What can I do? :( please help?

[RubysGold]

We were told to put all horses in their stables this morning, so the farmer could cut the weeds. We had like piles of weeds and some ragwort.
I assumed his tractor thing would pick up the weeds. But no, there's bits of weeds all over the field. He's literally just chopped it all down.
So I know that grass cuttings can cause colic, but with it being weeds that the horses weren't touching I'm hoping they'll leave it alone.
And the ragwort is now going to be edible because its dead. I was going to pull it all up this weekend but now I don't know if I'll be able to find it all.
I can't move her to a different field, so what can I do?
Nickie

 

[Hippona]

Get your rubber gloves on, grab a wheelbarrow and get stuck in hunny

 

[Slinkyunicorn]

Ok - I would take a wheel barrow out and pick up as much of it as you can - you should be able to see the ragwort still if was in flower. Does Roo go out in her own paddock? If not rope the other liveries who share the field to help. Could you get some spare electric tape? The way you could 'strip clear' the field - and put Roo on restricted grazing at the same time while you clear the field - it could take you a couple of days.

Would have been more sensible if you had all had a chance to did the ragwort up before he topped the fields but too late now. When the ragwort strts to show again - gloves on and dig it up as you see it - try and keep on top of it as now it has been cut the chances are it will start popping up in new places. Maybe you could find some articles on ragwort and pass them on to your YO for his information for the future - he should be making more of an effort to control it on his land.

Its going to be a pain for you but better safe than sorry that you clear your field before putting Roo out on it - especially as you are trying to shift her weight.

 

[PeterNatt]

Provided the grass has been cut with a flail it should be safe. (Grass cut with a rotary mower is dangerous as it creates poisonous enzymes). However, you will need to remove the ragwort by hand immediately and then burn it. Wear thick industrial grade ruber gloves as Ragwort is poisionous to humans as well.

The Ragwort will return again as the roots are still there. The only way to kill ragwort is to use a chemica such as Barrier-H which is sprayed on it with at least two seperate applications. Once the Ragwort plant has died off it is then removed and burnt.

 

[Lollii]

Your going to have to get a weed 'picking up party together'!

Search out the ragwort first, barrow it up and burn it if poss.

I wouldn't worry too much about the grass cuttings if there is loads of it and to much to pick up, if it is dry it will be ok - just like hay.

 

[jrp204]

If it's been cut by a normal mower and is still in drams (rows) is there somone local who can roundbale it? You can then dump the bales in the ditch, fence them off and chill!

 

[kellyeaton]

pick up the most of it ecspecially the ragwort then the bit you clean section it off and but horses in that bit and then do a bit more picking then move the fence on and so on until the field is clear!