Flaming Farmers and their Shooting Parties!

Dry Rot said:
Sorry, but I have no sympathy with the OP whatsoever.

It takes a couple of weeks to train most horses to come for feed at the sound of a shot and it is very easily done.
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To be fair I think OP's main point is that she had no warning or requests to cross her land to get to said shooting area.

It's all very well saying all horses can get used to things etc,but if you are unable to de sensitise easily (no offense but not all of us have gunshotss on demand to train and feed to:rolleyes:)or you have a horse that no matter what you do is inclined to over react then then surely common courtesy and some forewarning would be appropriate and considerate??

You are also assuming that all shooting parties act and behave responsibly,not always the case I assure you.
 
But they aren't cavalry horses or flipping mustangs are they?! I feel sorry for the OP to be honest but I guess that's because I have quite strong feelings about people who go round blasting poor creatures out of the sky or field for fun. Just my opinion of course...

CeeCee that's a really sensible response about a pre-warning. If they have to go shooting then at least if the OP knows she can move the horses or take some other action.

And for the record my absolutely dotty, 'oh look there's a leaf - eek!' TB didn't bat an eyelid at the bird scarers or pigeon shooters on our hacks. It would have been interesting and pretty damn scary if she had.
 
If it's an organised shoot you could try and get the name and contact number of the Shoot Captain and ask him for a list of dates. If its a load of random people maybe pigeon shooting - not sure about that really - contact the land owner.

Game shooting (but not pigeon shooting) will finish on the 31st January.

We run a shoot from our farm and my horses are used to it now. The guns are in the field next to the paddock and they did go a bit mad to start with but after a few times, they settle down about it.
 
Mine doesn't bother about the noise it's the people and dogs that freak her out!!! Same out hacking deals with most things but see people put walking in the distance and she freezes and spins around to go other way!! Weirdo! Last yard we had a list of dates when they shooting so I just bought her in to save her stressing
 
I do get the horses used to everything I can from heavy traffic, loose dogs, kids on skateboards. There is a bird scarer not that far away and close to where I ride, no problem and a helicopter that takes off and lands very close to the field.
I've never had the need to feel I have to get them used to 20, give or take, guns going off together close by, until today that is.
The farmer who owns the field as I say wasn't there today and is the nicest person on this planet. The farmer who owns a hundred odd acres to the right if us was there and he basically couldn't give a monkeys arse about anything or anyone.
The ground is still wet & slippy and like I say the horses were going loopy.
I also worry about some of our wildlife. We have two owls up there and some wood larks ( although I'm not sure if their migratory) and Mr pheasant who roosts on our manure heap and toodles up there everyday.
I've no intention of reporting anyone as the law stands they havent done anything wrong but I was pretty mad about it earlier.
 
Hedgewitch. Everything we shoot is eaten. Saves me a fortune and sits with my methods of eating things which haven't been intensively farmed for the length of their (normally short) miserable life. If that's the kind of person you class me as then go for it but I'd rather that than happily close my eyes to all the far worse activities we inflict on animals.

Several years back (seems to be on a three yearly cycle) we sat and shot myxi rabbits for hours when we had better things to do. It's not always simply shooting/killing things for a laugh.
 
Our local shoot sends us a list of when and where they shoot so we are pre-warned. The horses have got used to it but I do have one who still gets upset when the wood next to her paddock is shot.

She is a lovely sensible, aged, irish cob but she has never quite accepted the guns even after 4 years of exposure, so I don't think it is correct to assume all horses get used to the noise, there will always be an exception.
 
I feel for you OP, my TB gets spooked when he hears guns and he has been previously liveried on a farm where regular shoots happened next to his field.

All the posters who have commented about how bombproof their horses are, you're very lucky. Unfortunately for some, it's not always as easy as upping the number of shoots going on.

A little courtesy to let a nearby horse owner know when a shoot is going to happen wouldn't be too much to ask I don't think.

Although perhaps this is the wrong forum when you have anything anti to say about hunting and such, even if it's just a little rant ;)
 
The shoot should let you know when they are coming, we all share the countryside and lets try to be courteous.
Drives me mad when the hunt meet in the area and don't tell the riding school, its inconsiderate and dangerous.
My horses are unfazed by hunts and shoots but I wouldn't expect everyones to be. Politeness costs nothing.
 
Mine don't care about the shoot one jot.

If they had permission to be there then really you should be cross with whoever owns the field for not telling you. Not the guys shooting. And only if you've asked to be told when there will be shooting. People who aren't horsey probably have no idea it would be a problem for you unless you let them know. It's not like the hunt who know damn well they wind everything up (and I hunt so am no anti but I have been shocked occasionally at what other people's hunts apparently get up to!)

