TCJpart55 Weeding

IT'S TIME TO WEED:

While the ground is still damp and the weeds are beginning to take control of their little areas of domain, it's the perfect time to get out there and do some gardening...equine style!

Firstly, it's very important that you recognise the poisonous weeds your horse can gain access to.  Whether it's your land or not, your responsibility is to your horse since no one else will love him as you do.  Don't wait for someone else to take action, do it yourself!!  So, get some advice, read some literature with plenty of photos and get out and start pulling!




Here are a few of the dangers your horse might come in contact with, from gardens, to parks, bridlepaths and countryside, always be on the look-out:  If you suspect your horse has ingested any of these plants, don't take any risk, call your vet immediately for advice!


Never let your horse snatch a bite en-route just incase!

But, as a very general rule: if it's got a yellow flower, chances are it's poisonous!

We live in the countryside so my weeds might be different from yours, remember some of the most innocuous looking plants can be fatal, and it's important to learn which ones you have in your area.  Plants like privet and yew amongst others are lethal for example.


Happily, horses have evolved over millions of years learning not to eat things that will kill them, but on the plains there are very different plants.  Human introduction of alien plants into our island mean we have to be vigilant, because our horse may not recognise the good from the bad.

IMPORTANT EQUIPMENT:

The weeds that could be fatal to horses or make them sick are in all likelihood not that great for us either, so be prepared *(the Brownie moto), and have the right stuff ready. 

Firstly you'll need gloves, I prefer the sort that has rubber palm area, designed I think for wearing whilst painting preserver on your shed and fence - you know the type.  Some plants have irritating leaves, or 'milk' in the stems that can give some people a nasty rash when they're pulled up or snapped.  So wear long sleeves too.

Secondly you'll need a weed puller, this is to be certain all the roots get pulled, not just the leaves you can see.  Ragwort for example, has tiny roots, all capable of producing a new plant even if the tiniest piece of root remains in the ground - so get it all! 

You'll need a bag to put the weeds and roots in, and if like me you're in the fields with your horses, that bag will need to be sealable - just in case you have a horse like Henry who wants to stick his head in everything.

WEEDS I HAVE ON MY LAND THAT MUST DIE: and how to recognise the good from the bad and the ugly.


RAGWORT: It's not ugly, but it's very, very bad and must be properly destroyed wherever you find it.

Get it now whilst it's still at rosette stage.  It's easy to spot, but if I'm unsure I'll pull it anyway since it's still a weed if it doesn't look like grass!  Get the rag fork in right beside the main stem and lift, you're trying to get all the roots out so be gentle. 

Once you have this weed up, you must dispose of it properly since it's an 'injurious' weed and controlled by the Weeds Act: see my blog from September last year about this evil weed.  The only way to be sure, is to burn it.  Don't try to compost it, some parts might remain viable live material.

HEMLOCK: it's bad and ugly and flowers in June, a full month after cowparsley.


Hemlock is an angry looking plant, with huge talon-like darker leaves, it doesn't flower until June, but the flowers are a little similar to cow parsley, and that's the confusing part, because in a countryside hedgerow, you may not be able to see the leaves, and the two plants are never flowering at the same time to compare. But general rule, if it's flowering in May and smells like the countryside in spring, its likely cow parsley, if it flowers in June with an unpleasant odour, it's likely Hemlock. if your at all confused, don't take the chance with your horse - dig it up!

Learn to recognise this and don't get it confused with Cow Parsley.  Buttercups also in this photo are also not good for horses and should be dug up where possible. 

COWPARSLEY: looks like this, is very pretty and has light fern-like leaves..it's good...

Cow Parsley, or as Tom & Henry like to call it: a tasty treat, is fine for horses, and looks 'friendly' and light.  It's leaves are lacy and the flowers smell like spring.  It's flowering now: middle of May.

Hemlock is poisonous to horses and can't be allowed into their grazing area.  More palatable once dry too so when you pull it, take it all away, every last little bit. It smells nasty too, so that's another clue.




BUTTERCUPS:

They grow in damp conditions and although not tasty are also not unpleasant to horses, so they might eat it if there's little else. The odd mouthful is usually OK, but horses who consume more would get very sick. My advice, get rid of it.

HARMLESS WEEDS THAT NEED CONTROLLING, BUT NOT ERADICATED:some plants we call weeds, because we don't want them in our herbaceous borders can actually be beneficial to our horses.


NETTLES: ugly and good.

My Mum swears by nettle to help with her rheumatism, she just plunges her arms into the bush and the tiny hairs that embed in the skin that cause irritation, actually increase blood flow and help relieve the pain.

Nettles should be kept under control since like mint, if you leave it to itself it'll take over.  That said, if you pull nettles in your paddock don't be tempted to throw it all away, leave a few branches  to dry and your horses will enjoy munching them.  They are supposed to have health benefits too.