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

UK Horse Sales – Seller Beware

Posted by debbie | Filed under Equestrian News

It seems the UK Sale of Goods Act is starting to bite, with horse dealers having to take extreme precautions to ensure there are no comebacks six months after a horse has been sold.

The Sale of Goods Act says that if something is not suitable for the purpose for which you bought it, you are entitled to get your money back. That's okay when you are talking about a car or a piece of equipment, but when you are talking about an animal, it makes life very difficult.

If I sell a horse as being quiet in traffic, I will video that horse riding up the high street of the local village with cars and trucks passing because, if the new owner comes back months later saying the horse is spooky, I have video evidence that when I sold the animal, it was quiet....... read full article

So; with the rules being the same for both private and trade sales do individual sellers have to go to the same extent to ensure inexperienced horse owners don't mis-treat or undo the horses training, then demand their money back when the horse acts up or does something perfectly natural but frightening if you don't understand horses.

I am in court next week over a horse that got ringworm six weeks after I sold it and now the owner is suing me for £7,000! ....... read full article

Or; is the onus truly on the seller to ensure that they only sell a horse or any animal for that matter, to an owner that is competent and has horse care or horse riding experience ?