loss
Bluebells	Woodland, hedgerows, and gardens.	Vomiting Diarrhoea Lack of urination Hypotension (blood pressure with a MAP of less than 60 mm Hg)
Bracken fern	Woodlands, heathland, moorland, and on hillsides, as well as the roadside.	Nervousness or agitation Muscle spasms Falling Unsteady gait A ‘tucked up’ appearance of the flanks Loss of appetite Constipation Diluted pupils Irregular heartbeat
Buttercups	Pastures, meadows, woodland, roadsides.	Excessive salivation Diarrhoea Colic Convulsions Blisters in and around the mouth Blood in urine Loss of appetite Low pulse rate Paralysis Swelling of the face
Charlock	Fields, pastures, roadsides, and wasteland.	Diarrhoea Difficulty breathing Bloating Frothing at the mouth
Cherry trees (including wild and black cherry)	Woodland, hedgerows, parkland, and gardens.	Irregular heart rate Laboured breathing Lack of coordination Agitation Excessive salivation Trembling or shaking Dilated pupils
Curly dock leaves	Grassland, roadsides, wasteland.	Difficulty breathing Lack of coordination Loss of appetite Muscle tremors Weakness Convulsions Erratic behaviour Excessive salivation Recumbency
Daffodils	Woodlands, parkland, roadsides, and gardens.	Lack of coordination Convulsions Diarrhoea Excessive salivation Hypotension (blood pressure with a MAP of less than 60 mm Hg) Tremors Photosensitivity Dehydration Irregular heart rate
Deadly nightshade	Woodland, grassland, heathland, and moorland.	Irregular heart rate Diarrhoea Loss of appetite Lack of coordination
Foxglove	Woodlands, heathlands, roadsides, gardens, and hedgerows.	Small pupils Difficulty breathing Convulsions Swelling around the face or neck Strong and slow heartbeat Weakness
Hawkweed	Grassland.	Unsteady gait Difficulty breathing Bending of the hock Knuckling over (straightened fetlock)
Hemlock (also called cowbane)	Riverbanks, ditches, and wasteland.	Trembling Confusion and disorientation Lack of coordination Frequent urination Diarrhoea Seizures Bloating Irregular heart rate Dilated pupils
Horse chestnut (conkers)	Woodlands, parkland, and roadsides.	Loss of muscle control Convulsions Tremors Hypersensitivity Colic
Horsetails	Meadows, wasteland, and grassland.	Loss of balance Loss of muscle control Nervousness and anxiety Paralysis Weight loss Staggering Convulsions Inability to stand
Ivy	Woodland, scrubland, wasteland.	Colic Diarrhoea Dehydration Irritation around the mouth Loss of appetite Excessive salivation Fever Weakness
Laburnum	Parkland and gardens.	Muscle spasms Convulsions Lack of coordination
Larkspur	Parks and gardens. Very rarely grows in the wild in the UK.	Muscle tremors Weakness Irritability Stiffness Confusion Constipation Collapse Nausea Bloating Irregular heart rate Seizures
Laurel	Woodland and hedgerows.	Irregular heart rate Diarrhoea Excessive salivation Hypotension (blood pressure with a MAP of less than 60 mm Hg) Weakness Tremors Seizures Blindness Lethargy Loss of appetite Difficulty breathing
Lily of the valley	Woodland and gardens.	Loss of appetite Nausea Diarrhoea Vomiting Weight loss Weakness Sleepiness Muscle tremors Convulsions Hypotension (blood pressure with a MAP of less than 60 mm Hg) Irregular or rapid heart rate
Maple trees	Woodland, scrubland, and hedgerows.	Lack of appetite Dark urine Lethargy Colic Increased heart rate Heavy or rapid breathing
Meadow saffron	On damp meadows, by riverbanks, or in woodland.	Colic Diarrhoea Weakness Difficulty breathing Difficulty swallowing Lack of coordination Irregular gait Extreme thirst
Monkshood	Woodland and gardens.	Irregular heartbeat Irregular or rapid breathing Excessive salivation Weakness Hypotension (blood pressure with a MAP of less than 60 mm Hg) Collapse
Mistletoe	On the branches of other trees, particularly hawthorn, poplar, lime, and apple trees.	Diarrhoea Colic Hypotension (blood pressure with a MAP of less than 60 mm Hg) Convulsions
Oak trees and acorns	Woodland, fields, hedgerows, gardens, and parkland.	Diarrhoea or constipation Colic Loss of appetite Foaming at the mouth Irritation around the mouth Frequent urination Excessive salivation Watery eyes Difficulty breathing Swelling around the face and neck High temperature Irregular heart rate
Pear trees	Orchards, gardens, and parkland.	Colic Diarrhoea
Pigweed	Fields and gardens.	Weakness Tremors Difficulty breathing Swelling around the face and neck
Privet	Scrubland, woodland, and hedgerows.	Diarrhoea Weak pulse Low temperature Increased heart rate Lack of coordination Staggering Convulsions Paralysis Dilated pupils
Pyracantha (also called firethorn)	Hedgerows and gardens.	Difficulty breathing Anxiety Confusion Vomiting
Ragwort	Pastures, sand dunes, roadsides, and wasteland.	Colic Diarrhoea or constipation Lack of coordination Sensitivity to sunlight Head pressing Blindness Collapse
Rhododendron	Woodland and heathland.	Colic Difficulty breathing Diarrhoea Excessive salivation Loss of appetite Paralysis Seizures Lack of coordination Weakness
St. John’s Wort	Woodland, grassland, and roadsides.	Diarrhoea Dilated pupils Sensitivity to sunlight Swelling of the skin Irritation or blistering of the skin Itching Lethargy Lameness
Sycamore	Woodland, hedgerows, and parkland.	Muscle stiffness Sweating Increased heart rate Dark urine Muscle tremors Reluctance to walk Weakness Difficulty breathing
Wisteria	Parkland and gardens.	Loss of appetite Extreme thirst Dehydration Diarrhoea Nausea Colic
Yew	Woodland and hedgerows (particularly in churchyards).	Diarrhoea Lack of muscle control Trembling Nervousness Convulsions Difficulty breathing Low heart rate Collapse

