WWYD - pony & ragwort

[SouthWestWhippet]

I went to a petting zoo type place today. Very pleasant place with lots of animals, mostly farm animals but a few reptiles, birds, a herd of deer etc. All the animals looked healthy, glossy and happy. Most were very friendly, you could pet the deer, bottle feed the sheep, stroke the calfs etc. The animal pens were clean, all animals had water and nice hay available.

The pony was in a very small paddock (about the size of 3 stables) with a pile of hay and water. Very small pony, possible a fallabella? Looked healthy and was very friendly and gentle. However, I was upset that the paddock was full of ragwort. There was also ragwort in the donkies' paddock.

Wondering what to do. Part of me thinks I should report it. But the rest of the place was so nicely presented and the animals so relaxed and friendly I'm not sure if perhaps I am over reacting? Would be a real shame if something like this caused the place to be shut down as it really was providing an excellent family day out of largely a high standard... but don't want the pony suffering either.

so WWYD? any thoughts?

 

[horsecrazy25]

Sounds as if you had a lovely day out

Personally if i was you i wouldn't report it as like you said all the animals were happy and everything was really nice there but i would go and have a quiet word to the manager and just say why you are concerned etc and if nothing improves after speaking to the manager you could always do it for them and get you to pay you for doing it and if that doesn't work then maybe report it!!

 

[Eriskayowner]

Sounds like a sensible idea above. Does sound like place is generally ok but maybe they just need a prod from someone to get it sorted.

Was it definitely ragwort? Could have been something similar but harmless? X

 

[SouthWestWhippet]

Fairly certain it was ragwort, the stuff is pretty distinctive. Bright yellow flowers and all!

I think I might have a word with the farmer in charge.

thanks

 

[Natch]

Sounds like they might well not know about the dangers.

I would write them a nice friendly letter, emphasising how much you enjoyed your visit and how you could see that they clearly cared for their animals, but voicing your concern over seeing what you think (play a bit dumb if you like) was ragwort in the pony and donkey's fields, and asking were they aware of how dangerous it is, and how it must be controlled by law.

You could enclose this BHS leaflet about it.