[Le Recoignot]

I have a small pasture which up to Tuesday next is currently inhabited by 3 sheep. The pasture seems also to have become home to many thistles, I am concerned about topping the pasture to tidy up the grass and cut down the long dead un-eaten stems with the thistles as I fear this will help spread them further. What do I do?
Thank you.

[Carse Goodlifers]

Topping, hand rouging or spot spraying I would say are your options.

I would also think that establishing which type of thistles you have will also help you.
Creeping thistle will spread be seed and also stolon's under the ground so for me a chemical approach would be my choice.

Spear and sow thistles will be spread by seed.
If the thistles haven't flowered yet then topping will be ok as there is no seed to spread.
Otherwise hand pulling.

[Stereo]

Too late to top I would imagine. You'll just spread seed everywhere. You really want to top in June / July, just as flowers are forming. That way the plant has put a lot of it's resources up to the top so it hurts it when you fell them.