An award winning horse in Dalgety Bay was nearly killed with kindness after being overfed by passers-by.
Highland pony Kestrel of Glencree recently became seriously ill with colic, a build-up of gas which can be fatal for horses, after visitors to his paddock showered him with treats.
Thankfully the 16-year-old stallion recovered after being given medication.
His owner Tracey Cooper, 38, is asking people to be very careful when feeding horses.
She said: “I had to get the vet out. He had been fed so much of I don’t know what, he had colic in the field.
“He was flat out in the field. It took four of us to get him back onto his feet.
“He almost died.”
Ms Cooper said when she found Kestrel, he was lying on a bed of carrots and apples.
However, she said carrots and apples were unlikely to have made him so ill.
“I can’t pinpoint what was eaten,” she said.
“The carrots and apples that people bring are not overly bad.
“But lots of people take a whole loaf of bread down and feed him like you would feed the ducks.
“Horses’ stomachs can’t cope with processed food because they can’t break it down.”
In his heyday, Kestrel was overall champion in the Highland Pony Breed Show. He has also been placed at the Royal Highland Show and has around 20 offspring.
Ms Cooper advised people visiting Kestrel to either just pat his nose or give him half a carrot or a small piece of apple, such as an apple core.
And she said small children should not put their hands near his mouth because they could get bitten.
“He’s not a horrible horse but if he thinks he’s going to get food he might nip your hand to find out if there’s food in it.”
In previous years Kestrel has been fed all sorts, including ham sandwiches.
A vet once discovered tin foil in the pony’s stomach.
“Someone had fed him sandwiches which were still wrapped in tinfoil,” said Ms Cooper.
