Cats and sand arena, any ideas?

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wishfulthinking

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Ok so this is a bit of an odd problem but is there any way to prevent the yard cats using the school as one big litter box? I got two spayed female cats from the rescue about 18 months ago and could just about manage with them but another stray cat and her three kitchen have arrived in the last few months which means that the arena is like one big litter box.

As I go to great pains to keep it horse manure free due to it not being good for the sand and fibres long term, I don't imagine all the cat deposits are helping the surface. Is there any way to keep them away from the area. I can't find anyone who would like to take on any of the strays and the rescues don't want them. I'm happy to feed them and have them stay but only if I can sort out this arena problem.

Grasping at straws I imagine but just thought it was worth asking!
 
wow, three kitchens, that is a buggar! lol
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and maybe plant a whole forest of catnip plants next door? lol. Sorry, im of no help and in a very silly mood
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Right.

Get one super soaker or other such water pistol type weapon

Position yourself close to the arena

and wait.

Have patience my friend.
No cat will want to take a wee whilst being sprayed with water....
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I have Cushion Ride (previously sand) but my 2 cats still use it as a litter tray! Never been a problem really. They will also use the old mare's stable (Bliss bedding) if they get a chance!

Their poohs aren't anywhere near the size of the old girls!
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Have all the cats put down - tis the only answer..........!!!!!

I have a problem with rabbits digging holes in my school. Every time before I ride I have to check there aren't ligament rupturing holes hiding anywhere.......

But seriously - do catch the stray and neuter her won't you..?
 
Live with it, just don't fall in it!
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My flaming cats (8 at last count) insist on using the stalls as their own personal bathrooms when they are in the barn, when they are caught short or are in the hay shed they use the clean shavings pile.
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Drives me mad, but nothing I can do about it.
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Lion poo pellets supposedly deter cats but I don't know what effect they might have on horses!
 
There's a garden device you can buy here in Sweden, attach a hose and the device will react on any movement and let the water spray. When you want to ride, you just turn it off. It has been sold in gardening magazines and such.
 
Thanks for the replies!

I was wondering if some sort of deterrant may work, will investigate a little further. I don't really want to have the strays put down but there is just too much activity in the arena. They are wonderfully friendly now and have improved in condition so look well and also are great hunters.

We do have piles of fresh top soil but they don't seem interested unfortunately. They do use the stables sometimes and even the muck heap but not enough!
 
lemon sent is ment to work also contact a zoo and get tiger lion poo that is ment to work also, just put a little round the edge of the school
 
Do you have a fence around the arena? Can you put rabbit wire around the outside? That's what we've done with ours to stop the buggers tunneling around and eating the membrane
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You can get cat deterrent spray but the thing that really terrifies our two is rustling strips of aluminium foil, they really hate the noise it makes and won't go anywhere near them.
 
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