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The British Horse Society needs your help!

The British Horse Society (BHS), in association with Rag-Fork, is appealing to everyone with an interest in horses to take time to help out with its ragwort survey taking place during Ragwort Awareness Week (12th - 18th July 2010).

Almost everyone involved with horses should know about the dangers that ragwort poses - every year animals die painful and unnecessary deaths as a result of damage to their livers from ragwort consumption. Despite this the general consensus seems to be that ragwort levels are on the increase and the BHS has certainly seen this in the number of cases reported to it over the last few years.This suggests that the laws governing ragwort (Weeds Act 1959, Ragwort Control Act 2003) are not being enforced and that many horse owners are not taking the threat that ragwort represents seriously. However, there is presently no hard data that can be used to support these suppositions and this is what the BHS is seeking to change.

Data is needed to paint a picture of the extent of the UK's ragwort problem and can be used to encourage better enforcement of ragwort control and potentially lobby for changes in legislation.The BHS is therefore conducting a "snapshot survey" during its Ragwort Awareness Week and is asking for reports of the location of ragwort spotted during the week. Mapping software will be used to show the areas where ragwort is most prevalent and the number of animals grazing in ragwort infested fields will be calculated. Reports of ragwort are sought when it is in or near fields being grazed by horses, sheep or cattle. If the ragwort is a long way from grazing livestock (for example in the middle of woodland) then it does not need to be reported to the survey.

Conducting the survey during one week means that results can be compared to the same week in forthcoming years enabling trends to be identified. If anybody spots ragwort during the week of July 12th - 18th they are asked to spend just a couple of minutes filling in the simple survey, which will be available on www.bhs.org.uk. Alternatively hard copies of report forms can be requested directly from BHS Welfare on 01926 707807. When filling in the survey please be as precise as possible with location information in order to allow accurate mapping.

The team at Rag-Fork, have generously donated Rag-Forks for the first 50 people who fill in the survey. Anyone who is interested in winning a Rag-Fork should be sure to provide their contact details when filing their report. All survey responses will be treated in the strictest of confidence.

Rag-Fork ZOO'ms to the Rescue

Edinburgh Zoo recently called upon the services of Rag-Fork in a bid to protect their animals from the highly toxic ragwort.

Ragwort poses a lethal threat to all grazing animals, including endangered species such as the Grevy's Zebra and Eastern Bongo and once a year, the zoo carries out a ragwort pull in each of its hoof-stock enclosures, in order to protect those animals susceptible to poisoning.

Gardens Manager, Simon Jones said: "We usually hand-pull the ragwort plants, but this can be a backbreaking exercise. This year I decided to do some research into tools that effectively removed ragwort and came across the Rag-Fork. I was delighted, the Rag-Fork made very easy work of pulling plants."

Rag-Fork on the Attack

The team at Rag-Fork recently helped The Phyllis Harvey Horse & Donkey Trust rid their paddocks of ragwort by generously donating a Rag-Fork for their 'ragwort attack day' on 22nd June.

Founded in 1974, the charity aims to help horses, ponies and donkeys that are being abused by re-habilitating and re-homing them. However, with weekly running costs exceeding GBP1,300, it constantly relies on donations from businesses and individuals just to keep afloat.

Trustee and Voluntary Fundraiser, Sue Huggins said: "We contacted Rag-Fork as we only had the one fork and envisaged a fight breaking out over who got to use it. We received a new fork within days and were delighted with the results achieved. The Rag-Fork is much easier to use than an ordinary fork and doesn't leave big holes in the field"

Click the team photo to enlarge it.

For further information on The Phyllis Harvey Horse & Donkey Trust visit www.hopepastures.org or call 0113 261 4344.

Ragwort Removal is Horse-Play

If you thought using a Rag-Fork was difficult, think again. Here's proof that even a horse can do it!

Carol Chapman from Essex sent us this picture of her 13 year old, 16.1hh standardbred horse Monty, taking the serious issue of ragwort removal into his own 'hooves'.

Well done Monty - don't forget to pour rock salt into the hole afterwards to get rid of any root fragments!

Click the image to enlarge it.