You might think it’s nice to feed any strange horses you meet, but please don’t says equine charity British Horse Society <\/p>
Getting out into the countryside is a wonderful way to recharge and reconnect with nature hands-on when you might need it most. <\/p>
However, exploring our country\u2019s green spaces means you are more than likely to encounter grazing horses in fields and meadows along your walk. These beautiful and gentle animals can often be friendly and inquisitive, and you may well be tempted to give them a titbit.<\/p>
However, although it may seem harmless to approach and feed them, this can have potentially fatal consequences, says the British Horse Society.<\/p>
The reason that you shouldn’t give unfamiliar horses food is threefold. <\/p>
Firstly, it’s plain old self-preservation \u2013 horses may mistake your fingers for food and accidentally nip them.<\/p>
Secondly, if there is more than one horse in the field, the offer of food could cause fighting to break out between the animals, leading to injuries.<\/p>
Finally, any type of food, grass cuttings or other plants can cause horses to become extremely unwell or even kill them. A variety of foods that you may think are appropriate for horses can in fact be very dangerous for them to eat and, sadly, many have died from health complications following being fed without permission.<\/p>
Giving food to horses unsupervised and unauthorised can prove hazardous, with risks to the animals including choking, severe abdominal pain, or even poisoning from the food, should any chemicals or herbicides remain on the plants. Here is a guide to some plants poisonous to horses<\/a><\/p> Feeding horses is often done with good intentions, but it\u2019s always best to leave them be and carry on past.<\/p> Further steps are advised in order to keep you and the horses you encounter safe.<\/strong><\/p> If you cross land where horses are grazing, it is also important to:<\/p> Following these guidelines will be key in order to make sure you are able to continue to enjoy the great outdoors safely. <\/p> Ever wondered if\u00a0horse riding is a sport?<\/a>\u00a0Or are you curious about the ins and outs of equine ownership? If so, check out our feature about\u00a0how much it costs to own a horse<\/a>.<\/p> And, if you’re looking for present ideas, don’t miss our handpicked selection of\u00a0best gifts for horse lovers<\/a>.<\/p> About the British Horse Society<\/strong><\/p> The British Horse Society is an equine charity that\u00a0promotes\u00a0and advances\u00a0the education,\u00a0training\u00a0and safety of the public in all matters relating to the horse.\u00a0With the support of their volunteers and members, the BHS\u00a0works\u00a0hard\u00a0to make a positive impact on the lives of\u00a0all\u00a0horses and\u00a0those who love them.\u00a0<\/p>Saddle up for a journey into the equestrian world<\/h4>