Common Poppy
Papaver rhoeas
Horse
Low
Get veterinary advice the same day and remove access. A high concentration in forage (more than 5 to 10% of the total ration).
Equio informs, it does not diagnose. When in doubt, call your vet.
What to do now
- Antidote
- No specific antidote. Symptomatic and supportive treatment.
- Time to signs
- A few hours to 24 hours.
- Prognosis
- Very good. Symptoms of intoxication and colic generally disappear within 24-48 hours after removal of suspect hay.
- Stop feeding contaminated forage.
- Monitor intestinal transit.
- Contact veterinarian for severe constipation.
Its ID card
- Height
- 30 cm – 1.2 m
- Flowering
- May to August.
- Toxic parts
- Entire plant (hairy stems, capsule, white sap), particularly before full bloom.
- Toxin
- Isoquinoline alkaloids (Rhoeadine)
- Habitat
- Cereal fields, roadsides, embankments, disturbed ground.
- Soil indicator
- Freshly disturbed soils, calcareous, rich.
- Regions
- Entire Europe
- In hay
- Yes — stays toxic once dried
- Palatability
- Medium in hay (masked by dry grass). Avoided fresh in pasture as the sap (white latex) is bitter.
When the risk rises
All year round in hay. May-July when growing.
Spotting it in the field
Anemones, Opium Poppy (much larger and bluish, extremely toxic). — smell : slightly acrid smell when crushed, but often masked by the smell of hay.
- Stem covered in fine hairs.
- Deeply lobed leaves.
- Large flower with 4 delicate, scarlet red petals (often with a black blotch at the base).
- Urn-shaped seed capsule.
Signs to watch for
Acute toxicity.
Dose : Not established for equids, but a high concentration in hay is needed to cause significant symptoms.
- Abnormal excitement followed by deep depression
- Dull colic, constipation
- Slowed breathing
- Constricted pupils (miosis)
- Balance disorders
Who is affected
Other species : Toxic to ruminants, although rarely fatal.
In pregnant mares : no specific data, but any narcotic alkaloid should be avoided.
Getting rid of it
Method : Hand-pull before flowering, especially in grazing areas. Avoid mowing which can disperse seeds.
- Inspect hay before purchase, especially if from high-risk areas.
- Avoid pastures and field edges potentially contaminated.
- Maintain good pasture management to limit proliferation.
Frequently asked questions
Can Equio identify Common Poppy from a photo?
It can help organize visual clues, but plant identification must remain cautious when horse health is at stake.
Is Common Poppy 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.