It’s Monday morning and time again for my horrifying series, the a-z of plants your horse can’t eat. Today’s plant is one that is quite commonly found and while beautiful the Fiddleneck is a highly toxic killer.
A Little About Fiddlenecks
The Amsinckia species is also called Caterpillar Weed, Coast Fiddleneck, Fiddleneck and Tarweed. This is an annual weed that grows up to three feet tall. The whole plant is hairy and leaves grow alternately. Flowers are orange/yellow and grow only on the outside of the fiddleneck.
How Dangerous Is It?
This plant is unpalatable to horses and generally only a problem during drought conditions. The whole plant is toxic and contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids which can cause liver failure. This plant is particularly dangerous to pregnant or nursing mares as toxicity can be passed along via milk/through the placenta.
All parts 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. Fiddleneck toxicity symptoms are often called “walking disease” or “sleepy staggers” and include weight loss, depression, aimless walking, constant licking, sensitivity to the sun, jaundice and red urine.
Learn More
Be sure to check out the Fiddleneck 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.