It’s Monday again and these are quickly becoming my favorite morning as we learn about more plants your horse can’t eat. Today a close up of the sweetly delicate pink flowers of the Bog Laurel
A Little About Bog Laurels
Kalmia polifolia is Bog Laurel, also called Lambkill, Sheep Laurel, Mountain Laurel & Whitewicky among other common names. This plant ranges from a shrub to a tree and has smooth elliptical leaves and white, pink or purple flowers which grow in bunches on upper stems.
How Dangerous Is It?
This is an unpalatable plant that is only a problem during extreme or drought conditions. However the whole thing is poisonous, including the nectar (which translates into bad honey). Its extreme toxicity makes it better to have a fence between Laurels in general and your horse. This plant family (which includes Oleander) contains a toxicity that affects muscle & nerve function.
All parts of the plant are toxic – and can be fatal to equines.
What To Look For
You know your animal the best, so you should know when something is amiss. Bog Laurel toxicity symptoms occur within a few hours of ingestion and can include excessive salivation, loss of appetite, diarrhea, colic, loss of coordination & weakened heart rate.
Learn More
Be sure to check out the Bog Laurel to learn more about the plant and while you are at it why not check out more toxic plants?
*It should be noted that I’m not a veterinarian. This information is written specifically for horses and should be used for reference purposes only. If you think your horse has eaten something toxic call your vet right away.