Getting out and about in your local area or further afield and enjoying everything the great outdoors has to offer may mean you’re more likely to encounter horses whether that’s in the fields or when accessing paths that run alongside equine paddocks.
Although it may seem harmless to approach horses and feed them, the BHS have received reports of horses being seriously injured, made extremely ill, and sadly in some cases, having died because members of the public have fed them, put grass cuttings in their field, or because of actions such as not closing a gate.
Help us to raise awareness
Download our new Be Horse Aware signs to raise awareness and to offer helpful advice that will support and act as a reminder for all those enjoying the great outdoors.
Please help support the vital work our Horse Care and Welfare team do by making a voluntary donation. Donate today.
English Signs
Option 1 – Thank you for not feeding me
Option 2 – Thank you for not feeding us
Option 3 - Thank you for not feeding the horses
Option 4 - Thank you for not feeding the horses and helping them stay healthy
Option 5 – Thank you for not feeding the horses and helping them stay healthy
Option 6 - Thank you for not feeding me
Welsh Signs
Opsiwn 1 - Diolch i chi am beidio â’m bwydo
Opsiwn 2 - Diolch i chi am beidio â’m bwydo
Opsiwn 3 - Diolch am beidio â bwydo'r ceffylau
Opsiwn 4 - Diolch am beidio â bwydo'r ceffylau a'u helpu i aros yn iach
Opsiwn 5 - Diolch am beidio â bwydo'r ceffylau a'u helpu i aros yn iach
Opsiwn 6 - Diolch i chi am beidio â’m bwydo
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Be Horse Aware | Thank you for not feeding other people's horses
It is important not to feed horses because:
- Any type of food, grass cuttings or any other plants can make horses extremely ill or even kill them
- Fighting between horses could break out and cause an injury
- Horses may mistake your fingers for food and accidentally bite them
Jonathan Ruiz from Oakham Veterinary Hospital talks through some of the experiences they have dealt with, which have seen horses being made extremely ill, and sadly in some cases, having died as a result of being fed by passers-by.
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We advise to:
- Keep your dog on a lead and bag and bin dog mess
- Give horses lots of space
- Leave gates and property as you find them
- Always take your litter home
- If you see a horse in distress alert the nearest farm/yard or check for a sign with the owner’s details on
- Keep to the right of way
