Safer Barn Landscaping

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Grazing Horse

 

Whether updating a barn or creating a perfect horsey haven from the ground up, equine safety should get top billing. While care is taken in many barn-planning details, from aisle width to insulation to placement of paddocks, many times landscaping becomes an afterthought once the buildings are in place.

This can be an issue, as many trees and plants commonly used in landscaping are hazardous to horses. Before you begin laying out your landscaping, check out this handy list to find out what plants should and shouldn’t be used around horses. While the list can seem extensive, it doesn’t require that the land surrounding your farm be laid bare. Non-toxic trees, plants and flowers can beautify your barn without putting your horses at risk.

While all of the “avoid” plants should not be immediately accessible to curious equines, it may also be worthwhile to keep them off your property entirely, even where horses don’t normally roam. Horses have a way of finding their freedom on occasion, and the last thing you want is for an escapee to nibble on something he shouldn’t.

Plants to Avoid:

Trees:

Plants:

Flowers:

Black locust

Black walnut


Fruit trees:
  • apple (including crabapple);
  • cherry;
  • peach;
  • plum

Red Maple

Yew

Boxwood


Bracken Fern


Branching Ivy


Burning Bush


English Holly


English Ivy


Holly
Buttercup

Chrysanthemum


Daffodil


Foxglove


Hibiscus


Gardenia


Garlic


Heliotrope


Hibiscus


Hosta


Hyacinth


Hydrangea


Jack-in-the-pulpit


Lily-of-the-Valley


Oleander


Paper White


Peony


Sweet Pea


Wisteria

 

Plants Non-Toxic to Horses:

Trees:

Plants:

Flowers:


Hawthorn


Hemlock


Hickory


Maples (except red)


Oaks


Pear


Tulip Poplar
Crepe Myrtle

Eastern Arborvitae


Eastern Teaberry


Hollyleaved Barberry


Mulberry


Swedish Ivy
Coral Bells

Daisies


Easter Lilly


Gerber Daisy


Hens and chicks


Hollyhock


Rose


Snapdragons


Sunflower


Tiger Lily

 

Listed here are just a few of the plants, trees and shrubs that are both hazardous and safe for your four-legged friends. For a more detailed list of what trees, plants and flowers are safe to be planted around horses, visit the ASPCA’s animal poison control center.

Liked this article? Here are others you’ll enjoy:
Protect Your Horse from Poisoning
Are There Poisonous Plants in Your Horse’s Pasture?
Toxic Horse Treats

5 COMMENTS

  1. I had to look up about honeysuckle. Horses eating some is ok but in large quantities-no. My horses can get to a single bush that’s grown over the fence. Oh the gas they pass lol!

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