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.

How is "do not feed the horses" in any way vague? I can't find any other meaning than "do not feed the horses"

I know what you mean, and in an ideal world such a sign would be self explanatory to all.

But ‘do not feed’ implies to some ‘do not give them food’ so while people may refrain from sharing their picnic or bringing carrots, they might not see grass as ‘food’. Especially if the horse is standing in a field of half eaten grass. If a horse is craning its neck to reach some juicy blades of grass just out of reach some people will ‘help’ it reach them by picking the grass (thinking they’re doing a kind deed).

Of course they shouldn’t. But I would make the sign explicit and include ‘no grass due to the risk of pesticides and encouraging behavioural problems’ or something that makes it very clear. I think the more info you give, the more people realise there’s a logical reason behind the signs and are likely to heed them.

@Frodont

When you have a sign up saying "Please do not feed the horses ANYTHING. They have an illness and need a special diet. Thank you!"

And people still feed them - I am entitled to think they must be either thick or deliberately trying to hurt my horses.

You are 100% right.

A horse in my area has just died because it was diabetic and someone fed it despite signs.

A horrific picture of the poor horse dead In it's paddock was shown - the poor poor horse and owner / family.

Personally I think massive signs picturing that poor dead horse or similar is needed where horses are accessible to general public.

Some fucking people think they or their kids right to 'feed the horsies' overrides the animals right to life.

Must admit I prefer signs with information ( give me data!) rather than just "don't..."

We are of course assuming people bother to read the signs.

As I've said, I'm in the New Forest, so not only do we have the problem of people feeding horses in fields, they also assume the ones on the forest are for their entertainment.

Most of the car parks have signs asking people not to feed the ponies. They park next to the signs, ignore them, and march straight over to feed them and sit their children on them

@DdraigGoch

How is "do not feed the horses" in any way vague? I can't find any other meaning than "do not feed the horses".

Exactly.

A sign saying "please do not feed the horses (or animals)" isn't vague. But sadly some people's own sense of entitlement is such that they ignore that, and continue to do what they want and then use the excuse "oh I didn't think it meant don't feed it grass " etc. And blame the "vague" sign for their behaviour, which common sense dictates they shouldn't be doing anyway.

I wouldn't feed the sheep/cows/pigs I see on my walk so why would I feed a horse?

@midgebabe

Must admit I prefer signs with information ( give me data!) rather than just "don't..."

What if the people who own the horses don't realise that you prefer signs with specific data on them? What if they think saying Don't feed the horses is enough? Because it fucking should be. In fact, you shouldn't even need a sign.

Haven't read the whole thread OP, as I know I'd be in tears - but it's clear that ppl (generally speaking) need to be told simple details - signs saying 'please do not feed the horses' needs more punch - '....certain foods and vegetables can be seriously harmful to horses...' etc.

@Frodont - ppl who ignore the signs obviously like the horses and want to feed them, that's the rebel in most people - they think they're being a bit naughty, or that their young child's apple "won't hurt" - yes I agree that the sign should be adhered do and you can't blame the horse owner in the slightest, but there's nothing wrong in wanting to scare off the people doing the feeding! Most signs say what will happen, i.e. 'you will be fined' etc.

I am still trying to get past the idea that taking pleasure from owning horses is hypocritical if I'm not prepared to let others have pleasure from them too. Does this mean my neighbour with the incredibly sexy Audi R8 is a hypocrite, cos I'm fairly certain he would have something to say if I just randomly decided to drive his csr, even though I know I would enjoy it. He is privileged though, cos most people never get to own a car like that, and the fact that he lives on a very ordinary road on an estate that is largely social housing doesn't detract from the faxt that he must be LOADED to afford it.

Except, what if it was from an inheritance. What if it's the only thing he does and it's financed to the hilt and he lives on baked beans. Having something nice does not necessarily equal wealth.

It isn't that most people aren't 'privileged' enough to be able to own horses. Most people don't make the choice to cut lots of things out of their lives so they can afford them. I have had 3 horses for years, and when I got them, I was a cleaner earning approx 15k a year and living on my own. Exh paid for dd's pony but I paid for the other 2. I just didn't spend money anywhere else.

Oh and in addition to the lady who didn't stop feeding my mare mentioned upthread, my gelding was quite ill for some time. Looked awful, very thin, although fed a very high calorie diet and doing no work. Even with signs explaining he was ill, people would still throw food in. Sugary food like carrots, which due to his breeding he cannot metabolise effectively and which could make him even more ill. Also due to his breeding, he is bloody dangerous (due to his hot blooded reactivity) if he doesn't know you, and gets upset very easily, and then takes ages to calm down(flip side is, his incredible lovingness - he comes up to me and gives me full on tongue kisses on my mouth, which is very sweet if a bit stinky and liable to leave me eating soil). If I put up a sign explaining all the reasons why he needs to be left alone, along with the reasons why I don't want my mare messed with, and why the pony has to be on a permanent diet (laminitis risk) and the issues the (dominant, violent when loose in herd) pony causes around food, and how dangerous it would be if they barged the fences down fighting for food and got on the road, it would run to pages and nobody would bother reading it.

