Stable mirrors, are they worth it?

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Lottie28

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We’re moving house and I’m moving my horses with me as the new house has land/stables. The problem is, my retired WB has terrible separation anxiety so if I ride my mare, I’m worried he’ll go berserk, well actually, I know he will.
Rather than getting another horse/pony to keep him company (haven’t really the space anyway), would a stable mirror do the trick? Thanks in advance…..
 
They can do. It depends on the horse really.
We have one atm in a pony’s stables and he likes to stand next at it gazing at himself !
However we’re had another horse that attacked it !
 
dixie said:
They can do. It depends on the horse really.
We have one atm in a pony’s stables and he likes to stand next at it gazing at himself !
However we’re had another horse that attacked it !
Click to expand...
That’s my worry. Might do a test run. Thanks
 
Lottie28 said:
We’re moving house and I’m moving my horses with me as the new house has land/stables. The problem is, my retired WB has terrible separation anxiety so if I ride my mare, I’m worried he’ll go berserk, well actually, I know he will.
Rather than getting another horse/pony to keep him company (haven’t really the space anyway), would a stable mirror do the trick? Thanks in advance…..
Click to expand...
Please don’t buy acrylic, because if the horse does view this as an intruder and attacks it, or just catches it awkwardly with a headcollar buckle, or his hooves when rolling - will shatter and is sharp!
Polished stainless steel. And keep it clean.
Also, place it adjacent to the door, not directly opposite - if anything passes outside while horse is gazing at the mirror, can startle them, looks like it is in the stable with them.
Worst example of that was a fireworks display going on, the horse very frightened because reflections in his stable were still visible thru’ the stable window even with top door shut, owner had to tape a blanket over the mirror and move it first thing in the morning.
We’ve had mirrors for years: one horse so devoted to her image she forgot about being left alone, most find it ‘interesting’, one stallion assaulted his at first, and one just went “what’s that mirror doing in here?” - and ignored it thenceforth.
Good luck!
 
Exasperated said:
Please don’t buy acrylic, because if the horse does view this as an intruder and attacks it, or just catches it awkwardly with a headcollar buckle, or his hooves when rolling - will shatter and is sharp!
Polished stainless steel. And keep it clean.
Also, place it adjacent to the door, not directly opposite - if anything passes outside while horse is gazing at the mirror, can startle them, looks like it is in the stable with them.
Worst example of that was a fireworks display going on, the horse very frightened because reflections in his stable were still visible thru’ the stable window even with top door shut, owner had to tape a blanket over the mirror and move it first thing in the morning.
We’ve had mirrors for years: one horse so devoted to her image she forgot about being left alone, most find it ‘interesting’, one stallion assaulted his at first, and one just went “what’s that mirror doing in here?” - and ignored it thenceforth.
Good luck!
Click to expand...
Okay, thank you for the advice, really helpful
 
My broodmare loved her stable mirror. She whickered a welcome everytime she entered the stable and would stand nose to nose with it when resting. She had been bullied a lot as a youngster as she was an October foal, in with those born that March, and (is this an Oxford comma?) had had to try to reach the hay bale that was put out for a field of 20+ horses that first winter. This meant that she was never fully happy in a group of horses.
 
rabatsa said:
My broodmare loved her stable mirror. She whickered a welcome everytime she entered the stable and would stand nose to nose with it when resting. She had been bullied a lot as a youngster as she was an October foal, in with those born that March, and (is this an Oxford comma?) had had to try to reach the hay bale that was put out for a field of 20+ horses that first winter. This meant that she was never fully happy in a group of horses.
Click to expand...
No, it's not an Oxford comma. It's a clarifying comma!
 
Sanversera said:
My stressy mare just saw another horse in the mirror getting stressed when companion went out for a hack and so got even more stressed.
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Never thought of it like that but yes, that’s something to consider too! 🫣
Nicnac said:
Just get a shetland companion from a rescue. They don't need space and can free range at night if you don't have an extra stable. Cost is minimal and they are adorable.
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They’re called ‘shitlands’ for a reason 😂
But yes, I’ve just been looking at companions from a rescue so will explore more. Thanks
 
dixie said:
They can do. It depends on the horse really.
We have one atm in a pony’s stables and he likes to stand next at it gazing at himself !
However we’re had another horse that attacked it !
Click to expand...
Exactly this. I made sure I was around the afternoon we put a stable mirror in, to observe any reaction. It was all good (in fact very positive, sweet reaction from the mare) and at evening stable check she was stood quietly beside it.
 
lily is a royal cow bag with other horses but loves her own reflection, used to stand next to the mirrors in the arena on our old yard if i turned her out in there, and is always happy to see the pony that lives in the tack cupboard, as i’ve got a mirror inside the door!
 
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