Hey there

Sarah and Tippy here:

Let me introduce Amy, who's going to be blogging today...

Hi everyone

My name is Amy and I’ve been helping out at H+P for two weeks on work experience but, sadly, it is my last day today! I have had lots of fun though and I have had learnt a lot of new things so I’d like to thank Sarah and the team for having me.

Before I go though, I thought you all should know about the British Horse Society’s ‘Ragwort Awareness Week’.

Ragwort is a very poisonous plant and is extremely dangerous for horses to eat, so the BHS are urging people to stop it spreading by organising Ragwort Pulling Parties to remove it from all fields.

The BHS can provide posters and advice about the dangers of ragwort (it can be found dried in hay, so watch out!). Lee Hackett from the BHS said “every year the BHS receive hundreds of calls and emails from concerned horse owners requiring advice on how to control ragwort”.

If you are going to get pulling, it is advised that you wear thick, waterproof gloves to protect your skin, and it is also sensible to wear a facemask.

Ragwort Awareness Week runs from April 14-20, 2008. For more information check out the BHS website or contact r.molloy@bhs.org.uk.