PLEASE DO NOT FEED THE HORSES
By Joanne Cammack
Since the start of the most recent lockdown , we have seen a massive increase in the amount of people using the footpaths that run alongside our fields . Despite signs being up along the fencing we have noticed food being thrown over into their fields from well-meaning members of the public , these ‘ treats ’ have ranged from carrots and apples to onions and vegetable peelings . The last straw came recently when I found veg peeling and three bags of carrots- still in their plastic bags- dumbed over a fence into one of the fields .
Luckily , none of the horses had noticed and I managed to retrieve them without incident . This could have been disastrous . Obviously , they could have chocked on the plastic bags or the carrots , but I don ’ t think people realise other dangers such as causing fights between the horses , ripped rugs or damaged fencing . It encourages bad behaviour and could result in a member of the public being bitten or kicked . Some of the ponies are prone to laminitis so we have to carefully manage their diets , some are old and can ’ t manage large treats . We would rather people not feed them anything at all just in case .
They are stabled at night and are only out for a leg stretch so are well fed and really don ’ t need any extra treats . I understand people like looking at the ponies and that they are a focal point of their walk but I ’ d much rather them just looking and carry on with their walk . I don ’ t think people are being malicious , just that they don ’ t realise the consequences of feeding them a treat or two .
There is a Facebook group named ‘ Stop Feeding Our Horses ’ and some of the stories on there are heart breaking . People have lost their ponies needlessly from them being fed unsuitable foods and even grass cutting that have caused colic or choking with one pony choking on a potato that had been left in the field and sadly dying .
I really want to get the message across to as many people as possible before the weather starts getting better and more and more people decide to take up walking , using the footpaths that pass through fields with horses or other livestock . If I can help educate just one person , I ’ ve hopefully made a difference and possibly saved a horses life .
Rural Life | 27