Ragwort Questions

Hi there,
I’m doing a bit of a survey into how big the ragwort problem is and mainly how people deal with it. I wonder if you would mind answering the questions on this page and forwarding the answers to me?
There are so many different opinions when it comes to the yellow beast, I’m trying to find a fairly recent set of opinions.


RAGWORT SURVEY

1. Do you own/loan a horse?
2. Do you own/rent the land the horse is kept on?
3. Is the field maintenance your responsibility?
4. Do you have a Ragwort problem on your grazing?
5. Do you attempt to control it?
6. How?
7. Is your method effective?
8. Does it ever return?
9. Would you be prepared to try an alternative method if one came along?

If you could post your replies on here, with the answers numbered as per the questions; that would be great. Alternatively, it may be as easy to copy and paste the whole thing and email it to me at – salenanewport@hotmail.co.uk

Thank you very much for your time on this matter. It all helps to build a more accurate picture as to the real situation.

Salena Newport

RAGWORT SURVEY

1. Do you own/loan a horse?
2. Do you own/rent the land the horse is kept on?
3. Is the field maintenance your responsibility? Yes
4. Do you have a Ragwort problem on your grazing? No
5. Do you attempt to control it? N/a
6. How? N/a
7. Is your method effective? N/a
8. Does it ever return? N/a
9. Would you be prepared to try an alternative method if one came along? N/a

I am leasing horse and on that property, there is no ragwort, but where I will be putting my new horse there is, and yes, I do own that land. I am not ure how to get rid of it, but I will do ANYTHING to keep my horses safe, anything. So if you find out a way to nip it in the bud, please tell me!

Hi there,
Just a quick message to thank you for your reply to my post. I have asked these questions on several horse based forums and people have been very good at answering. The reason for my questions is that I am in the process of patenting an item to help in the eradication of ragwort.
As for getting rid of it right now, there are several options. Digging up the roots- though beware of left over root fragments, because they will regenerate and you will be left not with the single plant you had, but 30 or so seedlings growing from inside the hole that was left behind. Herbicide, as far as I've found so far is the most surefire way of killing the plant properly. It needs to be 2,4d ester. Brand name is Round-up, or Barrier H is another one. Your horse must be kept away from the treated plants until the poison has acted and the dead plants removed. They are less bitter and a bit more tempting when wilted, dead or dying, but no less poisonous. You must also take care to wear gloves, due to the toxin producing chemical being able to be absorbed through the skin.
I have quite a bit of info about ragwort, but don't want to bore you with it all, so if you need to know anything a bit more specific, please feel free to ask.

Thanks again,

Salena