Wood Avens (Herb Bennet)
Geum urbanum
Horse
Low
Get veterinary advice the same day and remove access. Prolonged, heavy ingestion of the plant, especially in spring or late autumn.
Equio informs, it does not diagnose. When in doubt, call your vet.
What to do now
- Antidote
- No specific antidote. Symptomatic and supportive treatment (laxatives, hydration).
- Time to signs
- A few hours to 1-2 days after significant ingestion.
- Prognosis
- Excellent. The only risk is stasis colic, which resolves well if the horse is hydrated and supported.
- Administer paraffin oil
- Administer wet mash (wheat bran)
- Provide water ad libitum
- Call veterinarian if colic is severe/blocked
Its ID card
- Height
- 30-60 cm
- Flowering
- May to September.
- Toxic parts
- The entire plant, particularly the roots (rarely consumed) and leaves.
- Toxin
- Hydrolyzable tannins (very high quantity) and eugenol (root).
- Habitat
- Woodland edges, hedgerows, thickets, shaded paths, urban parks.
- Soil indicator
- Soils rich in organic matter and nitrogen, moist and shaded.
- Regions
- Entire Europe
- In hay
- Yes — stays toxic once dried
- Palatability
- Medium. Horses ignore it when grass is available, but may graze it at pasture edges.
When the risk rises
May to September.
Spotting it in the field
Creeping cinquefoil (which is not erect), Buttercup (different leaves). — smell : the root has a strong, characteristic smell reminiscent of cloves.
- Herbaceous plant 30-60 cm tall
- Lower leaves compound, upper leaves with 3 toothed leaflets
- Small yellow flowers with 5 petals
- Fruits form small balls of reddish awns with small hooks
Signs to watch for
Primarily acute toxicity due to mechanical obstruction from tannins and fibers, but chronic ingestion can exacerbate digestive issues.
Dose : Difficult to establish precisely due to low intrinsic toxicity, but massive and prolonged ingestion of the whole plant can lead to intestinal obstruction or severe constipation. Estimate: several kilograms of fresh plant over several days.
- Marked constipation
- Dull impaction colic (blockage in the intestine)
- Mild depression
- Decrease in appetite
Who is affected
Other species : Slightly toxic to other herbivores; historically sometimes used against calf diarrhea.
In pregnant mares : none known.
Getting rid of it
Method : Uproot the entire plant, including roots, before seed production. Avoid letting it spread via its fruits. Burn waste to prevent dissemination.
- Inspect pastures and remove the plant, especially near feeding areas.
- Manage pasture borders to limit wood avens growth.
- Regularly brush horse manes and tails to remove attached fruits.
Frequently asked questions
Can Equio identify Wood Avens (Herb Bennet) from a photo?
It can help organize visual clues, but plant identification must remain cautious when horse health is at stake.
Is Wood Avens (Herb Bennet) 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.