I suggest you ask the guy who owns the field if he could just give you a heads up next time he is planning to have a shoot there so you can make sure your neds are ok :)
 
Devonlass summed it all up perfectly. Our neighbour often shoots clays from his garden across one of our fields, with permission, so my horses are used to gun fire. But it can still make them jump if it is really close.

I would say that the issue is that the OP was not informed that is was going to happen, which was pretty rude I think. Some shoots/ers are lovely, others less so. Shooter forget that non-shooting people are often extremely nervous of others carrying guns. Just like non-horse people are nervous of horses.
 
We shoot live game and clays close to our horses and it is surprising how little they are bothered by it.

Bit like the noise of fireworks, they can be de-sensitized to it fairly easily.
 
Well at the moment I've somebody with my next door neighbours consent to shoot rabbits on his property, the thing is it upsets my mare, who gets the geldings going,what I dislike is the fact he come up to my boundries,one that right behind my stables and the sounds gets her rearing and that gets the boys going again. I've asked I don't know how many times, for him to tell them to keep away from my boundry fence and they still do it and I get lame excuses,and tonight my four cameing sweating badly yet again and I've had enough, so tomorrow it will be the end of a very long frienship.:mad:
 
The "flaming farmer" can do what ever he so wishes on his land, or who ever he says can have use of shooting there.
 
wench said:
The "flaming farmer" can do what ever he so wishes on his land, or who ever he says can have use of shooting there.
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It costs nothing to be polite and considerate to your neighbours.

By this reasoning I can have a big party in my house every night and keep all the neighbours awake because it's my house and I can do whatever I want.
 
devonlass said:
To be fair I think OP's main point is that she had no warning or requests to cross her land to get to said shooting area.

It's all very well saying all horses can get used to things etc,but if you are unable to de sensitise easily (no offense but not all of us have gunshotss on demand to train and feed to:rolleyes:)or you have a horse that no matter what you do is inclined to over react then then surely common courtesy and some forewarning would be appropriate and considerate??

You are also assuming that all shooting parties act and behave responsibly,not always the case I assure you.
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Well said - I keep my horse on an estate (at yard owned by estate) where there is frequent shooting and my horse isn't bothered in the slightest but it is also very well managed. They always give fair warning of anything that might be happening nearby including if they are holding a meet nearby.
 
The farmer can do whatever he likes on his land i'm afraid. I've recently move my guys to an area which has 2 shoots, and 1 of them has a gun line through the middle of their field. The first shooting day I was quite concerned as to how they'd react, esp as all being Tb's and rather accident prone! I explained my concerns to the farmer, and took some very yummy haylage out to the furthest part of the field away from the 'action' and the guns waited until the horses were settled eating before they set off. Apart from an initial look up at the sound, they were far too interested in the haylage to worry, but I stayed until the drive was over just to be sure. I thanked the farmer and they've always been mindful of the horses since, and if I cant be there when they're shooting, they drop me a text 2 let me know, and after 2 say horses r ok! It really pays to have a friendly chat and explain. Hope u get things sorted out ok, the horses will get used to it i'm sure x
 
AdorableAlice said:
Our local shoot sends us a list of when and where they shoot so we are pre-warned. The horses have got used to it but I do have one who still gets upset when the wood next to her paddock is shot.

She is a lovely sensible, aged, irish cob but she has never quite accepted the guns even after 4 years of exposure, so I don't think it is correct to assume all horses get used to the noise, there will always be an exception.
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A list sounds like a good idea bit like when the hunt is around they usually let the locals know they will be coming through on XYZ dates. Seems like that could be the answer. It is what they get use to but I suppose with the youngsters which OP has thats not going to happen so notice should be given then everyone is happy. I can see both sides and I have noticed myself that we have more non country side folks exerting their rights etc...which drives me nuts! But OP ask for warning when and where shoots are to take place even a note and phone call a day before so you can move to furthest place etc.
 
montysmum1 said:
The farmer can do whatever he likes on his land i'm afraid. I've recently move my guys to an area which has 2 shoots, and 1 of them has a gun line through the middle of their field. The first shooting day I was quite concerned as to how they'd react, esp as all being Tb's and rather accident prone! I explained my concerns to the farmer, and took some very yummy haylage out to the furthest part of the field away from the 'action' and the guns waited until the horses were settled eating before they set off. Apart from an initial look up at the sound, they were far too interested in the haylage to worry, but I stayed until the drive was over just to be sure. I thanked the farmer and they've always been mindful of the horses since, and if I cant be there when they're shooting, they drop me a text 2 let me know, and after 2 say horses r ok! It really pays to have a friendly chat and explain. Hope u get things sorted out ok, the horses will get used to it i'm sure x
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We have a local shoot who often shoot right next to our field, the horse don't bat an eyelid, but they live out. Any new horse soon sees the older ones don't care, but it can be a little awkward if you're wanting to ride. I got a list one year, but now we text the gamekeeper when we're planning to hack out to ask if they're shooting and where. We came across them once while hacking which was quite interesting to say the least, however they shooters were amazingly considerate.

