Updated
Nov 2002

Welcome to the Ragwort-UK Ltd Equine Support Forum

It is intended that users of this forum will contribute to the compilation of knowledge and understanding as a basis for the development of Support Programmes for equines suffering from ragwort poisoning.

By now, ragwort poisoning is touching most equines in the UK, but because of the liver’s potential to compensate for damage, very few animals will be showing any outward symptoms.

However, as the damage accumulates, many more horses will reach the point when their largely dysfunctional livers fail to support the bodies requirements, and the animal goes rapidly into a declining spiral.  By the time clinical symptoms are usually spotted, the liver is failing in an ‘overload’ situation.  Received wisdom would have the animal quickly despatched for its own mercy.

The liver however, is capable of self regeneration.  This project is aimed at identifying the facets involved in promoting this regeneration with sufficient vigour to be able to achieve a good recovery and quality of life.

Worldwide experts from multiple disciplines will use the forum to discuss cases, research reports, anecdotal indicators, personal experience and expertise to propose Support Programmes.  These Support Programmes will be a distillation of current information. They will not have been tested in any rigourous manner and are not in any way guaranteed to perform.

Until such time as these programmes are proven in clinical trials the use of these programmes is solely the responsibility of the animal’s owner in consultation with their veterinary advisor and in using this information the user fully indemnifies its producers against any and all liabilities.