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

Navicular in Horses & Barefoot Riding

Posted by rji | Filed under General Info, Reviews

We've just completed the Navicular in Horses section on the main site and while doing so we had to go back over the treatment and care of our own horse Bramble, who we lost because of navicular and arthritis a few years ago.

One of the things we looked at was unshod or barefoot horses in relation to navicular treatments and we've been so surprised and impressed with some of the things we've found, that we just had to mention it here.

Ghost Barefoot with Navicular One item details the story of a 22 yr old 16.2hh, ID x TB called Ghost, who jumps barefoot despite being formerly diagnosed with navicular...

He had flat feet, a twisted foot, weak digital cushions and prolapsed frogs but Ghost is now back in full work, doing what he loves best - jumping and competing. More about him here.

You'll have to read the full navicular section to appreciate the facts but if barefoot horses can recover and ride over ground like that in their video of the hack on Exmoor, then it's got to be worth considering.

Of course the old adage of 'Horse for Courses' applies here as well as in most other things.

Barefoot may not suit all horses but we're definitely thinking about it for our horses and we'll be looking to include a section on going barefoot within the main site.