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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

Just another horse cruelty case !!

Milo before recoveryI picked this up on the Horse & Hound news feed and although the woman in question has been reported, caught, convicted and sentenced; that ain't the problem.

It's the punishment .....  and how it just does not fit the crime

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a woman who has a history of horse cruelty.

She had received an adult caution last year for neglecting two ponies so badly they had to be put down.

"His body was covered in large areas of hair loss and raw skin as a result of self mutilation. He was obviously in a great deal of discomfort."

In her absence Alcroft was banned from keeping equines for 10 years and the ILPH was awarded custody of Bobby, Milo and Cally.

A history of cruelty to horses. Two ponies killed because of her and another three left to suffer horrendously and what did she get........ An adult caution, which she apparently ignored, and banned from keeping horses for 10 years.

Will she ? Do we really believe she won't simply set up again somewhere else .

Why is the law such an ass where animal welfare is concerned, especially when there is a history of cruelty. Surely, this woman deserves some sort of physical confinement, a significant fine or just a good hard slap?

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