To ask people to tell everyone they know NOT TO FEED HORSES THAT DON’T BELONG TO THEM

[YeahBabyYeahYeah]

I won’t post the article as it made me cry and may be more triggering for others, but the most beautiful pony is in the papers today. He died because someone ignored “do not feed” signs and fed him a fucking potato.

Why oh why do some people (who in this case clearly know fuck-all about horses if they are feeding them whole potatoes) think it is OK to feed other people’s animals without their permission?

AIBU to think there should be more awareness about this, especially with more people going for walks at the moment. It is never OK to feed a horse unless the owner tells you it is OK and approves the food.

Unfortunately our landlords aren't interested in paying for CCTV and as liveries we can't afford it either.

The area it would need to cover is huge and mostly without electricity so I'm not even sure CCTV would be possible.

I also agree with others about not stating the horses are dangerous. People are so litigious these days.

I'm sure I read of a case where someone let themselves into a field without the owners permission and rode their horse. When they fell off and suffered life changing injuries they sued them.

It's only a matter of time before people start being sued because their horse has bitten or kicked someone.

I suspect they tried to sue. That kind of thing tends not to work in the uk system

All you need to do is not feed an animal that's not yours, without permission. I own the horse, I put the time in to learn what is best to feed that horse, I pay the bills, I'm the one that gets to decide if 100 carrots and a big Mac or a haynet are suitable for my horse to eat, not people who freely admit they know nothing about horses

I agree with you. But how are you going to convince the masses?

I'm starting to think that a horse owner successfully suing someone for damages/vets bills after one of these incidents is a start.
I am also considering a sign that has

"Please do not feed the horses, doing so may result in me suing you for the cost of the vet bill that may result, as you have been asked not too and it may cause illness and injury to the horses"

But then I'll bet you'll tell me that that's too rude and I'm making the problem worse by being confrontational!

If people are not going to listen, not going to accept that they shouldn't feed something that doesn't belong to them, say they're not educated about it and that's why, get arsey and confrontational when education is attempted, break their necks to get around all barriers put up by horse owners to prevent their animals being accessed then honestly the only thing I can think is financial concequences.

@midgebabe I can't remember the full details, it was a few years ago.

It was in the UK and the entire horse world was horrified that it even got to court.

I seem to remember it was a teenager. I think the argument was that the owner hadn't made it clear enough the horse was dangerous they were there without permission and without the owner's knowledge. How could she have done? I'm sure the girl also got on the horse without a saddle or bridle. It's no surprise there was an accident.

Another solution could be to leave a bucket of appropriate feed by a sign explaining what horses can eat and why (a bit like at a zoo).People are much more likely to comply with something presented like that than a posh person ticking them off

We don't need your approval or half baked ridiculous ideas - what makes you think you know better than people who actually own horses?!

The bare faced cheek and entitlement is stunning.

@TheBuffster

Another solution could be to leave a bucket of appropriate feed by a sign explaining what horses can eat and why (a bit like at a zoo). People are much more likely to comply with something presented like that than a posh person ticking them off. I think it's rather sad the way people who express interest in animals are demonised on this thread. People should not feed hedgehogs milk either, but I educate them why instead of calling them thickos. Most people are not privileged enough to own horses, but many people like them. I guarantee most people it's coming from a good place. Bit ironic as well you sneering at people using horses for their own gratification too as I am not sure you chucking all that uncomfortable equipment and sitting on it is for the benefit of the horse.

It's not a bloody petting zoo Hand feeding encourages fighting, risk of being bitten or kicked Just leave them alone

I am not sure you chucking all that uncomfortable equipment and sitting on it is for the benefit of the horse

ODFOD

But did it actually succeed? Or was it a case to prove/set precedent?

I sometimes take apples to the local horses because I feel sorry for them. They are matted and always covered with mud and look really uncared for. They have been flagged up to the rspca loads of times. I feel bad for doing that now. Will make sure we don't feed them. Horrified at my own ignorance. Thanks for the post.

