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Well-meaning passers-by are endangering a significant number of British horses by feeding them without permission, a study has found.
The wellbeing of a significant number of British horses is being put at risk by well-meaning passers-by feeding them, a study has found.
More than three-quarters of horse owners surveyed found that their horses were fed without their permission, and 83 per cent of those responsible were families, preliminary research led by the University of Bristol Veterinary School found.
The vet school, together with the British Horse Society (BHS), are asking the public to stop feeding horses.
The survey was completed last year by 1017 owners, who indicated that feeding horses without permission had been occurring more frequently since the first Covid-19 lockdown in Britain, with more people visiting the countryside.
Horse & Hound
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Hundreds of horses are being fed without their owners’ permission, research indicates, 35 of whom have lost their lives as a result.
Preliminary results of research led by the University of Bristol show that 788 of 1,017 people surveyed suspected or had evidence of their horses’ being fed without their permission. More than half of these respondents said the feeding had become more frequent since the first lockdown.
It was found that 220 horses were ill or injured as a result of the feeding, 109 of whom needed veterinary treatment. Of this number, 81 did not make a full recovery, including 35 who died or were put down. Of the people feeding, 82.7% were families.