North Georgia is home to some beautiful, sprawling horse pastures, and if you're a horse owner or caretaker in the area, you know that keeping your pasture healthy is no small feat.
In this blog, we're going to take a closer look at some common toxic weeds that might be lurking in your pasture. We'll cover how to spot them, why they're dangerous, and what you can do to keep your pasture safe for your horses.
A serious threat to horses near wetlands or ponds, water hemlock can be fatal even in small quantities (as little as 2 lbs.). It has white, clustered flowers and is highly toxic to the central nervous system. Horses may experience convulsions and death if they ingest it.
Often found in upland areas, poison hemlock also features white, clustered flowers. All parts of the plant are toxic, but horses must consume a larger quantity than water hemlock for it to be fatal. Poisoning can result in respiratory paralysis, followed by cardiac arrest.
This fern is found in many pastures and can cause neurological problems due to a thiamine deficiency in horses. It can accumulate toxins over time, so the effects might not be seen immediately. Symptoms include incoordination and muscle tremors.
While nightshades are generally unpalatable, horses may sometimes consume them. They produce small white flowers and berries that ripen to a dark purple or black. Nightshade poisoning can result in neurological symptoms like trembling, weakness, and even death.
Recognizable by its tall stems and purple berries, pokeweed can cause colic, diarrhea, and neurological symptoms like convulsions. Though it's less likely to be eaten, it's important to remove this plant from pastures to prevent accidental ingestion.
This plant grows up to 2 feet tall and has purple or green serrated leaves. All parts of the plant are toxic, especially the flowers and seeds. Ingesting perilla mint can lead to respiratory distress, and in severe cases, it can be fatal.
With its milky sap and distinctive flowers, milkweed can be toxic even in small amounts. Symptoms of poisoning include excessive salivation, incoordination, and even death. Horses tend to avoid it, but it's still a good idea to keep an eye out.
While Johnsongrass has relatively low toxicity, it's still a concern, especially when it accumulates cyanide under stress, like during a drought. If your horses consume too much, they can experience neurological symptoms, including weakness and paralysis.
While it's nearly impossible to remove every toxic plant from your pasture, there are strategies you can give a try to minimize the risk.
A hungry horse is more likely to eat something it would usually avoid, so making sure your horses have plenty of good forage can help prevent accidental ingestion of toxic plants.
If you're dealing with weeds that are difficult to remove, herbicides can be an effective solution. Apply them at the right time and in the correct formula to avoid harming your grass or other beneficial plants.
If you're unsure about a particular plant or don't know where to start, don't hesitate to reach out to local experts. UGA Extension has a great Toxic Weed ID Booklet for reference.