The one i am thinking about succeeded, but it wasnt a field it was a school and the girl had been given permission to ride the horse. It bucked her off and she sustained life changing injuries. The owner was found liable. There's something similar in the news atm.

@missrm

I sometimes take apples to the local horses because I feel sorry for them. They are matted and always covered with mud and look really uncared for. They have been flagged up to the rspca loads of times. I feel bad for doing that now. Will make sure we don't feed them. Horrified at my own ignorance. Thanks for the post.

Of course I have no way of knowing if these horses are ill treated, but horses are often matted and covered in mud at this time of year. It doesn't mean they are neglected necessarily.

That's significantly different. I suspect insurance is advised when you are letting kids ride

@TheBuffster

Another solution could be to leave a bucket of appropriate feed by a sign explaining what horses can eat and why (a bit like at a zoo). People are much more likely to comply with something presented like that than a posh person ticking them off. I think it's rather sad the way people who express interest in animals are demonised on this thread. People should not feed hedgehogs milk either, but I educate them why instead of calling them thickos. Most people are not privileged enough to own horses, but many people like them. I guarantee most people it's coming from a good place. Bit ironic as well you sneering at people using horses for their own gratification too as I am not sure you chucking all that uncomfortable equipment and sitting on it is for the benefit of the horse.

Oh good, a hippy hedgehog saver here to tell all us posh people off.

Or is that rude and buying into a stereotype? !

I'm not posh, I am a minimum wage care worker with a thick regional accent, brought up in a non horsey environment. I have also not ticked anyone off. I wasn't privileged, still aren't. I put time and effort into learning about beautiful and amazing animals, because I have always loved them and been horse mad.

I have however had vet's bills because other people have fed my horse, I have had signs ripped down.
I have been called posh and privileged because I have a love of horse's and went and learned about them.
I have been verbally abused and threatened when trying to let people know nicely why their nice act might endanger this beautiful amazing animal.

I haven't demonised anyone.

Yet you still feel the need to tell me I am privileged and a posh person ticking people off, because I have a horse.

You're part of the problem.

And by the way, my horse is not ridden!

Yeah, forgive me if I don't give your opinions a second thought! I'm off for a lovely ride through the frosty countryside.

@Frodont possibly we're thinking of the same case. I know there were a few in the news at around the same time.

I remember seeing pictures of one where the teenager had hopped on the horse with no hat or tack and then fallen off. The argument was that the owner hadn't made it clear their horse was "dangerous". The girl's family couldn't quite see that she shouldn't have been on the horse in the first place.

@missrm

I sometimes take apples to the local horses because I feel sorry for them. They are matted and always covered with mud and look really uncared for. They have been flagged up to the rspca loads of times. I feel bad for doing that now. Will make sure we don't feed them. Horrified at my own ignorance. Thanks for the post.

Horse's love to roll in mud, it's nature's grooming. It gets rid of dead hair and gives a good scratch and a layer of mud, when dried, adds to their natural insulation of thick coat and grease to help protect against the weather. It's actually advised to not groom your grass kept horse's too much because you are removing thst natural barrier. Long tails help with swatting flies, long manes protect eyes from flies and dust etc whipped up in wind, and add a layer of protection for the head and neck against weather too. I would think if the rspca have been involved then the horse's have food and water, are cared for and healthy. However, if you are still worried, the British Horse Society, or a charity like HAPPA might be able to give you more specific details on things like welfare checks.

@Maverickess

Thank you for being kind to me and not calling me a thick arsehole or something! That's great info. Thank you!

And normally, I accept people using horses for their own enjoyment, but it's hypocritical for you to whinge about people doing the same

But my horse is mine. I don't want you to touch it or feed it unless I say so. It's really as simple as that.

So riding horses is as dangerous to a horse as giving it poisonous food?