Ragwort is well known to be poisonous to horses and other livestock. It is also very difficult to remove, and any amount to root left will become a fully fledged plant in a very short space of time.
Ragwort is a native (UK) weed that is incredibly invasive. It’s seeds can lie dormant for many years, even decades in the right conditions. According to the Royal Horticultural Society, a single ragwort plant is capable of producing between 50 to 60,000 seeds, although other sources put this figure much higher.
There is no doubt that ragwort is a serious contender for the plant most disliked by the equestrian community. Read on to find out how to remove it, and what signs to look out for in your equines.
What Is Ragwort
Most horse owners know that ragwort is bad for horses. However, not many know that there are actually at least 19 different species under the ragwort banner.
The most common in the UK
- Common Ragwort
- Oxford Ragwort
- Hoary Ragwort
- Marsh Ragwort
Ragwort is great for pollinator insects and is well known as being a favourite plant of the cinnabar moth. Although it is arguably quite a pretty plant, for animal owners it can be significantly problematic.
Firstly, if you’re wondering is ragwort poisonous to horses, then the simple answer is ‘yes’. Most horses don’t find it very palatable when growing, and will avoid it unless they are extremely hungry.
However, once cut and dried it loses its noxious taste and can become dangerous when dried and baled in hay. This is why it is always advisable to removed pulled ragwort straight away and keep out of reach of your horses. Once wilted burning is the suggested good practice.
There are many websites that give us ‘facts about ragwort’ but from my research the ‘facts’ seem to vary between authors. Some say that single plants only produce hundreds to several thousands of seeds, whereas others state upwards of 100,000 seeds per plant!
There is also debate about how far seeds will spread or how far can ragwort seeds travel. Although most seeds with fall within 25m of the mother plant according to Ragwort.org. One site however claims 10 miles. It’s very difficult to know which are true and which are simply scaremongering. However, all agree that ragwort poses a significant risk if eaten, so it’s best to err on the side of caution.
If you’ve pulled out all of the visible ragwort in your field and you’re wondering how long do ragwort seeds stay dormant, then this is a wise question. Ragwort seeds can stay dormant for many years, even decades in the right circumstances. Unfortunately, this means that removal is an ongoing process and will need to be undertaken every year.
Ragwort first starts as a ‘rosette’ then grows to up to 1.5m high, displaying yellow flowers before seeding and appearing to die off. If left to maturity it has a distinctive red-tinged stem with leaves that are its distinguishing feature.
Plants That Look Like Ragwort
When you look at your field and see a covering of yellow your heart may sink. All is not necessarily lost. Yellow flowers on their own do not denote a ragwort infestation, you need to get up close and look at the leaves and flowers.
The first picture below is of common ragwort plant; note the leaves:
This picture is a similar plant, growing to a similar height, with yellow flowers. The leaves are different though. This is Hoary ragwort and needs to be removed:
If it doubt however, pull it out. It’s simply not worth saving 30 seconds not pulling out the plant when you realise the damage that it could do to your horse.
Plants that look like ragwort include:
- Meadow Hawkweed
- Yellow Loosestrife
- Tansy
At first glance these yellow plants may resemble ragwort, but upon closer inspection you should easily be able to tell the difference.
The best way of deciding if you are confused or concerned is to use a plant app. These are easy to use on your phone and will give you confirmation within minutes after uploading a photo of your plant.
How Do I Get Rid Of Ragwort From A Field
There are many ways to get rid of ragwort, but some are more work intensive than others.
- Plough – If your ragwort problem is extensive then ploughing may be your first choice. Ragwort plants don’t appreciate being ploughed and will die off for the season. Unfortunately, it is simply for that season, and it’s rare that you’d want to plough your field and then let your horses on it without reseeding and allowing it to rest and the grass to go for a year or so. Furthermore, because the roots are left in the soil, the ragwort will regrow. Many people though when faced with a huge ragwort burden choose this option simply to delay the time when they need to start thinking about more permanent treatments.
- Pull – This is the best way to combat ragwort. However, it does need to be pulled up by the roots, without leaving any root material behind. Using a ragwort fork will make this job far easier, and you may notice a huge reduction in ragwort growth the next year. If you have ragwort in the verges next to your paddock, then pull this up too as you don’t want it to spread seeds into your newly de-ragworted land.
