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Original poster

FFS DONT feed horses in fields !!

358 replies

Thoroughbred5 · 07/05/2023 19:42

Honestly it blows my mind that this is still a problem but it is. Just wanted to post since it’s coming into nicer weather and more people will be out and about.

caught 3 separate families over the weekend feeding my horse treats when he was out in his field. I spoke to each and 2 were clearly annoyed but did stop, the third just threw their apples and other treats into the field anyway. We have signs, CCTV, double fencing, we have everything. Every summer is the bloody same- people feeding the horses.

DONT feed other people’s horses or ponies. Firstly, nobody is entitled to feed another persons animal. Secondly, you have no idea what that horses specific diet is. Would you be happy to pay for my horses laminitis bill? Or colic? And honestly, it’s best not to feed handfuls of grass either. It doesn’t matter that the horse is in a field full of grass. Feeding horses by hand in the field can cause jealousy amongst the herd and can cause horses to become nippy and bolshy towards people at fences and gates

It’s only may and already it’s a problem. I love the summer but I’m fed up of worrying if my horse is safe in his own field. Anyone else in the same position? And if your reading this and you’re one of the people who feed other people’s horses, please just fucking stop

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PinkLemonadee · 30/03/2024 04:49

NeverendingRabbitHole · 28/03/2024 21:16

Thanks @FayCarew. I have the ability to gather the best resources - just need to know where to aim it. Targeted approach in problem areas is way better than a scattergun approach in the early stages.

Counties anyone?

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Happens a lot in North Yorkshire!

TheOriginalEmu · 30/03/2024 04:26

NeverendingRabbitHole · 28/03/2024 21:16

Thanks @FayCarew. I have the ability to gather the best resources - just need to know where to aim it. Targeted approach in problem areas is way better than a scattergun approach in the early stages.

Counties anyone?

Show quote history

South West Wales.

but anywhere people keep horses this is an issue.

FayCarew · 29/03/2024 10:52

@NeverendingRabbitHole , tell Natural England and Natural Resources Wales ,the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, DEFRA or your MP.

NeverendingRabbitHole · 29/03/2024 08:04

No, the countryside code does not get taught in schools as a matter or course. @DdraigGoch
If it is I worry that teachers probably print out the summary sheet of the code which does not mention livestock or horses - in fact very little about animal welfare at all. No mention of not feeding animals in the summary sheet. It doesn't even request that dogs are kept on leads in fields of livestock, just 'under control' and 'in sight'. It's no wonder so many lambs, sheep and goats are getting mauled.

The summary sheet itself needs rewriting.

DdraigGoch · 28/03/2024 23:30

NeverendingRabbitHole · 28/03/2024 21:07

Is anyone happy to tell me what county they are in that this is a problem please? I work in education so I could pass the info on and our team could start to tackle this . . .

To be honest, it's an issue across most of the UK. Does the Countryside Code get taught in schools?

DdraigGoch · 28/03/2024 23:28

ChedderGorgeous · 28/03/2024 21:24

What if they arrive on horseback ?

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They won't. Get back under your bridge.

ChedderGorgeous · 28/03/2024 21:36

FayCarew · 28/03/2024 21:29

You're not funny @ChedderGorgeous

Oh dear. Why the long face ?

FayCarew · 28/03/2024 21:29

You're not funny @ChedderGorgeous

ChedderGorgeous · 28/03/2024 21:24

DdraigGoch · 28/03/2024 20:22

People can't claim ignorance, there are many signs up, and even if someone actually tells them verbally they still ignore them - or tell them to "fuck off". This is wilful.

I think the second most effective approach (after the shotgun) will be to get their reg numbers (because most will have come by car) and use that to trace and sue them for damages.

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What if they arrive on horseback ?

FayCarew · 28/03/2024 21:22

@NeverendingRabbitHole , I don't have a horse but friends do, Buckinghamshire.

NeverendingRabbitHole · 28/03/2024 21:16

FayCarew · 28/03/2024 21:13

Maybe the RSPCA and RSPB have leaflets @NeverendingRabbitHole .
Feeding Other People's Pets | RSPCA - RSPCA - rspca.org.uk
Birds and wildlife (rspb.org.uk)

Thanks @FayCarew. I have the ability to gather the best resources - just need to know where to aim it. Targeted approach in problem areas is way better than a scattergun approach in the early stages.

Counties anyone?

FayCarew · 28/03/2024 21:13

Maybe the RSPCA and RSPB have leaflets @NeverendingRabbitHole .
Feeding Other People's Pets | RSPCA - RSPCA - rspca.org.uk
Birds and wildlife (rspb.org.uk)

NeverendingRabbitHole · 28/03/2024 21:07

Is anyone happy to tell me what county they are in that this is a problem please? I work in education so I could pass the info on and our team could start to tackle this . . .

