This year we have an over abundance of Acorns in the field. I think because of the Drought last year and the lack of a good freeze, they came back with a vengeance. We also, don't have any Squirrels left on my property because everytime we do, my Dogs and Coyotes must kill them.
Eventhough, I have searched this sight about them and can't seem to find anything that proves they do hurt Horses to the point of getting really sick I still worry. The times I have put them in the field with them ,My horses seek them out like candy. I also, have found a Persimmon tree hanging over the property full of those too. I caught my Belgian reaching as high as she could to eat those. I find myself worrying about everything with these horses, because it seems like I hear from everyone to worry. We have plenty of grass out there for them to eat, but they always seem to go after this stuff.
Is there a reason to worry, or am I just being paranoid? As for the Acorns I don't know what to do. I know you have said you haven't found anything that proves they will kill them other than a belly ache, but there are so many. Can you put my mind at ease or should I start raking and blowing them up on the grass?? thanks

Becki,
I feel your pain!
I moved my Shire to another pasture, beautiful green grass and saw him standing under a tree mowing down...I went over and he was gobbling up the acorns. Like yours, over green grass!
I moved him out and back into brown pasture, but would love to know as well.
All I hear is "don't let them eat acorns!"
Also, I wonder about Cherry tree bark? My shire is like a beaver with these trees.

I need to do a lot of apologizing for being out of touch for so long here. Acorn toxicity is a lot less common in horses than in cattle. It is all in how much they eat in relation to what else they eat. If there is grass to eat it is much less likely that they will have problems with the acorns. If your horse seems to eat the acorns to the exclusion of everything else, limiting time on that area or trying to rake up at least some of the acorns is worthwhile. Problems you can see with acorn toxicity are poor appetite, colic, sometimes diarrhea with blood, depression, frequent urination, constipation, and edema under the skin of the underside of the abdomen and stocking up in the legs. Oak poisoning is more common in spring when horses eat buds off the tree branches. Persimmons, however, are a much more serious problem. The seeds can form an insoluble mass that blocks the stomach. So definitely keep your horses away from the persimmons! I've never seen or heard of a problem from horses stripping cherry tree bark, other than being a real problem for the tree :).

That is funny you brought up Persimmons. I have not seen a Persimmon tree since I was a little girl. This year in the horses dry lot I noticed my Belgian reaching up and eating a certain tree hanging over. It was on someone else's land. I went out and noticed it was a Persimmon. yikes. I ran in and called my Vet and he said keep them away from it! So I had my Husband move the hotwire so they couldn't get to it. I had never known it was there. I am so glad I noticed before it was too late. She seemed okay so I think I caught it right in time.
Thankyou, for getting back to me.