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Walnut Trees, Horses, and Laminitis (IL)

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From: Rosemary Mathews City: Ridott, IL
Would like to keep pasture and trees intact if possible, for shade. I have two walnut trees that reach well over fence into pasture. Are all parts of a live tree dangerous, or is the inner wood that has been made into shavings what is problematic? My brothers horses stand under his walnut tree and have not had any problem and my farrier opinion is that it will not present any problems. Please advise.
	Extension Message From: Jay Hayek Extension Specialist, Forestry Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences jhayek@illinois.edu
Hi Rosemary: Black walnut sawdust and shavings used in bedding are the primary culprit for laminitis in horses. The existence of walnut trees in a pasture should not be a problem -- please contact a licensed veterinarian if you have additional concerns or questions. References: https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/FNR/FNR-254.pdf http://www.extension.umn.edu/agriculture/horse/pasture/black-walnut/docs/black-walnut.pdf
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