When clearing ground for an equestrian facility site in a wooded
area, or when horses are allowed to graze in a wooded area, care
must be taken to eliminate poisonous plants that are harmful to
the residing horses. While horses tend to avoid toxic plants
because of their taste, they can still be affected by foraging,
particularly if in sparse areas or in times of drought.
Cornell University lists the following species of plants that
are of particular concern to horse owners:
Red Maple, Fiddleneck, Locoweed, Yellow Star Thistle, Crown
Vetch, Jimsonweed, Horsetail, Buckwheat, St. John's Wort,
Mountain Laurel, Sensitive Fern, Black Cherry, Bitter Cherry,
Choke Cherry, Pin Cherry, Bracken, Fern Oaks, Rhubarb,
Rhododendron, Castor Bean, Black Locust, Grounsels, Common
Nightshade, Black Nightshade, Horse Nettle, Buffalo Bur, Potato
Sorghum or Milo, Sudan Grass, Johnson Grass and Yew, as well as
molds of various kinds in various feeds.
In the case of Yews and Hemlocks, whether the entire plant or
just a few clippings, a small amount can kill a horse within
hours as a result of heart failure. The list above is by no
means all-inclusive and there are a number of other toxic plants
that can be researched on the Internet.
Equestrian landscape architecture and site planning must take
this factor into account to assure that landscapers eliminate
dangerous plants during installation. The Landscape Architect
should walk the planned site together with the landscape
installer and check for dangerous plants and mark them for
elimination. In specifying proposed planting locations for the
equestrian site, the landscape architect must assure that toxic
plants are not placed in a position where horses can come into
contact with them.
Landscape Architects are required to be licensed by the State in
which they practice and are usually members of the American
Society of Landscape Architects, ASLA.
Landscape architecture encompasses the analysis, planning,
design, management and stewardship of the natural and built
environments. The national professional association is the
American Society of Landscape Architects, based in Washington.
ASLA full members have graduated from an accredited landscape
architecture program, have obtained 7 years of education and/or
professional experience and are state licensed. In Michigan, as
well as all other States, a three (3) day LARE examination
administered by the Council of Landscape Architectural
Registration Boards is required to be passed for state
licensure.
Landscape designers do not have these professional credentials.
Many state and local governments require designs to be stamped
with a state registered Landscape Architect's seal.
As a registered landscape architect in the State of Michigan and
principle architect with Sexton Ennett Design, LC, a landscape
architectural firm in southeast Michigan, I am particularly
aware of poisonous plants. See: http://www.sexton-ennett.com
I am also a breeder of champion Oldenburg warm blood sport
horses and am sensitive to the issues of poisonous plants
related to equestrian facilities. See: http://www.markimfarms.com
Enjoy your equestrian activities while assuring protection of
the health of your horses. One ounce of prevention is all it
takes.
###
About the author:
Kimberley Ennett has a Master Degree in Landscape Architecture
from the University of Michigan and is a registered landscape
architect in the State of Michigan. She is a principle landscape
architect with Sexton Ennett Design, LC, a landscape
architectural firm in southeast Michigan. See:
http://www.sexton-ennett.com
She is also a breeder of champion Oldenburg warm blood sport
horses. See: http://www.markimfarms.com Kimberley Ennett. MLA, ASLA
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