Mammals

Horses

Horses are brought on the Marsh and can be seen all year round. Foals are wonderful to see during summer, but please remember the horses are semi-wild and must not be petted.

Ponies eat a variety of plants and shrubs, and will even choose holly or gorse – particularly when other plants are unavailable; when the marsh is covered in snow, or flooded. They have particularly strong lips and mouths to withstand the sharp prickles!

Visitors must not attempt to pet the horses, for their own safety. Feeding is not permitted, their numbers are managed to ensure appropriate grazing, and human food can kill horses and create behavioural issues.

There are many trees in North Scrubs that have been nibbled by the ponies. This is known as ‘cribbing’ and several reasons have been put forward as to why they do it. A lack of vitamins or minerals is one, when bark will actually be eaten. Boredom of eating the same foods is another – although with the variety of plants on the marsh, it is difficult to believe either could be the case here?