Walkers warned after horses die at Rhossili beauty spot

The horses are used to the cliffs and know where to stand, said farmer Robert Morgan

Walkers and dog owners have been warned to respect nature, after two horses died at a beauty spot within a week.

One fell off a cliff and another lost her unborn foal after eating dog poo, according to farmer Robert Morgan.

Horses have grazed the cliffs of Rhossili, Swansea, for generations, but Mr Morgan said it has become "a clash between humans and nature".

In September, people taking selfies caused a new-born foal to fall to its death.

Fifth generation farmer Mr Morgan, who helps look after the horses for fellow farmer Nicky Beynon, said visitors are very welcome, but seeing horses die needlessly was "heart-breaking".

"It's their home. It's the minority who spoil it, but it seems to be getting worse," he said.

"Everyone appreciates the horse and loves them, takes pictures and enjoys their company.

"But some people don't care about the land, they don't care for the sea, they don't care for the animals. They just want that picture, turn up and go.

"The dogs are the major problem now to be honest. Some dogs were bought in lockdown and they're not disciplined or taught to be around animals."

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On Facebook, Mr Morgan posted that the horse that lost her foal 10 weeks before birth "likely ate the dog faeces being left in bags".

He added this was known to cause horses to miscarry.

"We had a perfectly formed foal, which should be skipping around Rhossili cliffs in April," he said.

"Now it's dead and its mother hasn't got a baby to look after."

A minority of careless visitors have caused "a clash between humans and nature", said farmer Robert Morgan

It was a "travesty" that another horse had fallen from the cliff, only months after a similar incident, said Mr Morgan.

"My Saturday night a week ago consisted of looking for the aborted foal. Then the end of last week, the horse was found on the beach," he said.

"As much as you see a farmer as a tough man, they have got a heart, they care. Nicky would have been at the birth of that horse, he would know the kindness of that horse, what a good mother it is.

"To see it dead on Rhossili beach, it's a travesty. It's a clash between humans and nature."

Although he said he understood people's excitement when they see the animals, he asked them to take better care to avoid further tragedies.

"These horses know the area better than us. They know where to stand when a certain weather's coming. They're not stupid, they love the place. But people don't respect it.

"They don't understand you've got to stand a certain distance away, judge what the animal's going to do.

"And if you're a dog owner, when you get to the gate, put the dog on a lead, be responsible and clear up its mess. It's simple."

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