The Equestrian Blog

Be warned – Horsetail, Mares Tail or Scouring Rush

Just a quick question... As horse owners we're mostly all familiar with the battle against ragwort and how it has spread into every field, central reservation and grass verge in the country, but how many of us know anything about mares tail?

Horse or Mares Tail, (scientific name Equisetum Palustre), is toxic to horses and should in my opinion be equestrian enemy number one. It looks like it belongs in Jurassic Park and spreads like wildfire. From a few small patches last year my paddock is now covered in it and it looks as if it's spreading fast and here to stay.

I've been researching this plant and what I've discovered doesn't make for pleasant reading.. more at Mares Tail - Toxic To Horses

Good To See British Vaulting Heading To Aachen

Posted by admin | Filed under Equestrian News

Equestrian Vaulting A full British contingent of two senior teams, three female and two male individual vaulters and six horses are off to Aachen this weekend for the annual CVIO at the World Equestrian Festival from 26th June to 5th July.

There will be around 150 participants with almost 40 individual vaulters from the individual nations that were placed 1st-12th at the World Championships in 2008 or at the European Championships in 2007.

Joanne Eccles leads the British hopes and the British vaulting squad includes the first and second-placed teams from the two British selection trials and sisters Joanne and Hannah Eccles, who competed last year as individuals. They are joined by Lucy Phillips and her Austrian horse Pitucelli and male vaulters Ross Foreman and Phillip Beasley who are making a comeback following a year off.

Hopefully the British Vaulting Team will do well and continue to encourage local vaulters like the team at Grove House in Misterton, Nottinghamshire...

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If you're interested in equestrian vaulting check out http://www.vaulting.org.uk/ .

The annual CHIO Aachen World Equestrian Festival in Aachen Germany, has been a major fixture on the international equestrian calendar for over one hundred years. You can find out more at http://www.chioaachen.com/default_e.asp