Helicopters, wedding & horses!

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pottamus

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My neighbours are having a huge wedding event this weekend. They have the full on marquee, 180 guests, band, disco...the works! This is all happening on their land which is next to my horses field.
Now he will be fine with the noise, comings and goings, disco and everything because he has had all that before. BUT someone is flying in by helicopter and will be landing in the field next to his and then doing a few pleasure flights on the Sunday!
Now we have had a helicopter land in a field over the road and my horse was not too bothered at all...but this is next to his field.
I have him fenced off on a small paddock anyway so he cannot get near to the border of the fields anyway and he is used to helicopters flying over head and the red arrows etc with no problem.
I cannot ascertain when the helicopter is coming, so do I leave him in his stable in the field to watch it if I am not there in time or leave him to get on with it in the fenced off field???
If he does get scared...where is he going to do less damage to himself?
Obviously I will try to be there with him...but just in case?
 
one of our fields surronds one of the estates heli-pads, and the horses really dont bother at all when it comes and goes. It doesnt really come and go on a regular basis either. Is your horse out with company - how are they likely to be??? If he was in his stable - is the equine company around him?? if the helicopter flew over his stable - how likely is it that he would freak out??
In my opinion - i would leave him in the field - he can see what the noise is as it approaches - he has the space to move if he wants to. Maybe if its slippy etc can you turn him out in boots to help protect his legs if he runs around?
 
Good comments and thoughts there thanks. He is on his own (lives on his own all the time) so the company thing is not an issue as he is used to his set up already. He prefers his food as company! Not sure how he would be if it flies over him as it would be pretty noisy having only just taken off, although I have asked that my neighbours mention this to the pilot and request he does not fly over his field directly...hopefully they will oblige!
My thoughts were to leave him out too as the worst he does is canter about bucking and then gets hungry and starts to eat again! He is a Welshie and built like a tank.
He is fenced by electric tape, so that would give way if he ran at it anyway and he will only escape into his bigger field where there is more grass!
But all thoughts and comments welcome if others have experienced this...
 
We have one land on our yard YO brother flys one and the horses don't bother at all,my lad never even lifted his head
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its a bit windy when they come down but thats all.
 
I wouldn't worry either, I have two in a field next to where the helicopter lands a few times a year and mine don't even lift their heads!! If I'm there and grooming etc they don't do anyting. But the horse in the next field is a younger and did chuck a fit the last time the helicopter landed, galloped around a bit but the owers were on hand to resolve the situation. Sadly the owners of the property where the helicopter landed weren't as obliging as your neighbours! They couldn't have cared less that they'd upset this youngster and they never let anyone know when the helicopter is due to fly in!
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i suppose it depends on how you think he'll react, if you're really worried is there anywhere you could take him for the day eg. a friend's yard?
 
To be honest I wouldn't worry about it. We were at a show a month or so ago & there was an injury that required an air ambulance coming. The helicopter flew in, circled, landed, loaded, flew off & not one horse at the packed show ground showed any interest in it at all.

Now one of those little model helicopters buzzing around....well that's really scarey!
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At a show we went to they had the helicopter pleasure rides taking off next to the ponies ring. None of them bothered.... which was a good job seeing as it was frst ridden etc...
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I wouldnt worry too much.
 
Thanks all! It is nice to have a sanity check as I am going to leave him out to get on with it with plenty of grass to keep him occupied!
 
The noise of the rotors are different in every situation so I would stay close at hand.

I would suggest that you ask your neighbours to give the pilot your telephone number and he can call you when they take off and let you know their expected time of arrival.

The pilot will have to clear take off first with air control. On a normal helicopter the engine is run for 20 minutes prior to take off so they will have plenty of time to contact you and let you know when they will be arriving.

That way you can keep an eye on the horse.
 
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