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

My Wonderful Winnie

Posted by debbie | Filed under Showcase Your Horse

Winnie doing her second dressage test Winnie is my big warmblood thoroughbred cross, who's rising six and standing 16.3hh.

She's the cheekiest, nicest, full of character horse who, because of her size, scares everyone else around her. A real gentle giant.

Winnie loves other horses and is always up for some fun.

She's still just a baby but is coming on really well.

We've done some dressage, some jumping and some showing and Winnie loves to jump, although she also likes to get dressed up. Winnie and Elizabeth

As you can clearly see she is the most beautiful horse in the whole world.

Like most big horses she loves children and has lots of little friends like Elizabeth who give her far too many treats.

You can see more photos of Winnie in the Lincolnshire Image Gallery where Jodie rides her in the showjumping and I ride her in the showing and dressage classes.

I'd love to know what other riders think of her or what you think she'd be best suited to ?

Winnie and I warming up