The Assateague Island Alliance is hoping its latest project will discourage tourists from feeding and potentially harming the wild ponies roaming the Assateague National Seashore.

The group initiated the campaign after a wild mare died as the result of a ruptured intestine after ingesting a large quantity of dog food from a tourist campground this summer. 

Alliance representative Ashlie Kozlowski said the campaign, “A Fed Horse is a Dead Horse,” is intended to educate visitors about keeping the foods they bring to the island either locked in locked cars or secured in sealed coolers, and to discourage them from offering treats to horses.

“People want to have a personal experience with a horse and we understand that, but even foods that people would consider treats for domestic horses such as apples or carrots can be harmful to them,” Kozlowski said