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I read a readers letter in a back issue of one of my favourite horsey magazines today. This reader was asking horse owners to be vigilant and take action when they spot ragwort. It made me wonder what the best course of action would be so I decided to do a little research into the subject. Firstly, what is ragwort? Ragwort is a common weed in the UK. There are three types of ragwort in the British Isles - Common Ragwort, Marsh Ragwort and Oxford Ragwort. Common Ragwort has a woody stem with dark green leaves and grows to between 30 and 100 cm in height. It flowers around April or May and these are bright yellow in colour. Each plant can produce as many as 150,000 seeds. Every part of the plant is poisonous, including the seeds.

The spores and seeds can be inhaled which means that even horses in paddocks free from ragwort are in danger if the neighbouring fields and verges are infested. If the ragwort is not controlled it will soon blow into your nice clean field or paddock. Don't leave it to someone else to deal with the problem. Speak to the land owner immediately. In the case of verges and public land this is probably the local council/highways department. All the telephone numbers can be found in your local telephone directory. If no action is taken then contact DEFRA. The Ragwort Control Act came into force in February 2004, amending the Control of Weeds Act 1959, giving more protection to horses and other grazing animals. The Ragwort Act makes it easier to prosecute those who disregard the need to control Ragwort. When ragwort threatens agricultural land, the landowner is required by law to properly treat it. If this does not happen DEFRA will make it happen! If anyone doubts the seriousness of the need to control this weed then I recommend you take a look at the video clip on www.newc.co.uk/advice/ragwort.php, it will remove any doubts you have, I can assure you. If you require any information on Ragwort, how to control it or clarification of the law regarding this poisonous weed then please go to www.defra.gov.uk.