A majestic row of ancient oak trees alongside rolling green pastures is often a feature of expensive equestrian estates in England, the US and parts of the Western Cape. Only a few horses develop a taste for the acorns, leaves and bark of these trees, and the signs of chronic poisoning are not always obvious, although they can be life-threatening.
Oak poisoning often occurs when a horse is moved for the first time into a paddock where there are oak trees, when there is overgrazing, or when drought decreases the quantity and palatability of the grass. Not all horses will eat acorns, but it is possible for some of them to become addicted to acorns.
Green acorns and young leaves are more toxic than the more mature ones, so signs of poisoning may occur seasonally in spring, particularly after heavy rain. Fatal acorn poisoning in free-ranging pigs has been recognised for centuries, and has also been described in cattle and dogs.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
This story is from the February 25, 2022 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
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This story is from the February 25, 2022 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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