TWO new Pony Club achievement badges have been introduced for this year, one is aimed at promoting the safe use of equipment and the other is to improve members’ knowledge of butterflies including the ragwort-eating cinnabar moth.

The equipment safety badge has been developed in conjunction with British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) to help pony club members understand when an item of tack or other equipment is below recognised standards or in a dangerous condition.

Key areas will be correct fitting of hats, body protectors, worn tack and correct stirrup size, some of which will be demonstrated through the use of games.

The second badge, entitled butterflies and moths, will highlight knowledge such as the lifecycle of the cinnabar moth, whose caterpillars are an effective way to control ragwort.

The caterpillars, in high concentrations, can consume enough ragwort to prevent it from seeding, which is the key to controlling a plant that is a serious life threat for horses. Ragwort contains alkaloid toxins that, if eaten by horses or other grazing animals, can have debilitating or fatal consequences.

Ragwort seeds can live in the soil for up to 20 years, surviving at the edge of fields outside a herbicide spray zone. It is essential that anyone handling ragwort minimises skin contact and wears rubber gloves and if in regular contact with flowering ragwort, a dusk mask with a pollen filter.