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Reality star Gemma Collins slammed for sharing New Forest Pony hugging pictures




TV personality and former I’m a Celebrity Get me Out of Here contestant Gemma Collins has been slammed after sharing pictures of herself hugging and stroking New Forest ponies with two million Instagram followers.

The reality star, who is understood to have celebrated her birthday this weekend with a stay at Lyndhurst’s luxury Lime Wood Hotel, shared pictures of herself out in the New Forest on Monday.

However, many Instagram followers were quick to point out after seeing the photos that the feeding and petting of New Forest ponies and donkeys is prohibited by local bylaws.

Gemma Collins posted the photo on her Instagram page which has over 2m followers
Gemma Collins posted the photo on her Instagram page which has over 2m followers

Writing on the now deleted Instagram post, one follower said: “As someone whose family and friends own these ponies in the New Forest there are hundreds of signs telling people to stop feeding and touching them, they are wild and unpredictable.

“You can get a £1,000 fine and it encourages bad behaviour meaning they get taken off the Forest and even worse, hit by cars. Maybe do your research beforehand.”

Describing Ms Collins’ post as “shocking”, Andrew Parry-Norton, the chair of the Commoners’ Defence Association, said the rules on the petting of wild horses were well publicised.

He continued: “I’d like to see her prosecuted. We got the name, we’ve got the photo evidence so I’m hoping New Forest District Council will pursue this and make an example of her.”

Gemma Collins posted the photo on her Instagram page which has over 2m followers
Gemma Collins posted the photo on her Instagram page which has over 2m followers

He continued: “It is appalling that someone with such a huge following is behaving in this way. Ultimately the ponies are wild animals and their behaviour can change suddenly at any minute.

“She is not only putting herself at risk but also putting the ponies at risk because when they become humanised their behaviour can change – they can become a nuisance to the public and at that point the commoners have to remove them from the Forest, which could then lead to them being destroyed.”

Mr Parry-Norton continued: “I know people love seeing the ponies, especially as we head into the season where young foals are on the Forest, but I would urge everyone to admire them from a distance.”

Under local bylaws and the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), the petting or touching of any New Forest pony, horse, mule or donkey is banned, along with feeding or depositing food.

Anyone carrying out these activities is liable for a fixed penalty fine of £100, rising to £1,000 following a successful prosecution.

The order was introduced in 2023 following instances of injuries to the public and animals dying after being fed human food.

Mr Parry-Norton added: “It astounds me that with all the signage and messages we put out, people are still behaving in this way.”

Celebrity and reality star Gemma Collins (44) shot to fame after appearing on the reality series The Only Way Is Essex from 2011 to 2019. She has since appeared on a number of reality shows including I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, Celebrity Big Brother and Celebs go Dating.



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