Common Privet
Ligustrum vulgare
Horse
Severe
Any suspected ingestion is an immediate veterinary emergency. Approximately 1 to 2 kilograms of fresh foliage can be fatal.
Equio informs, it does not diagnose. When in doubt, call your vet.
What to do now
- Antidote
- No specific antidote. Intensive supportive care.
- Time to signs
- A few hours to 24 hours
- Prognosis
- Grave. Death can occur from cardiovascular collapse due to profuse diarrhea and paralysis.
- Immediate veterinary emergency.
- Administration of activated charcoal if recent and possible ingestion.
- Symptomatic support: fluid therapy, antiemetics, gastric protectants.
- Close monitoring of vital signs.
Its ID card
- Height
- 1 m – 3 m
- Flowering
- June to July
- Toxic parts
- The entire plant, with a very high concentration in the black berries and leaves.
- Toxin
- Glycosides (ligustroside, syringin)
- Habitat
- Hedges, woodland edges, calcareous scrub.
- Soil indicator
- Prefers calcareous and dry soils.
- Regions
- Europe, North Africa, Asia
- In hay
- Yes — stays toxic once dried
- Palatability
- Low; poisoning often occurs via trimmings discarded over fences.
When the risk rises
All year round, with a peak risk in autumn due to the berries.
Spotting it in the field
Boxwood (though leaves differ), Bush Honeysuckle. — smell : slight, slightly acrid smell of crushed leaves.
- Bushy shrub.
- Small, elongated, dark green, semi-evergreen leaves.
- Fragrant white flowers in summer.
- Clusters of small, shiny black berries in autumn/winter.
Signs to watch for
Acute toxicity.
Dose : Approximately 1 to 2 kg of fresh foliage for a 500 kg horse.
- Very profuse watery diarrhea
- Violent colic
- Loss of coordination (ataxia)
- Hindquarters paralysis
- Drop in body temperature
Who is affected
Other species : Toxic to dogs, sheep, cattle, and humans (especially children ingesting berries).
In pregnant mares : possible abortion due to shock.
Getting rid of it
Method : Uproot the entire plant, including roots, preferably before fruiting. Burn waste to prevent spread.
- Avoid planting privet near pastures.
- If present, prune the side accessible to horses and carefully collect trimmings.
- Educate owners about the dangers of privet.
Frequently asked questions
Can Equio identify Common Privet from a photo?
It can help organize visual clues, but plant identification must remain cautious when horse health is at stake.
Is Common Privet 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.