DO NOT touch the ponies. This is a stark warning issued this week following the outbreak of a highly contagious horse disease on Dartmoor.

The Dartmoor Livestock Protection Society and the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust issued a joint statement urging moorland visitors to enjoy pony herds from a distance after several reported cases of animals with the infectious disease Strangles.

Strangles is a highly contagious bacterial infection of the respiratory system. It is usually spread through direct contact with affected equines or even indirectly on items such as clothing, gloves or cars.

The disease is hard to manage and eradicate because infected horses and ponies become carriers of the disease.

Although some ponies may appear healthy and not show any visible symptoms, they can be intermittently infective to other ponies.

Livestock protection officer Karla McKechnie said: ‘We are aware that a number of ponies on Dartmoor currently have Strangles. Infected animals are being monitored by their owners and by myself. 

‘In order to help contain the spread of the disease we are urging all visitors to the moor not to go near or touch the ponies. Strangles is highly infectious and transmitted via contact and we need everyone to work with us in helping to prevent its spread.

‘At the same time, we are also urging the public not to be tempted to feed the ponies or interact with them. 

‘There have been a number of reported cases countrywide of horses and ponies choking to death when they’ve been fed unsuitable food. Feeding of ponies has been directly linked to an increase in pony-related road accidents by encouraging them to the roadside in the expectation of being fed. Our message is to admire the ponies from a distance.’

With visitor numbers likely to increase dramatically when lockdown measures are eased, both charities hope that people will adhere to their plea.