23/10/2026
๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ โ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ & ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐!
As autumn sets in, falling leaves, seeds and acorns can pose a serious risk to our horses. With strong winds and wet weather bringing more debris into paddocks, now is an important time to check your grazing areas.
As grass becomes sparse, horses may be more tempted to eat fallen seeds and acorns, both of which can cause serious illness and, sadly, can be fatal.
๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ฆ๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐๐จ๐ข๐ฌ๐จ๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ (๐๐ญ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ข๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐ฒ๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ฒ)
Sycamore seeds, often known as 'helicopters', can contain a toxin called hypoglycin A, which can cause severe muscle damage.
Signs to look out for include:
- Muscle weakness, stiffness or trembling
- Reluctance to move or difficulty standing
- Excessive sweating
- Rapid or laboured breathing
- Dark red or brown urine
๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐ง ๐๐จ๐ข๐ฌ๐จ๐ง๐ข๐ง๐
Acorns and other parts of oak trees contain tannins that can cause digestive problems and kidney damage when ingested.
Signs to look out for include:
- Colic or abdominal discomfort
- Diarrhoea, sometimes containing blood
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy and weakness
- Signs of kidney damage
๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐๐๐ง ๐๐จ๐ฎ ๐๐๐๐ฎ๐๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ค?
- Check paddocks regularly, particularly after strong winds and heavy rain.
- Fence off oak and sycamore trees, or move horses to safer grazing where possible.
- Remove fallen acorns, seeds and seedlings from grazing areas.
- Provide plenty of supplementary forage when grazing is limited to discourage horses from eating potentially harmful material.
- Remember that sycamore seeds can travel considerable distances in the wind, so check surrounding areas too.
Early veterinary intervention is vital. If you suspect your horse has eaten sycamore seeds or acorns, or is showing any unusual symptoms, contact your vet immediately. Do not wait for clinical signs to develop.
๐๐ฅ๐ข๐๐๐ ๐๐ช๐ฎ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ฅ - ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐
Please share this post to help raise awareness and keep our horses safe this autumn!
