Horses, Land And Water

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Preventing weeds entering or leaving the property
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Background

Weeds on horse properties (see Weed Identification and Control and Proclaimed Pest Plants) are a concern because some species are toxic to horses. Weeds growing in pastures reduce the amount horses can graze as they take the place of desirable, edible pasture plants. Weeds also do environmental harm if they grow in native vegetation.
 
An important aspect of weed control on horse properties is the risk that weeds can be imported on to the property through:
  • hay,
  • feed contaminated with weed seeds, and
  • contractors coming in to cut hay or undertake other work.
Equally, weeds can also be exported from the property by these means. Most weeds actually don't enter properties via horses - it is usually via purchased hay, bird droppings, water and wind.
 
Declared (proclaimed) pest plants need to be controlled on the property, according to legislation (see Proclaimed pest plants).
 
Steps to achieve best practice

It may not be possible to completely prevent weeds entering the property, but reasonable steps that can be taken are:-
  • First, identify any weeds that are already on the property, and make sure these are actively managed or controlled.
  • Find out what weeds are known to occur in your district/region, and which would be a problem if they came on to your property.
  • Isolate/quarantine new horses coming onto the property for 10-14 days. It is good practice to isolate new horses for 10-14 days after arrival to ensure that they are healthy and not harbouring any disease or other problems. This will also ensure that any seeds from unknown plants present in the horse's gut system, or residue from unknown veterinary drugs, will pass through. Manure is collected and stored separately as part of the waste management and quarantine program.
    It should also be noted that grooming and cleaning the hooves of horses moving off and on to properties will assist in managing the introduction of other plant diseases, such as Phytophthora (refer to Horse Alert SA/PC fact sheet [see links]) or Branched Broomrape.
  • When buying hay, try to get hay that is weed free, or at least that comes from a property that is known not to have a weed problem. Depending on the property size and enterprises, it may be possible to grow and cut some hay on your property.
  • Make sure any other horse feed, or feed for other stock you get is weed free.
  • Designate a carpark area for visitors and entry/exit point for the property for contractors and visitors and surface it to manage erosion and act as a barrier for weed seeds.
  • Speak to contractors about your concerns and provide a cleaning down area for machinery if this is determined necessary.
  • Put up signs or use other means to communicate your weed quarantine precautions to clients, visitors etc.
   
Best Practice
 
An active program to prevent weeds entering or leaving the property is in place.

 
 
 
Some species of weeds are toxic to horses.

 
 
The paddock above was clean and extensively sprayed for five years, but one round bale purchased from a fodder store was fed into the paddock for one week - this was the result.

 
 
The same paddock the following year ... after spraying, reseeding and careful grazing management.

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