It's not about education, it's a universal attitude of entitlement, a 'why shouldn't I have that too', without realising, or caring about, the hard work and sacrifice that would enable someone on a low wage to keep a horse, and without being prepared to accept that another person's property, whether it be a car, a horse or a house, is not fair game to take enjoyment from without permission, just because you do not feel you could afford it yourself.

The vast majority of people won't take in a long wordy sign with explanations about horse diet and behaviour. That's why traffic signs and other public signs are short and blunt.

The message gets lost when you surround it with a paragraph of text and fluff.

I do think some of the replies on this thread make much more sense when you look at some of the posts on the thread about public rights of way, with people who genuinely seem to think that every single prow through the countryside and national parks should be paved and fenced.

What's basic knowledge to one person is completely alien to another.

Plus it isn't just horses that are loose that people are entitled around. I was riding the pony on a horse only track with a friend, in woods near me (which have separate fenced off paths for walkers). Pony was just recovered from an injury and we were only walking, however he had been overtaken at speed by some other horses and was wanting to run, had got thoroughly wound up and over excited, rearing, generally a total nightmare to control, to the point the only thing I was focusing on was staying on board and not getting hurt, and a family decided not only to walk on the horse path, but to encourage (!) their small dd to go and pet the pony while he was trying to do an impression of a 17hh stallion in the starting gates of the Grand National. My yell of 'get her back for godsake' was not appreciated ('but hes cute and she wants to pet him' you know what, yes, he is stunning but although little he is a tank, my arms are half out their sockets and my wish for a functioning spine trumps your daughter wanting to pet the pretty horsey, selfish me), even though had she got closer she would probably have got bloody flattened.or kicked.

@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.

For some horses, the only appropriate feed is sparse grazing. That is what they have adapted to. Keeping them on lush grass is not great for them, and many cannot tolerate a large quantity of additional treats on top of that. The treats could also attract vermin, who might leave waste in among the treats and if it e.g. rained, they could start to ferment, which makes feeding them incredibly dangerous.

It will also likely encourage people to feed other food, especially if the bucket is empty (because how much is realistic to provide?).

It probably also opens the owner up to liability if the horse or pony injures someone who is feeding it. A lot of horses will get bitey if they expect treats. A lot of herds will start to bicker if someone is feeding treats and not all the horses can access them- and that could cause an inadvertent injury to the feeder. And some people are just insanely stupid, and will do things like put their children on horses in fields when they know nothing of them.

Also, some horses just don't want to interact with all people. My pony has had a bit of a tough life- he's only 7, but he's been through five homes and also went through the sales. He is generally lovely, but can be a bit unpredictable, and since I've owned him, I've seen him have really odd reactions to certain people- especially small children. At best, I think he's been teased in the past. When he is out in the field, that is his time to chill, to be with his horsey mate, and not have to interact with random people.

I know what it's like to be that horseless child, and honestly, if someone approached me, really wanting to learn and have a chance to interact with him, that would be fine. But for people who just want a brief bit of entertainment- no. I think he's entitled to his downtime, and allowed to not be harassed constantly by passers by.

I've never come across a zoo where they let you feed the zebras, incidently- there's a good reason for this!

@HikeForward

I haven't called anyone thick, and the poster you refer to, well yes seeing as they came on with the 'posh owners ticking people off' attitude, didn't ask any questions, just got stuck in with the stereotype and then didn't like it when it was passed back to them. And basically blamed horse owners.

As for why they continue to do it, well here's a couple of responses to me that I've had from people who I've asked not to feed the horses in the field, I have approached with along the lines of "Please don't feed the horses that, it could potentially cause them to become ill or start fighting with each other" -

"Fuck off you posh cunt, who do you think you are"

"It's a carrot! Horses eat carrots"

"But she likes them!" (That one was to a bag of chips!)

"But they like feeding the horses and I know the owner and they said peanuts are fine" (as mine was the only horse in the field at that moment in time, and the one being fed, they most certainly didn't know me and I hadn't said anything was fine)

"Well where else am I meant to put my grass cuttings? And horses eat grass anyway so you're wrong"

And from the dad caught sitting his toddler on an unbroken, huge sports horse, to the owner of the farm -

"She wants to ride the pony and it's not doing any harm, we just want a picture for her gran, mind your own business!"
(That one truly chilled me to the bone. That horse had never been sat on, it was over 16hh at the time and had a toddler sat on it, not being held, and with no hat on. All credit to the horse, she didn't move a muscle, yard owner said she looked a bit bemused by it all, but even had she just turned and walked off, the concequences don't bear thinking about)

I can only assume that they view horses as some sort of public amenity, and feel in some way as horse owners we 'owe' them something. They see it as a way to entertain themselves or their children for free, and because they are ignorant of the concequences, they believe they don't exist even when told. I think the stereotype plays into the last bit and they feel justified in not listening because of the stereotype. Then when something does happen, they'll say "I didn't know, I was being nice!"

