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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
FairGoMatron · 27/06/2023 18:17

Another bump.

FayCarew · 31/07/2023 09:59

Bump. 🐴

FayCarew · 19/02/2024 18:10

Bump

Fairysteps11 · 19/02/2024 22:14

This issue needs much more awareness.

GlitteryUnicornSparkles · 19/02/2024 23:03

We’ve got a pony at work that is not only fat but allergic to just about everything most people associate with horses, including some types of hay! We have recently been turning them out for short periods in the day into a field that runs along a public right of way, its surprising how quickly people / dog walkers have started turning up with carrots. We’ve had countless cases of having to explain they are allergic and it could kill them, we’ve now put signs up. No issue people stoking them if they go over.

Sadly this is not an issue solely in relation to horses, cats are another animal people seem to get over invested in feeding un nessisarily then wonder why the cat starts to become a nuisance or won’t go home!

FayCarew · 26/03/2024 09:10

Just a reminder that if you are out and about this Easter holiday do not feed animals that are not yours.

CruCru · 26/03/2024 09:28

It’s perhaps a bit off-topic but please don’t feed the ponies in the New Forest. They get bolshy and are encouraged to come closer to the roads (where they get hit by cars).

Vanessasbag · 26/03/2024 09:50

I think that for people who can't afford horses, and don't know that much about them, seeing a horse in a field is a delight, with young children especially. They want to stroke the horse, especially if the horse comes over to the gate, non-horsey people will think that the horse wants to say hello. They'll feel like they want to give the horse something, like a carrot. People used to be like that in my childhood and nobody every complained. A lot of horse owners now seem precious and entitled and forget that there are lots of people who would love to own a horse but cannot afford to.

twistyizzy · 26/03/2024 09:55

Vanessasbag · 26/03/2024 09:50

I think that for people who can't afford horses, and don't know that much about them, seeing a horse in a field is a delight, with young children especially. They want to stroke the horse, especially if the horse comes over to the gate, non-horsey people will think that the horse wants to say hello. They'll feel like they want to give the horse something, like a carrot. People used to be like that in my childhood and nobody every complained. A lot of horse owners now seem precious and entitled and forget that there are lots of people who would love to own a horse but cannot afford to.

Horses aren't public property FFS. Many are on restricted diets etc. Laminitis and colic kill horses. You may think it's OK to feed 1 carrot but if everyone who passes the horses did that then that could = major overload = colic + death.
It is entitled to think you have the right to approach and touch/feed anyone else's horses.

FayCarew · 26/03/2024 09:55

@Vanessasbag , would you like it if a stranger fed your child without your permission? What if your child had an allergy and they could be seriously unwell or killed by eating the wrong thing?
Would you call that 'precious and entitled'? Don't forget that there are lots of people who would love to have a child but can't.

alloalloallo · 26/03/2024 10:09

Vanessasbag · 26/03/2024 09:50

I think that for people who can't afford horses, and don't know that much about them, seeing a horse in a field is a delight, with young children especially. They want to stroke the horse, especially if the horse comes over to the gate, non-horsey people will think that the horse wants to say hello. They'll feel like they want to give the horse something, like a carrot. People used to be like that in my childhood and nobody every complained. A lot of horse owners now seem precious and entitled and forget that there are lots of people who would love to own a horse but cannot afford to.

Maybe try reading the thread. Theres lots of horse owners talking about why they don’t want random people feeding their horses.

My horse isn’t communal property. She is mine. I pay for her livery, her feed, her hay, the farrier, dentist, chiropractor, saddle fitter and vet fees - all the things she . Unless you want to share those bills, keep your carrots to yourself.

It is neither entitled or precious to not want my horse fed something that could potentially make her ill.

I would love to own a Porsche but I can’t afford it. Doesn’t mean I can go round helping myself to other peoples

FayCarew · 26/03/2024 10:29

@Vanessasbag , did you even read the OP? I was bumping the thread because of entitled idiots like you.

JustFannyingAboot · 26/03/2024 10:30

I had a horse with an allergy and was prone to laminitis, he was on a strict diet to prevent him from dying. The amount of people I had to explain this to who then rolled their eyes at me was ridiculous. It's not horse owner's problem @Vanessasbag to appease members of the public at the (great financial and emotional) expense of their pets welfare (It is really horrific witnessing the suffering related to some of the conditions horses may develop, purely as a result of ignorance of strangers) . Would you hand a bag of nuts or an ice cream to a random child in the street especially after ignoring parents stating allergies etc? No one is entitled to behave such a way. People need to educate themselves before deciding they know better than a vet.

rickandmorts · 26/03/2024 10:36

Vanessasbag · 26/03/2024 09:50

I think that for people who can't afford horses, and don't know that much about them, seeing a horse in a field is a delight, with young children especially. They want to stroke the horse, especially if the horse comes over to the gate, non-horsey people will think that the horse wants to say hello. They'll feel like they want to give the horse something, like a carrot. People used to be like that in my childhood and nobody every complained. A lot of horse owners now seem precious and entitled and forget that there are lots of people who would love to own a horse but cannot afford to.

