Monday morning and time to learn about yet another plant that could hurt your horse. Today’s plant is Downy Brome, very common – but luckily it’s only a problem at certian times of the year .
A Little About Downy Brome
Bromus tectorum is also called Bronco Grass, Cheatgrass Downey Brome, Downey Chess, Drooping Brome, Early Chess, June Grass and Military Grass. This is an annual grass that grows up to 30 inches in height. Blades and leaf sheaths are covered in tiny, fine hairs. Seeds are purple, slender and grow in drooping spikelets.
How Dangerous Is It?
Although this plant is a grass, not toxic and isn’t a problem all year long – it’s still something to be highly aware of. The seed awns on this plant are incredibly coarse and can cause a variety of mechanical injury – they can even enter through the skin.
The seed awns of this plant are incredibly rough and can cause extreme mechanical damage to equines.
What To Look For
You know your animal the best, so you should know when something is amiss. Problems associated with ingesting Downy Brome awns include sores or infections in the mouth, throat or eyes. Gastrointestinal distress and unexplained weight loss.
Learn More
Be sure to check out the Downy Brome page 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.