Maybe the 'bucket for feed' should actually become a donation box for chaff and mix funds

Or maybe put a list of food your horses eat 'bag of Dengie Alfa-A oil, £15.95, Soothe & Gain high cal mash, £12.95, turmeric powder £30 a tub, linseed oil £30 for 5 litres, available x farm stores, if you really think they're hungry, and yes it does have to be this feed because a) it's what he is used to and otherwise I will have to spend a couple of weeks gradually adding it in so as not to upset his fragile digestive system, and b) it's low starch and he can't tolerate carbohydrate, you know, the main constituent in that fucking apple, which, by the way, fed whole, he could also choke on'

Except, generally people don't feed horses for the horses' sake, they do it for themselves.

Also, to those saying that horses die whilst being ridden too- the modern horse is a very fragile animal. Many die due to accidents in the field as well. Riding is often a balance of risks for the horse- for some horses, the exercise helps keep their weight down and reduces the risk of long term lameness and metabolic conditions, for some with e.g. arthritis, the movement is beneficial.

I think also, riders do understand that they are asking a lot of the horse when they ask it to be ridden, and in return, they try to provide the very best care they can. And most horses will start to object if anything (e.g. tack or a certain activity) becomes painful.

Also, even if you think riding is wrong, two wrongs don't make a right!

@Maverickess it's terrifying isn't it. One of the other liveries on the yard I'm on found her horse was becoming increasingly head shy and behaving strangely.

She came down one day to find the horse dripping in sweat with head collar marks. Clearly someone had been riding it without her permission. It wouldn't have been any of the other liveries.

The horse was moved to a field not so accessible to the public and it never happened again

@maverickness aside from the potential injuries to or death of the kid, anyone sitting a kid on an unbroken horse could cause significant issues down the line at backing if the horse was in any way bothered by it. If the owner/trainer doesn't know, they could be the one ending up with life changing injuries. If anyone did that to my barbie horse gelding, who is already a complex problem horse, and backed but not properly ridden on, they'd probably end up with a broken neck, as would I the next time I got on him, tackless as I always do, as restraint upsets him.

@sansasnark also, many horses enjoy their rides with their owners, and anyone who thinks it's the human who makes the decision to stay on board when the animal they're sitting on weighs half a ton, can pull more than ten times its bodyweight, demolish a brick wall with a kick and run at speeds approaching 30mph is, well...deluded...

If a horse really doesn't want you up there, you aren't up there.

@whydobirds

Maybe the 'bucket for feed' should actually become a donation box for chaff and mix funds

Or maybe put a list of food your horses eat 'bag of Dengie Alfa-A oil, £15.95, Soothe & Gain high cal mash, £12.95, turmeric powder £30 a tub, linseed oil £30 for 5 litres, available x farm stores, if you really think they're hungry, and yes it does have to be this feed because a) it's what he is used to and otherwise I will have to spend a couple of weeks gradually adding it in so as not to upset his fragile digestive system, and b) it's low starch and he can't tolerate carbohydrate, you know, the main constituent in that fucking apple, which, by the way, fed whole, he could also choke on'

Except, generally people don't feed horses for the horses' sake, they do it for themselves.

Oh definitely, you normally have to pay for the feed at zoos, don't you? Put in a £1 coin and it dispenses a handful for you.

That might be quite an efficient way to pay for a bag of feed!

[quote whydobirds]@sansasnark also, many horses enjoy their rides with their owners, and anyone who thinks it's the human who makes the decision to stay on board when the animal they're sitting on weighs half a ton, can pull more than ten times its bodyweight, demolish a brick wall with a kick and run at speeds approaching 30mph is, well...deluded...

If a horse really doesn't want you up there, you aren't up there.[/quote]
Indeed- if the horse really wants you off, they will get you off.

I do personally think they enjoy it on some level, but I know some of the posters on this thread will never believe that!

I can only assume that they view horses as some sort of public amenity, and feel in some way as horse owners we 'owe' them something

It’s also like when I get asked constantly if someone’s child can have a ride on DD’s pony then get shitty when I say no.

I’m not being mean or selfish, or stuck up or a bitch. It’s because I don’t want your kids to get hurt.

DD’s pony is lovely but she’s quirky and sensitive and not a beginners ride. Go to one of the many riding schools who offer pony rides for kids for a fiver on appropriate ponies with the appropriate insurance.

And with regards to riding - I pay for a chiropractor to check her back twice a year, a saddler to check her saddle fits every year. A farrier comes out every 8 weeks, and as others have said - they weigh nigh on half a ton, if they don’t want you on, you aren’t getting on

@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.

A posh person ticking them off? Have you read the thread? The majority of horse owners are just regular people with regular jobs who choose to spend their money on their horse/horses instead of clothes/holidays/expensive cars/their home etc. Why would any horse owner, after spending their money and time on their horse or pony want to leave food out for the general public to feed the them? It’s not a petting zoo. They’re peoples beloved pets. Also, my pony isn’t fed any hard feed from a bucket, she has hay and grass and too is fat as it is. Would you like me to leave buckets of feed out for people to feed her so much it eventually kills her?

Some of my horses were grass and hay only with occasional bran mash, as hard feed like oats would send them into orbit and be too fresh to ride safely.
An old pony of mine was very greedy bless him and prone to dreadful laminitis so he too had to be grass and hay only.