Ground Ivy
Glechoma hederacea
Horse
Moderate
Call the vet within four hours, even without symptoms. A high proportion in the ration (e.g, a pasture invaded by more than 20-30% or very contaminated hay).
Equio informs, it does not diagnose. When in doubt, call your vet.
What to do now
- Antidote
- No specific antidote. Symptomatic and supportive treatment by a veterinarian (corticosteroids, oxygen therapy if necessary).
- Time to signs
- A few hours to 1-2 days after significant ingestion.
- Prognosis
- Good if the source is removed quickly. Fatal outcomes are very rare and only occur after massive and continuous consumption.
- Remove the horse from the contaminated pasture or hay.
- Provide rest in a calm environment.
- Call a veterinarian if respiratory distress is significant.
Its ID card
- Height
- 0.1 m – 0.3 m
- Flowering
- April to June.
- Toxic parts
- Entire plant (leaves and stems). Toxicity slightly decreases upon drying but remains present in hay.
- Toxin
- Terpene ketones (Pulegone) and bitter principles (Glechomin).
- Habitat
- Cool to damp meadows, woodland edges, lawns, orchards.
- Soil indicator
- Heavy, compacted, asphyxiated, cool to damp soils, rich in nitrogen.
- Regions
- Entire Europe, North America
- In hay
- Yes — stays toxic once dried
- Palatability
- Medium. The strong smell deters some horses, but others get used to it and eat it with the grass, especially in spring.
When the risk rises
April to June (peak growth and flowering).
Spotting it in the field
Bugle (Ajuga reptans), Dead-nettles (Lamium spp.) (non-toxic). — smell : strong and aromatic smell, often described as mentholated or balsamic, particularly pronounced when crushed.
- Small creeping (stoloniferous) plant.
- Square-sectioned stem.
- Round to kidney-shaped leaves with crenellated edges.
- Small tubular violet/lilac flowers.
- Strong, aromatic (menthol/balsamic) smell when crushed.
Signs to watch for
Both acute and potentially chronic toxicity through accumulation if ingestion is repeated.
Dose : Difficult to quantify precisely, but significant consumption in the ration (over 20-30% of forage) is considered dangerous.
- Unexplained profuse sweating
- Very rapid, panting breathing (horse is 'heaving')
- Flared nostrils at rest
- Frothy drooling (hypersalivation)
- Possible pulmonary edema in severe cases
Who is affected
Other species : Particularly toxic to equids. Less dangerous for cattle.
In pregnant mares : not specifically documented, but respiratory distress is a severe stress factor.
Getting rid of it
Method : Manually pull the plant before flowering, wearing gloves. Avoid overgrazing to favor grass. Soil aeration can help.
- Inspect pastures and grazing areas for the presence of ground ivy.
- Avoid overgrazing, especially in late winter, to promote grass growth.
- Aerate and reseed pastures if ground ivy is invasive.
Frequently asked questions
Can Equio identify Ground Ivy from a photo?
It can help organize visual clues, but plant identification must remain cautious when horse health is at stake.
Is Ground Ivy 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.