Plants Toxic to Horses - Buttercups

I photographed these buttercups on the margin of a marshy area in a pasture. The flowers are yellow and cup shaped with sharply lobed leaves off of a thin stem. The grass around them was well grazed. Horses will avoid eating buttercups if there is more desirable feed available. After a hard frost or dried in hay buttercups are no longer toxic.

Buttercups may cause:

• irritation of the mouth area
• colic like symptoms
• diarrhea

Resource: Indiana Plants Poisonous to Livestock and Pets Cooperative Extension Service, Purdue University

If you suspect poisoning from any plant or substance call your veterinarian immediately.