What plants to clear?

Paint Me Proud

Paint Me Proud

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The vet picked an area for Chico to have his first post-colic-op turnout when she visited yesterday.

The area has a track surface in the middle and plants at the sides.

I was wondering what plants i need to remove and what I can leave. Some of the plants are -

dock
thistle
nettles
bramble

I know Chico will eat the bramble but am going to cut some of the large stems away to prevent him getting it wrapped around legs etc.

But what else do i need to get rid of?
 
I know nettles can sting, so I would cut down anything with prickles, our horses won't eat docks, thistles and only like nettles when some idiot cut them down for them.
Nice to see Chico looking so well, you must be relieved
 
Do you know I would hate to give advice on something so important ,but also I have no idea:o, have you asked the vet.

I am very glad to hear chico is doing so well and wish him well in his recovery and thinking of you it is so hard when they are unwell,but you are getting there so well done.:)
 
Personally, I'd take the lot down (but I am fortunate to have a choice of lawn tractor or a bush hog for that sort of thing so it easy for me to say) presumably he isn't going out on a large section. Dried or wilted nettles are especially good for horses.

They'll grow again, normally a horse would browse on everything but the docks anyway.

Glad to hear that he is doing well.:)
 
Vet picked the site and advised to remove some of the nettles (as some horses can have a strange reaction to them)

I might ask my father to bring his petrol strimmer and help me out (have to do it all myself :( )
 
I always watch what my boy is picking at when grazing in hand, he neatly circles nettles, no docks, swerves anything that looks bitter and finds all the sweetest, greenest, most lush grass he can find. Wilted nettles are non stinging, I would have thought a few would do no harm. He likes thistle heads, and hawthorne shoots.
I would have some dry hay available too.
 
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Of the list of plants you print, horses don't like Dock and few will eat Nettle. In my experience horses are very keen on the flowers and young growth ...eaten with care! of Thistles so would be inclined to leave those if possible. If given the opportunity horses do like to have a variety plants on the menu other than just grass.
 
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