We’ve finished the G’s and moved on to the H’s in the a-z of plants your horse can’t eat. Today’s plant was named with a sense of humor. Frankly Hairy Vetch doesn’t sound like a plant, it sounds like something you call someone you don’t like!
A Little About Hairy Vetch
Vicia villosa is also called Hairy Vetch. This is an annual which grows on a central hairy stem and can reach up to 6 feet tall. Leaves are hairy with small leaflets, small flowers are purple/red and grow in a row one one side of the stalk. Fruit grows in one inch pods.
How Dangerous Is It?
Not generally palatable to equines, this plant is generally only a threat during drought conditions. However the plant contains an unknown toxin which can cause an immune-mediated disease.
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. Hairy Vetch toxicity symptoms include visible welts on the skin, hair loss, thickening of the skin, irritation of mucus membranes, swollen lymph nodes, loss of coordination and convulsions.
Learn More
Be sure to check out the Hairy Vetch 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.
Interesting! It sorta looks like a wild pea plant that we have growing in North East Victoria..