Ragwort is poisonous to horses and kills them slowly over time. This injurious weed can also take over entire fields, but is removing it really necessary, or even recommended? Our TCM experts guide you through everything you need to know about the beautiful but deadly ragwort.

Kent nature reserve conserving ragwort for insects and other wildlife

What is ragwort?

Ragwort is a weed of which there are nineteen different species with the most troublesome being 'common ragwort' (Senecio jacobaea). This UK native is considered an injurious weed, flourishing in grassy areas, wasteland and over-grazed fields.

Is it biennial or perenial?

If the weed flowers and sets seed it is a biennial, meaning it takes two years to grow from seed to full maturity. However, if the ragwort is stripped of its leaves, it is considered a perennial and will live for more than two years. Unfortunately, the poisonous nature of ragwort can be a death sentence to horses, donkeys and other cattle.

What does common ragwort look like?

For all its sinister properties, Ragwort's beauty may surprise you. Common ragwort is a summer-yellow daisy-like plant, attracting bees, butterflies and a host of other insects. At almost a metre tall, this weed grows in clusters and will flower from June to November. Common ragwort leaves are dark green and feathery in appearance. You will often find it on grassland, farmland, in paddocks, woodlands, wetlands, heathlands and moorlands, as well as rocky places.

Ragwort identification

Why is it poisonous to horses?

Not only is ragwort poisonous to horses but also donkeys, mules and other cattle (except sheet, oddly). And whilst younger animals are more likely to see fatalities, ragwort poisoning to any animal is totally horrific.

It is the 'pyrrolizidine alkaloids' in ragwort that make it so harmful to equine and bovine alike. Whether a horse has consumed a large amount of ragwort all at once, or been consuming it in smaller quantities over time (mixed with its hay for example), the damage this toxic plant can do is the same. Your poor horse will grapple with a whole host of symptoms – including stomach upset, photosensitivity, jaundice and even depression and haemorrhages – before the toxins will target the liver and cause irrevocable damage.

Unfortunately, it’s very difficult to tell if your horse has been poisoned by ragwort. Often the symptoms are picked up too late for your beloved steed to survive. However, you should consult your vet immediately if you suspect ragwort poisoning.

Is there a legal requirement to remove ragwort?

Unlike the notorious Japanese knotweed, there is no legal requirement to remove ragwort on your land. However, Gov.uk states: “You can have harmful weeds growing on your land, but you should stop them spreading on to agricultural land[.]”

Clearly, allowing ragwort to spread to grazing pastures and within crops is unethical, let alone illegal. In fact, if you allow this to happen, you could face fines under the Weeds Act of 1959. You can also be prosecuted – and rightly so – if you allow animals to suffer by ragwort consumption.

If you see horses or other livestock grazing where ragwort is growing, you should report this to the RSPCA, or other recognised animal welfare bodies.

Common ragwort and conservation

So, it's easy to see why common ragwort should be eradicated immediately from every corner of the British countryside, right? Sadly it's not that simple.

Common ragwort actually plays a huge role in conservation. Not only is the plant food for hundreds of invertebrates but it also supports other rare and uncommon insects. Over 30 bug species are solely dependent on ragwort, the Cinnabar moth being the most famous.

Cinnabar moth caterpillars are partial to ragwort! — *Cinnabar moth caterpillars are partial to ragwort*

Ragwort growing in farmland — *Beautiful to the human eye but toxic to horses and cattle*

Should ragwort be removed?

Clearly, the jury is still out on this one. Do we protect our horses and cattle and remove the deadly ragwort? Or, should we let nature take its course and see our fragile insect species live another day?

With this being such a grey area, a split approach to controlling ragwort should be adopted. As Suffolk Wildlife Trust point out: “Ragwort only needs to be controlled where it presents a risk to livestock[.]” So, it would seem removing the ragwort from your horse paddock, and letting it grow – though perhaps fenced off – in other areas may be the best solution to dealing with this deadly-weed dilemma.

What's the best method from removing ragwort?

Ragwort should be removed from areas where horses graze, but what is the best way to remove it? Careful consideration should be taken here, because no ragwort invasion should be treated equally. Here are some things to consider before you tackle ragwort.

Cutting it back - cut ragwort is still toxic and more palatable to horses, so this method should only be considered with diligent care for where the clippings fall. Plus, you should only cut ragwort before it flowers to prevent its seeds spreading and re-growing further afield.
Pulling or digging - pulling or digging up ragwort is a preferred removal method for smaller areas of growth, but you must ensure the whole root is removed to prevent further spreading.
Chemical treatment - perhaps the most effective way to remove ragwort, but one also fraught with dangers, especially to your horses and the surrounding natural environment.

Of course, most of us would prefer not to pay for professional ragwort removal services but it is the best way to fully protect your animals, yourself and the environment. Ragwort experts also know the law surrounding this pesky plant and can dispose of it cleanly and legally.

Howard Downer, TCM MD and environmental consultant says, "As a horse owner myself, I understand people’s need to remove ragwort from their grazing pastures as soon as possible. No one wants a poorly horse! But consult ragwort removal services first, because the wrong removal method could land you in a worse situation.”

Conclusion

Ragwort is a gloriously yellow wildflower but its lesser-known poisonous nature is anything but glorious. So, it is essential ragwort is removed by professionals from anywhere horses and cattle graze.

Contact the TCM team to discuss ragwort and arrange for its swift removal from your pastures.

TCM

Is Ragwort poisonous?