local riding featured post

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

Ben Maher aiming high at Windsor

Ben Maher lies second, just 1.83 penalty points off the lead, going into the final day of the European Championship Showjumping at Windsor Castle.

The 26-year-old is aiming high in an effort to join John Whitaker, Paddy MacMahon, David Barker and David Broome as Britain's only individual title-winners.

Italy's Natale Chiaudani leads, with Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, Albert Zoer and Steve Guerdat also pressing Maher.