18/09/2026
An important safety message that came up on one of our horsey facebook feeds…
“Please Don’t Feed Us”: A Horse’s Story of Life, Loss, and the Humans Who Mean Well but Hurt Us
You see us standing by the fence. We hear your footsteps and wander over. You reach into your pocket for an apple, carrot or handful of something tasty. You smile. We probably do too.
It feels like kindness.
But please — don’t feed us.
You may not know what our owners know. Some of us are overweight. Some have metabolic conditions. Some are recovering from illness. Others are on carefully controlled diets because even seemingly innocent extra food can upset the balance keeping us healthy.
The British Horse Society warns that feeding horses without permission can have devastating consequences. Reports include horses becoming seriously ill, being injured and, tragically, dying. Research highlighted by the BHS found that nearly a third of horses became unwell after being fed without their owner’s permission.
Our digestive systems are sensitive.
A sudden dietary change can increase the risk of colic, while excessive sugar and starch can contribute to serious health problems. Horses should generally be fed according to their bodyweight, workload and individual needs, with dietary changes introduced gradually.
Then there is laminitis — an excruciating condition affecting the tissues inside the hoof. In severe cases, the pedal bone can move, rotate or drop, causing permanent damage and sometimes leaving euthanasia as the only humane option.
And please, never throw grass cuttings over a fence.
Mown grass can present risks including choking, colic, laminitis and poisoning from toxic plants or garden chemicals. The BHS says horses have died after people put lawn mowings into their fields.
There’s another danger too. Feeding can encourage horses to crowd around people or fight one another for food, potentially causing injuries. A horse expecting treats may also accidentally bite fingers.
So when we walk towards you at the gate, admire us. Talk to us from a safe distance. Enjoy seeing us grazing with our families.
But leave the feeding to the people who know our medical history and dietary needs.
Sometimes the kindest thing you can give a horse isn't a treat.
It’s nothing at all.
Please Don’t Feed Us. Your kindness should never cost us our health — or our lives.
