Hedgerow Plants and Browse – Knowing your options

Written by Briony Witherow MSc RNutr. FHEA

Hedgerow plants and browse can be a great way to add variety to your horse’s diet, encourage natural foraging behaviour, and provide additional nutrients. However, correct identification is essential — some plants are safe, while others can be highly toxic.

Hedgerow Options

The following can be fed in moderation. Lower sugar options are shown in bold for those on a low-sugar ration:

• Alder
  
• Birch
  
• Blackberry leaves/bramble (supervision advised)
  
• Blackthorn
  
• Bog rush/marsh foxtail/common reed
  
• Comfrey
  
• Cow parsley (matt leaves; celery-like grooves on stem — see misidentification notes below)
  
• Dandelions
  
• Dogrose
  
• Dogwood
  
• Gorse
  
• Hawthorn (supervision advised)
  
• Hazel
  
• Poplar
  
• Quickthorn
  
• Raspberry leaves
  
• Sticky weed (cleavers)
  
• Sweet briar rose or rosa rugosa
  
• Thistles
  
• Willow (limited quantities)
  
• Wilted nettles

Misidentification Risks

Some safe species have dangerous lookalikes. The most common mistakes include:

·         Cow Parsley vs Hemlock – Both are white-flowering umbellifers with similar leaves, but Hemlock has shiny leaves, red/purple blotches on the stem, and no celery-like grooves. Hemlock is poisonous and must be avoided.

·         Cow Parsley vs Common Hogweed – Common Hogweed has a wider leaf than Cow Parsley. Giant Hogweed, a much larger relative, has purple-spotted stems and toxic sap that can burn skin.

·         Hawthorn and Blackthorn – While both are generally safe browse, their thorns can cause injury; offer only under supervision.

Feeding and Enrichment Ideas

·         Make a hedgerow haynet – fill a haynet with a mix of safe browse and hang in the stable or field shelter to mimic natural browsing behaviour.

·         Add browse to your paddock or field – secure small bundles of safe cut branches at a safe height, encouraging exploration and interaction.

Safety Tips

·         Introduce any new browse gradually, in small quantities.

·         Only feed plants you are confident in identifying.

·         Source from areas free of pesticides, herbicides, and heavy traffic.

·         Supervise where thorny plants are offered.

·         If in doubt — leave it out.

Take-Home

Hedgerow plants can be a valuable addition for enrichment, especially for horses stabled for long periods of time. Correct identification is the key to reaping the benefits safely. For low-sugar diets, focus on the bold options above, and consider creative ways to offer browse to keep horses engaged and foraging naturally.