How to remove Ragwort from your paddock

As responsible horse owners we all need to keep our horse's grazing / turnout free from Ragwort, you'll need a Ragwort fork which can be bought from most tack shops or feed merchants, they are also readily available online for about £20.00, just search ragwort fork.

Ragwort forks are very easy to use they have been specifically developed to remove this pernicious weed quickly and easily, without the use of chemicals, they  remove the whole plant including the roots, reducing the possibility for re-growth

All you need to do is place the fork near to the plant, put your foot on the ragwort fork bar and press down into the rootball of the plant then dig it out.

To dispose of the uprooted plant, put it into a paper sack and leave somewhere safe where your horse / pony or other livestock cannot get to it and leave it for a few days to wilt. It can then be burnt, if you try to burn it whilst it is still fresh it will produce a horrible smoke.

WARNINGS:

You should always wear gloves when handling ragwort as some people have an allergic reaction to it.

NEVER, EVER LEAVE UPROOTED RAGWORT IN THE FIELD OR WHERE YOUR EQUINE CAN REACH IT, RAGWORT BECOMES MORE PALATABLE WHEN WILTED OR DRIED AND YOUR HORSE OR PONY IS MORE LIKELY TO EAT IT.

Need help identifying Ragwort, then scroll down to our earlier posts Do you know how to identify Ragwort? and How to Recognise Ragwort.