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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

STOP FEEDING HORSES THAT ARE NOT YOURS

956 replies

Pineapplechickenpizza · 18/04/2022 21:25

Unbelievable that this is still a problem after all the hype on social media and the news but unfortunately it is.

Why do people think it’s acceptable to feed an animal that isn’t there’s? I don’t care if it’s an apple or carrot or just a few blades of grass. They’re not your horses- DONT FEED THEM ANYTHING.

If you feed horses in fields that are not yours, honestly, why do you do it?? Do you realise how your ignorance could make someones horse unwell?

Dreading summer holidays when more people are out for walks and think it’s acceptable to feed the horses in the fieldsSad

OP posts:
MadameHeisenberg · 19/04/2022 08:48

Most people are reasonable and if there are signs explaining the dangers, in addition to other measures, then that will filter out the majority of potential ‘feeders’. Not many people are bothered enough to walk out of their way/climb enclosures/unplug electric fences to give a random horse a handful of grass.

And if a horse does get sick from over/incorrect feeding, then the vet is there as a last resort. If you can’t afford the vet, you can’t afford the animal. We’d say exactly the same to other pet owners. If an idiot driver runs your dog over and you can’t afford veterinary treatment for it, then dog ownership is not for you.

Quackpot · 19/04/2022 08:52

Bumping. It's that time of year again.

ForeverLooking · 19/04/2022 08:53

@MadameHeisenberg

Most people are reasonable and if there are signs explaining the dangers, in addition to other measures, then that will filter out the majority of potential ‘feeders’. Not many people are bothered enough to walk out of their way/climb enclosures/unplug electric fences to give a random horse a handful of grass.

And if a horse does get sick from over/incorrect feeding, then the vet is there as a last resort. If you can’t afford the vet, you can’t afford the animal. We’d say exactly the same to other pet owners. If an idiot driver runs your dog over and you can’t afford veterinary treatment for it, then dog ownership is not for you.

I can afford the vet. I can also afford the insurance covering this. I can afford the dental work, the farrier, the chiropractic work and the vaccinations. I just don't want my horse suffering agonising illnesses because someone's kid fancied feeding her a sandwich or a local emptied in a basket of lawnmower cuttings. I don't begrudge paying out for vet bills. I'd just rather not thanks.
CuntAmongstThePigeons · 19/04/2022 08:53

Well no Madam Hesienberg, that's literally the issue. Most people AREN'T reasonable. Or at least a high enough proportion aren't, enough to cause horses serious harm.

Climbing into fields, throwing food into fields, ignoring dont feed signs. People are horribly entitled.

DorritLittle · 19/04/2022 08:55

I completely sympathise but think a clear sign would be more effective than relying on people knowing about this via social media/the news (I presume you mean local news?)

XelaM · 19/04/2022 08:56

Being able to afford the vet is not the point of this thread!!! Your selfish stupidity can cause an animal to suffer in agony. Whether the owner can afford a vet to save it just in time is not the issue! If I feed your child who had a peanut allergy a Snickers, it's hardly the point that the NHS can treat your child for free!

AProperStinging · 19/04/2022 08:57

@ForeverLooking

"My horses don't exist to bring joy to someone else's kid at the expense of their own health and my vet bills.

"I paid for them, pay for them and look after them every day, spent the money and time breeding them and keep them healthy and happy. They have a happy and healthy life and I don't want them to suffer from colic, laminitis, choke or poisoning from people feeding them shite over the fence which would cause them terrible pain and possible death. I didn't buy them to entertain the neighbourhood kids. They are on private land and I'm not a zoo. You want to feed and look after a horse, invest and buy your own, or at the very least ask. Or pay and visit a farm park where the animals ARE there for your entertainment."

It's so, so weird and very telling to frame it like this rather than simply saying, "don't do it because it is bad for the horse, makes them ill and could kill them".

frostyfingers · 19/04/2022 09:01

Where does it stop though? I have proper fencing to keep my horses in, I put signs up that people wilfully ignore, I have insurance, I live on site, we have no public footpaths nearby and yet still people take it upon themselves to trespass and potentially cause harm.

Can we all wander about doing exactly what we like and not be responsible for our actions? Telling me I can’t do something because I can’t afford the consequences of other people’s behaviour is pretty unkind - “an enclosure away from a public footpath” is a lovely idea but maybe that’s the only field that someone has; “remedial veterinary treatment…too expensive” I have insurance, I factor in costs as best I can but expecting me to put aside hundreds of pounds because people might want to feed a horse is madness.

I get that some people are totally unaware and think it’s a nice thing to do and assume/hope that when they see a sign or double fencing or whatever think maybe they shouldn’t and then don’t. It’s the ones, and there are plenty of them, who carry on regardless and that is where it’s so frustrating.

There has been plenty of publicity about dogs killing sheep yet it’s still happening so we can’t rely on publicity stopping people feeding horses, ignorance can’t always be an excuse.

MadameHeisenberg · 19/04/2022 09:01

@ForeverLooking

Well that puts you on a par with most other pet owners then, doesn’t it? I’m sure most people would rather their cat not suffer an agonising broken pelvis or fractured skull because of idiots who drive too fast/carelessly. But unfortunately, idiots are part and parcel of life - an environmental hazard, in this instance.

aurynne · 19/04/2022 09:02

If this is such a dangerous and frequent issue, then why on earth do horse owners not keep them away from pathways where people could contact and feed them? Isn't this a much simpler solution?

XelaM · 19/04/2022 09:03

@AProperStinging 🙄 Because horse owners are not allowed to talk about money- God forbid. They should just pretend that keeping horses is free.

