'It's lethal for them' - Families warned against feeding horses at Sunderland farm in plea from boss

Jeanette Chapman is the CEO of Sunderland Training and Education Farm – and she has urged families not to feed the horses grass cuttings and vegetable scraps if they pass by the farm’s fields on their daily exercise.

The South Hylton farm houses around a dozen horses, including foals, across two fields, but there are now fears that the animals could become sick as staff see an increase in items being left there by visitors for them to eat.

Ms Chapman, who has run the facility since 2003, said that certain types of food are “lethal” to the horses as they could cause colic and diarrhoea.

“Please feel free to come and stroke and pat the horses, but please don’t feed them because the food you are giving them can be poisonous to them,” she told the Echo.

“Grass cuttings ferment in their stomachs and cause colic, which they can die from. Please don’t feed them.”

The Easter holidays would usually be a busy time for the farm, with staff running community sessions and providing training for those who want to work in animal care.

But the coronavirus lockdown restrictions imposed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson has prompted the team to shut up shop.

Ms Chapman explained that some staff are working from home, while those who are involved in hands-on animal care are continuing to carry out their duties with extra precautions in place.

Members of the public who live near to the farm site have helped raise the alarm when they have spotted people bringing grass cuttings and vegetables for the horses.

Staff have been placing signs around the horses’ fields to warn people against bringing snacks for the animals – but the notices have been taken away.

“I think people think they are doing good but it’s not,” Ms Chapman added.

“They do not realise the damage it causes.”

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