Poisoning in equines

Please note that the term ‘horse’ is used on this page, but the information applies to horses, ponies and donkeys.

It is every responsible owner’s nightmare for their horse to be poisoned. Make sure you’re prepared for such an emergency.

Read our top tips on what to do if you think your horse has been poisoned and how to prevent poisonings. You can also check out our information on some of the most common equine poisons that horse owners should be aware of.

Under the Animal Welfare Act all owners have a legal duty to provide for their horse’s needs, including the need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease. Preventing your horse from coming into contact with poisonous substances and treating any accidental poisonings quickly and appropriately is an important part of responsible horse ownership.
 

What to do if you think your horse has been poisoned

1. Stay calm.
   Remove your horse(s) from the source of poison if possible.
    
2. Contact your vet for advice immediately; inform them when, where and how the poisoning occurred.
   If appropriate, carefully retain the packaging, plant or substance to show to the vet. Be careful not to expose yourself to any harm.
    
3. Follow your vet’s advice.
   If you are advised to take your horse(s) to the vet, do so quickly and calmly.

Never attempt to treat or medicate your horse(s) yourself. Some medicines for humans and other animals may be poisonous to your horse.

If the skin or fur is contaminated, wash thoroughly with mild shampoo and water, rinse well and dry.

Keep your horse(s) away from any other animals to avoid cross contamination.

Never ‘watch and wait’ in any case of suspected poisoning. If you suspect your horse has been poisoned, act fast and contact a vet for advice immediately.

Preventing poisoning in horses

• Ensure housing and exercise areas are free from, and not overhung by, poisonous plants.
   
• Ensure your horse’s/horses’ water supply cannot become contaminated, and change it regularly.
   
• When using pesticides such as rodenticides in or around housing and exercise areas be sure to restrict your horse’s/horses’ access to these areas.
   
• Ensure adequate and appropriate food/forage is available for your horse’s/horses’ to reduce the likelihood for eating other vegetation. Some feeds intended for other animals may not be appropriate for horses.
   
• Ensure riders, carers and visitors are informed about potential poisonous hazards to your horse(s) and do not allow them to feed inappropriate food items. 

Common horse poisons

The Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) is a specialist 24-hour emergency service which provides information and advice to veterinary professionals and animal welfare organisations on the treatment of animals exposed to toxic substances.

Some of the most common, potentially severe horse poisons reported to the VPIS are:

• Ragwort (Senicio Jacobae)
   
• Phenoxy acid herbicides – a type of weed killer commonly used on garden lawns
   
• Rodent poisons (called ‘rodenticides’)
   
• Yew tree (Taxus baccata)
   
• Leyland Cypress (Cupressocyparis leylandii)
   
• Oak (Quercus spp).

Read more about these common equine poisons, their symptoms and treatment.

The list above is not exhaustive and other cases of poisoning in horses reported to the VPIS have included Metaldehyde, a common active ingredient of slug and snail baits or pellets, Ivermectin, a type of anti-parasitic medication, and creosote. For more information about what substances are harmful to your horse, pony or donkey, speak to your vet.


 

Acknowledgement for this information is made to the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS). The VPIS is a specialist 24-hour emergency service, which is only available to veterinary professionals and animal welfare organisations, providing information and advice on the treatment of animals exposed to toxic substances. It is not a public access service. Some helpful information is available on their website www.vpisuk.co.uk.