Patchbatch · 19/04/2022 09:03

[quote AProperStinging]@ForeverLooking

"My horses don't exist to bring joy to someone else's kid at the expense of their own health and my vet bills.

"I paid for them, pay for them and look after them every day, spent the money and time breeding them and keep them healthy and happy. They have a happy and healthy life and I don't want them to suffer from colic, laminitis, choke or poisoning from people feeding them shite over the fence which would cause them terrible pain and possible death. I didn't buy them to entertain the neighbourhood kids. They are on private land and I'm not a zoo. You want to feed and look after a horse, invest and buy your own, or at the very least ask. Or pay and visit a farm park where the animals ARE there for your entertainment."

It's so, so weird and very telling to frame it like this rather than simply saying, "don't do it because it is bad for the horse, makes them ill and could kill them".[/quote]
Right? It sort of implies the horse is there for their entertainment which is weird- as if their sole purpose is to fulfil a humans wants and hobbies. Ew.

UnexpectedItemInShaggingArea · 19/04/2022 09:04

@aurynne

If this is such a dangerous and frequent issue, then why on earth do horse owners not keep them away from pathways where people could contact and feed them? Isn't this a much simpler solution?

It's not difficult to learn and abide by rules for rural living. We have to compromise between people accessing and enjoying the countryside and people keeping animals - horses, sheep, cows etc.

It's the same principle as not letting your dog off the lead in a field of sheep.

AvDemeisen · 19/04/2022 09:05

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Patchbatch · 19/04/2022 09:05

@aurynne

If this is such a dangerous and frequent issue, then why on earth do horse owners not keep them away from pathways where people could contact and feed them? Isn't this a much simpler solution?
But then how would they fulfil their desire to have a large mammal as a pet?
ForeverLooking · 19/04/2022 09:05

[quote AProperStinging]@ForeverLooking

"My horses don't exist to bring joy to someone else's kid at the expense of their own health and my vet bills.

"I paid for them, pay for them and look after them every day, spent the money and time breeding them and keep them healthy and happy. They have a happy and healthy life and I don't want them to suffer from colic, laminitis, choke or poisoning from people feeding them shite over the fence which would cause them terrible pain and possible death. I didn't buy them to entertain the neighbourhood kids. They are on private land and I'm not a zoo. You want to feed and look after a horse, invest and buy your own, or at the very least ask. Or pay and visit a farm park where the animals ARE there for your entertainment."

It's so, so weird and very telling to frame it like this rather than simply saying, "don't do it because it is bad for the horse, makes them ill and could kill them".[/quote]
I've literally said that in the same post, multiple posts since and it's true. I do pay for them and care about their wellbeing and health -which costs money. Money I work for. Why is that weird? Should I pretend they don't cost money? The first line which I've noticed you glossed over to suit your narrative says FOR THEIR HEALTH. I love my horses. I don't want them to suffer any illnesses. I want them all to live long happy lives. I have retired ones living the good life who owe me nothing. Why should I pretend that this is all free?

BettyBag · 19/04/2022 09:05

Ahh a horse thread. I love these because they always firmly answer the question "is MN a middle class bubble?".

Anyway, I often feed friendly horses who come close to me a bit of grass. If you don't like it keep you horse somewhere else.

MadameHeisenberg · 19/04/2022 09:07

@XelaM

What a moronic post. Of course the cost of veterinary treatment is relevant to this topic. Literally, if you can’t afford to treat your animal when it’s sick (however it got sick), then you can’t afford to keep the animal. That’s it. The comparison with strangers ‘feeding’ random human children is irrelevant and pointless as it isn’t an issue.

suckingonchillidogs · 19/04/2022 09:08

I've genuinely learned not to feed horses now (I don't think I ever have but still). The people getting touchy about people stroking a velvety nose though? I don't suppose carrying an extra 9/10/11 stone of person on its back is what any horse would actively choose to do - must put extra strain on the knees so let's stop that business.

XelaM · 19/04/2022 09:08

@aurynne Of course there's so much free land in England...

Some people on this thread are just purposely being awkward. I might start going around public playgrounds giving random kids junk to eat. I'm sure parents would be cool with that.

ForeverLooking · 19/04/2022 09:10

Anyway, that was my last say. Funnily enough the most scathing judgements and assumptions seem to be from those about horse owners and not the other way around

BettyBag · 19/04/2022 09:10

[quote XelaM]@aurynne Of course there's so much free land in England...

Some people on this thread are just purposely being awkward. I might start going around public playgrounds giving random kids junk to eat. I'm sure parents would be cool with that.[/quote]
Your horse is not the equivalent to a child.

Try an internalise this.

XelaM · 19/04/2022 09:10

@MadameHeisenberg So it's ok yo make a living creature suffer in agony so long as the owners can afford the vet (who may or may not be able to save it)?! Excellent insight

GetOffTheTableMabel · 19/04/2022 09:12

I have found this thread genuinely educative. Feeding horses is not something I do but it’s also not something I knew that I must never do.

And I haven’t told my DDs never to do it either. So now I will. Thanks all.

RHOShitVille · 19/04/2022 09:13

@aurynne

If this is such a dangerous and frequent issue, then why on earth do horse owners not keep them away from pathways where people could contact and feed them? Isn't this a much simpler solution?
At our yard there is a field down a private track. No houses up there, all private land. People still drive up to feed the horses.

Another field has two locked gates. People go through both.

People traipse on private footpaths and land. No-one at our yard cared until lockdown, but the sheer extra volume of people who walk there now means that approach has changed.