Trees That Are Toxic to Horses

Make sure these trees are nowhere near your horses
Cherry trees are so pretty! Wouldn’t one look lovely in your pasture? Sure, but they are highly toxic to horses. So give them a miss.

There are several types of tress that are toxic to horses. Study the photos below closely. Then take a walk around your property. Are these trees anywhere your horses graze? If so, move your horses or remove the trees!

Black Walnut

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Shavings made from black walnut trees causes founder and laminitis.
NEVER use black walnut shavings for horse bedding.

Also NEVER put a horse water trough under these trees. The leaves and petals they drop will fall in the water and make your horse sick.​ 

Red Maple

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Red maples trees are not only very attractive, but they provide ample shade. Too bad that they also are toxic to horses. A toxin in the leaves destroys red blood cells.

Cherry Tree

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Contains cyanide, which prevents cells from absorbing and using oxygen.

Plum Tree

Same as cherry tree. 

Oak

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Oak: Contains tannins that cause colic.
Happy riding!

Copyright Denise Cummins, March 2016; updated June 18, 2018; updated June 6, 2024

Photo Credits: Google Image Search, Labeled Free To Use and Share

As long as you’re here, check these out!

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​Four Reasons to Blanket Your Horse in Winter
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