Honeysuckle
Lonicera spp.
Horse
Low
Remove access and monitor the horse; call at the first sign. A large quantity of berries or prolonged consumption of foliage.
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
- Excellent. Severe poisoning is very rare, often limited to diarrhea.
- Remove the horse from the contaminated area.
- Withhold feed (put the horse on a diet).
- Monitor for signs of colic or diarrhea.
- Contact a veterinarian if symptoms persist or worsen.
Its ID card
- Height
- 1 m – 5 m
- Flowering
- May to July.
- Toxic parts
- Mainly the berries (red or black depending on the species). Leaves are slightly toxic in large quantities.
- Toxin
- Triterpene saponins and alkaloids (Xylostein).
- Habitat
- Hedges, woodland edges, garden fences, trellises.
- Soil indicator
- Tolerates most soils, prefers cool, shaded edges.
- Regions
- Entire Europe
- In hay
- Yes — stays toxic once dried
- Palatability
- Moderate. Some horses enjoy browsing on young wild honeysuckle shoots in hedges in spring.
When the risk rises
August to October (presence of attractive berries).
Spotting it in the field
Snowberry (white berries, also toxic). — smell : the flowers emit a sweet fragrance, particularly in the evening.
- Climbing vine or shrub.
- Opposite oval leaves, sometimes fused at the base near the flower.
- Tubular flowers, often yellow, pink, or white, very fragrant in the evening.
- Small fleshy berries, often red and translucent.
Signs to watch for
Acute toxicity.
Dose : Difficult to determine precisely, but significant ingestion of berries is required to cause severe symptoms in a horse.
- Digestive spasms (gagging efforts/colic)
- Moderate diarrhea
- Rapid pulse and hasty breathing
- Drowsiness and mild lethargy
- Erythema (redness) on mucous membranes
Who is affected
Other species : The berries are very toxic to dogs and children. Birds consume them without issue.
In pregnant mares : no specific risk recognized.
Getting rid of it
Method : Uproot the entire plant, including roots, if possible. Wear gloves. Destroy the uprooted plant to prevent spread.
- Avoid planting honeysuckle near paddocks or pastures.
- Regularly inspect grazing areas for honeysuckle and remove it if necessary.
- Monitor horses, especially during the fruiting season (August-October).
Frequently asked questions
Can Equio identify Honeysuckle from a photo?
It can help organize visual clues, but plant identification must remain cautious when horse health is at stake.
Is Honeysuckle 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.