ragwort

[Ragwort Ridder UK Ltd]

Hi
I'm on a DIY yard, I moved in winter when the summer grazing was non-existant. Now I find we have an awful ragwort problem in our field of 6 mares. Of the 6 owners, only 2 of us are in any way concerned. In the last while, all my free time on the yard has been spent picking ragwort. I literally have spent no time with my horse.

The other owners seem to think I'm just making a fuss over nothing because they havent bothered going up to see what we're talking about. The yard owner (who is wonderful in all other ways) is making a big joke out of it and told another person that she thinks I'm "obsessed" with ragwort.

Well pardon me for pointing this out, but the field is not suitable for grazing horses. The field is absolutely covered with ragwort. Despite all the time I've spent picking it, I havent even gotten the tip of the iceberg and it worries me greatly. I was awake last night thinking what would happen if my horse accidentally ate some (which could happen because I often find that its been trampled, has died and is therefore more palatable to the horses).

So whats my position here? As I said its a DIY yard, but surely they have an obligation to provide grazing suitable for horses? Do I have any rights? That field is currently rented from a farmer but I imagine he has no obligations.

Currently I'm toying with moving but hate the idea of it as I wanted to bring some stability into my mares life (I bought her in January and before that she was moved 3 times in 1.5 years and she's only a baby).

What do you think? I'm considering talking to the owner and saying that for £x per week (its not cheap), I dont think its good enough to offer potentially lethal grazing and make no effort to make it safer, and that unless she rectifies the situation I will have to move because I cannot risk my horses life. I hate doing it and as I say, in all other respects the yard owners are wonderful.

What do you all think?

Hi.
Ragwort is reportable to DEFRA. It is the land owner that is responsible for the land and it is an offence to allow animals to eat it.https://www.gov.uk/guidance/injurious-weeds-how-to-make-a-complaint

 

[carthorse]

This thread is 23 years old! That must be some sort of record for replying to give advice

 

[Trewsers]

LOL I just started reading this from the beginning as it popped up as a new thread - hahahahaa. Then realised it was ancient! LOL.

 

[Trewsers]

Hi.
Ragwort is reportable to DEFRA. It is the land owner that is responsible for the land and it is an offence to allow animals to eat it.https://www.gov.uk/guidance/injurious-weeds-how-to-make-a-complaint

That's not true now I don't think. I don't think Defra are interested in it anymore. Its been re-classified.

 

[Ragwort Ridder UK Ltd]

This thread is 23 years old! That must be some sort of record for replying to give advice

I never realised it was an old thread either as it just popped up. You never know my advice might possibly be of help to someone!

 

[carthorse]

I never realised it was an old thread either as it just popped up. You never know my advice might possibly be of help to someone!

It might be if the information was correct, but sadly it isn't a criminal offence to allow ragwort to grow unchecked any more. The Injurious Weeds Act merely provides guidance, and I suspctthat if someone was oncerned about animals grazing it then the RSPCA would be a better be than DEFRA.