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Discussion on 10 French horses dead believed due to acorn poisoning
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Member:
frances
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Posted on Thursday, Nov 14, 2013 - 9:02 am:
This is rather disturbing news.
https://www.thehorse.com/articles/32833/acorns-could-be-to-blame-for-french-horse s-deaths?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=nutrition&utm_campaign=11-11-2013
I wonder if they mean that it takes about 3kg of acorns eaten all at once to poison a horse, or 3kg eaten over a period of time?
My mare has an oak tree in her paddock, but I've never seen her eat the acorns. Nevertheless, I rake the the fallen ones up daily in the fall, but of course in the windy weather we're experiencing at present there are more blown down at night, so there's no guarantee that she doesn't eat some when when the hay is all finished.
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Member:
dres
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Posted on Thursday, Nov 14, 2013 - 9:27 am:
LL this report is discouraging .. but i have to say i live in California land of Oak trees and pastures full of them ... the horses eat the acorns even tho i have hay in front of them most of the day .. unfortunately they like them .. I am more afraid for my dogs that have developed a taste for the nut , and again there is nothing i can do for them either ..
Wish you well ...
On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots ..
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Member:
frances
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Posted on Thursday, Nov 14, 2013 - 11:55 am:
And presumably you've never had problems from the horse & dog acorn-gobbling?
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Member:
dres
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Posted on Thursday, Nov 14, 2013 - 6:49 pm:
correct , no problems with the horses ... gosh i hate to type that out ..  I worry tho about the dogs as this is the first year i have noticed them nut cracking ...
On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them spots .
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Member:
frances
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Posted on Friday, Nov 15, 2013 - 12:22 am:
I feel you!
Thanks Ann for the input.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Saturday, Nov 23, 2013 - 4:08 pm:
Hello LL,
As to the toxic dosage the important point is that the amount will vary by specie and maturity of the acorn. There is no number that can be applied to all situations. We do not know anything scientific about the cumulative effects of smaller doses over time. Experience would suggest that, at least for the hemorrhagic diarrhea component, consumption of larger amounts over a shorter period of time is more likely to cause toxicity.
DrO
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Member:
vickiann
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Posted on Friday, Nov 29, 2013 - 4:56 pm:
As the article states, green acorns are more toxic than ripe acorns.
My horses have been eating acorns for years and I take exception to the comment in the article that horses will not normally eat the acorns if other forage is available.
My horses always have constant access to ample hay or grass yet they love to suck those acorns up.
Those of the white oak family are less toxic.
Good idea to check out the species that yours have access to.
I have had one of mine show signs of kidney stress with eating acorns and my Vet here in FL prefers that they be raked up but it is impossible for me to keep all of them picked up.
Another horse of mine generally gets skin lesions at the start of every acorn season.
I know of cases of colic due to acorn ingestion.
If the acorns are available and the horses are in the pasture, in my opinion, it is a matter of time before the horses start eating them.
I think that horses will especially look to eat the acorns as a source of higher protein, so if the diet of a horse is not sufficiently high in protein in my experience they will go after the acorns more than they otherwise would. This has caused me to supplement the diet of my horses with some higher protein forage in addition to the coastal hay that we typically have available in Florida during acorn season.
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Member:
frances
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Posted on Saturday, Nov 30, 2013 - 7:12 am:
Thanks DrO and Vicky. I've actually had the foliage and acorns cut off this particular oak tree - it's just naked branches now.
I kind of hope it will sprout again come spring, as it has provided good shade during the summer months. Maybe if it does, and I act right away in removing the actual acorns as they appear, leaving the leaves, I may be able to have the good without the bad.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Saturday, Nov 30, 2013 - 4:54 pm:
Hello Vicki,
Acorns are a low protein but relatively high fat food stuff. Take exception if you like, but the fact of the matter is that well fed horses will eat less acorns. This is a important concept in all forms of natural food toxicity. Keep your horses well fed and they are less likely to eat something toxic, including acorns.
DrO
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Saturday, Nov 30, 2013 - 5:16 pm:
Oh Vick, I do not think I was clear above in that I agree that horses do like acorns.
DrO
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Member:
vickiann
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Posted on Saturday, Nov 30, 2013 - 8:43 pm:
Thanks for clarifying about the fat VS protein being in the acorns, Dr. O.
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