Unwanted Feeding and Other Interactions Between Passers-By and Horses: Owners’ Views During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Interference events, such as unwanted feeding of horses by passers-by and removal of equipment, can compromise equine health and pose a risk to human safety (e.g., from equine bites). With altered exercising behavior during COVID-19 restrictions, came reports of increases of such events. Our study’s main purpose was to estimate the extent of these and, as a secondary aim, gauge whether their frequency changed during COVID-19 lockdowns. We used two surveys: one aimed at UK horse owners (n=1017) and the other open to owners worldwide (n=2747). Unwanted feeding was a common event affecting 77% of UK-based owners, representing a real source of welfare concern: 28% of horses fed suffered aftereffects and 16% of these later died. Globally, interference events, including feeding, are similarly common – 80% of owners reported events ranging from stroking through to more serious situations, e.g., dog attacks. Perceptions of how COVID-19 affected interference events were mixed. Going forwards, we suggest that improved public education and, ultimately, behavior change towards animals belonging to others is required. Owners have some responsibility in achieving this, e.g., with improved physical barriers like hedgerows between public spaces and their horses (whilst ensuring rights of way remain unobstructed).