Concerns over Horses grazing in Ragwort infested paddocks

H

huggz

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Last week (in the dark) I passed by a livery yard & thought the padock near to the road was head high in thistles.
Went past yesterday in daylight & it is in fact head high in Ragwort....with 2 horses grazing.
As it's not anywhere near my property, I can't go down the DEFRA route.
I'm not about to go on anothers yard & point out the risk as I KNOW they have had horses for over 30 years & the owner is well aware. There are other yards in the area & people must ride by & see it.
It is next to a B road, do you think the highways dept at the council is worth a try ?
 
I believe I know the field you are talking about - although if not I do know another which has the same problem...I am pleased you have added this comment as I too worry about it and it can not be nice eatting around posinous plants...
I graze my horses in a large field through the summer which at the moment does have ragwort and I have asked the farmer to either top the field or help me pull it out...my horses at the moment are in a small paddock across the road with no ragwort. A friends horse died of grass sickness so I really worry about the condition on the land...
 
Why can't you go down the defra route? Maybe the ILPH may be able to help? I know how hard it is I reported someone to DEFRA last week for the same sort of Ragwort
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Why can't you go down the defra route? Maybe the ILPH may be able to help? I know how hard it is I reported someone to DEFRA last week for the same sort of Ragwort
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DEFRA will act if the Ragwort is in danger of spreading to your own land.....it has to be a local landowner who reports it.
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There are residential properties opposite, not sure if they're bothered.
 
whereabouts is it, I am in berkshire?? may know it or owners....PM ME!!

At the moment the ground is great for pulling ragwort and getting roots out as we have had sooo much rain, we have ragwort reguarly appear but as the place hadnt been touched for a few years its just a case of keeping on top of it, everytime you see it, pull it!

Dont get farmer to top it with ragwort in it as when it dies or matures it is actually quite yummy and horses will more likely eat it!!!

Must be dug or pulled out.
 
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whereabouts is it, I am in berkshire?? may know it or owners....PM ME!!

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Ditto...
We could go and have a midnight dig
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*There are residential properties opposite, not sure if they're bothered. *

that was my experience, i reported the field opposite my house, the v v tall ragwort had died and dried and the foals were eating it as there was nothing else, defra didnt want to know
 
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