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Beware the yellow perilSummer is upon us, and at this time of year one of the major concerns for horse owners and those who work with equines is the yellow menace known as ragwort.It may look innocent enough, but ragwort is highly toxic to horses, ponies, donkeys and other livestock. Horse owners and landowners alike must be ever vigilant to prevent its spread. Ragwort poisons the liver and digestive system and its effects accumulate in the animal’s body with regular consumption. Once the horse begins to display the signs of poisoning there is little that can be done to reverse the effects. Early symptoms to watch for include lethargy, loss of condition and poor appetite leading to weight loss. In the Summer areas of white skin become damaged due to photosensitisation. Later, the poisons begin to have an effect on the central nervous system, which can lead to convulsions, seizures and sometimes blindness. After this, partial paralysis sets in and death follows within a few hours.
Although most horses will avoid the mature ragwort plant as it tastes bitter, younger ragwort seedlings can become lost amongst the surrounding grass and consumed. Even when the plant has been cut down the threat does not go away, as its toxins remain active and the wilted or dried plant contains more sugars and is therefore much more tasty to the unsuspecting equine. Regular surveillance and paddock clearing can work to maintain control over this voracious plant. Landowners finding ragwort on their land are required to remove it where it could possibly affect nearby livestock, and a new Code of Practice on How to Prevent the Spread of Ragwort has been launched by the Rural Affairs office. > Find out more about ragwort and how to identify it in our Welfare Issues section. > If you have any concerns about ragwort or its effects, please contact our welfare team on 01508 481008 or visit the DEFRA website at www.defra.gov.uk/rural/horses/topics/ragwort.htm | 
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