Ragwort at BHS approved yard

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trojanpony

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I have just moved to a lovely BHS approved livery yard - it's a super yard and very professionally run in all respects except one - there's literally tonnes of ragwort everywhere around the yard and all around the edges of the paddocks. What are your experiences? Is this fairly normal or acceptable? I've always treated ragwort as an absolute no-no so am shocked to see so much around on such a good yard. I've expressed my surprise to the YM but she says its just a near-impossible task keeping on top of it, they do spray (seems like once a year) and dig it up once flowering, but that doesn't control it. Apparently they have lost one horse in the past due to it (although most don't seem to eat it).
What do you think? Should I broach it with the YO? What would the BHS think and how did it get approved with so much ragwort?

Thanks in advance for any advice!
 
IMO not acceptable - YO is legally responsible for clearing the ragwort. I'm suprised that the owner of the horse didn't sue yard actually. It's not an impossible job to go out for 1/2 hour - 1 hour every day and clear some - field would be cleared in a couple of weeks and then to just go out and pick any that may come up weekly/ every 2 weeks. If they end up digging it up anyway they could do it without spraying and any that are too small to dig out you can just pull from the base.
 
I am amazed, appalled.

Yes it hard to control but a proper management programme needs to be in place and it doesn't sound as if there is one.

I wouldn't keep my horse there, simple as that. Didn't you spot the ragwort when your viewed the place?? If there is tons of it how did you miss it? And if they have lost a horse to it why aren't other liveries up in arms?

I'd report it to the BHS as well, heaven knows what they were thinking of, although in fairness I am not sure how often they check that yards are maintaining high standards?? I would think there was NO ragwort there when it got its badge of acceptability!!
 
My yard has this problem and my field is the worst of them all. I must say I do worry as I have hardly any grass for clover and weeds and worry they will eat the ragwort as they're hungry. Due to this and other reasons I am looking at changing yards as I can't see my case improving! I know ragwort can't be helped and you don't mind taking a few out but when it's uncontrollable and have no time to ride your horses as you're spending 6 hours a week ragworting that's when it's a joke and a worry!
 
I think the check of the yard is only once a year - they could do the spraying and pulling it up in preperation for the yearly check.

ETA I know it is the yard owners responsibility but would it be possible to get a group together to go out and do 1/2 hr a day? And then make a rota so 1 or 2 person(s) to go out once a weeks and pull any up.
 
Sorry to hijack the thread, but how big an issue is ragwort in hay/haylage?

The local YO owns a farm down the road where he grows all his own hay/haylage and the fields contain ragwort.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Sorry to hijack the thread, but how big an issue is ragwort in hay/haylage?

The local YO owns a farm down the road where he grows all his own hay/haylage and the fields contain ragwort.

[/ QUOTE ]

As far as I know it is still toxic when dried and is more palatable
 
In hay/haylage it is an even bigger problem as it no longer tastes bitter once dead but it is still poison. Stay clear from that hay.

We have a huge problem with ragwort. I really do my best but my field is next to a field which isn't 'allowed' to be sprayed
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I've nagged and nagged the yard owner to help me, I've spent a fortune on Barrier H, I've spent hours pulling it up myself and I'm not getting anywhere.

Someone has said that I shouldn't haveto do anything and its the Yard owners duty to keep the grazing ragwort free. Is this right? He isn't BHS registered so who would I report it to?
 
Hi Roops,

Ragwort is hay is a HUGE issue! Random-Rach is quite right - it is far more palatable once dried and horses which may not eat it fresh will do so at this point. It is every bit as toxic once dried and hay containing it must be avoided at all costs!
 
Hi,

it is definately the yard owners job to keep on top of ragwart while its growing i work on a yard and we spend every other afternoon going round the farm pulling weeds and ragwort she even had us walking almost thigh deep to check the haylage fields that are waiting to be cut and there isnt a single bit of ragwart in the horses feilds its just the hacking tracks that we are still tackling but no i would speek to your YO and have a go as it is not your responsibility to sort things out fair enough the odd few bits if you see it starting to grow but not all the way round your feild it could potentioally kill your horse
 
i would speak to the BHS approval scheme. They should be able to help, maybe do a sudden inspection and get YO to sort it out?

i'm erally shocked its like that if a horse has been lost to it already!

Seperate rant here but this is why i wont get my yard approved through the BHS! from reading the pack they send yards, and knowing some yards that have managed to somehow get approval - its very much like passports! You basically seem to pay for the plaque! I know some yards deserve to be approved, but quite a few dont yet manage it somehow.

If it doesnt get cleared up, i would look for a new yard based upon reputation of others in the area.
 
Ditto remarks about hay/haylage, DO NOT USE IT.

We have a terrible problem with ragwort and spray and pull regularly, it never goes away completely. Trouble is that if you let it get out of control it is a losing battle. IMO spraying is the only answer but this does mean losing grazing for up to 6 months depending on the time of year that it is sprayed.
 
agree with luckilotti, phone up the bhs ad speak to them as a yard with there approval should not have ragwort, they should be able to advise you what to do
 
I haven't read other posts but although I agree its wrong I do have a certain amount of sympathy for the YO / YM. Running a yard can be a thankless task with loads of work for little reward and the time needed to keep on top of ragwort can be huge, especially if your fields are completely taken over with it.

For me irrespective of the fact they are BHS registered you have said you love the yard in all other respects so I would group together with other liveries ( presumably they are also concerned ) and arrange ' pulling parties' to start making a dent in it.
 
Pulling parties are a great idea. Nice day, bbq some cool beer and wine and you will be suprised how fast time goes and actually how much ragwort gets pulled.
 
Yes we've done that before and it makes a huge difference and it really is fun. Also ( not saying this to OP ) if people put as much energy into clearing it as they do moaning about it the job would be done, which benefits everyone.
 
Pulling parties are ok if EVERYONE does their share.

The ragwort situation seem to be a big piss take, it's everywhere where we are, roundabouts, roadsides, fields private and council and people who should be taking it seriously dont seem to be bothered, but then neither do they take leaving our yard gate open, or the post office van flying down the bridleway or twats in our fields and their litter seriously either, everyone is being too busy being "PC" and frightened to infringe anyones "human rights" FFS
 
We have rag everywhere round by us
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We buy hay from further away from a reputable farmer, who luckily delivers for us at no extra cost.
We dig and maintain all our land ourselves (would wait forever for landowner to show up!!) This year we have been lucky and i caught it early and managed to control it.
I have even taken to digging up any that appears round the edges too whether its on our land or not as it can spread so quickly,
No one round here seems as bothered as we are, although as far as i know its just as toxic to their sheep and cows??
I'll just keep doing my bit at least i know then the horses are ok.
 
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