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In memory of CAF
Mercury Blues.. 1998-2007
ASPC/AMHR arenosa bred
foundation classic
Foundation sire for
the saddlebred pony registry
Our elegant blue roan
boy...
Neighbors
intentionally fed him boxwood, as well as some of the rest of our
horses.. CAF Krystal Blue Persuasion, and FLF Texan in a Stetson, were
humanely euthanised at the time of the initial poisoning.
Our tough boy "Booty" has battled intermittent
colic issues since then. Boxwood burns mucosal tissues, oral, and intestinal
as well.. Booty had started a very, VERY promising
showring career, cut very short.. After the boxwood, food was not metabolized
well, and colic was a constant fear, due
to intestinal scarring. Black Rivers Kristi, our arenosa AMHR mare,
has lesser issues as well..
As a breeder.. He is
irreplaceable.. Try finding an other like him......we have one filly
left, and she is exquisite, as was Krystal. He passed on his
movement, and elegance. 3 out of four were fillies.. all were roan.
As a trainer.. he is
one of the most talented ponies I have had the pleasure of training,
single/pair/tandem lead/halter/jumping/ridden in lessons.. I will so
much miss the thrill of your extended trot, coupled with the oh so light
contact.. your morning hellos....a gentleman. You never refused to try your
utmost.
As a much beloved
family member.. we are heartsick, and devastated... Greg most of all, as
Booty was HIS boy.. they had quite a special bond and understanding,..
from the first day they met...
In a attempt to
help others, and bring something positive out of our loss.. we want to share
info on this all too common landscaping plant.
There is much
misinformation on Boxwood.. It is very toxic to horses, and we found it hit
our mini size horses, especially hard. Most sites state it is simply a
gastrointestinal irritant,, we have even found sites that state it has been
used for worming.. The most accurate sites state it takes 0.15 percent
of their body weight to kill them.. Our yearling filly ingested a few sprigs,
and was immediately down.
They initially show
neurological symptoms, unable to use their hindquarters well.. they twisted
their heads, and gaped their mouths open, most likely in response to the
burning of oral tissues.. they then rapidly progress to severe colic symptoms,
which is what you, and your vet may assume.. Its hard for a vet to be there
fast enough to catch the initial issues. Ours went down within ten minutes..
you DO NOT get much time.. The colic symptoms are violent, and fast.
Our yearling, went
down, convulsing, and throwing herself on the ground.. even trying to restrain
her, she repeatedly bashed her head fighting the pain.. she was in agony.
If they do survive
as our two did, their lasting damage, certainly shortened their likelihood, of
a normal healthy life.
Thanks to Dana
Bridges, Hannah Evergreen, and ALL of the equine vets and staff, at Pilchuck,
for the last couple years...
Boxwood, below for identification...
NOTE THE OPPOSING LEAVES, NOT TOO MANY PLANTS LOOK LIKE THIS...
there is more than one variety, with
some differences in shape, but all have opposing leaves... Boxwood is an
alkaloid plant.
BOXWOOD IS TOXIC AND POTENTIALLY LETHAL TO HORSES
Link to downloadable flyer above
CONFUSED TAXA:
No other cultivated plants have simple, opposite, oval, leathery leaves. Some
varieties of holly (Ilex) or cotoneaster (Cotoneaster) may be confused with box,
but these have alternate, not opposite, leaves.
BOXWOOD, and HORSES, are a
DEADLY, DEADLY combination. Many fairs and showgrounds use this plant, in their
landscaping.. a quick snatch or bite by mini or pony as you walk by.. is enough
to KILL them.
Anyone who is not familiar with this plant, feel free to email
Shyrle
candyapplefarm@comcast.net
Again, our ponies WERE intentionally exposed.. but as common as the plant is..
most do not realize it is deadly to horses.. Generally you do not get time to
treat them! It mimics a severe colic.. with large amounts ingested,
neurologic, and severe colic symptoms are quickly followed by respiratory
failure. Suggested treatments include activated charcoal, and you certainly will
need pain management quickly. Simply assuming it is colic.. is not the best
option!
A good suggestion would be to tag all landscaping plants that
are toxic, if removal is not an option, so the vets have an idea how to treat.
Don't let your horse and pony snag a bite while walking back to the stall on the
showgrounds.. MANY common plants use din landscaping ARE poisonous.. While they
may not act as fast as this plant, they can cost your animals health, or
life.
====================
BOXWOOD:
or
Buxus
Dangerous to livestock, especially equines, and goats...
GENUS: Buxus
Buxus sempervirens L. –Common boxwood, box
FAMILY: Buxaceae—the Box Family
This family contains two genera of plants used for ornamental purposes, Buxus
and Pachysandra. The former is an evergreen shrub widely used in horticulture,
while the latter is an evergreen ground cover, equally common in use.
Characteristics for the family are: flowers: unisexual, regular, inconspicuous;
sepals: 4, basally fused; stamens: 4, opposite the calyx lobes; pistil: 1;
ovary: superior.
PHENOLOGY: Boxwood flowers in spring.
DISTRIBUTION: Cultivated as a hedge, foundation, specimen, or edging (dwarf)
plant.
PLANT CHARACTERISTICS: Leaves: elliptic to lanceolate-oblong, broadest below the
middle, dark green and lustrous above; flowers: in axillary clusters, with a
terminal female flower and several male flowers below in the axils of
bracteoles; petals: absent; female flowers: with a 3celled ovary; fruit: a
capsule with 3, two-horned valves.
POISONOUS PARTS: The leaves and stems are poisonous.
Toxicity to horses is estimated to be 0.15% (green-weight basis) of body weight,
which for an average animal is equivalent to 1.5 lbs. of leaves.
IN OUR
EXPERIENCE>>MUCH MUCH LESS!
SYMPTOMS: Severe gastroenteritis, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, stomach pains,
convulsion, and death through respiratory failure may result from ingestion of boxwood.
POISONOUS PRINCIPLES: The akaloid buxene (buxine) has been implicated in
poisonings. Other active principles are probably involved, including a volatile
oil.
SPECIES OF ANIMALS AFFECTED: Horses, sheep, pigs, and cattle have been poisoned.
==================
If anyone is interested in helping me to inform the public by contacting YOUR
local gardening stores to get "in place" large POISON tags on Boxwood
and ALL plants poisonous to children, horses and other
animals please contact me.
 
 
  
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Arenosa
Bred foundation classics, ASPC/AMHR/AMHA
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