A horse owner east of Steinbach is asking people to stop feeding her horses, saying it can be dangerous for the animals and for people. Rachelle Ross Funk says her property runs alongside a busy highway, and her horses often stand by the fence where they are visible and easy to reach. She notes many passersby can’t resist stopping. “People see horses and they're magical and all of the things that go along with that,” Funk says. “Nobody can help but want to touch a horse. And it's easy, and they're easily accessible exactly where they are.” However, she says that well-intentioned gestures can come with serious risks. Funk has caught people on her cameras feeding her horses carrots, apples, and even weeds and grass from the ditch. While some may think those are harmless snacks, Funk warns they can be toxic. “A lot of people don't realize that there's a lot of weeds and grasses in the ditch that can actually be very harmful to a horse,” she says. Funk explains that offering unknown food can harm their health and that approaching them at the fence can also put people in danger. She points out that horses are large, powerful animals with a strong bite. “A dog or pit bull has a biting capacity of about 250 to 300 pounds per square inch, and a horse averages 500 PSI,” she says. “A horse’s bite can do a lot of damage, even if it's just assuming you're going to give it a treat.” She adds that not all horses like having their space invaded and can react unpredictably if startled or crowded. Funk encourages anyone who wants to see her horses up close to simply ask first. She says she appreciates when people come to her door to request permission. “I love it when those people come because it gives me an opportunity to educate people,” she says. “It gives my horses an opportunity to see somebody other than me … and I know that when I can share that information, they will share it too.” She hopes her message will encourage more awareness and respect for horses. “They’re big animals, they are huge animals, they are heavy animals and they can hurt,” Funk says. “I think people just need to have a bit of respect for what they don't know and the possible danger that could exist even if it's innocent.” Funk says she understands the appeal of horses and why people are drawn to them but asks that they admire them from a distance unless invited to come closer. -With files from Carly Koop.