Yellow: with caution
Pitted cherries in small quantities are okay for a healthy horse, pits, twigs and wilted leaves are not. The horse nutritionist Dr. Juliet Getty counts cherries as one of the generally safe treats. This applies to the fruit, not to the whole tree.
Why the traffic light is yellow
Like peaches, apricots and cherry laurel, cherries belong to the Prunus genus. According to toxicologist Prof. Anthony Knight (IVIS), many Prunus species contain hydrocyanic acid-forming glycosides, especially amygdalin and prunasin. Amygdalin is most abundant in the seeds, while prunasin is found in young shoots and in wilted or frozen leaves. The ripe pulp around the seed is not poisonous, according to Knight. Horses have an advantage here: According to Knight, animals with simple stomachs such as horses are rarely poisoned by such glycosides because they do not quickly release hydrogen cyanide from them. The horse nutritionist Dr. Clair Thunes writes that horses are less at risk than ruminants. But less endangered does not mean safe. Purdue University specifically lists horses among the animals affected by late-blooming bird cherry.
What you should pay attention to
- Always pit: The ehorses guide recommends only pitting stone fruit and in small portions. Penn State Extension also warns against choking on peach and apricot pits; the same logic applies to cherry pits.
- Wilting leaves are the real danger: According to Purdue University, the most toxic are wilting leaves, for example after a storm when broken branches lie in the pasture. Put them away immediately.
- No cherry trees in the paddock: According to Purdue, green leaves, twigs, bark and seeds contain toxic components. Hedges with cherry laurel also do not belong on the electric fence.
- Quantity: According to Penn State Extension, treats should be given in small amounts and not be a main part of the ration. As a rule of thumb, she says one to two pieces per serving.
- Sugar-sensitive horses: According to the University of Kentucky, horses with Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) need a strictly limited ration without concentrates, sugary feeds and treats. If your horse has EMS, insulin resistance or has ever had laminitis, ask your vet before every fruit treat.
What to do if your horse has eaten cherries?
A few pitted cherries are usually not an emergency, but keep an eye on your horse. If it has eaten large quantities including the seeds or nibbled on wilted cherry branches, call the vet's office immediately. Purdue lists salivating, rapid breathing, weak pulse, convulsions and dilated pupils as signs of poisoning. According to Knight, prussic acid poisoning can progress very quickly, so don't wait. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, signs of throat obstruction include food coming out of the nostrils, excessive salivation and teeth grinding. Then take away the food and water immediately and call the vet.
If poisoning is suspected or if there are signs of colic, go to a veterinarian or emergency veterinary service immediately.
Frequently asked questions
Are cherry stones toxic to horses? Cherry stones contain amygdalin, which can produce hydrogen cyanide. According to IVIS, horses are rarely poisoned by it, but the seeds do not belong in their feed.
Are cherry leaves poisonous to horses? Yes, especially wilted leaves. According to Purdue University, they are considered the most poisonous part of the bird cherry.
Read more
- Can horses eat plums?
- Is yew poisonous to horses?
- What can horses eat? The overview with traffic lights
- Horse weight calculator: How to estimate your horse's weight
- Buying a horse: the checklist
Quellen, abgerufen am 05.11.2026: EquiMed, Dr. Getty's Tip on Treats: Which are safe and which are not? (Dr. Juliet Getty, Pferdeernährungswissenschaftlerin); IVIS, Guide to Poisonous House and Garden Plants: Prunus species (Anthony Knight); The Horse, Will Black Cherry Leaves Make My Horses Sick? (Clair Thunes, PhD); Purdue University, Toxic Plants: Black Cherry; ehorses, Ratgeber Obst und Gemüse für Pferde (PDF); Penn State Extension, Trick or Treat? Things to Think About When Giving Your Horse a Treat (Danielle Smarsh, Andrea Kocher); University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension, Equine Metabolic Syndrome: Is My Horse Just Fat or Is He Sick? (Amanda Adams, Fernanda Camargo, ID-239); Merck Veterinary Manual, Disorders of the Esophagus in Horses
