Treat-seeking wild ponies wreak havoc in Somerset
Members of the public have been urged not to feed wild ponies in Somerset, after several people have been injured by the treat-seeking animals.
The Quantock Pony Commoners Association says that feeding the ponies on the common is dangerous and could lead to serious harm.
They cited times where ponies have bitten visitors and even broken a person’s leg.
“Due to an increase of Quantock ponies being fed by visitors, the ponies are becoming more of a nuisance to other visitors to the Quantock Hill,” a spokesman for the Quantock Pony Commoners Association said.
never feed them.”
He explained that the ponies’ behaviour has changed as a result of them being fed and they have started to congregate in car parks.
“[They are] naturally inquisitive animals, they form patterns and have quickly learnt to associate cars with food,” the spokesman said. “There have been recent cases of a pony breaking someone’s leg, biting and causing vehicle damage.
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“Please do not add to the problem and for you own safety stay well clear of the ponies and
Around 50 ponies graze on the Quantock Hilltops, 30 on Quantock Common and 20 on Aisholt Common.
The ponies help manage vegetation by grazing the hilltops.
Wild ponies in Dartmoor damage car
Last month (11 October) H&H reported that wild ponies in Dartmoor had reportedly caused £1,200 worth of damage to a car — by licking its paintwork.
The unsuspecting driver parked his car in Dartmoor National Park to embark on a hike around the moors.
When he returned to the car park later that day he found that 12 ponies were licking the vehicle.
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Rachael joined Horse & Hound in 2014, initially as a digital sub editor then became part of the news team as a writer in 2015. The philosophy graduate studied journalism at the Press Association before working as a local reporter at the Brentwood Gazette. Rachael is now a mum of two and still loves all things equestrian, including hacking, dressage and jumping with her cob Bert. Rachael left the H&H staff to go freelance in June 2019, but still contributes to our magazine and website, as well as our sister magazine Country Life, among others.