BIG ARM – A young girl visiting Wild Horse Island learned a good lesson about wild horses when she tried to hand feed one of them Aug. 17.

It kicked her in the back, according to Fish and Wildlife and Parks Warden Brian Schwartz.

After the accident occurred bystanders carried the girl to the shore where she was met by a Lake County Sheriff’s Office rescue boat and was taken to an awaiting ambulance in Big Arm.

Though ALERT emergency air was called to the scene, it was not needed. Instead the girl was transported to St. Joseph Medical Center in Polson where she was treated and released.

The girl sustained a bruise to her back and abrasions on her face said FWP Investigator Brian Sommers.

Though Wild Horse Island is open for public visitors, Schwartz said the Montana State Park is full of wild animals and that people should never touch them.

“Feeding animals is prohibited in the park,” Schwartz said. “If the horses approach you waive your arms, yell at the horses and make every attempt to avoid the horses and any physical contact.”

Schwartz asks anyone who sees visitors interacting with horses to notify them at 1-800-TIP-MONT.