Bee hives in next field - a problem?

[Foxy girl]

Just found out that some hives have been put in the field next to my winter grazing. I moved my horses over this morning and have put them in a sectioned off but away from the fence line between the two fields but wondered if anyone had any experience of keeping horses and bees in the same area?

Thanks...

 

[Capriole]

not something id be happy with, I seem to remember a couple of threads on here talking about horse fatalities

 

[Fairynuff]

my ponies always shared a field with my fathers hives and I never had a problem. The hives were fenced off so that the ponies coudn't knock them over but the ponies minded their own business and the bees got on with doing what bees do. I believe that its very rare for bees to attack. I would have no problem mixing hives and horses if the hives were unreachable for a bum scratch.

 

[Fairynuff]

Foxy, its highly unlikely that the bees will be flying in the winter. No pollen=no flying. its probable that the beekeeper will feed his bees over the winter with a sugar solution so there will be very little activity from the bees till next spring when the flowers start to bloom.

 

[lyndy]

We have bee hives in the field next door to us, they have never caused a problem with my horses.

 

[Sugarplum Furry]

I've got 4 beehives in the paddock next to my horses, no problems at all. As Fairynuff says the bees will all be hibernating soon anyway.

 

[indie999]

As long as your horse cant get to them then no problem at all. Just think of the amount of wasp nests dotted around in hedgerows etc ground that unless disturbed will cause a problem but wouldnt worry. As said they will be tucked up for winter soon.

Wouldnt worry me at all even in middle of summer either.

 

[5horses2dogsandacat]

I wouldnt be worried really either.. not this time of year, I think if disturbed by the horses then you end up with issues... So im pretty much reiterating what has already been said!! lol

I was out hacking this summer and ended up standing on a wasp nest, unfortunately my horse had an allergic reaction to it ending up with a very swollen face and hives all over the body. Had the vet out who gave him some steroids and pain killers and was fine within 12 hours

xx

 

[viceversa]

My friends yard owner breeds bees and I don't think there has ever been a problem with them bothering the horses

We got a couple of wasps' nests in our field this year, they were sort of in holes in the ground, so I just kept emptying the wheelbarrow down the hole after I had poo picked, seemed to do the trick

 

[scarymare]

Certainly ours have all gone to sleep. Personally I'd be worried sick (but I do have age induced OCD!). Apparently its important that the bees have a spare hive if they are disturbed so that they can swarm to it not out in the open. Might be worth a chat with the keeper to voice your concerns. Honey bees are considerably more aggressive than bumble bees. (Had a nest in the insulation around my water main this year). My cleaners son keeps them and after she got two goats she has been stung 7 times so the bees are no more! The had never been aggressive before the goat smell though.

 

[1Lucie]

Er i certainly wouldnt be happy as i have had a very unpleasant experience with bee hives................................

Last summer i was walking to the stables with my husband along a bridleway which runs alongside a road (no pavement). A farmer had placed some bee hives on the edge of the brideway path. As we got within about 4 metres of it a swarm came out and flew into my hair (i have long thick hair) they all got stuck and stung me all over my scalp, forehead etc. We did absolutly nothing to aggrevate them.

My husband tried to fight them off me but they then chased him and he literally had to run a fair distance to get away from them. We were both covered in stings and literally had to pluck them out of each other. Luckily we did not have allergic reaction!

Have to say it was one of the worst experiences of my life! Therefore, i would not be at all happy!!!!!!

 

[Foxy girl]

Thanks for your replies - I think we should be ok - the hives are a good distance away and there is no risk of the horses rubbing on them or anything like that. By the time summer comes we'll be back on the summer grazing a mile away so hopefully we've timed it right...

Thanks again