Eclipse of the sun Friday morning

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oldie48

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Hi, I guess most people are aware of this but there is an eclipse of the sun on Friday, peak is at 09.30 with increasing darkness an hour either side. Those of you to the North and West of the country will, I understand, have the most dramatic eclipse depending on cloud cover. Some horses might find it a bit scary and if you are hacking, visability will be compromised.
 
I didn't know there was going to be an eclipse when I booked it but I'm supposed to be loading my horse about 8.30am to take him to the vets for a scan at 9.30am to see how well his legs are healing after his op a few months ago and although he is a fab loader and traveller it's making me a bit anxious. :( All feels a bit ominous as well and I hope people are looking where they are going when driving. Also it would be nice just to experience the eclipse without worrying about getting horse to vets.
 
Out of interest...would it damge the horse's eyes if they look at it? Presumably some horses will look at it, even if just as a standard glance up from grazing with no awareness of the eclipse. I mean, I'm guessing it would, so is there anything than can be done to protect their eyes? Fly mask maybe?
 
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I was at a horse show during the eclipse about 18 years ago. None of the horses noticed a thing. It was a bright sunny day and it was meant to be quite a big eclipse but I would compare it to a big cloud coming over. It didn't get dark just dull and it didn't happen quickly either it's very slow. Took a few hours from start to finish but don't worry horses won't bother an inch with it.
 
Sussexbythesea said:
I didn't know there was going to be an eclipse when I booked it but I'm supposed to be loading my horse about 8.30am to take him to the vets for a scan at 9.30am to see how well his legs are healing after his op a few months ago and although he is a fab loader and traveller it's making me a bit anxious. :( All feels a bit ominous as well and I hope people are looking where they are going when driving. Also it would be nice just to experience the eclipse without worrying about getting horse to vets.
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I'm assuming you're in Sussex? It's only a partial one down south so there'll be very little difference for you I'd have thought. You'll be fine loading him. Hope the vet appointment goes well.
 
LittleRoodolphRider said:
Out of interest...would it damge the horse's eyes if they look at it? Presumably some horses will look at it, even if just as a standard glance up from grazing with no awareness of the eclipse. I mean, I'm guessing it would, so is there anything than can be done to protect their eyes? Fly mask maybe?
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It is the same as looking directly at the sun. Horses don't look at the sun normally, so there is no reason to think tthat they would be tempted to look at the sun during the partial eclipse. I hope that reassures you.
 
From the horse's point of view, it's not much different to the sun going behind a thick cloud. I doubt many of them would even notice it.
 
I didn't know so thanks for the heads up.

Last time there was an eclipse of the sun I was under general anaesthetic and my mum was in the hospital car park with a group of doctors looking at it through x-Ray film!
 
When the last eclipse happened I was in southern Spain. When it happened the temperature dropped significantly as the sun's rays were blocked out. It went quite cold on the beach. :)
 
Don't want to be a kill joy but forecast says cloud all day to all areas except a few breaks in the South south East . At least no one will be damaging their eyes!
 
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