Horses at risk in ‘ bad year’ for capeweed
A TASMANIAN mayor is warning horse owners to stay vigilant as a dangerous weed spreads through the state.
Waratah Wynyard Mayor Robby Walsh said about three years ago his horses had taken a liking to capeweed.
Though the plants look like innocent, bright yellow flowers when in bloom, Cr Walsh said his horses and many others across the state began to get sick.
“My horses were really, really crook. Some people even had to get their horses put down,” he said.
“If horses take a liking to capeweed they can have some complications.”
He said they had stringhalt, a condition that affects a horse’s hind legs, causing them to lift their legs high when walking.
Cr Walsh said it was related to the nervous system.
“It can get really serious. I had a really good horse that took a liking to it,” he said. “I chased vets everywhere to see what I could do to cure it.”
Eventually he contacted the Randwick Equine Centre, which was trialling medications in an attempt to tackle the problem.
“I was lucky to be one of the first supplied,” Cr Walsh said. “A lot of the content was turmeric. Luckily, it was the answer. Now, with that particular horse I take notice.
“He got addicted — he’ll paw the ground to try and get the juicy roots out.
“Capeweed and horses can be pretty deadly.”
Cr Walsh said conditions this year were very similar to those when his horses took ill, with the weed visible across the state.
“This is a bad year for it,” he said.
“There are new subdivisions going in with a lot of disturbance of the soil.
“I think it loves the fresh and sandy soil and conditions where there’s a lot of work under way.
“I’ve noticed a lot where there’s work on the highway, like out at Perth.”
Cr Walsh acknowledged there was one positive about the weed.
“Apiarists love it,” he said. “The bees really seem to like it.”