Welcome to another Monday morning edition in the a-z of plants your horse can’t eat. Today’s plant is one that looks altogether uninviting, the Goldenbush is as ugly as it is toxic.
A Little About Goldenbush
Haplopappus heterophyllus is also called Burrow Weed, Goldenbush, Rayless Goldenrod and Rosea. This is a small bush with a woody crown and sticky, narrow and slightly toothed leaves which grow alternately. Yellow flowers grow in flat clusters at the top of stems.
How Dangerous Is It?
The adult plant is unpalatable to horses and is generally only a problem during drought conditions. However its extreme toxicity makes it one to be on the look out for.
Both green and dried leaves of this 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. Goldenbush toxicity symptoms may not occur until days after ingestion and include loss of coordination, weakness, tremors, rapid pulse, cardiac arrhythmia’s, swelling of nervous system, sweating, inability to swallow and dribbling urine.
Learn More
Be sure to check out the Goldenbush 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.