07/10/2023
Ragwort contains the toxic compounds pyrrolizidine alkaloids, and if ingested by horses (and other livestock) it can cause irreversible liver damage.
The results of ragwort poisoning might not be seen for months or even years after the plant is eaten, therefore it’s imperative for horse owners to eliminate ragwort from their grazing land.
Ragwort seeds are spread by wind, water, animals, farm implements, agricultural produce including hay, on clothing and other equipment. Most seeds fall near the parent plant, but many become airborne and travel for long distances & a single plant is capable of producing 50 - 60,000 seeds and remain dormant in the ground for 15+ years which can cause sudden flushes of ragwort to appear.
Ragwort becomes more palatable when dried in hay, partly wilted or frozen in the winter. So now is another good time of year to get it picked before the frosts set in. I am available for any ragwort picking should you need it, feel free to message me.
