RAGWORT is raising its head again in the equestrian world.

The bright yellow plant seen alongside motorways and country lanes and in horse paddocks can prove fatal to horses if ingested.

Now is the ideal time to take action against it and the British Horse Society (BHS), supported by vets across the country, are urging horse lovers to organise ‘pulling’ parties and eradicate the countryside of this toxic plant.

During ragwort week, hundreds of volunteers organise the parties and although hard work, the parties make the task slightly more enjoyable.

There has been an enormous amount of publicity about the danger that ragwort poses to horses (and other grazing animals), yet every year the BHS responds to dozens of calls reporting horses grazing in fields infested with the yellow flower.

Vet Becky Lees, of Midlandsbased Scarsdale Vets, said: “It looks as if it is going to be a bumper year again for ragwort and horse owners should be aware of the danger this plant poses to their animals. It is easier to dig up at this time of the year when the plant is small.

“Rubber gloves should be worn when handling the plant as it is potentially harmful to humans.”

Ragwort flowers from July to September. The bright yellow daisy-like flowers are densely packed together in flat-topped heads. Clusters of downy seeds resembling small dandelion seed heads soon replace the flowers and this is where the problem gets out of hand.

It is vital that plants are removed before they seed and result in the further spread of the weed.

The BHS does not seek to completely eradicate ragwort but to control it when it is growing close to, or on, grazing land.

Horses are particularly susceptible to the effects of ragwort poisoning, but it is also important that humans take precautions when handling the plant.

The BHS welfare department can provide advice on ragwort.

E-mail welfare@bhs.org.uk or call 02476 840571 or 02476 840573.