[MR] Walnut Shavings and horses

[Christine Lindamood]

> In one of the American woodworking magazines I got this month
> someone from the Midwest wrote in to state that walnut wood dust
> or shavings should not be used around horses for bedding as it
> makes them seriously ill.

Yes. It *does* cause founder, a very serious condition that can cause
permanent lameness or death. Be very very careful when you buy wood
shavings, to be sure you are buying them from a sawmill that does NOT
mill walnut, or mills walnut separately (if that's possible). Some
horses are so sensitive to it that even a tiny amount mixed in with
pine or oak shavings can cause founder. You won't know, unfortunately,
until your horse founders. So be careful to buy from a reputable
dealer, someone who has served the local horsepeople and is
recommended.

I would assume the same goes for gardening, although I have no direct
experience with using shavings in the garden, unless they'd gone
through the manure pile first. :)

Just my opinion, YMMV.

Christine / Leofwynne

Christine M. Loria Lindamood
also known as Leofwynne inghean Dhubghaill
Shire of Isenfir, Kingdom of Atlantia
and is a Dancer / Fighter /  Mommy / Artist / Speech Pathologist

AIM: Leofwynne


Imagination rules the world