Feeding horses sunflower stalks #shorts

FAQ

Can horses eat sunflower plants?

What are the two most serious poisonous plants for horses?

Poison Hemlock and Water Hemlock: Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) and water hemlock (Cicuta species) are both very toxic to horses. They are often found in moist areas and exude an unpleasant, parsnip-like odor when cut.

Why feed sunflower to horses?

Sunflower oil is commonly added to horse diets to boost calorie intake, helping underweight horses gain weight or maintain their current condition.Aug 29, 2024

Can cattle eat sunflower stalks?

Sunflower residue is useful for aftermath grazing by beef cows. Nutritional value of the head is greater than the stalk. Supplementation may be required if the volume of residue is limited and nutrient quality decreases rapidly after head material is consumed.

Can horses eat sunflower seeds?

Admittedly, the gelding’s coat is lustrous, but she also grooms like there’s no tomorrow. Are sunflower seeds safe to feed my horse, and will they improve coat condition? Sunflower seeds are safe for horses, and horses eat them readily. Horsemen typically add them to a horse’s ration to supplement fat in an effort to bolster coat condition.

Are sunflowers toxic to horses?

No, sunflowers are not toxic to horses. Sunflowers are a healthy addition to a horse’s diet, providing them with a source of vitamins A and E, as well as fatty acids. Sunflower seeds can be a good source of energy for horses in the form of oil, but should be fed in moderation.

Can you add sunflower seeds to a horse’s ration?

Horsemen typically add them to a horse’s ration to supplement fat in an effort to bolster coat condition. Though your friend also tends to her horse’s coat by thorough grooming, the supplemental fat likely improves shine and texture. When choosing sunflower seeds, select black oil sunflower seeds, which are those common in birdseed.

How do I choose the best Sunflowers for horse feed?

When choosing sunflowers for horse feed, it is important to pick high-quality, mature seeds. Look for sunflowers that are plump and have a dry outer shell. Avoid using sunflowers that have mold or mildew growth.

Do horses eat oats?

Oats, barley, and corn have been an important part of a horse’s diet since the beginning of time but the majority of horse owners these days are upgrading the horse’s platters with seeds. Flax (linseed), chia, sunflower, and hemp seed have become a prominent part of the horse’s weekly diet.

Can horses eat food?

Remember, though: individual horses, like humans, can sometimes have unique allergies. Even if a food is on this list marked as “safe for horses,” you should test it on your horse in very small amounts first and see how they react if they’ve never tried it before. Beer (yes, beer! If you cook the treats, it removes the alcohol.)