High RiskHorsetail can grow up to 60cm in height. Two different types of shoots appear. In the spring a tan coloured shot is produced which ends in a terminal, cone-like structure. Later, a green, sterile shoot is produced which bears whorls of pine-needle-like branches and looks like a horse's tail. The plants commonly grow on shaded, moist soil in meadows, along roadsides, in ditches, along stream banks, and on railway embankments
Lack of co-ordination, pronounced heartbeat , and muscle tremors. If untreated this is followed by convulsions and death. Kidney damage can follow significant intake of horsetail.
Notes:
Common cause of serious or fatal poisoning in horses. This plant
likes to grow in crops and pastures. Consumption of horsetail
in hay or straw is the most likely route of poisoning, but fresh
plants are also toxic. However when fresh horsetail is but considered
unpalatable.