Frequently (and not so frequently) Asked Questions
BRIEF: Do you have any information on Sting Nettle?
QUESTION:
I am particularly interested in Stinging
nettle (Urtica dioica.) I have a friend who had two of her horses immediately
perish after coming in contact with this plant. This plant was not ingested.
Unfortunately, it seems that this plant is extremely toxic to horses and there
is no information that we can find which links this toxicity to horses. Not
even UC Davis has any information linking the toxicity to horses.
ANSWER:
There are many unrelated species of plants called nettle, some of which are
poisonous. Stinging nettle (Urtica dioca) is not thought to be particularly
toxic. Have you got a picture of the plant you think might be nettle or perhaps
a sample?
It is also possible for the the horse to have contacted nettle and died of
unrelated, but unknown causes. I have seen horses walk through and even eat
Urtica without complaint, much less dropping dead. Barring a idiosyncratic
allergy to the nettle or misidentification of a poisonous plant as stinging
nettle, could there have been any other sources of injury (other plants,
lightning, etc.)?