I walk the gang past a field used by a slaughterhouse. Sometimes there are sheep there, sometimes cows. For the past two weeks there have been two horses. They look thin and unkempt. The larger one is brown and white, the smaller a little beige pony. Yesterday I took a bag of apples and carrots up. They won't feed from the hand they seem very nervous. I emptied the bag near the smaller one thinking the larger one would inevitably eat more food. Not so, the little pony guzzled the lot and wouldn't let the larger one near. That big brown/white horse looked so forlorn and sad. It just broke my heart.
I wouldn't dream of feeding the horses kept by the riding school or the many stables nearby, but these two appear to have been left to their own devices for now. I'd like to take them a treat. What do horses really love?
The field is set back from the villages and about 2 miles from the slaughterhouse.

Hi they would really love some tasty horse feed which is a bit inpractical when you are only walking by but try them with some bread and honey, worth a try somtimes when horses have been neglected like this they just lose heart maybe worth having a word with local riding lot?

Just curious, but why bread and honey?

To be honest, I wouldn't feed anyone elses horses anything. If you feed them something and it causes colic you could be in trouble...

If they have water and grass the RSPCA won't get themselves involved.

Why not try leaving a note on the gate asking if they wouldn't mind you dropping some hay in occasionally because you love horses.. its non-confrontational and you will see when it goes that they are being checked up on.

Alternatively, you could call the field owner and ask them who they belong too and just mention the larger one seems to be a bit bullied.

Thats exactly why I don't feed the local horses. (we're surrounded by stables and a large riding school).
I'd assumed these two were destined for the slaughterhouse with them being in this particular field and their condition.
It seems the local trend to buy kids horses but you rarely see the same kids riding after they start to grow up. I often wonder where all these horses go.
I'll nip out and buy some honey :)

Have never heard of giving horses honey?

Me neither Chloe

Think carefully about feeding these horses, as heartbreaking as it is to see them like this, the last thing you want is these animals going down with colic. The result of which, if left unattended, can be disasterous.

If you are going to feed these horses bread, I'd suggest feeding stale bread as opposed to fresh. Because bread contains a large amount of gluten, it forms a sticky ball when wet and can also cause them to choke.

I'd suggest buying some horse feed, and give them small amounts :)

good point about the bread. I would never give mine anything they wouldn't eat normally...so I would only offer them some feed/haylage. But be careful because people get funny over folk feeding their horses.

dont give them too many apples, just one or two & some carrotts will go down well,pack of polos maybe.

if you by your dog food from a feed centre have a look for some basic pony nuts (not nuts but a pellett),you could maybe buy a bag & take a couple of handfulls down or a pocket full.

cool and cooked red mills horse food ..they find it irrisistable,,

Come on Cloe get down there and get adopting

Do NOT tempt me!! I've got 5 at the moment!

You shouldn't have an odd number Chloe ;) :D

I wouold imagine that they are being fattened to make a better weight. As for being bullied...it might look like that in an anthropomorphic way, but horses have very strict herd order & clearly the little one is higher up.....thats not bullting its life.
I dont think you should feed them without permission. you have no ideas what digestive problems either may have or be prone to. You could well do more harm than good by interfering.

I too would be very careful as my horse has gastric ulcers and certain manufacturers horse foods are a real No go area :( and you really could do more harm than good by buying a bag of horse food.)

I would go with the note on the gate and the hay option that way you can split the hay into 2 piles so the larger horse gets a go.  As Sam said though horses are herd animals and their will be a pecking order - in this case the smaller horse is top dog which is quite often the case.

Hi Lisa

What effects do the gastric ulcers have on your boy? Josh is a cribber/windsucker and we think it originates from gastric ulcers and is now a fully ingrained habit :(

Gastric Ulcers have symptons very similer to colic, he also had very loos dropping almost like cow pats and equally as smelly.  When his droppings were tested they contained blood which again is another sign, however if they are managed then you really should not have many problems.  As with Humans the most important thing is to cut anything out of the diet that can irritate them so he no longer has sugar beet or any foods containing cereals as these can cause major irritation.  He also has a daily probiotic supplement (horsey equiv of Yakult) which is specifically designed for gastric problems.  Cribbing and Windsucking has now been linked to horses with ulcers although it could just be he has a sensitive tum! As with all horses its important that they can forage continually as going for long periods without food upsets the gastric juices which in turn aggrevates the ulcers.

Josh should be ok though as he lives out but my boy is stabled at night so his hay is drip fed in small holed haynets.  It drives him mad however it ensures his hay is not gone in a few hours and lasts him throughout the night