Browse—made up of leaves, twigs, bark, and stems from woody plants—has been part of the equine diet long before domestication. While modern management relies heavily on hay and pasture, introducing safe, appropriate browse can add valuable nutritional diversity, encourage natural foraging behaviors, and provide beneficial micronutrients.

Here’s what to know about selecting the best types of browse for your horse.

Browse refers to the edible parts of shrubs, trees, and other woody plants that horses naturally forage on. In the wild, feral horses instinctively seek out browse to supplement their diets—particularly in winter months when grasses are limited. These plant materials can provide fiber, vitamins, minerals, and beneficial compounds that are not always present in standard forage.

For domestic horses, adding safe, appropriate browse can help support natural foraging behavior, reduce boredom, and encourage mental stimulation. It can also contribute to better digestive health, particularly for horses kept in more restricted or low-forage environments.

Incorporating safe browse into your horse’s routine is one of the simplest ways to support both nutrition and natural behavior. Here are some safe options to consider:

1. Willow (Salix spp.)

Willow is one of the most well-known and widely recommended browse options for horses. Both the leaves and young branches are palatable and safe.

Willow contains salicin, a naturally occurring compound related to salicylic acid, which is often associated with mild anti-inflammatory properties. Many horse owners offer willow to horses recovering from mild lameness or soreness.

Varieties such as weeping willow, pussy willow, and white willow are all suitable and safe options.

2. Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.)

Hawthorn is a traditional hedgerow plant that horses has been part of equine foraging for centuries across Europe and North America. The leaves, flowers, and berries are all edible and nutritious.

Hawthorn is particularly valued for its antioxidant content and is often associated with cardiovascular health. Horses tend to enjoy hawthorn foliage and will eagerly strip the foliage—but be mindful of the thorns when offering cut branches (though more horses are usually adept at working around them).

3. Blackberry and Raspberry (Rubus spp.)

Bramble plants like blackberry and raspberry are a favorite browse for many horses. Rich in tannins and antioxidants, these plants offer genuine nutritional value.

Horses often seek out bramble patches along fence lines, and offering cut canes is a great way to provide enrichment. The thorns are generally not a concern, since horses are naturally cautious foragers.

Raspberry leaf, in particular, has a long history of use in supporting mares during late pregnancy and lactation.

4. Rose (Rosa spp.)

Rosehips and rose leaves are safe and highly nutritious for horses. Rosehips are especially rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, making them a valuable seasonal addition in autumn. Wild rose canes with leaves are also suitable browse. Dried rosehips can even be used as a healthy treat or feed supplement during winter months.

5. Mulberry (Morus spp.)

Mulberry trees produce leaves and fruit that horses find highly appealing. The leaves are rich in protein, calcium, and various vitamins, making mulberry one of the most nutritionally dense browse options available. Both white and red mulberry are considered safe for horses.

Because the leaves are so palatable and nutritious, mulberry is increasingly being explored as a fodder tree in sustainable horse keeping systems.

6. Elm (Ulmus spp.)

Elm leaves and small twigs are safe for horses and have been used as emergency fodder for livestock throughout history. The inner bark of elm (particularly slippery elm) has long been valued for its soothing properties on the digestive tract—and slippery elm bark powder is actually a common equine supplement used to support gut health.

Offering fresh elm branches as browse is a simple and beneficial enrichment option.

7. Ash (Fraxinus spp.)

Ash tree leaves and seeds (keys) are safe for horses in moderate amounts and are a traditional browse in many parts of Europe. Horses in wooded areas often graze on fallen ash leaves in autumn. Ash provides a good source of fiber and trace minerals, though access to large quantities of ash seeds should be limited (but the foliage is a safe and acceptable browse option).

8. Hazel (Corylus avellana)

Hazel is another classic highly palatable hedgerow browse plant that horses enjoy. The leaves are nutritious and horses can safely consume small quantities of hazelnuts as well.

As a coppicing species, hazel is also a a practical choice for horse owners who want to establish a sustainable browse garden or fodder hedge on their property.

9. Birch (Betula spp.)

Birch leaves are safe for horses and are commonly used in European horse care traditions. The leaves have mild diuretic and cleansing properties and are thought to support kidney function. Silver and downy birch are both suitable, and leafy branches can be offered fresh or hung as enrichment in your horse’s stall.

10. Apple and Pear Trees (Malus and Pyrus spp.)

Fruit tree branches with leaves are a firm favorite among horses. Apple and pear leaves, twigs, and small branches are all safe and eagerly consumed. They provide a good source of fiber and natural sugars.

Fresh or properly dried cuttings from apple or pear trees make excellent browse bundles.

It’s best to avoid wilted leaves in large quantities, as they can occasionally pose risks—opt instead for material that is either freshly cut or fully dried

Not all browse is safe, and some plants can pose serious risks to horses—even in very small amounts. Highly toxic plant species include:

• Yew (Taxus baccata / Taxus spp.)
• Oleander (Nerium oleander)
• Black walnut (Juglans nigra)
• Bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum)
• Ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris, formerly Senecio jacobaea)
• Rhododendron (Rhododendron spp.)
• Cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)

This is not a complete list, and many other plants can also pose risks. For this reason, it is essential to positively identify any plant before offering it to your horse as browse. When in doubt, consult a qualified veterinarian or equine nutritionist to ensure it is safe.

When introducing browse for the first time, start slowly and offer small amounts alongside your horse’s regular forage. Most horses will naturally limit how much they eat when trying new plants, but it’s still important to watch them closely at first.

Freshly cut branches are best, although some types of browse can also be dried and used in winter. Browse should be seen as a supplement and enrichment tool, not a replacement for your horse’s main forage.

Horses with access to a variety of safe browse species often display

• More natural foraging behavior
• Fewer stable vices such as crib-biting and weaving
• Improved mental stimulation and reduced boredom
• Greater time spent grazing and exploring
• Enhanced digestive health through increased fiber variety
• A calmer, more settled overall temperament
• Improved environmental enrichment

Establishing a diverse hedgerow or fodder strip along pasture boundaries is also becoming an increasingly popular management approach, supporting not only equine welfare but also broader land biodiversity.

Incorporating safe browse into your horse’s environment is a simple, low-cost way to support their physical health, mental well-being, and natural behavior.

From the gentle, soothing properties of willow to the vitamin-rich rosehips found in autumn, nature provides a wide range of beneficial options for the thoughtful horse owner.

By learning to correctly identify safe plant species and introducing them gradually and responsibly, you can enrich your horse’s daily life while supporting instincts shaped over millions of years of evolution.