[dixygirl]

Today I noticed a stinging weed that looks like tomatoe plants. I had grown tomatoes in that patch before. When you touch it, fine hair like stingers get in your skin. Well, as I was removing it, I think my girl touched it too. So I had to rub her down with a towel. I think I will give her some Benadryl too just in case she needs it.

Anyone else ever run across these types of weeds?

[3WishesDun]

We have what's called Stinging Nettle and it's AWFUL. Be careful... because it can go through some types of gloves if you try and pull it. I have not ever seen the horses mess with it but I looked it up one time and some do get reactions or wig out when they roll in it. The hotter weather always kills it, thank goodness. Dig it up or pull it out if you can. If you mow it, it will spread like wildfire.

[irideazip]

i spray mine with weed killer...gets it every time!!

[Heavenly Jumper]

Oh gosh, we've got nettles!! I grabbed one by accident when I was picking up a ball to throw for my dog. It was WORSE than fire ant bites AND worse than flat out grabbing the hotwire. It hurt for an HOUR.



I found a pair of gloves like this 5$ -



http://www.horse.com//Atlas-Tough-Eq...ves-RBR17.html

I go on a serious hunt for these things and I pull them from the root end (no touching the leaves, I am super careful!) and I throw them in a bucket and then into the burn pile.

[Trace]

That's a stinging nettle alright - I didn;t think that they grew over here in the US - I ahve only ever seen them in the UK - where they grow in over abundance.

[walktrotcanter]

Originally Posted by 3WishesDun

We have what's called Stinging Nettle and it's AWFUL. Be careful... because it can go through some types of gloves if you try and pull it. I have not ever seen the horses mess with it but I looked it up one time and some do get reactions or wig out when they roll in it. The hotter weather always kills it, thank goodness. Dig it up or pull it out if you can. If you mow it, it will spread like wildfire.

Stinging nettle is HORRIBLE. Absolutely HORRIBLE! Even though I was aware of it, I still would walk barefoot during the summer through the pasture with the pond, to swim IN the pond...YIKES!! If I wasn't careful where I stepped, I normally had QUITE sore feet. It's not something to joke with. There's actually something out here, don't believe it is stinging nettle...but something similar. My mare was laying down one day and I went to "sit" with her, and the hand I used to "brace" myself to sit with, was planted RIGHT into a patch of it. Hurt like the dickens. I don't know why in the world that plant ever was created.

[sorrell]

I used to kick them up with my tennis shoe toe if they were small. The gloves work good if they are taller. I don't like using weed killer. They actually have several medicinal uses, but they do sting!

[3WishesDun]

Originally Posted by irideazip

i spray mine with weed killer...gets it every time!!

I forgot about weed killer! I do too. In the areas I cannot or don't want to spray I just dig it up. Thankfully, stinging nettle is really easy to dig under or kick up with the heel of your boot. That stuff is nasty and like Heather said.... the pain LASTS!

[Lopinslow]

we have them here in MN, and they do hurt.. but i also have not seen the horses bother them.

[idlewild]

Ugh, I got bit by nettle once on my leg. I was picking up trash, and it was under some steps, so I leaned my leg against it to reach the trash I was after, and YEOOWCH it got me good on my shin! I think I went through a whole tube of lanacain that day!