'Please don't feed the horses' plea from owners after lockdown walkers cause concern
Chopped broccoli still wrapped in its bag, kale, bread and grass cuttings are among the items which have been given to ponies and horses grazing in fields at Tilesheds in Boldon.
Owners say the issue has become more of a problem during the coronavirus lockdown as people take regular walks.
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Hide AdSigns have been ignored or removed, walkers have become confrontational when asked not feed the animals and others have ignored pleas to stop.
Owners fear their horses and ponies could develop colic, which can prove fatal and lead to vets bills of thousands.
They are also at risk of laminitis, a painful swelling of their feet, which can be caused by being overweight and is exacerbated by colic, while there is also the risk feeding can cause horses to fight and kick out, putting them and walkers at risk of serious harm.
Among the concerned riders is Amanda Wharton, 37, of Marsden, who has her five-year-old cob-cross Tally stabled at Tilesheds.
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Hide AdTally has issues with her digestive system which means she is prone to choking on any food other than grass, with a special sign made up with her photo on it to ward off anyone tempted to give her treats.
Amanda said: “I think people probably think they’re being kind.
“But I don’t want to go look out for my horse and find she’s died in a field because some idiot had fed her something they shouldn’t have.
“There are a couple of elderly horses in the fields, obviously they’ve lost teeth because they’re old, and they’re just out in the fields living out their life in retirement, but horses do dominate over each other and they could get hurt.
“A lot of them are already on special diets.
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Hide Ad“People have tipped grass cuttings, which they shouldn’t eat anyway, but you just don't know if the council has sprayed it with toxins or anything.
“Come and see the animals, have a stroke and a pat, they are lovely, but we just need people to be aware not to feed them anything bad.”