Equio

Meadow Buttercup

Ranunculus acris

Horse

Low

Get veterinary advice the same day and remove access. Several kilograms of fresh plant. Severe poisoning is rare because the plant is very acrid and the horse quickly stops eating it.

Entire fresh plant, particularly during floweringtoxic parts
Same daywhat to do
Not reportedtoxic in 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.
Time to signs
A few minutes to a few hours after ingestion.
Prognosis
Very good. Oral and digestive lesions generally heal within a few days without sequelae.
  1. Remove the horse from the affected pasture.
  2. Rinse the mouth with water if possible.
  3. Contact a veterinarian.

Its ID card

Height
30 cm – 1 m
Flowering
May to July.
Toxic parts
Entire fresh plant, particularly during flowering.
Toxin
Irritant lactone (Protoanemonin)
Habitat
Permanent pastures, damp, clayey soils, bare patches.
Soil indicator
Heavy, compacted soils (overgrazing), damp and nitrogen-rich.
Regions
Entire Europe, North America
In hay
Not reported
Palatability
Very low. Horses avoid clumps (bare patches). Ingestion often occurs due to lack of grass or with inexperienced young horses.

When the risk rises

JFMAMJJASOND

May to July (full bloom).

Spotting it in the field

Do not confuse with

Lesser Celandine (also toxic when fresh), Cinquefoil (edible, different leaves). — smell : acrid smell when crushed.

  • Upright stems.
  • Deeply cut leaves (palmately lobed).
  • Flowers with 5 very bright, shiny yellow petals (varnished appearance).

Signs to watch for

Acute toxicity.

Dose : Several kilograms of fresh plant. Severe poisoning is rare.

  • Hypersalivation (heavy drooling)
  • Inflammation and blisters on lips, tongue, and gums
  • Refusal to eat (mouth pain)
  • Mild to moderate colic
  • Blackish or bloody diarrhea in severe cases

Who is affected

Other species : Irritant to cattle and sheep (who also avoid it).

In pregnant mares : no major direct risk, except for stress related to pain.

HorseDonkeyPonyCattleSheepGoatsPigs
Meadow Buttercup : equine care and management documented with Equio app. Documentation équine avec Equio, l'application d'aide à la décision pour les chevaux.

Getting rid of it

Method : Mowing before flowering. Soil drainage. Overseeding with competitive grasses.

  • Avoid overgrazing to prevent the proliferation of undesirable plants.
  • Mow pastures before buttercups flower.
  • Drain damp areas of the pasture.
  • Overseed with more palatable grasses.

Frequently asked questions

Can Equio identify Meadow Buttercup from a photo?

It can help organize visual clues, but plant identification must remain cautious when horse health is at stake.

Is Meadow Buttercup dangerous in hay?

Hay risk is not always reported for this entry, but suspicious forage should still be isolated until checked.

Veterinary priority

This page is informational. If ingestion is likely, if signs appear, or if the horse is fragile, contact a veterinarian immediately.

Related pages

Meadow Buttercup and foal and young horseProfile-specific horse risk page.Meadow Buttercup and pregnant mareProfile-specific horse risk page.Meadow Buttercup and lactating mareProfile-specific horse risk page.Meadow Buttercup and non-pregnant mareProfile-specific horse risk page.Meadow Buttercup and senior horseProfile-specific horse risk page.Meadow Buttercup and horse in recoveryProfile-specific horse risk page.Poisonous plants for horsesEnglish Equio plant catalogue and risk pages.Sensitive profilesFoals, pregnancy, lactation, senior horses and recovery.Photo methodHow to document a plant without relying on one image only.Equio AppScan feed, plants and care products — keep your horse's history.Equio FAQAnswers about scans, profiles, subscriptions and AI limits.
What to do? The Equio app