MaggieSpring is on the horizon and that means planning for all the warm weather has to offer; activities like horse shows, traveling, gardening, and enjoying the sunshine outside.
Before placing any plants in your garden or stable’s landscape, be aware that many popular plants are hazardous to horses.
Below is a list compiled of plants that are non-toxic to horses, but it is always recommend to talk to your veterinarian about what is safe for your four-legged friends.
Horse Friendly Plants
- African Violets
- Alyssum
- Aster
- Blooming Sally
- Black-Eyed Susan
- Blue-Eyed Daisy
- Cornflower
- Crape Myrtle
- Creeping Zinnia
- Daylilies
- Feather Palm
- Marigolds
- Hibiscus
- Impatients
- Magnolia Bush
- Mulberry Tree
- Pansies
- Petunias
- Purple Passion Vine
- Sage
- Snapdragon
- Spider Ivy
- Sunflowers
- Sweet Potato Vine
- Thyme
- Tiger Lily
When planning your garden beds, using an equine-friendly mulch to cut down on maintenance. Mulch prevents water from eroding the garden, aids in keeping weeds at bay, and helps hold moisture in the soil. Be careful of the type of wood your mulch is made from. Black walnut and cocoa hull have toxic effects on horses.
Additionally, consider the type of climate and what kind of sun and water exposure the garden will have. Once you have selected plant varieties to fit your goals, be sure they are not toxic to horses. It’s imperative to select horse-friendly plants for your farm, because even if plants are out of direct reach of the horses on your property, strong winds, storms, and heavy rains can relocate flowers, stems, and leaves from a garden into the pasture occupied by horses.
Alternatively, adding lighting to your landscaping can also add beauty without the maintenance plants require.
Share your beautiful barn landscaping on social media for a chance to be featured by tagging us on Facebook @EquestrianLivingMagazine and Instagram @eqliving.