Are thistles bad for horses to eat?

Question

I'm starting a horse ranch in a couple of years and I can't remember for the life of me if thistles need to be avoided in pastures.

Answer 1

I don't think they're necessarilly poisonous but I would avoid them rather go for something like rye grass or dandelions.

Answer 2

Here's something I learned about my horses. If the horse is well fed, and not starving, then they will not eat anything that they shouldn't.
Here I'll give you an example. We had three miniature horses boarded with us, and we put them in the round pen. It had some grass, but they ate it all down to nothing. Except, there are three lonely buttercups in the middle.
I wondered why and found out they are poisonous. So, there is my example.
On the other hand, the thistles are bad for the eyes. Sometimes they scratch their eyes by mistake trying to get the good stuff next to it.

Answer 3

Yes after you feed a horse thistles you should probablhy eat the horse

Answer 4

Yellow Thistle is poisonous in larger quantities, as are buttercups,cherry and crab apple bark, pine,fescue grass if eaten by a pregnant/lactating mare is dangerous to the fetus/foal..... there are several others. Your best bet would be to do a poisonous plant search for equines. I can't remember the book I have at home that I refer to from time to time.

Answer 5

Horses wont eat them.. but if the pasture is thick with them they will poke and leave bumps on your horse.. but just make sure they have some grass to eat bc they need roughage if not just put a round bale of grass hay out..

Answer 6

im not 2 sure but i love horses

Answer 7

Would you want to eat one? I doubt it.