Rock Ledge Ranch: Stop feeding our horses, ‘you’re killing them’

The Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site has lost two horses to colic and another mustang is now colic because visitors keep feeding the horses apples.

The living museum, which is nestled next to Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, posted a message on Facebook Thursday pleading with visitors to not feed any of the animals. The message provides details before finishing with an all-caps warning of “PLEASE STOP. YOU ARE KILLING THEM.”

They say that despite the signage warning guests to not feed the animals, they’ve found evidence of visitors using apples to feed the horses, which is leading to the colic problem. Colic is a stomach condition that kills horses more than any other condition. One person wrote a comment on the Facebook post saying she has seen similar problems at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

Rock Ledge Ranch said a veterinarian left the site Thursday after diagnosing Kava with colic.

The ranch says the horses’ diets are prescribed by a vet, and any changes can cause gastrointestinal problems.

Museum representatives asked that if you see someone feeding the horses to ask them to stop or call 719-578-6777 or 719-578-6986.