On saying hello to a horse

[ProfessorDent]

I took my elderly mum in her wheelchair to a field where there are nice horses, a trio minding their own business. Naturally, events took a turn where first one, and then the other two huffle along to the fence where we are standing, to say hello.

Then we look at each other.

Are we supposed to feed them, are they expecting an apple or something? Or would that lead to them biting my hand off? Or being shouted at by an angry farmer? Or do I just talk to them, sing their praises as a wonderful example of equine glory?

I stroked them a bit but it all seemed a bit disconsolate and I started to make excuses to leave. It wasn't like when you stroke a cat and they start to get into it.

It reminded me of being a teenager and going to chat up a girl only for neither of us knowing where to take it.

Yes please dont feed the horses. If you met my horse you would think she never gets fed- she will whinney, neigh and bob her head up and down to encourage you to give her treats! She is also a giant (17h at least!) and thinks nothing of throwing her weight around to get her own way so she can become dangerous.

Lots of horses are kept on strict grazing to keep their weight stable and to prevent illness/death.
Not only that but you may think your only giving them an apple amd carrot or 2 but if there are 10 people that pass by each day doing the same, that makes lots of apples and carrots!

I have horses and always tell people not to feed them titbits if I see passers by doing it. Apart from any dietary aspects, horses can get very jealous and don't understand you're feeding each one in turn, so the horse which gets the first treat may go for the others to get their treats. Plus it encourages them to lean on the fencing.
Local to me is a field with ponies in, opposite a primary school. Some of the parents constantly take their children over to feed the ponies,(despite a big sign saying please don't feed the ponies) one of which was very elderly, with worn down teeth. This pony was given a chunk of carrot, couldn't chew it, and the owner later went to the field to find the pony choking. Despite clearing the blockage the stress made him colic, and due to age related complications had to be put to sleep.
The owners of the field have had to go to the expense of double fencing the field, but people are still throwing treats over the fences.