tree bark

[notpoodle]

angel and her pal appear to have a new past time ... they are chewing bark off a big tree in the field and eat it is this dangerous? i can't te'' what sort of tree it is, because it doesnt have any branches left. but its a very tall tree people at the yard assure me it is NOT a poisonous tree but they dont know what sort if tree it is either ...

[Yann]

Don't worry, it's normal and natural for them, especially if the grazing is a bit poor as it is at the moment. Any branches or boughs that come down in our field get stripped clean in short order:)

[aliw]

Is it a willow tree? Because the bark of a willow tree is a natural painkiller.

[notpoodle]

i dont think its a willow tree, it looks too tall for that :rolleyes:

@ yann: this is my first winter as a horse owner and i wasnt sure about the tree-eating business, but thanks for letting me know its nothing to worry about. angel and her pal seem to do it as some sort of ritual?!

julia
x

[virtuallyhorses]

any chance of a piccie? even without limbs we could have a guess at what it is. Poplars (a cousin of the willow) grow very tall and are quite yummy (apparently, haven't munched one myself) but so are lots of other trees and things like hazel twigs etc are often used as additional forage. Bark\tree eating is quite normal but it is always a good idea to check out what the tree is, not just because of toxins but because some will add 'drugs' to your horse that could get you eliminated from competition (if you compete :) )

[Zingy]

Downside is it kills the trees :( I am now the proud owner of about 6 dead trees and a lot of the summer shelter is now slightly useless from bark chewing :mad:

[notpoodle]

the tree looks pretty dead as it is - i presume that's why someone has lopped off all its branches :rolleyes:

i dont compete ... not sure i want a drugged pony though :rolleyes:

julia
x

[shoniedaspony]

Be careful,my friends horse came in from the field on one of those snowy days, with a long bramble stuck in his throat from eating bushes.
we had to get the vet out to sedate him to be able to remove it, and he is still on antibiotics. OUCH! tree eating does appear to be harmless though, the horses are getting through our trees like there's no tomorrow!

[hApPiNeSs]

well happy's going mad for reeds at the moment, and various bits if hedge, for some reason, rather than her nice hay

its a pony thing