- Spray – Chemical treatments are often used, especially if the problem is spread over multiple acres. Spraying should be done whilst the plant is growing, and there are numerous chemicals that claim to kill ragwort completely. Remember though that if the poison doesn’t reach the roots, the plant can still grow. Also, dead and/or dried ragwort is more palatable to horses so chemical spraying isn’t an easy option.
- Chop – It is quite common for people just to lop the heads off ragwort before it fully flowers. Whilst this is far easier than pulling up the whole plant, and will have some effect in limiting the spread, the ragwort plant will remain. Leaving any of the plant simply means it will grow again.
Pulling up ragwort with a specialist fork may not be the way you envisaged spending your summer, but it is infinitely preferable to a ragwort-poisoned horse, and a paddock overrun by yellow flowers.
Remember that ragwort can still spread seeds even after being cut. The best way to deal with ragwort is to place it in a plastic sack, and burn it (not the plastic) when it has wilted and dried out. Do not leave the ragwort anywhere near where your horse can go whilst it’s drying.
Ragwort Poisoning In Humans
Surprisingly, folk-lore suggests using ragwort on humans to treat ailments such as joint pain and throat inflammation. These days these treatments are not recommended.
When pulling or touching ragwort, gloves are required as ragwort can cause localised discomfort. Some people who regularly deal with ragwort also wear further personal protection equipment, but this is normally only required if you are spending the majority of your day, regularly, being around ragwort.
Ragwort can cause liver problems and has been shown to be carcinogenic. Protecting yourself again ragwort poisoning is therefore a sensible option, especially if your fields are full of the invasive weed.
The problem with ragwort is that its poisons bio-accumulate. That means that the poisons do not get dispelled naturally from our bodies, and the levels grow over time when coming into contact with it. You may not even notice until the levels have built up to such an extent that it is difficult to treat.
Whilst everyone agrees that ragwort toxins can be absorbed though our skin, whether it is a problem is again disputed. A Horse & Hound forum suggests that this is a problem, whereas Gardener’s Worlds rebukes this as a problem. Personally, if wearing gloves will remove the issue, then I’m all for boosting the local economy and purchasing several extra pairs!
Ragwort Poisoning In Horses
Horses are susceptible to ragwort poisoning, and as soon as you see any in your field it is wise to remove it and dispose of it with great care.
These are the most commonly asked questions when talking about ragwort:
- what does ragwort do to horses – ragwort can accumulate in your horse’s system and lead to liver failure and ultimately death
- is ragwort dangerous to horses – ragwort is very dangerous to horses and should be removed and destroyed as soon as it is noticed
- ragwort toxicity in horses – ragwort is toxic in both small and large quantities. The liver damage brought on by eating ragwort can often be fatal. The plant may be more palatable when dried but it is no less toxic. There is no cure.
Ragwort Poisoning Symptoms In Horses
There are several symptoms related to ragwort poisoning, and many can be confused with other maladies. This is what makes ragwort poisoning so difficult to diagnose as it can often present as another problem.
- Lethargy – If your horse seems more tired than usual, and even slightly depressed, check that your paddock or pasture is free from ragwort.
- Aggression – Just like humans, if you’re feeling under the weather you may be a little crotchety. The same is true for horses. If your normally mild manner horse starts displaying aggressive behaviour look at your hay and paddock.
- Diarrhoea – Watery stools can often be a sign of other problems, but do not automatically assume that it’s the Spring grass coming through, or anxiety.
- Weight loss – It’s difficult to always pinpoint the reason for weight loss. There are so many potential causes. If you can’t think of anything else that has changed, then double check that ragwort is not the cause.
- Abdominal pain – When your horse shows abdominal pain it can be quite distressing, and nowadays ulcers are often cited as the main cause. Don’t just assume that this is the cause and give gut health supplements, these will not help if ragwort is the culprit.
- Loss of co-ordination – A loss of co-ordination is not normal for horses, and is rarely seen except in neurological cases. If your horse shows this symptom, then ringing the vet is a must. Double check your grazing to give your vet the best chance of helping your horse.
