09/12/2026
๐พ ๐
๐จ๐ฑ๐ญ๐๐ข๐ฅ: ๐ ๐๐ข๐๐๐๐ง ๐๐๐ณ๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฌ๐๐ฌ
Have you seen this w**d in your pasture or hay? While foxtail may not contain toxic compounds, its barbed seedheads can still cause painful problems for horses. Letโs dig into why foxtail can be harmful, how to control it, and how to make sure youโre identifying the right w**d.
๐ฑ ๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐๐ฌ ๐
๐จ๐ฑ๐ญ๐๐ข๐ฅ?
Foxtail is a grassy annual w**d belonging to the genus Setaria. There are three main species, green, yellow, and giant foxtail, which are found throughout much of the world.
Foxtail receives its name due to the bushy fox tail appearance of its seedhead. It tends to thrive in disturbed or poorly managed areas, but regular mowing and hand pulling can help keep it under control. Because foxtail is a grass, common broadleaf herbicides will not control it. If herbicide control is desired, a pre-emergent approved for use in areas where horses graze, such as pendimethalin, may be an option in the spring and early summer.
โ ๏ธ ๐๐ก๐ฒ ๐๐ฌ ๐
๐จ๐ฑ๐ญ๐๐ข๐ฅ ๐ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฆ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฌ๐๐ฌ?
The biggest concern with mature foxtail is its seedhead.
The tiny, barbed fibers called awns can become lodged in a horseโs lips, mouth, and gums. What may initially look like a minor irritation can become quite painful and may potentially lead to secondary infections.
Some signs you may notice include:
๐ง Excessive drooling
๐ฆท Difficulty chewing
๐ค Head tossing or rubbing the face
๐พ Refusing to eat
๐ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฎ๐ข๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ง๐ ๐
๐จ๐ฑ๐ญ๐๐ข๐ฅ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ข๐ฆ๐จ๐ญ๐ก๐ฒ?
These two grasses may look alike, but it is important to be able to tell them apart.
The easiest way to spot differences is by looking at the seedhead.
Foxtail:
๐พ Has small hairs projecting from each seed, giving the seedhead a fuzzy or bristly appearance
๐พ Has noticeable awns
๐พ Seedheads may droop as they mature
Timothy:
๐ฟ Has a smoother-looking seedhead without the characteristic bristles of foxtail
๐ฟ Seedheads generally remain upright
You can also examine the collar region, where the leaf blade meets the stem.
๐ Timothy has a prominent, tall membrane (ligule).
๐ Foxtail often has tiny hairs in this area instead.
๐ด ๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐๐ก๐จ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ ๐๐จ ๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ ๐
๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ญ?
If you find mature foxtail in your pasture or hay, donโt panic, but donโt ignore it either.
Regular mowing before seedheads mature can help reduce the amount of mature foxtail. Hand pulling can also be effective for smaller infestations. If youโre considering herbicide control, make sure the product is specifically labeled for the intended use and is safe for areas where horses will graze.
And if you suspect your horse has foxtail-related mouth irritation, removing the source and monitoring the horse closely is important. Horses showing significant pain, difficulty eating, or persistent drooling may need a veterinary examination.
๐พ ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ค๐๐๐ฐ๐๐ฒ
Foxtail may look like just another grass in the pasture, but those tiny barbed awns can cause some very uncomfortable problems for horses.
Learning to recognize foxtail, and knowing how to distinguish it from desirable grasses like timothy, can help you catch the problem before it becomes a bigger issue.
Take a closer look at those seedheads the next time youโre walking through your pasture or inspecting your hay. You might be surprised by what you find! ๐๐ด
Cheers,
Dr. DeBoer
