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

Swiss Dressage Team Pull Out of The Olympic Games

Posted by rji | Filed under Equestrian News

The Swiss dressage team will not take part in the 2008 Beijing Olympics claiming the humidity, travel and Stress will have adverse affects.

The move follows the withdrawal of the team's top rider, Silvia Ikle, who doesn't want to expose her horse to the travel related stress and the humid conditions in Hong Kong during the summer.

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Ikle's decision has consequences for the entire national dressage team, as Switzerland has said it only qualified for the event due to the performance of Ikle and her horse, Salieri.

The Swiss dressage selection committee has therefore decided not to send any individuals or teams to take part in the dressage competition in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong, which has a well-established racing circuit, was picked to host the equestrian events at the games due to concern over an outbreak of equine diseases and substandard quarantine procedures in mainland China.

There now appears to be growing concern over the summer heat and humidy and the effects on the riders very expensive horses. We may just see more and more withdrawals before the Olympic games begin.