DdraigGoch · 28/03/2024 21:02

ChedderGorgeous · 28/03/2024 12:01

No arguments have been put forward so far that can convince me that relying on the British public, who clearly don't know about what to feed or not feed horses, is better than taking preventative measures to protect them from harmful food. Hopefully I can win you round!

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Fences don't work.

Gates don't work.

Gates with padlocks don't work.

Signs don't work.

Extra fences don't work.

What "preventative measures" are you suggesting that owners use, short of shooting trespassers (which unfortunately is illegal)? Measures that will actually work.

GreekDogRescue · 28/03/2024 20:28

You could put up a sign saying CCTV is in operation and anyone feeding your horses will be tracked down and sent the emergency equine vet bill

DdraigGoch · 28/03/2024 20:22

Vanessasbag · 28/03/2024 11:48

Nothing! Nothing else needs to be said at all. But! This is you using logic. It ignores the complexity of the situation. It ignores that people don't always think logically either because they simply don't know things or because their emotional response is stronger than logic.
When people don't know things, it is not because they are ignorant buffoons, they simply don't know things. You cannot expect someone who has never owned a horse to know about the complexities of owning a horse.
An analogy - a person sees a hedgehog in their garden and they put out milk thinking they're doing a good thing for the hedgehog and they get a nice thing in return (seeing a hedgehog in their garden). They don't know that feeding a hedgehog milk is a very bad idea.
Young children see a horse in a field and want to stroke it because they don't often see a horse and horses do indeed look like friendly creatures to most children. Not all parents will know that there could be potential health consequences of feeding horses. Yes, they know that this horse is owned by someone else, but they think they're doing a good thing by feeding it, not a bad thing.
I think the over-reaction by horse owners on here is valid in terms of them experiencing what they have experienced. I don't think, however, they should tar every person who does not own a horse and who wants to feed it with the same brush. Reasonable people will respond to a polite sign. Unreasonable people won't.

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People can't claim ignorance, there are many signs up, and even if someone actually tells them verbally they still ignore them - or tell them to "fuck off". This is wilful.

I think the second most effective approach (after the shotgun) will be to get their reg numbers (because most will have come by car) and use that to trace and sue them for damages.

Throckmorton · 28/03/2024 15:48

Can we stop feeding it please? Thanks

ChedderGorgeous · 28/03/2024 15:41

Maverickess · 28/03/2024 15:26

I'm very much in bed being a nights worker, thank you for your concern though.

Where's your response though? Other than mocking? Is that because you don't actually have one and just want some attention?

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Night worker also ! Last night this eve. I've already given my response to cover your argument. You are making an analogy to criminal damage to someone's house and car. I'm saying put adequate fencing/ separation in so that the general public can't feed your horses though it. Good luck with rest of your nights.

Maverickess · 28/03/2024 15:26

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

I'm very much in bed being a nights worker, thank you for your concern though.

Where's your response though? Other than mocking? Is that because you don't actually have one and just want some attention?

LordPercyPercy · 28/03/2024 15:18

I'm definitely going to start feeding random children gin and haribo. They're not as cute as horses but needs must.

ChedderGorgeous · 28/03/2024 14:58

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

MyKingdomforaNameChange · 28/03/2024 14:54

Wizzytimehfv · 28/03/2024 14:46

Can you put a sign up telling people why. You not not feel like you should have to but most people don’t want to make animals ill.

It clearly says in the very first post that they have signs...

Wizzytimehfv · 28/03/2024 14:46

Can you put a sign up telling people why. You not not feel like you should have to but most people don’t want to make animals ill.

Maverickess · 28/03/2024 14:36

ChedderGorgeous · 28/03/2024 12:01

No arguments have been put forward so far that can convince me that relying on the British public, who clearly don't know about what to feed or not feed horses, is better than taking preventative measures to protect them from harmful food. Hopefully I can win you round!

Show quote history

So if I come to where you live and decide I'm going to have a game of tennis, and you have a lovely garden that lends itself perfectly to a game of tennis, and a car sat on the drive that's next to your lovely garden, and I let myself in to your garden, because even though the gate is shut and locked, well I'm the general public right so the fact I can climb over your locked gate means you haven't done enough to protect it.

I then proceed to have my lovely game of tennis, trampling your flowers and shrubs, but that's ok because you haven't protected the garden well enough, and secondly the plants within that garden when I inevitably do get in, from being trampled - because I'm the general public and your job is to keep your stuff protected and you haven't done so properly.

And then because I'm not very good my ball puts a window through and I put a couple of dents in your car swinging my racket around.

But all that is your responsibility, not mine because you should have better preventative measures in place to protect your stuff right?

Or I could just have some common decency and courteousy and look at your lovely garden as I go past, noting the locked gate and fence and carry on with my life?

Game of tennis anyone? 😁

ErrolTheDragon · 28/03/2024 12:26

It's occurred to me that this issue is a literal demonstration of 'Chestertons fence'. (If you don't know what a fence is for, don't remove it). Similarly ... if there's a fence with no stile or openable gate, don't climb it. If there's a double fence really, really don't climb them.