"These animals are like children to us," Stephanie Kirk said. - Credit: Stephanie Kirk Walkers are being urged not to feed horses while on country rambles after several were left with serious illnesses - and their owners with huge vet's bills. With more people going on walks through the countryside during the various lockdowns, there has been a rise in people stopping to feed livestock. That has prompted local horse owners to urge the public not to feed the animals after several animals fell ill. Great Yarmouth-based horse owner, Stephanie Kirk, described the past year as "absolutely awful" for the horses.