Can horses eat plam fronds?

Question

We have two palm trees in our paddock, and when the palm frond die and hang from the trees both my horses want to eat the dead brown bits of the palm, (please note both are on full feeds and are not eating for hunger... so please NO ONE suggest feeding them more)

I do collect eh fronds once they have fallen, but the palms are too tall for me to climb up and cut them down, and i cant pull them off till they are ready...

Just want to know if any one knows if they are poisonous or not? and i dont really want to fence of the palms as they provide my horses with their favourite shade. (they do have other shade, but this is their fav)

thanks

Answer 1

my horses eat them sometimes, I think it is just a bordom thing for them I would'nt worry about it.

Answer 2

First get on the horse and cut the fronds off. That simple, yes it is. If you horse will not stand still, why you cut the fronds off, you need to work on that to. and do not cop out, you ride English, you ether ride or you do not. Ride your horse,they are bored. The Palm will not hurt the horses, but they do not need to be eating them, Get your horses a ball, tire, or some thing to play with and to  occupied them. If all else fail, put up a electric fence around the palms, But better they chew the fronds than the wood or fences. So many people out there, have no idea what is going on.

Answer 3

You should call a horse bahaviorist or vet to see if the fronds are dangerous.

Answer 4

I don't know if the palm fronds are poisoness but my horse used to eat the leaves straight off the palm untill we fenced it off but he seemed to be ok so I guess it cant be that terrible for them.

Answer 5

I tried to google it and found nothing...maybe you could have them tested and then tell your vet what is found???  Yeah, I know it's a stretch.

Answer 6

No, they are not poisonous.  I live in Florida and we have a palm lined drive and they are around our riding rings at our barn.  Sometimes those hanging fronds can be an obstacle though, especially in the ring.  And, it takes more than standing on a horse to cut them down...whoever suggested that method of pruning.

When I'm cooling out my horse and letting him graze, he goes for the fronds rather than the grass!!  It's great for neck stretching!!   Sometimes I even hold the fronds down to make it easier for them.  It seems like dental floss for them.  I don't recall them eating the brown dead ones though, just the green juicy ones.  I did inquire with the vet and was given an all clear for the palms we have ..I think they are Royal Palms.  We also have a couple of ponies that eat the fruit of the palm..especially when they start to turn soft and orange.  

So, based on my experience and the healthy horses at the barn that all seem to like palms, all seems to be ok.  They just eat the leaves though not the stalks or spine of the frond.

Answer 7

where i work the horses constantly eat the palm fronds on the trail ride, we let them and they've done it for years

Answer 8

I don't think it is bad for them. Palm trees have never come up in my studying of dangerous plants so I don't think they are a problem. I dont see why they would eat them though...boredom? I would just try to limit what they have access to (like you are doing). They should be fine.

Answer 9

no

Answer 10

ive never heard of them to be dangerous.. but if your horses arent showing any reactions to them and they seem to like them there doesnt seem to be a problem.. horses dont typically eat something they dont need and its probably a sweet treat for them... just make sure you have a vet to call just in case.