- Circling – Continuous circling is an unusual thing for your horse to do. Especially in the field. If your horse circles in the field, even if it is a known ‘box-walker’ in the stable, it is time to determine if ragwort poisoning could be to blame.
- Seizures – This is definitely the time to be getting your vet out pronto. If ragwort poisoning is to blame then it is unfortunately unlikely that your vet will be able to give anything but palliative care. Ragwort damages the liver, and once 70% of the liver has been compromised, a positive outcome is extremely unlikely.
The unpleasantness of ragwort poisoning to your horse cannot be understated. If your paddocks are overrun with ragwort and you do not have the time to pull it yourself, then consider recruiting a company to pull it on your behalf. Whilst expensive, in the long term it is less expensive that massive vets bills and the knowledge that you have compromised on the welfare of your horse.
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How Do I Prevent Ragwort
Ragwort and horses are not a good mix. If you’re looking for a ragwort killer; safe for horses, then you are unlikely to find one that doesn’t mean you can treat the ragwort and still let your horses graze in the same area.
Pulling ragwort as it appears is the best way, but incredibly time-consuming, at least initially until your have it under some semblance of control.
Ploughing and overseeding may help, as will adding a ground covering plant to your grass mix. This makes it more difficult for the ragwort seeds to push through. Clover is the best, but not many horse owners are happy to have a field of clover, especially if they own native, good-doers.
Chemical treatments may work, but you’ll still have to remove the horses for a good time period, and still run the risk of dead ragwort being eaten without your horse realising.
Tansy Ragwort Flea-beetle – for some reason this native Eurasian beetle is not often used for the control of ragwort. It was however introduced into the USA for ragwort control and has apparently proven quite successful in some studies.
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Ragwort Horses: Law
Whilst there may be penalties outside the UK for permitting ragwort to flourish on your land, in the UK there is only the Ragwort Control Act 2003. This provides guidance and best-practice for land-owners, but in reality has very few teeth to legally force a land-owner to remove this toxic and invasive plant.
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When Should Ragwort Be Removed
Ragwort should be removed as soon as you see the first sign of the rosette. Not only will this stop the spread of ragwort in it’s tracks, but there will be less chance of you creating a paddock full of divots that your horse could turn an ankle on.
If you have decided to spray your field to reduce the ragwort problem, then spraying should be carried out during the growing season. This is normally from May – September. If you spray whilst the plant is in a growth stage there is more likelihood of the chemical being taken down into the root system and killing it fully.
Chopping off the heads before they flower is also widely practiced. However, whilst it will stop further seeds spreading it won’t in itself stop the mother plant presenting a problem long-term.
All ragwort should be placed in sealed plastic bags (seeds will still spread once the plants have been cut down), and left to wilt. Bags of ragwort should be placed where horses and other livestock can not access them. Once wilted ragwort should be burned to ensure that it no longer proves a threat. If should not be placed on the muck heap as seeds can remain dormant but alive for may years.
How To Get Rid Of Dead Plants
The only way to get rid of ragwort plants once they have been pulled is to let them dry and have a bonfire. They remain poisonous whether alive or dead, and horses and other livestock will find them more inviting after they have died. This is why you must always check your hay upon delivery, as whilst horses may avoid ragwort in the field, they will happily munch away on dried ragwort in a haynet.
Remember that you should not:
- Put it on your muck heap
- Put it in your Council garden bin
- Leave it to rot in the field
Although these are the easiest options, not only will they endanger your horse, and lead to ragwort spreading elsewhere, but you may be liable to a large fine if detected.
Conclusion
In conclusion ragwort is an incredibly invasive and dangerous native plant that can grow almost everywhere. Its seeds can spread far and wide on the wind, and each plant is capable of producing many thousands of seeds.
Ragwort does not simply die and become non-toxic once cut. Indeed, it retains its toxicity, and is poisonous to your horse at every stage of its life.
The toxins contained in ragwort can cause a multitude of problems and distress to your horse, and can have a detrimental effect on your wallet. It is therefore good practice to pull any ragwort plant as soon as you see the first rosettes, and burn it to remove the potential of spreading seeds and being inadvertently eaten by your horse.
