buttercups

oh god someone told me that was a sign of a good field??? now im confused, i have none in my current paddock but i think there are lots in the new one im moving to?
 
There aren't deadly to all in my kwonlegde however they do effect them, cause there belly to swell and can upset some more then others. However at our yard the mares field a yellow sea and none are effected. Just like most piosonous plants they don't like the taste and carefuly graze around them...So what seemed like the odd buttercup could be a sea in a cuple of years.
 
buttercups are usually a sign of bad grazing. our field is full of them
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. they grow when the grass is bad quality and take over the field.

and yes they are poisonous but only when consumed in large amounts and horses generally eat around them, although i have seen my pony eating them!

buttercups are fine when fed dry tho, so fine in hay!
 
So would topping the field be better? We have lots of grass but I assume it's just spreading a lot.
 
well, from what i have observed from all the fields around us (i am no expert!):

the fields that have sheep grazing on them have not a single buttercup and very good quality grass.

the fields that are topped regularly also have very good quality grass and no buttercups

my field is rested all spring and summer and is cut for hay late summer every year and is full of buttercups!! it is interesting that at the top of my field where it is too steep to cut for hay and all around the edges there are no buttercups at all!! so we may rest the field this year.

i have also noticed that fields that are rested have no buttercups!
 
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It is usually acidic ground that has buttercups growing, maybe sweeten the ground up a bit?

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Sorry that's uetter rubbish buttercups are not pH sensitive and grow in alkaline ground just as well

Buttercups flourish where the grass is less competitive, so overgrazed, poached and unimproved pasture is their ideal place.

Permenant organic swards also tend to suffer with buttercups as they are not as vigorous as fertilised grass leys.

Sheep eat most of the plant so are ideal to improve pasture, as buttercups do not tolerate grazing

Buttercups are poisonous, but are more of an irritant and horses tend not to eat them. However when cut and dried they are safe, unlike ragwort which keeps its potent toxicity.
 
There was a post about this not long ago as a lady had a horse who had a query sunburn on nose or a 'burn' from buttercups as they are an irritant to the skin.
Will try and find the thread and post the link on here if it helps?
Cazx
 
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