Karen Birch went to feed her horses one morning and discovered they were very lethargic and almost appeared to be in shock. Birch quickly called her veterinarian, who recommended she take them to Michigan State.
The horses had to have their stomach’s pumped and were each put on an I.V.. The two horses likely would have died if Birch had not rushed them to MSU.
The cause of the horses? illness: black locusts. Black locusts are a common local tree, which can be poisonous to horses. The bark and leaves contain several toxic components which affect the gastrointestinal tract and the nervous system of the animals.
‘The signs in horses are depression and being lethargic, which can be signs of other things,? Birch said. ‘When I went out to feed them, it was like they were drunk or in shock. The fast treatment we got was key. The side effects are unknown.?
Birch’s two horses are still recovering from the black locust. Birch said she never knew about black locust and talking with others, not many people did.
‘I told other horse owners I know,? Birch said. ‘The black locust trees are everywhere around here. People put a lot of money in their horses.?
There are several black locust trees outside Birch’s pasture for her two horses, but she found several small ones inside. The baby trees look like a normal weed or even grass.
‘I just want people to know about this,? Birch said. ‘People value their horses. There have been no reported cases here before. It’s not common knowledge like some other plants. I just want horse owners to be aware.?