Bird scarers

Clodagh

Clodagh

Playing chess with pigeons
Joined
17 August 2005
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Does anyone have a horse absolutely petrified of them?
Friend warmblood, who I hacked out with this morning, just bolts on sight. Its pretty scary and they are everywhere at the moment.
Would it be worth buying one and putting it in her paddock? What if she crashes through the fence though? (Has done before...)
Suggestions please!
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Your idea sounds like a good idea. She needs to spend time too relax around the bird scarers and work out for herself that they don't kill. The reason she is bolting is becasue 'mother nature' if you like is telling her she must move her feet, run now think later... You cannot do anything about horses having this reaction but you can use it in a controled mannor. Would it be possible to lead her up bridle/canvason with a lunge line to the scarers although it would be better if you had one at home where she will be more confident and encolsed. Starting quite far away from the bird scarers, letting her lunge herself when she spokes so she feels she is moving. Horses do not run more then they have too, it would be pointless when there main aim is to eat enough to live. She will begin to come out of panic and settle until she is totaly comfortable there is no danager. I have alway found this very useful inhand/lunging/ or riding. Circling is the best way. Please make sure she has no pain or else the problem with become a hell of alot worse. She will put pain and bird scarers together.
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Good luck.
 
how about using a starting pistol, we had a similar horse a few years ago and a mate of my dads sat in the field one sunny day and every 20 mins or so fired his pistol, the horse rang round on and off for about 4 hrs, dripped in sweat but didnt jump the fence, the next time we went out and the scarer went off the mare didnt do anything, worth a try
 
They're the ones that go off every few mins right? Like a gun shot?
Maybe get one and put in a far away field first. Turn her out with a safe, not scared pony/horse that won't bother with the scarer so she picks up confidence from them and gradually bring it nearer till she is fine with it.
I don't agree with having her inhand, if she bolts there is no way you would hold her and it could be very dangerous.
 
No, the windmill type ones, and we have recycled disco balls around here, too!
Shes fine with bangs, quite steady to guns.
We do wonder if her eyesight in one eye is not too good, she fell in a ditch and had a scratch on the cornea a couple of years ago, and is now spookier on one side.
She is very bargy to lead and won't lunge...
 
Ah right. Well I would still put her in a field with a safe pony and gradually bring it nearer. It could be her eye sight, but hopefully if she gets used to seeing one everyday she may be better when seeing one out hacking.
 
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