pasture management

[lynnorris]

My horse is kept at a DIY livery yard and we have to manage our own fields. I have a large area of docks as well as the usual thistles, nettles and buttercups. How can I treat these weeds without damaging the pasture and my horse? I have heard that salt kills weeds and I have tried it on small areas with success, but will this prevent the grass from growing back? I can section off the affected areas if necessary.

[Miranda]

Hi

I also have a big problem with docks and nettles. I use Headland Relay-P. It's a weedkiller especially for paddocks that kills weeds but doesn't affect grass. It's available online from a website called Progreen. It's quite expensive but lasts ages as you only need a tiny bit diluted in water. The downside is that you have to keep your horse off the area for 1 to 2 weeks. You could always do the paddock in 2 halves by dividing it with electric fencing though. Hope that helps!

[Kaliska]

It might be worth visiting your local country store or agricultural store as their staff should be trained to know what is safe and what isnt for horses and your grass!