Lupin
Lupinus spp.
Horse
Severe
Call the vet within four hours, even without symptoms. High consumption of pods/seeds over several days (1 to 2 kg).
Equio informs, it does not diagnose. When in doubt, call your vet.
What to do now
- Antidote
- No specific antidote. Intensive symptomatic and supportive liver treatment.
- Time to signs
- 24 hours to several days
- Prognosis
- Guarded. Liver recovery is long and sometimes incomplete.
- Stop ingestion immediately.
- Veterinary liver assessment (blood test).
- Supportive liver treatment.
- Sedatives if convulsions occur.
Its ID card
- Height
- 30 cm – 1.5 m
- Flowering
- May to August
- Toxic parts
- Mainly the seeds (contained within the pods) and young leaves.
- Toxin
- Quinolizidine alkaloids (Lupinine) and mycotoxins (Phomopsin).
- Habitat
- Fields (green manure, sometimes cattle fodder), gardens, embankments, acidic and siliceous soils.
- Soil indicator
- Acidic, sandy soils, poor in nitrogen.
- Regions
- Entire Europe, North America
- In hay
- Yes — stays toxic once dried
- Palatability
- Medium. The pods can attract horses in late summer due to lack of grass.
When the risk rises
July to September (pod formation and maturity).
Spotting it in the field
Few possible confusions when the plant is growing. — smell : slightly acrid smell when leaves are crushed, but often not pronounced.
- Very characteristic palmate compound leaves (star or umbrella-shaped).
- Long, upright flower spikes in clusters (blue, purple, yellow, pink, or white).
- Hairy seed pods.
Signs to watch for
Both acute and chronic (cumulative) toxicity through repeated ingestion.
Dose : Variable depending on variety and sensitivity, but significant consumption of pods/seeds (several hundred grams to 1-2 kg) over several days is critical.
- Incoordination (ataxia) and muscle tremors
- Jaundice (yellowing of mucous membranes) in case of lupinosis
- Breathing difficulties and irregular heart rate
- Agitation followed by profound depression
- Convulsions and coma in extreme cases
Who is affected
Other species : Lupinosis is particularly devastating in sheep and toxic to cattle.
In pregnant mares : teratogenic (causes fetal malformations, 'crooked calf syndrome' in cattle, possible in equids).
Getting rid of it
Method : Uproot entire plants before seed formation, wearing gloves. Destroy uprooted plants by burning or deep burial to prevent dissemination.
- Avoid sowing or allowing lupins to grow in pastures or near horse grazing areas.
- Carefully inspect hay and other forages before feeding, especially if sourced from areas where lupins are present.
- Identify and remove lupins from paddocks and fence lines.
Frequently asked questions
Can Equio identify Lupin from a photo?
It can help organize visual clues, but plant identification must remain cautious when horse health is at stake.
Is Lupin 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.