a little rant because I'm worried for my horses!

[OzzyBuffy]

I haven't been at my yard very long, its right on the river, lovely place very quiet but basic..

The day after I moved in I found 5 dead blackbirds just sitting in my water trough but noone elses, and they all looked strangely peaceful, like they had been shot or something rather than poisioned etc.

I told yard owner and thought oh well, kids being kids maybe. It worried me for a while then I stopped worrying as it hadn't appered too have happened again.

Today I get a text message, too say that something strange is going on at yard, horse had its mane pulled, when owner never requested it, and noone knows who done it, and 2 horses have round patches that look like burns, legs have swollen but horses not lame? I mentioned too her about blackbirds and turns out she has been finding them in my trough again, but forgot to tell me! I'm worried because I have a rescue mare who's very vulnerable at the moment and there are no other fields free... Livery is quite difficult too come by round here and don't know what to do!!

 

[Tinypony]

I can give a possible explanation for the blackbirds. If the water level is a bit below the surface of your trough and the conditions are dry, I think they may have fallen in taking a drink and been unable to get out. I had this happen regularly in one particular field, and no other. Mostly magpies and once a squirrel. I don't know if it was something about the position of that particular trough, but I solved the problem by putting a big old metal tea tray on the ground beside the trough and keeping that topped up with water. I guess the birds would have chosen to go there as an easier drinking and bathing place? Anyway, no more sad drownings.
The other horses' legs - go and look at them yourself tomorrow. It's strange how a sort of mass hysteria can spread on a yard, triggered by something unusual. Something like a few blackbird drownings maybe.

p.s. When I've been in Australia working with horses we were instructed to always keep the troughs topped up so that the birds didn't have to lean in too far when they had a drink. If the water got too low then budgies and all sorts would be found that had toppled in.

:-(

 

[Echo Bravo]

AS Above say check first.

 

[Cedars]

No electricity running under the field is there?

 

[OzzyBuffy]

Thanks for replys. Troughs always filled right up to the very max but I guess as they are not self filling there is a point where they go down, and I thought it strange how always in my trough but never in anyone elses? I just found another one in there and this one looked like it had been attacked.

And yes possibly electric as our electric fencing is mains operated and gives one hell of a belt, but not sure how its setup, ill try and get a look but I think the womens who's horses were affected with burns has left but not entirly sure, thanks for replies, so worried about my horses being at risk of something nasty!

 

[ladyt25]

Does sound very bizarre and I would be concerned re electricity being that birds are dead in the water. We have a trough in our field and in over 20 years I have never found a dead bird in it! Have found a dead rabbit (not sure how that got in - an over-exuberant leap I guess!). I would maybe experiment and switch the electric off if you can and see whether any more dead birds turn up. Dead birdsin water and strange burn marks would point towards some sort of electrical fault.

 

[OzzyBuffy]

Yeah I shall definately be asking about electric but horses mane was pulled and only a couple of people at this yard and they have been here years and know each other well, so somethings definately not right there, there has been a suggestion the burns are cigarette burns, I won't know till I get there tomorrow. Both my horses appear fine

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

It's definitely witchcraft. Ask around if bits of any of the horses' manes have been plaited, that's always a good 'un too. Also, check for frogs without their legs and newts without their eyes. (Was it frogs or toads???) Someone's having a giraffe hun.

 

[jeeve]

We often have dead things in water troughs at certain times of year, birds, rats, possums.. they do fall in and cannot get out, leaving something for them to climb out with is a good idea

 

[Enfys]

I can give a possible explanation for the blackbirds. If the water level is a bit below the surface of your trough and the conditions are dry, I think they may have fallen in taking a drink and been unable to get out. I had this happen regularly in one particular field, and no other. Mostly magpies and once a squirrel. I don't know if it was something about the position of that particular trough, but I solved the problem by putting a big old metal tea tray on the ground beside the trough and keeping that topped up with water. I guess the birds would have chosen to go there as an easier drinking and bathing place? :-(

The simplest solution to avoid accidental drownings is to put a small plank of wood in the trough, it doesn't impede the horses but birds use it, and squirrels etc can climb aboard and escape. Horrid way to go - drowning.

I hope this is the case and nothing malicious.

 

[Miss L Toe]

Wood planks are fine for cattle grids but you need something that won't float for water troughs.

 

[MaisieMooandCometToo]

The simplest solution to avoid accidental drownings is to put a small plank of wood in the trough, it doesn't impede the horses but birds use it, and squirrels etc can climb aboard and escape.

Wood planks are fine for cattle grids but you need something that won't float for water troughs.

I think the whole point of the wood plank is so that it does float? Not much use to the birds otherwise!

 

[Tinypony]

Yes, the wood plank would have to float, so that the birds didn't have to lean too far and risk topping in. Mind you, would it have to be the right size and weight? I've got visions of birds landing and it wobbling them into the water...
As I said, I only ever had this problem with one trough, so I suspect that the location made it attractive as a source of water. I really wouldn't worry about the blackbirds in the trough, sad though it is, until you've tried some ways to prevent them falling in. Do you think the water may have been poisoned? In which case surely there's a way to get that checked, ring your vet and ask.
You say there is damage to the trough, what sort of damage?
I would check details personally before going into panic mode.