GARDEN waste dumped on Bodmin Moor is believed to have caused the deaths of three ponies. Now South West Equine Protection is calling for people not to discard waste on the moor as it can be highly toxic to ponies. SWEP were called out over the weekend of April 26 and 27 by the Police, the deaths of the to three ponies. Due to equines having a complex digestive system, they are unable to vomit to reduce the toxic waste in their stomach. They have a one-way valve from the oesophagus into the stomach which does not allow anything to pass back through to the mouth. When a pony eats toxic waste such as garden waste, its stomach will start to bloat and the animal is unable to release the pressure so the stomach ruptures and it will die. A pony which has digested toxic plant waste can show many symptoms. These may include colic-like symptoms, loss of muscle control, disorientation, dilated pupils and eventually become a fatality. For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the Post.