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Discussion on Willow brush in Hay - Poisonous? or OK?
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Member:
muffi
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Posted on Friday, Aug 31, 2007 - 11:38 am:
We bought some local hay in Northern NM and there a lot of small willow branches in it. I know it is willow because we have the same on our property by the creek.
Is it harmful for them? they seem to not want to eat it and push it aside. I just am nervous about it being in their primary food substance (hay) -
I did look at the Poisons and Poisonous plants section and went off to the AZ Poison plant web site too - nothing on Willow.
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Friday, Aug 31, 2007 - 11:58 am:
Deer, bear, beaver,and many other animals eat willows for food, and it's bark has been used as a medicine for thousands of years, teas have been made from it's leaves and bark, so I'd be surprised if it's harmful to horses. I'm sure the stems are pretty tough, so I don't blame the horses for not eating it when there is good hay.
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Member:
alden
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Posted on Saturday, Sep 1, 2007 - 9:27 pm:
It's a favorite of Moose, but that doesn't really help in your situation. If your horses are not eating it I wouldn't worry too much.
Good day,
Alden
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Member:
erika
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Posted on Sunday, Sep 2, 2007 - 4:00 pm:
All the horses where I boarded as a kid would stand in the creek and eat the willow leaves and branches. Never was a healthier bunch.
The bark does have a precurser to aspirin. We used to joke that the horses would eat it when they were sore from all the riding we did.
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Member:
muffi
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Posted on Monday, Sep 3, 2007 - 5:39 pm:
Well then that answers it. We have no moose here and the beaver? Nope. the bear kind of come and go and we don't see them so .... I guess then it's up to the boys to eat that willow. Whew - now when they are rode hard and put away wet - I lead them to the willow patch?
(that would be the day they are mistreated like that. Trust fund babies that they are)
so now I won't be picking them all out when I feed them. that was a chore - and when your not really sure - well I just wanted to be sure.
You guys are the best thanks
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