Vetch (Vicia spp. (sativa, villosa))
Vicia spp. (sativa, villosa)
Horse
Moderate
Call the vet within four hours, even without symptoms. A ration composed mainly of fresh vetch over several days/weeks.
Equio informs, it does not diagnose. When in doubt, call your vet.
What to do now
- Antidote
- No specific antidote. Symptomatic and supportive treatment (IV fluids, anti-inflammatories, pain management).
- Time to signs
- A few hours to several days
- Prognosis
- Good if the diet is corrected quickly. More guarded if laminitis is triggered.
- Immediately remove the horse from the contaminated area.
- Contact a veterinarian without delay.
- Closely monitor for clinical signs.
- Prepare for blood work if requested by the veterinarian.
Its ID card
- Height
- 0.2 m – 1.5 m
- Flowering
- May to September (variable depending on species and region)
- Toxic parts
- Entire fresh plant, particularly the seeds.
- Toxin
- Vicine, convicine, and cyanogenic glycosides (depending on the vegetative stage).
- Habitat
- Meadows, forage crops, woodland edges, fields.
- Soil indicator
- Tolerates almost all soils, a pioneer plant that enriches the soil with nitrogen.
- Regions
- Entire Europe
- In hay
- Not reported
- Palatability
- Very good. This is the danger: horses can gorge themselves on it because it is rich in sugar and protein.
When the risk rises
Spring and Summer (green growing plant).
Spotting it in the field
Lathyrus spp. (Peas), Alfalfa (young stage). — smell : slightly herbaceous odor, can become more pronounced when crushed.
- Climbing herbaceous plant with tendrils.
- Leaves composed of numerous small, opposite leaflets.
- Papilionaceous flowers in shades of violet, purple, or pink.
- Pods resembling small beans.
Signs to watch for
Both acute and chronic (cumulative) toxicity
Dose : Variable quantity depending on toxin concentration and individual sensitivity, but significant consumption of fresh plant over several days is concerning.
- Unexplained sweating
- Weight loss and general weakness
- Yellowing of the conjunctiva (mild jaundice)
- Increased heart rate (tachycardia) and drop in temperature
- Hair loss, dermatitis, and sometimes laminitis
Who is affected
Other species : Cattle are much less sensitive and commonly use it as forage.
In pregnant mares : risk related to reduced oxygenation and stress levels.
Getting rid of it
Method : Pull the plant before flowering, wearing gloves. Burn the waste to prevent seed dispersal.
- Avoid grazing fields of pure vetch.
- Introduce vetch in very low proportions in pasture mixes.
- Mow and dry vetch if it is present in significant quantities in forage.
Frequently asked questions
Can Equio identify Vetch (Vicia spp. (sativa, villosa)) from a photo?
It can help organize visual clues, but plant identification must remain cautious when horse health is at stake.
Is Vetch (Vicia spp. (sativa, villosa)) 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.