BOXWOOD IS TOXIC AND POTENTIALLY LETHAL TO HORSES

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 leaf shape, but all have opposing leaves... Boxwood is an alkaloid plant.

         

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.
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 used in landscaping ARE poisonous.. While they may not act as fast as this plant, they can cost your animals health, or life.




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, bloody diarrhea, stomach pains, convulsion, and death through respiratory failure may result from ingestion of boxwood."   We noted obvious distress, head twisting, and gaping of the mouth, as the plants burns oral mucosa.. Ours  were ataxic, or lost coordination in the hindquarters, rapidly progressing to severe colic symptoms. They exhibit SEVERE pain.

POISONOUS PRINCIPLES: The akaloid buxene (buxine) has been implicated in poisonings. Other active principles are probably involved, including a volatile oil..All alkaloid plants are toxic to horses.

SPECIES OF ANIMALS AFFECTED: Horses, sheep, pigs, and cattle have been poisoned.
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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 us.

Shyrle Ross-Bullington, and Greg Swartz
candyapplefarm@comcast.net

425-355-5324