Boxwood
Buxus sempervirens
Horse
Severe
Any suspected ingestion is an immediate veterinary emergency. Approximately 700 to 800 grams of fresh leaves.
Equio informs, it does not diagnose. When in doubt, call your vet.
What to do now
- Antidote
- No specific antidote. Intensive symptomatic and supportive treatment.
- Time to signs
- 15 minutes to a few hours
- Prognosis
- Guarded. Neurological disorders can be fatal if a significant dose is ingested.
- Call a veterinarian immediately.
- Monitor vital signs.
- Prepare for symptomatic treatment of colic.
- Prepare for cardiac and respiratory support.
Its ID card
- Height
- 1 m – 6 m (often kept smaller by pruning)
- Flowering
- April to May (inconspicuous flowering).
- Toxic parts
- All parts of the plant (leaves, bark, roots).
- Toxin
- Steroidal alkaloids (Buxine, parabuxine).
- Habitat
- Gardens, parks, calcareous undergrowth, borders of riding arenas.
- Soil indicator
- Clearly prefers calcareous and well-drained soils.
- Regions
- Europe, Western Asia, North Africa
- In hay
- Yes — stays toxic once dried
- Palatability
- Very bitter. Poisonings often occur due to boredom if horses are tied near boxwood, or via trimmings thrown into pastures.
When the risk rises
All year round.
Spotting it in the field
Few confusions are possible given its very specific use (trimmed hedges). — smell : characteristic acrid and unpleasant odor (often compared to cat urine) when crushed or cut.
- Bushy shrub.
- Small, persistent, oval, opposite leaves.
- Leathery leaves, very dark green and shiny on top, yellowish-green underneath.
- Characteristic odor (cat urine) when crushed.
Signs to watch for
Acute toxicity.
Dose : Approximately 700-800 g of fresh leaves for a 500 kg horse.
- Drop in blood pressure and dizziness
- Muscle cramps and convulsions
- Colic and profuse diarrhea
- Breathing difficulties
- Coma and death
Who is affected
Other species : Toxic to dogs, cattle, and pigs.
In pregnant mares : risk not specifically documented, but shock is an abortifacient risk.
Getting rid of it
Method : Uproot the entire plant, including the roots. Burn waste safely.
- Avoid planting boxwood near paddocks or grazing areas.
- Never discard boxwood pruning waste in pastures or near animals.
- Carefully monitor horses if they have access to areas where boxwood is present.
Frequently asked questions
Can Equio identify Boxwood from a photo?
It can help organize visual clues, but plant identification must remain cautious when horse health is at stake.
Is Boxwood 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.