A CHARITY concerned with the welfare of ponies on Dartmoor is asking residents and visitors not to leave vegetable peelings or garden cuttings on the moorland as it could be detrimental to the ponies’ health, even resulting in death.

Officers at South West Equine Protection (SWEP) have said that it has reached the time of year when people are out cleaning up their gardens, cutting grass and tidying up their hedges, but they would like to get the message out about disposing of garden waste and the feeding of moorland ponies before the ponies’ health is affected.

A spokesperson for SWEP said: ‘Due to equines having a complex digestive system, they are unable to vomit to reduce the toxic waste in their stomach. Equines have a one-way valve from the oesophagus down into the stomach which does not allow anything to pass back through the mouth.

‘When a pony eats toxic waste such as garden waste, the pony’s stomach will start to bloat and the pony is unable to release the pressure so the stomach ruptures and inevitably the horse will die.’

A pony which has digested toxic plant waste can show many symptoms. These may include colic-like symptoms, loss of muscle control, disorientation, dilated pupils and will eventually become fatal.

Toxic plant waste can include things such as garden produce, tomato and potato leaves, grass cuttings, laurel and rhododendron bushes and more.

The spokesperson said: ‘The best thing is to not dump anything at all on the moorland and instead stick it in garden waste bags and dispose of it in the correct manner. Ponies grazing on Dartmoor are all owned ponies, therefore the owners of the ponies should be acting responsibly to feed the ponies to ensure their condition is meeting welfare standards.

‘Fly tipping is an offence — please do not discard any waste on the moor as it is a hazard to all the stock. Should you get caught this could land you with a heavy fine and conviction. If you see anyone carrying out this act please contact the police on 101 with as much information as possible.’

If you would like to receive any further information about poisonous plants and equine welfare, or have any concerns about a pony on the moor, contact SWEP via the anonymous facility on the website www.swep.org.uk, call 07717 311251 or email [email protected]