The New Zealand Plant Conservation Network

Please can you help with any additional information. This year my horse paddocks have been virtually taken over by Tarweed. Research has shown me that this weed is toxic to horses. They do not eat it in the paddocks but will if baled into hay. I am really concerned because I have noticed this prolific weed everywhere in my neighbour hood.
I am not cutting for hay as I want to try and eradicate this weed for the safety of my horses. It concerns me that no one else seems to be aware of the dangers to horses.
Kind regards
Debbie

Hi Debbie, definitely keen to follow this thread to see if anyone else has any information on control options. The most common method I can find is manual control (pulling out before flowering) but over large areas this is impractical. I have also read that plants do not respond well to mowing/burning etc. as this assists them to spread. The property I am working with to help with this weed is also a horse property, although no horses are on site at present.

Hi Sam We have now sprayed the locked up paddocks with pulsar and it is knocking them over! We are also pulling them out of the other paddock that isn't as bad as the horses graze towards them. I will not cut for hay, but will have the paddocks cut in the new year and disposed of. Such a shame. I have contacted regional council and they suggested that if enough people request that it goes on the pest plant list we may have a chance because the 5 year plan is up for renewal 2016. It is worth contacting them.

Hi Debbie, that's great to hear that pulsar is knocking it over! I will pass that onto my landowners as an option for them. Out of interest which office did you contact? As I work for the Regional Council based in Rotorua :-)

Western Bay of plenty put me in contact with the regional council. I am not sure which office, is there more than one in the Bay of Plenty? She also suggested contacting agri search for more information on the potential risk to horses.