RESIDENTS and visitors to the New Forest have again been urged not to leave apples out for ponies.

The issue was raised at the monthly Court of Verderers by the Official Verderer, Lord Manners, who said ponies could die as a result of gorging on the fruit.

He said: “At this time of year there is often a glut of apples. I would like to draw people’s attention to the particular dangers associated with dumping apples on the Forest.

“Apples in quantity, such as a bag of windfalls, can cause colic in horses. A whole apple can cause choking.”

New Forest resident Anji Hill said: “I found a lot of apples - about half a sackful - tipped out at Dur Hill (between Thorney Hill and Burley) when I was calling my cows home last week.

Ms Hill added: “I picked up all the apples and took them home out of harm’s way.”

Some drivers feed ponies which attracts them to roads.