Public feeding horses | Horse & Hound

Members of the public feeding horses that don’t belong to them, without the permission of the animal’s owner, is a significant welfare risk that has grown in nature in recent years. An increase in the number of people walking in the countryside during the Covid-19 lockdowns brought the matter to a head, with numerous horses becoming ill, or even dying, as a result of an intended good deed. Here are just a few of their stories, plus details of what action has been taken to try to stop this problem from occurring.

Important things to know if you keep horses in a field with a public footpath: safety and legal information

By Bethany Stone Published 11 July 25
New appeal to the public to stop feeding horses after foal suffers life-threatening illness

By Becky Murray Published 28 March 24
Choke, colic and death: public warned of the consequences of feeding horses without permission

By Eleanor Jones Published 20 April 22
Not feeding horses covered in updated Countryside Code

By Becky Murray Published 19 February 22
‘I’d said my goodbyes’: owner changes public minds after horse fed bread and cereal suffers ‘horrendous’ choke

By Eleanor Jones Published 23 July 21
Radio 5 Live helps educate the public on why not to feed horses

By Eleanor Jones Published 22 July 21
‘This makes everything worse’: shock as national radio show ‘encourages’ public feeding of horses

By Eleanor Jones Published 15 July 21

Pony fed roast chicken dinner undergoes £5,500 colic surgery

By Eleanor Jones Published 17 April 21
‘How would you feel if someone fed your pet?’: Police warn against feeding others’ horses

By Becky Murray Published 26 March 21
‘Do not feed’: warning headcollars sell out as owners try to educate public

By Eleanor Jones Published 17 March 21
Groom gets the message out after public feeding causes ponies to colic

By Sarah Radford Published 15 February 21
Campaign to stop public feeding horses gathers momentum

By Eleanor Jones Published 14 February 21
Hundreds of horses are being fed without permission, study finds

By Eleanor Jones Published 27 January 21
‘Enough is enough’: riders join forces to stop the public from feeding horses

By Eleanor Jones Published 25 January 21
Pony fed raw potato by walkers suffocates within minutes

By Eleanor Jones Published 19 January 21

Research into public feeding horses aims to prevent equine suffering

By Eleanor Jones Published 16 August 20
‘Highlighting the heartbreak’: owner’s open letter to walkers who caused her mare’s illness

By Eleanor Jones Published 18 June 20
Public warned not to feed horses as government updates the countryside code

By Eleanor Jones Published 9 June 20
Countryside walkers warned not to feed horses after deaths *H&H Plus*

By Eleanor Jones Published 25 April 20