XL Vets equine factsheets

Ragwort is a very common plant with yellow flowers. It is often seen growing on rough land and on the roadside verges. It can also be found on pasture, particularly on overgrazed and ‘starvation’ paddocks. When it is growing it is unpalatable to horses, but when wilted or dried in hay it loses its bitter taste and will readily be eaten but unfortunately retains its toxic properties. The toxins in ragwort damage the liver; signs are often only seen months or years after the plants were eaten. The liver is able to continue to function normally until at least half of it is damaged; this means that damage is often advanced before signs are seen.