A local horse owner has pleaded with residents of Penarth and Dinas to stop feeding the horses who live in the fields along the Ash Path due to the risk of poisoning and, in some cases, the death of the animals.

Tayla Goodman reached out to residents on Facebook after she found large carrots dumped in the field of the horses she cares for.

She explained: ''Can people please stop feeding horses along the Ash Path. These horses are on strict diets, (some wearing muzzles to control their sugar intake), and multiple times people have been caught feeding and climbing over the fence.

''Food is also being dumped into the field. Large carrots were left today [Thursday 30th of April] that are not only very unhealthy but a serious choking hazard.

''Grass cuttings will also kill a horse as they gorge themselves on it and then it ferments, rupturing their guts. It is a horrible, painful death. Please stop dumping food and grass in the field.''

''They are all privately owned and looked after, there is absolutely no need to be feeding someone's animals and climbing into the field.

''This is for your and their safety. We have tried putting signs up, but they have been torn down and then thrown into the field.

''It is only a matter of time before they get killed by this, or a person/child gets kicked when in the field.

''Please stay out and stay away. We handle these horses daily and with Covid around, you are putting a lot of people at risk.

Tayla spoke to Nub News about the issue and explained that whilst she knew it was common behaviour for people to feed horses, she hoped she could help people understand why they shouldn't do it.

She said: ''I remember as a young child, feeding horses with tufts of grass I'd pulled from a verge and it was such an accepted thing then.

''I'd just like to change the 'norm', I'm sure the majority is from well-meaning people but with the rise in the number of cases of laminitis and other equine health problems, people really do need to stop and think about it.

''If the roles were reversed, would they like us to treat their dogs or children who are on a specialised diet or may have allergies.''

Ms Goodman is the owner of a small equine supplies shop in Barry stocking feed, bedding and accessories for the local equestrian community.

She made the decision to close her shop during the coronavirus but has continued supplying residents through a delivery service. You can view their Facebook page here.

Scotland's Animal Welfare Charity (Scottish SPCA) has detailed information about the issues associated with feeding horses in their 'Hold Your Horses - please don't feed any horses' campaign.