A Healthy Reminder About Sawdust and Black Walnut

Last night a client with a boarding barn went to unload sawdust. Thank god they knew what black walnut looked like and immediately recognized it! They called the saw mill to check their suspicions and it was confirmed-black walnut had been processed that day.

Horses can be affected by black walnut if shavings made from the tree are used in bedding. As little as 20% black walnut in shavings or sawdust can cause clinical signs within hours of contact. Effects of exposure primarily affect the lower limb and include stocking up, stiff gait, and reluctance to move.

If untreated, toxicosis can progress and cause colic, swelling of the neck and chest, elevated heart and respiratory rate, and even laminitis and founder.

She literally saved 10 horses from this fate and dodged a bullet.

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