🤣🤣🤣

I always stop and let little kids pat my horse when I'm out hacking because I was once that horse obsessed little girl and it would have made my day as a child. But feeding him is a different matter. He's 25, low on teeth and on a strict diet and if he choked to death on an uncut carrot or apple how does that make me precious or entitles? Such a strange take to have 🤣

XelaM · 26/03/2024 10:47

Vanessasbag · 26/03/2024 09:50

I think that for people who can't afford horses, and don't know that much about them, seeing a horse in a field is a delight, with young children especially. They want to stroke the horse, especially if the horse comes over to the gate, non-horsey people will think that the horse wants to say hello. They'll feel like they want to give the horse something, like a carrot. People used to be like that in my childhood and nobody every complained. A lot of horse owners now seem precious and entitled and forget that there are lots of people who would love to own a horse but cannot afford to.

How is that my problem that people want to have a horse but can't afford it?! I want a big house with a pool but can't afford it. Can I just pop over the fence and jump into someone else's pool as it would brighten up my day? Go to a petting zoo or a riding school to get a lesson on a pony. Don't feed horses that don't belong to you. Thankfully the yard we're at doesn't have any fields adjacent to public footpaths, but at a previous yard we caught idiots feeding our pony chocolate raisins! Wtf?!? Another idiot gave a pony a MASSIVE carrot that nearly choked her. People are complete morons and are not entitled to feed anyone else's pets!

SpeedyDrama · 26/03/2024 10:47

Vanessasbag · 26/03/2024 09:50

I think that for people who can't afford horses, and don't know that much about them, seeing a horse in a field is a delight, with young children especially. They want to stroke the horse, especially if the horse comes over to the gate, non-horsey people will think that the horse wants to say hello. They'll feel like they want to give the horse something, like a carrot. People used to be like that in my childhood and nobody every complained. A lot of horse owners now seem precious and entitled and forget that there are lots of people who would love to own a horse but cannot afford to.

Oh the irony of calling the owners of the horses ‘precious and entitled’ whilst also whining it’s not fair that kiddies may not have a pony of their own. There are opportunities to be around horses for a price without the full cost of feeding and homing them, with the added benefit of gaining full understanding of their care. Otherwise people like this poster should keep far away from them at all cost it seems.

Dollenganger333 · 26/03/2024 10:51

YANBU. People are incredibly selfish. My daughter works at a yard and the advice was to put up signs that say the horses bite. Would that help? Or a sign saying 'loose bull'.

Dollenganger333 · 26/03/2024 10:54

A lot of horse owners now seem precious and entitled and forget that there are lots of people who would love to own a horse but cannot afford to.

'Precious and entitled' because they don't want their horse to get sick and / or massive vets bills??? What a cheek! Horses are fragile and can end up dead from a few minor mishaps. Perhaps consider that before putting your own selfish desires first.

Grumpsy · 26/03/2024 10:59

I’ve never heard anyone as entitled as @Vanessasbag who seems to believe that because she doesn’t sacrifice her time and money to keep horses there she’s perfectly entitled to do as she pleases with other people’s, even if it can put their life in danger.

congratulations on being an ignorant fool.

CrappySack · 26/03/2024 11:03

I'm very glad that one of my horses absolutely hates people standing at the fence and scares them off before my greedy one can get to any of their offerings.

That is the only thing I've found that works, but not really helpful for anyone without a demon horse 🐎😈

Motherofalittledragon · 26/03/2024 11:05

Vanessasbag · 26/03/2024 09:50

I think that for people who can't afford horses, and don't know that much about them, seeing a horse in a field is a delight, with young children especially. They want to stroke the horse, especially if the horse comes over to the gate, non-horsey people will think that the horse wants to say hello. They'll feel like they want to give the horse something, like a carrot. People used to be like that in my childhood and nobody every complained. A lot of horse owners now seem precious and entitled and forget that there are lots of people who would love to own a horse but cannot afford to.

It's not the horse owners that don't won't their animals fed that are entitled, that's for sure.

6Y5T · 26/03/2024 11:10

Keep your horse/dog/cat/child/etc away from me and I won't feed it

CrappySack · 26/03/2024 11:11

6Y5T · 26/03/2024 11:10

Keep your horse/dog/cat/child/etc away from me and I won't feed it

Do you often have horses marauding around your neighbourhood in search of apples?

SoupDragon · 26/03/2024 11:12

6Y5T · 26/03/2024 11:10

Keep your horse/dog/cat/child/etc away from me and I won't feed it

Alternatively, you could simply not feed an animal that isn't yours. Job done.

idontlikealdi · 26/03/2024 11:27

@Vanessasbag what a ridiculous thing to say. That horse that is a delight to you is someone's much loved animal, not entertainment for your kid.