MEMBERS of the public have been urged not to feed horses which do not belong to them.
The call comes from Helen Lacey of the charity North Wales Horse Watch.
She has reminded people of the potential devastating consequences of feeding horses and livestock that do not belong to them, and of not closing gates behind them when they are walking in the countryside.
She said: "By giving animals they are not responsible for food, people risk making them sick or even killing them.
"Unfortunately some walkers are leaving gates open allowing horses and livestock to get onto the highway."
A spokesman or the charity added: "Touching gates and patting horses could transfer coronavirus to owners, who will then no longer be able to care for their animals.
"Feeding horses the wrong thing can cause illnesses such as laminitis equine metabolic syndrome and colic.
"Some plants like yew are poisonous to horses and cut grass placed in a field can kill them.
"Horses can also suffer from allergies to certain things.
"Feeding horses can encourage them to nip or make them pushy.
"If there is more than one horse in a field, you could cause a fight, ending in a horse getting kicked or injured."
For more information, visit: https://northwaleshorsewatch.co.uk
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