Equisetum arvense

Equisetum arvense is toxic to horses. The reported severity is critical. Also known as Field Horsetail.

horses

Mild Moderate Severe Critical

This plant is known to be potentially deadly!

If you're comfortable with the risk, ensure this plant is out of reach of your animal.
If you suspect your animal has ingested portions of this plant, immediately consult your veterinarian.
If your animal is experiencing any of the associated symptoms, immediately contact your veterinarian's emergency number for further instructions.

If your animal ate this plant, call your veterinarian now, or one of these services.

What do I do right now?

Australia
Animal Poisons Helpline 1300 869 738 24 hours, every day · From $75
Austria
Vergiftungsinformationszentrale 01 406 43 43 24 hours, every day
Belgium
Centre Antipoisons 070 245 245 08:00 to 22:00 on weekdays, 10:00 to 22:00 at weekends · Human calls come first. The centre has no funding for animal work.
Canada
Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661 24 hours, every day · $89 for each incident
France
Centre National d'Informations Toxicologiques Vétérinaires 04 78 87 10 40 08:30 to midnight, every day
Germany
Giftinformationszentrum Bonn 0228 19240 24 hours, every day · Germany has no dedicated animal service. Human calls come first, so an animal call can wait.
Ireland
Ireland has no animal poison service for owners. Call your veterinarian. An Irish veterinarian can consult the Veterinary Poisons Information Service in the United Kingdom.
Italy
Centro Antiveleni di Milano 02 6610 1029 24 hours, every day
Netherlands
Nationaal Vergiftigingen Informatie Centrum 088 755 8000 Veterinarians only 24 hours, every day · Call your veterinarian. Your veterinarian calls this line.
New Zealand
Animal Poisons Helpline 0800 869 738 24 hours, every day
Sweden
Giftinformationscentralen stopped answering questions about animals on 1 July 2018. Call your veterinarian or an animal hospital.
Switzerland
Tox Info Suisse 145 24 hours, every day · From outside Switzerland, call +41 44 251 51 51.
United Kingdom
Animal PoisonLine 01202 509 000 24 hours, every day · £35 from 08:00 to 20:00 Monday to Friday, £45 at other times
Veterinary Poisons Information Service 020 7305 5055 Veterinarians only 24 hours, every day · A members only service. Your veterinarian calls this line.
United States
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888) 426-4435 24 hours, every day · A consultation fee applies
Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661 24 hours, every day · $89 for each incident

Symptoms to watch for

Weakness Weight Loss Incoordination Tremors Death Seizures Diarrhea CNS Depression

The color of each symptom follows the severity scale above.

About

Equisetum arvense, commonly known as field horsetail or common horsetail, is a species of vascular plant in the horsetail family Equisetaceae. Like all horsetails, it is a type of fern. It is native throughout the arctic and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. It has two distinct growth forms, a fertile spore-bearing stem and a sterile green stem. It is sometimes confused with mare's tail, Hippuris vulgaris.

How this plant poisons

Equisetum arvense is toxic to livestock, particularly horses. It is difficult to control due to its extensive underground rhizomes, which can penetrate the soil up to 6 feet (1.8 m) deep. Fire, mowing, or slashing are ineffective since new stems quickly grow from the rhizomes. Some herbicides remove aerial growth but regrowth quickly occurs albeit with a reduction in frond density.