Can they eat it? / Wild cherry, chokecherry and plum leaves
Can horses eat wild cherry, chokecherry and plum leaves?
Never when wilted. Cyanide from damaged or fallen leaves.
Fresh, healthy leaves are low risk; wilted leaves after a storm, drought or frost are deadly within minutes. Clear fallen branches from paddocks.
Gasping, bright red gums, trembling, collapse within minutes of eating.
Call your vet now. Note what was eaten, how much and when; do not wait for signs.
Why it is dangerous
Wild cherry, chokecherry and plum leaves contain cyanogenic glycosides, compounds that release hydrogen cyanide when the leaf tissue is chewed, wilted, frozen or otherwise damaged. Cyanide blocks the cells from using oxygen, so the horse's tissues can suffocate even while breathing normally. Fresh, healthy, undamaged leaves on a standing tree carry much lower risk, but wilted leaves from a storm, drought or frost can release enough cyanide to be fatal within minutes.
How much is too much
For a 1,000 lb horse, there is no safe amount of wilted cherry, chokecherry or plum leaves, so even a small handful can be dangerous. Fresh leaves in small quantities are less likely to cause harm, but they are not worth the gamble. Ponies, miniatures and horses with metabolic conditions are not safer here, since the cyanide threat is acute and not tied to body size or sugar. Keep these trees and their clippings away from grazing horses.
Horses
Horses in work or at pasture are most at risk after a storm, a dry spell or a hard frost, when branches fall and leaves wilt on the ground. Check paddocks after weather events and clear fallen branches before turning out. Watch horses that are hungry or bored, since they may pick at fallen leaves they would otherwise ignore. Remove clippings from pruning and fence lines promptly.
Ponies and easy keepers
Ponies, miniatures, seniors and easy keepers can be tempted by leafy browse when pasture is thin, so keep them off areas near these trees. Sensitive or older horses have no more tolerance for cyanide than any other horse, so do not assume a smaller body or a calmer temperament makes a nibble acceptable. Keep an eye on these animals near hedgerows and shade trees during dry or frosty spells.
Safe alternatives
Offer good-quality grass hay, a measured flake of timothy or orchard grass, or a safe, fresh pasture tested to be free of toxic plants. For a treat, a few slices of carrot or a small handful of plain apple pieces make a good option. Serve them in a clean feeder or on the ground away from any cherry or plum trees.
Questions people ask
Are cherry leaves toxic in hay?
Cherry, chokecherry and plum leaves can remain dangerous in hay if they were wilted or damaged when it was cut and cured. Buy hay from a trusted source and inspect it for leaves, twigs and wilted plant material before feeding.
Are cherry leaves dangerous after frost?
Yes. Frost damage causes these leaves to release cyanide quickly, so they are most dangerous right after a hard freeze. Keep horses off areas with frost-damaged trees until the leaves have fully dried and dropped.
What should I do if my horse ate wilted cherry leaves?
Call your veterinarian immediately, even if your horse looks fine. Tell them what was eaten, how much and when, since cyanide poisoning can move very fast.
Toxic for horses means: do not give it; if they ate it, call your vet or a poison line.
General information from veterinary guidance, not a diagnosis. If you are worried, call your vet or a pet poison line: ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888) 426-4435. Charges may apply.
Written by Hoofdeck editors · updated Nov 13, 2026 · from ASPCA Animal Poison Control, Merck Veterinary Manual and university extension guidance.