I would try to find out who the gamekeeper is if you don't get any help/sense for the land owner.

Hope you can make it so everyone is happy!
 
wench said:
The "flaming farmer" can do what ever he so wishes on his land, or who ever he says can have use of shooting there.
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I appreciate that, of course they can.
However Ive had the land since 1996 and never had this happen. I don't live in a big shooting area so no its not common. For many years I have gone out of my way on many occasions to call, go to the farm or sort out myself all manner of problems with one of the farmers sheep and he was the one there on the shoot.
If I was going to do something that I thought would upset his livestock I would either notify him or think twice about doing it. For example when its lambing time I make sure I dont walk my Bearded collie up along my side of the fence near to where many of the ewes take shelter, there's nothing to say I can't do it but the fact is I wouldn't. Common sense and a little bit of courtesy.
 
Please read 'The Code of Good Shooting Practice'.
http://www.basc.org.uk/en/utilities/document-summary.cfm/docid/4B1B7F08-68BE-4D18-9B9E21A79A1F30FB
Not every horse will be happy with shooting and those shooting need to be made aware of this.
If you have any problems with shooting parties or individual shooters then contact your local police station and ask for the contact of your local firearms officer who will be only to pleased to assist you.
Misuse of firearms is taken very seriously by the police.
 
PeterNatt said:
Please read 'The Code of Good Shooting Practice'.
http://www.basc.org.uk/en/utilities/document-summary.cfm/docid/4B1B7F08-68BE-4D18-9B9E21A79A1F30FB
Not every horse will be happy with shooting and those shooting need to be made aware of this.
If you have any problems with shooting parties or individual shooters then contact your local police station and ask for the contact of your local firearms officer who will be only to pleased to assist you.
Misuse of firearms is taken very seriously by the police.
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Thank you very much for that, I will read and digest. I will try and have a chat with the owner tomorrow, as I said he is such a nice chap. I have a real feeling though that he didn't know they were there so will find out if thats right.
 
PandorasJar said:
Fp I can assure you that the people I know who shoot take it very seriously and don't shoot towards anyone or thing. If it is not clear away from horses they won't take it. Likewise will not aim toward road or bridleway (no adjoining fields). What you're describing is worth reporting!

SF. She said they had access rights. So not sure tresspass would come into this. We have access rights to our house and previously land. Although they had to allow access they couldnt not. It was simply a formality and would expect the same in this case if only access.
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Unfortunately half the guns are local farmers on a jolly and the other are scroates from the local estates. They can turn up at dawn - the amount of times I found my hysterical horse in her stable having rubbed the underside of her neck raw throwing herself at the door and just had to let her out and not get in her way... Shame she was supposed to get (vital) medication with her feeds because she wouldn't even stand still to graze. Another thing I don't have to worry about since she was PTS recently.
 
Sorry to hear that :( And sorry you've met that side of shooting. I'm lucky that most of ours have horses and the rest have farms and care about their animals. All shoots on our own land with no other land beside and on bridleway (which I have never seen a horse on and is pretty inaccessible atm) but all would be considerate if there was and at the least give a heads up.
I would strongly advise notifying owners of land of poor behaviour and police if dangerous. Live weapons are not something to be taken lightly
 
PandorasJar said:
Sorry to hear that :( And sorry you've met that side of shooting. I'm lucky that most of ours have horses and the rest have farms and care about their animals. All shoots on our own land with no other land beside and on bridleway (which I have never seen a horse on and is pretty inaccessible atm) but all would be considerate if there was and at the least give a heads up.
I would strongly advise notifying owners of land of poor behaviour and police if dangerous. Live weapons are not something to be taken lightly
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Thanks for your reply. It turned out after having a friendly chat with the owner that he hadn't given permission for the shoot on his land. I will leave that with him.
Apparently next doors horses were also wound up but I do realise that once one starts they all join in. I felt for her as she lost a foal not long back and the foal she had was also going loopy plus another of her ponies had colic surgery a while back.
I admit to being pretty terrified of guns in general and don't really know if when they shoot do they shoot upwards or into the hedgerow or how far the bullets go? After my mum said to one of them "are you mad! there's a dual carriageway there" the reply was "yes we don't shoot that way" which means their shooting our way :eek:. I just don't want them shooting near or in the direction of my horses!
 
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