O ur roaming ponies are part of the charm of the village and a much- loved sight for visitors. They may look friendly, calm, and eager for a treat, but hand feeding or offering food to roaming horses is strongly discouraged - not because they are unfriendly, but because it can put both people and horses at risk. While food is sometimes used as a training tool by experienced handlers, this is done in controlled environments with clear boundaries. On the street, however, feeding quickly becomes unsafe. Horses are large, powerful animals, and when they learn to associate people, pockets, or cars with food,
they can become pushy, demanding, or unpredictable. A moment of excitement over a treat can easily result in an accidental nip, knock, or kick - especially dangerous for children. There is also a serious safety risk to the horses themselves. Roaming ponies that expect food may approach vehicles, block roads, or crowd pedestrians, increasing the chance of traffic accidents or injury. Feeding disrupts their natural grazing patterns and can lead to aggression between herd members, particularly when food is scarce or unevenly distributed. Diet is another concern. Many foods offered by well-meaning visitors - bread, fruit, sweets, or high-sugar treats - are
unsuitable for horses. These can cause colic, laminitis, digestive upset, and long-term metabolic problems. Some ponies may already be managing health conditions that are not visible to the eye. The kindest thing you can do is admire them from a distance, allow them to graze peacefully, and never offer food by hand or leave food on the ground. Your restraint helps keep our ponies calm, safe, and healthy - and ensures that everyone can continue to enjoy seeing them roam freely for years to come. If you see a pony that appears unwell, injured, or distressed, please notify EARS:
Penny: 082 660 6714 or Michelle: 082 509 6870
Please look, enjoy, and photograph — but don’t feed.
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THE GREYTON POST
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026
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