Why not organise a pulling party?

4:16pm Thursday 4th September 2008

The British Horse Society welfare department is urging people to help prevent the spread of ragwort during the second Ragwort Awareness Week of 2008, which runs from until Sunday.

The society is calling for volunteers to organise ragwort pulling parties to remove the deadly weed where it is growing on and near to grazing land.

Lee Hackett, BHS welfare senior executive, said: “Every summer the BHS receives hundreds of calls and e-mails from concerned horse owners requiring advice on how to control ragwort.

“This is a critical time to remove any remaining plants from equine paddocks and surrounding areas before they seed. Each plant can produce thousands of seeds thus potentially increasing the spread of this toxic weed.”

The BHS is continuing to urge people to hold ragwort pulling parties. Mr Hackett went on to say: “Pulling by hand can be hard work, but flowering plants can be difficult to eradicate by chemical means.

“When removing plants at this time of year care must be taken to avoid dispersing seeds, as some flower heads will be starting to turn to seed. This is why it is preferable to control plants before they flower, or while at the rosette stage. If you have a ragwort infestation, now is the time to plan your ragwort control for 2009.”

The BHS welfare department can provide pulling party organisers with advice and posters to advertise the event, as well as free advisory literature on the dangers the weed.

The BHS advises that you always wear thick, waterproof gloves when handling ragwort and to protect your skin from contact with the weed. It is also sensible to wear a facemask. Please ensure that you have permission from the owner of the land before embarking on any ragwort pulls.

Anyone holding a ragwort pulling party is invited to send in a brief report about their event along with photos to the BHS by October 31. A selection of those received will be published in the British Horse Society’s magazine British Horse.

For further information and advice on ragwort, please contact Rachel Molloy, The British Horse Society, on 01926 707807 or r.molloy@bhs.org.uk

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