PONIES are at risk from people who dump grass cuttings and hedge clippings in the New Forest.

The warning comes after a mare belonging to commoner Steve Kitcher was found suffering from colic at Mill Lawn, Burley.

Mr Kitcher, who runs the New Forest Equestrian Directory and is the husband of pony artist Claire Kitcher, said the pony and another belonging to him had to be taken off the forest on Tuesday.

He said the ponies had been given worming treatment on Monday.

When they went to check them the following day, one had developed colic.

They then found the grass cuttings.

Some were old and rotting and there was fresh on top.

"They had been trailered in there," he said.

"A lot of people actually think they are doing good and feeding the ponies without knowing the harm they are doing.

"The mare, a three-year-old, is now recovering nicely."

Sue Westwood, clerk to the Verderers, said: "Grass cuttings ferment when left in a heap and when eaten by ponies cause acute colic.

"In severe cases the stomach becomes so distended by gas that it ruptures and the animal dies in unimaginable agony."

She continued: "The grass had clearly come from someone's garden and the Agister will be speaking to the occupiers of nearby properties."

With autumn approaching, she warned: "Too many apples can also cause colic and windfalls should not be put out for Forest animals.

"A number of shrubs including rhododendron, privet, laurel and of course yew are poisonous, and in the case of the latter, lethal, to the Forest animals.

"Apart from the hazard to the Forest's animals, dumping garden waste or any other rubbish is in effect fly-tipping and is illegal.