Foxes are getting much braver!

[endymion]

It taints a whole bale of hay?

A whole bale?

I's sorry but I don't believe that.

 

[endymion]

Yes it would.

I think having the foxes shot is too extreme.

My yard is a bit wild and there are about 10-15 dogs always running around, most of which belong to the liveries. I'm not a massive fan of it mainly because my terrier is a wimp and gets bullied by them all. We never have many foals, only ones that appear by accident, its a riding school and the horses/ponies tend to come in the back door sometimes. Ive lost count of the mares that have come in only to drop one a couple of mths later (I'm sure they must buy the bloody things over the internet and not view them first, haha). They don't seem to be worried by any of the dogs tho and our foxes must be more timid or scared off by all the mutts around.

 

[moocow]

haven't had the experience of fox poo on a bale of hay but have had the experience of my terrier rolling in it and believe me it is the smelliest substance known to man and beast! Unbelieveable. Could well believe horses wouldn't touch a bale after it has been fox deficated on!

 

[endymion]

But you could just remove a strip. Bales are big things!

 

[Vicki1986]

Moocow your reply made me chuckle ! honestly what a conversation to be having!

endymion apology accepted. i havent decided yet what part of the spectrum i am in, i am pro hunt but not to the extreme. i have many different views on the subject but sway more towards pro. but as libra i often sit on the fence weighing things

cazza couldnt agree more with your last comment

 

[cazza]

yes I presume it is probably because we don't have dogs around the yard that is the reason we have the problem. And I must admit I am very lucky with the situation we have with our yard. But then we are predominantly a stud so only have mares over to be served by the stallion and then they go again. With the foxes it probably is a bit on the extreme side to have them shot, but since they have been seen in the paddock every day for the last two weeks and the foals arn't getting any calmer, then we are going to have to take some drastic action. Have had to bring one mare and foal in this morning as the foal has sliced itself open on the fence this morning (slippery ground so the abs isn't working!) and we only have post rail.

 

[Vicki1986]

oh dear poor foal!

 

[Ereiam_jh]

I'd just get someone to chase them off with a few dogs. Chasing them off seems better than shooting them. Maybe you could encourage someone to walk their dogs round and about every so often.

 

[Jerome]

Get a dog then and stop moaning.

 

[cazza]

Gosh you got out of bed the wrong side. Don't believe I was moaning, and if you had actually bothered to read any of my posts you would see that we don't allow dogs in the fields with the mares and foals. As well known livestock is dead stock till the money is in the bank and as we are a breeding stud it's these horses that buy the bread and butter to keep the yard afloat. Unfortunately there are obvioulsy people on this forum that do not understand the way the countryside works to make a living. I am more than happy to listen to anyone's point of view and not shoot them down for it, but you are obviously blinkered in your own little world.

 

[Vicki1986]

That was constructive !!

 

[endymion]

We have three yard dogs (literally, no-one knows where they came from and no-one knows who owns them, so they belong to everyone). One is a border collie and the other two are greyhounds, a mother and son we think. The collie is an excellent guard dog, a bit too good sometimes. The mother greyhound is very old and can't run and the other one is young but only has three legs (due to a break-in at the yard. We think he must of went for the intruder/s. The vet said that they had taken his front two paws and tried to pull them apart. Apparently this crushes the heart. Luckily it didnt but he did lose a leg.). Anyway, point is that none of these dogs can catch a fox but they are a very good deterrent and are good with horses if trained. The only dogs we have problems with are the private livery ones, mainly the Jack Russells, too much attitude for something so small, walk round like they own the bloody place, haha

 

[cazza]

Endymion, you are great . .. . See everyone we don't have to agree on the hunting topic but we can communicate and sympathise with the different situations we encounter. Really sorry to hear about your young greyhounds horrific injury that must have been heartbreaking to find him in such a state. Thank goodness he's at a good home.

 

[endymion]

Totally agree

The break-in was a couple of years ago now, when he was about a year-ish (we dont really know his age). He gets around just as well as before, thank God for his slight build. People do tend to do a double take when you hack out with him and they see this huge three legged hound belt past at full speed, hehe!

 

[cazza]

oh I'm so glad he has recovered well, and on 3 legs I bet he can still shift at quite a speed.

 

[Clodagh]

I should think 2 greyhounds and a collie should be well capable of taking a fox, even if they do have an odd number of legs!!

I have heard of people trying to do that (the heart crushing thing) apparently it doesn't work? Would like to know how they found out that it doesn't! Theres some sick people out there

 

[Jerome]

OK OK, I'm sorry!!!

 

[endymion]

The mother (Jess) is really really old. She must of been black once but is now all grey. The 3 legged (Jasper) can still shift very fast but to best of knowledge has never caught anything. Could he still seize it with only one front paw?

The collie (Eastwood) is more territorial than anything. He prefers to stand at the gates an intimidate everyone rather than chase anything. He never goes out with the riders, prefers to skulk around the yard looking mean , hence the name (after Clint). :grin:

 

[cazza]

apology accepted

 

[cazza]

they sound a lovely bunch, although your discription of Eastwood brought a smile to my face this morning