Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2007 7:26 am Post subject: Benificial Trees and Shrubs
This is posted from another mailing list with the authors permission:
Quote:
I am thinking of planting some young trees around my paddocks, and as the horses will be able to get close to them can you tell me which ones not to plant as they are poisonous to horses. I will not plant Oak because of the acorns, but not sure about any others
Thanks
Karen
Oak and Yew are obviously ones to avoid, but I have suggested to Karen that she should consider planting beneficial trees that the horses can use for forage.
Holly springs to mind - the New Forest ponies eat it in winter.
Has anyone got any suggestions for beneficial trees or shrubs?
I will pass your suggestions back to Karen, so let me know if you want them with or without you contact details attached.
Dog rose (Rosa rugosa) for rose hips which contain biotin.
Willow (Salix) - horses can take it for natural pain relief (it contains salicylic acid which asprin is derived from)
Hawthorn's another - my Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants says 'The bioflavinoids are also strongly antioxidant, helping to prevent or reduce degeneration of the blood vessels'. Looks generally good for all things circulatory, especially for the heart.
Also, perhaps European Hazel - astringent and anti inflammatory.
And I know that Ash trees are particularly loved by horses (leaves and bark) and they're apparently quite nutritious. Certainly, we had to cut one down that was growing through our well and threatening to push it in and Crystal and Mascagne ate the whole thing through the course of the winter.
Second all the above, and would add beech - the horses are all going mad for it at the moment, but its always a favourite. They also like a bit of gorse, now and again!
Hawthorn and willow are the next favourites.
Nettles are fine but you need to cut it and then they eat it (once the sting has gone). Agree with Claire - the "weeds" will establish themselves usually, as long as you don't spray, I suspect.
When we attended the lami conference last month, one of the speakers pointed out that dandelions were full of fructans and not to take them for granted!
I once 'lost' my horse in our summer pastures only to discover her in the depths of an enormous gorse bush, so they definitely do like it They're always nibbling in the hawthorn hedges in there too.
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