Asked July 20, 2020, 3:31 PM EDT
I have 2 ponies who need shade sometimes on hot days, so I put them in my round pen which is underneath a big Black Walnut Tree. It always drops nuts in the fall, big brown walnuts. In the past, I always picked them up, in the fall, as I know they can be toxic to horses (correct?) So far, so good. Ponies have been fine for the past 4 years I've had them here.
However, this year, the tree is dropping yellow fruit that are nubby and, I assume, baby walnuts that have not developed fully (correct?) Are these also toxic to ponies and horses? I've been picking them all up but I can't always see the "crumbs" or little pieces that break off in the grass that the ponies eat. What should I do? It's the only shade they have and only put them in there on VERY HOT days. Please advise.
I'm very worried as their pasture has no trees/no shade at all, plus, the owner sprays Tru Green on it in Spring and Fall, besides. So, my choices are a shade-less pasture that's been sprayed or a shady round pen under a mature Black Walnut Tree. If anyone has room on their farm, or in their heart, to help us out and provide a place temporarily (we can't afford board) please get in touch! Thank you.
Washtenaw County Michigan
