A man whose horse died after it was fed by well meaning passers by has urged them to think twice before feeding other horses.

Artist Simon North kept the 18-year-old horse, Kamal, in a field in West Malling near St Leonard’s Tower, for more than 10 years, close to a public footpath.

The Arabian stallion, an endurance horse, was found dead in his stable.

A vet confirmed, after his death, that the animal had been fed dog biscuits and Jaffa cakes. He had been on a special diet prescribed a vet.

Mr North said a few days before Kamal’s death, he had met a man walking his dog along the footpath, who told him that he fed the animal dog biscuits.

He said: “I was shocked, and explained the very real danger that it could kill him. Sadly this has now come true. I feel very strongly about this as it may save other horses’ lives in the future. Kamal was a gentle and loving horse who always greeted people with his warm personality over the fence.

“Sadly this was his demise, as people were feeding him dog biscuits and all sorts of things like Jaffa cakes. Even an apple could cause collic. Who is to know how many people have fed the horse in one day? Each not realising that someone else has been feeding the same thing.”

Kamal was bred in the US by Arab horse breeder Dr Alex Tubei, and could gallop for more than 60 miles on endurance races.

Mr North added: “I rode Kamal over the downs and along all the most beautiful parts of Kent. I will miss him so much it is hard to imagine.”

The animal was also an inspiration for many of Mr North’s paintings.