Borage
Borago officinalis
Horse
Low
Remove access and monitor the horse; call at the first sign. Very high chronic consumption (several kilograms over a long period).
Equio informs, it does not diagnose. When in doubt, call your vet.
What to do now
- Antidote
- No specific antidote. Symptomatic and liver support treatment.
- Time to signs
- Several weeks to several months for chronic effects.
- Prognosis
- Excellent. The concentration of toxins is much lower than in comfrey or ragwort.
- Remove the plant from the diet.
- Monitor the horse's general condition.
- Contact a veterinarian if symptoms appear.
Its ID card
- Height
- 30 cm – 1 m
- Flowering
- June to September.
- Toxic parts
- Leaves and stems (flowers contain extremely few toxins).
- Toxin
- Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (low quantity compared to comfrey).
- Habitat
- Gardens, vegetable patches, wastelands, roadsides.
- Soil indicator
- Loose, rich, sunny soils, old gardens.
- Regions
- Europe (Mediterranean Basin, cultivated elsewhere)
- In hay
- Yes — stays toxic once dried
- Palatability
- Very low when growing (very hairy and prickly), but the fleshy stems can be attractive during dry periods.
When the risk rises
June to September.
Spotting it in the field
Comfrey, Viper's Bugloss. — smell : light, fresh smell when crushed, slightly cucumber-like.
- Plant entirely covered in stiff, almost prickly hairs.
- Thick, fleshy stems containing a lot of water.
- Oval, wrinkled leaves.
- Very characteristic star-shaped flowers with 5 branches, a vivid azure blue with a prominent black center.
Signs to watch for
Primarily chronic (cumulative) toxicity.
Dose : Not precisely determined for horses, but chronic and significant consumption is necessary to induce liver toxicity.
- Diarrhea or mild colic if massive ingestion
- Long-term loss of overall condition
- Very slight yellowing of mucous membranes (liver damage)
- Excessive salivation (due to irritating stiff hairs)
Who is affected
Other species : Regulated for regular human consumption (liver risk from borage teas).
In pregnant mares : to be avoided as a precaution due to pyrrolizidine alkaloids.
Getting rid of it
Method : Pull the plant before flowering, wearing gloves to avoid irritation from the hairs. Dispose of waste appropriately (hot composting or incineration).
- Prevent horses from accessing areas where borage grows abundantly.
- Do not include borage in hay or silage.
- Identify and remove the plant from pastures.
Frequently asked questions
Can Equio identify Borage from a photo?
It can help organize visual clues, but plant identification must remain cautious when horse health is at stake.
Is Borage dangerous in hay?
This entry flags hay vigilance. Isolate suspicious forage and ask for professional advice if exposure is possible.
This page is informational. If ingestion is likely, if signs appear, or if the horse is fragile, contact a veterinarian immediately.