Vets treating the horse for liver damage did not initially suspect ragwort poisoning, and by the time the staggering symptoms appeared, it was too late. I would never want anyone to go through that. I could not believe it was ragwort poisoning as I have always kept our fields completely free of it. But this year I bought in hay from a different source, and the ragwort was in that. If ragwort is found in hay, it should be reported to the Trading Standards Officer.
Ragwort is poisonous to horses, cattle, donkeys and sheep.
It is also poisonous to humans, so gloves should always be worn when pulling it. Horses and ponies should not be put back in the field until the ragwort has been removed. July Root Out Ragwort Week is aimed at preventing flowering ragwort from going to seed by raising awareness in the public of the dangers to livestock of ragwort poisoning.