Poisonous plant 'threatens' riding school's horses

An invasive plant species poisonous to horses is threatening the future of a charity riding school, its director has said.

Margaret Haes Riding Centre in Holcombe, Greater Manchester, said it had been left in a "desperate situation" because the horses' grazing area had become overrun with ragwort.

Director Debra Batchelor has asked for volunteers to help clear the plant, which can cause fatal liver disease and neurological issues in horses, before its flowers bloom and disperse yet more seeds.

"This year we are overwhelmed," she said. "There's so much to dig up. If we don't get to it before it flowers we will be in trouble."

Ragwort, with its yellow flowers attracting pollinating insects such as bees, butterflies and moths, is a valuable plant for wildlife and pollinating insects.

However, it poses a significant risk to horses.

Ms Batchelor said her riding school, which is volunteer-led with only a small staff of paid professional riding instructors, can normally remove the plant themselves.

She thinks it may be more prevalent this year since many people are allowing it to grow.

Ms Batchelor said ragwort was a threat to the horses' quality of life as well as their health.

"The horses [currently] live an outdoor life in a herd," she explained.

"It's a large field so if we can't clear it we're going to have to look at keeping them in the stables which isn't fair.

"They give so much and do so much for the people who come here - they deserve so much more."

Margaret Haes Riding Centre offers discounted riding lessons for children and adults with disabilities.

A group of volunteers from Red Rose Recovery, an organisation with bases across Lancashire that supports people affected by substance misuse, poor mental health and offending behaviours, last week worked on clearing the grazing field.

A spokesperson said: "As part of our community action we look for ways that our beneficiaries can give back to and help support their community.

"The group consisted of people with different abilities and levels of physical health.

"Those that were able to participate in the manual work did and enjoyed doing so.

"Even the ones that weren't able to still enjoyed the connection and being outside with the horses in the fresh air."

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