4_page_whiterthanwhite.pdf 3 09/06/2017 11:41 yard stable & paddock competition news


time, it can take months or years from initial exposure before symptoms start to develop. The signs of liver damage are varied and often non-specific, but include: • Jaundice (yellow discolouration of the gums and eyes).


• Depression. • Weight loss and poor appetite. • Low-grade colic and / or diarrhoea.


• Oedema (fluid retention in the legs and under the belly).


The dangers of ragwort C M Y CM


Ragwort, with its profusion of bright yellow flowers, is very common and highly poisonous to horses. It’s often found growing on rough land and beside roads and railways, from where it frequently spreads to grazing pastures and can become a serious problem, particularly on overgrazed areas. When growing, ragwort is generally unpalatable to horses, although if there is little else to eat, some have been known to consume it. However when wilted or dried in hay, it retains its toxic properties, but loses its bitter taste and will readily be eaten. The toxins it contains damage the horse’s liver, which is a gradual process and explains why signs of ragwort


Holmside Hall expands


A new outdoor arena and the installation of new surfaces will enable County Durham venue Holmside Hall to now run two dressage arenas at the same time. Owner Denise Quigley explains; “We have updated our indoor riding surface to an Andrews Bowen waxed surface and moved the old indoor surface to a new outdoor 50m x 30m warm up arena. It will enable us to run two dressage arenas at the same time and still have the luxury of a surface warm up.


“As a result we will cut down on the time between classes, which is great news for competitors as there’ll be no more hanging around between classes and shorter days for us. A win-win situation. Going forward we are hopefully also going to be running combined training competitions.”


British Team announced for European Endurance Championships


Endurance GB has announced the team of riders and horses who will represent Great Britain at the forthcoming European Endurance Championships to be held in Brussels, Belgium on August 17th. • Rachael Atkinson with Tannasg Psyches Realm


• Caroline Cowley with HS Bellini


Ragwort at the rosette stage in the spring, isn’t always easy to spot, but is easy to remove


• Harry Ingram with Warrens Hill Chayze


• Annie Joppe with Fantom • Nicola Thorne with LM Bolena Reserve: Lorna Kidson with Sheer Bliss Chef d’Equip, Liz Finney, commented, “Following a very positive training day held at Euston Park, courtesy of HPower, we have made the difficult decision as to which horses would be selected. We have a


strong team of riders who all have international experience and we are looking forward to competing in the European championships in Brussels.” The Brussels Equestrian Endurance Masters takes riders from the Bois de la Cambre park in central Brussels out towards the Sonian Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 5 loops of the 160km course can be found online at http://brussels- endurance.org/plans Each rider will have their own support crew who will assist them in vet gates and out on course, along with Endurance GB’s Senior Management Team, consisting of:


Chef d’Equip - Liz Finne, Vet - Hannah Kelley, Farrier - Kelvin Lymer and Physio - Katie Dorman.


Hand pulling ragwort is a good way of managing the problem, but do wear gloves as the toxin affects us humans too


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poisoning are often only seen months or years after the plants have been eaten. The liver is able to continue to function normally until at least half of it is damaged, which unfortunately means the damage is invariably advanced before signs are seen. Unfortunately there is no specific treatment or antidote that will cure this type of liver disease or reverse the damage. Treatment is aimed at support the remaining liver function and horses do respond positively if diagnosed early enough. The diet can be altered and supplementation with some vitamins can also help, but this best discussed with your vet following a positive diagnosis.


MY CY CMY K


Prevention Whilst ragwort poisoning isn’t reversible, preventing it in the first place is something in which we can all play a part. • Removing ragwort from pasture as soon as you see it and definitely before it starts seeding will prevent it spreading.


• Plants are best dug out and should always be burned, not composted.


• We humans can be affected by the toxins, as they are absorbed through our skin, so always wear gloves when handling ragwort.


• Broad leaf herbicides will control ragwort, but avoid making hay or grazing until the ragwort has completely died, which typically takes around a month.


• Be vigilant about your horse’s hay or haylage; do not feed any that you suspect may contain even a small quantity of ragwort.


• Grazing with sheep can be useful, as they are less susceptible to ragwort toxins and will eat off any young plants in the spring.


• Manage your grazing well and it will be less vulnerable to weed infestation – including ragwort!


Signs of poisoning As ragwort poisoning can be caused by low levels of toxins ingested over a long period of


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Mature ragwort has bright yellow flowers and frilly green leaves


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After flowering, ragwort plants die and the seeds are dispersed by the wind


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• Photosensitisation, which causes areas of skin to become red and blistered when exposed to sunlight. Remember – a horse which seems ‘unusually’ susceptible to sunburn, may in fact be suffering liver problems. A blood test by your vet will either confirm or rule this out.


• Behavioural signs, which might include disorientation, circling, repeated yawning and pressing the head against the wall.


• Increased thirst. • Bleeding disorders.


Many of these symptoms result from the liver’s failure to detoxify the natural by-products of digestion and metabolism. Blood sample can show indicators of liver damage and reduced liver function, but diagnosis can be confirmed with an ultrasound scan and liver biopsy, which your vet will be able to arrange.


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