Sorghum (Young Shoots) (Sorghum bicolor / Sorghum halepense)
Sorghum bicolor / Sorghum halepense
Horse
Critical
Any suspected ingestion is an immediate veterinary emergency. A few kilograms of young shoots (less than 50 cm tall) or regrowth after drought/frost.
Equio informs, it does not diagnose. When in doubt, call your vet.
What to do now
- Antidote
- Intravenous sodium thiosulfate
- Time to signs
- A few minutes to 1 hour
- Prognosis
- Grave if cyanide poisoning is declared; death occurs extremely quickly.
- Call the veterinarian immediately.
- Remove the horse from the contaminated area.
- Do not allow the horse to drink or eat.
Its ID card
- Height
- 30 cm – 2 m
- Flowering
- Summer (July-September)
- Toxic parts
- Young leaves and regrowth (cyanide levels drop when the plant exceeds 60 cm or is properly dried into hay).
- Toxin
- Cyanogenic glycoside (Dhurrin)
- Habitat
- Cultivated fields (grain or forage sorghum), field borders, wastelands (for adventitious Johnsongrass).
- Soil indicator
- Tolerates drought and high heat very well.
- Regions
- Southern Europe, Mediterranean Basin, summer crops
- In hay
- Not reported
- Palatability
- Very palatable, high in sugar, horses gorge on it easily.
When the risk rises
Spring (young shoots), summer (if drought occurs), autumn (early frosts).
Spotting it in the field
Young corn, reeds. — smell : slightly aromatic, can be reminiscent of corn or hay.
- Resembles a young corn plant.
- Broad, flat leaves with a white central vein.
- Large panicle (seed cluster) at the top.
- Johnsongrass has strong, creeping rhizomes.
Signs to watch for
Acute toxicity
Dose : A few kilograms of young shoots (<50 cm) or regrowth after drought/frost stress.
- Bright red mucous membranes
- Fulminant respiratory distress (internal asphyxiation)
- Intense muscle tremors
- Staggering and falling
- Sudden death within minutes to hours
Who is affected
Other species : Highly toxic (cyanide) to ruminants (cows, sheep) under the same vegetative stage conditions.
In pregnant mares : abortion / Maternal death.
Getting rid of it
Method : Manually pull young plants and rhizomes before flowering. Use selective herbicides if necessary, respecting withdrawal periods before grazing.
- Never allow grazing on sorghum or Johnsongrass less than 60 cm tall.
- Avoid grazing after frost or severe drought.
- Identify and remove Johnsongrass from pastures.
Frequently asked questions
Can Equio identify Sorghum (Young Shoots) (Sorghum bicolor / Sorghum halepense) from a photo?
It can help organize visual clues, but plant identification must remain cautious when horse health is at stake.
Is Sorghum (Young Shoots) (Sorghum bicolor / Sorghum halepense) dangerous in hay?
Hay risk is not always reported for this entry, but suspicious forage should still be isolated until checked.
This page is informational. If ingestion is likely, if signs appear, or if the horse is fragile, contact a veterinarian immediately.