Better information makes for healthier horses,
Horseadvice.com is where equine science and horse sense intersect.

Discussion on Red Clover and Sensitive fern

Use the navigation bar above to access articles and more discussions on this topic.
Author Message
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Adria Weatherbee
Member
Username: adriaa

Post Number: 92
Registered: 12-2006
Posted on Saturday, Oct 11, 2008 - 1:49 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post
How toxic are red clover and sensitive fern? They are both listed as toxic, but to what degree and what amount. I just moved my horses home and there is red clover in the pasture, it is the end of the season and they are mostly dead. I also have a couple patches of Sensitive Fern, they are also dead, and I did mow them prior to letting the horses out.

thanks

Adria
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: dro

Post Number: 21538
Registered: 1-1997
Posted on Sunday, Oct 12, 2008 - 8:50 am:   Edit PostPrint Post
I have not heard of sensitive fern Adria, have you got a scientific name? Is it the same as braken fern? Concerning red clover see Diseases of Horses » Colic, Diarrhea, GI Tract » Mouth, Esophagus, and Liver » Slobbering, Salivation, and Clover Poisoning.
DrO
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Adria Weatherbee
Member
Username: adriaa

Post Number: 93
Registered: 12-2006
Posted on Sunday, Oct 12, 2008 - 10:53 am:   Edit PostPrint Post
Dr. O,

I did get some info about them. Concerning the Red Clover apparently since the stems take a while to dry they can contain a mycotoxin called slaframine, which causes the slobbering, but it did not mention fresh plants. Also, I believe they have to eat quite a lot.

Sensitive Fern http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/grasses/plants/sensitive_fern.htm

Also,it needs to be consumed in quantity in hay, one site said 10-20% of forage for at least 4 weeks before any symptoms, my pasture has just a few spots and none in my hay.

Thanks

Adria
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: dro

Post Number: 21544
Registered: 1-1997
Posted on Monday, Oct 13, 2008 - 8:43 am:   Edit PostPrint Post
Adria, there is more complete information on clover poisoning in the article I reference in my previous post, some of what you learned is not right or at least incomplete. I cannot get the link you post to work.
DrO
Post a Message to this Discussion
Posting
Instructions: 		Full Service Members may post to this discussion and should address the orignial poster's concerns or other information posted here. New questions about your horse should be started in a new discussion. Use the navigation bar at the top of this page to return to the parent article and review the article and existing discussions. If your question remains unanswered "Start a New Discussion", the link is under the list of discussions at the bottom of the article.
Post:
Bold text Italics Underline Create a hyperlink Insert a clipart image

Username:
Password:
Options: Enable HTML code in message
Automatically activate URLs in message
Action:
Home Page | Todays Discussions | Search | Top of Page Administration
  http://www.horseadvice.com
is The Horseman's Advisor
Helping Thousands of Equestrians, Farriers, and Veterinarians Every Day
All rights reserved, © 2009 		BBB Reliability Seal