What is this plant?

[Paint it Lucky]

Does anyone know what the brown plants in this photo are, and more improtantly, are they harmfull to horses at all? A lot seem to be growing round the edges of our fields at the moment, yard manager doesn't seem particularly bothered and horses don't seem to eat them at all but I think they occassionally get into the hay aswell so wondered what they were!

 

[zigzag]

They are docks gone to seed sign of horse sick pasture

 

[Happytohack]

Docks - if they don't get sorted out, you will end up with all docks and no grass.

 

[dieseldog]

They aren't posionous. But they will take over your field and you will use a lot of grass. You want to spray them, not sure the best time to do it.

 

[Paint it Lucky]

Thanks, duh, can't believe I didn't recognise them as docks; they are only round the fence line at the moment, what should they be sprayed with, how soon can you turn horses out after spraying? Would topping them be sufficient (or would this just make them grow back quicker?!)?

 

[grandmaweloveyou]

docks aside what an absolutely stunning horse/picture!

 

[claire1976]

Topping does weaken the docks but with this many you'd be better spraying them.

 

[wireweiners]

If you can spot spray them with Roundup (generic name glyphosate) that will kill them if they are still green. You can put horses back in the pasture as soon as the stuff dries.

 

[Bex7]

evil docks

 

[Magicmillbrook]

I would top them now, rake them up and remove them to stop them going to seed. New leaves will spring up and thats the best time to spray with something like round up (cheaper if you buy it from your agri supplier - glyphosate SPP! is the active ingredient)