Stable Mirrors - do they help?

[KINDMARE]

I am thinking of putting a mirror in one of our liveries stable to help with a pony that calls for others when alone. The majority of the others will be living out shortly but this little fella needs to come in during the day and will be alone on the yard. Do they help/work?

 

[rabatsa]

It depends on the pony. I had an anxious mare who loved standing alongside her mirror and a stroppy gelding that would have killed the reflection given half a chance.

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

It means I can check where the wet splatters of mud/feed/bird poop have landed before others point it out

 

[millitiger]

It didn't work for mine at all, I had one about 10 years ago.
I think some horses are more intelligent than we give credit for sometimes, they know it's a reflection.

 

[dreamcometrue]

I put some in my mare’s stable when she was on box rest. She loves looking at herself so I think it helped.

 

[dottylottie]

the first yard i had lily on, the arena had mirrors all round the sides and was completely sheltered, with tall hedges, and she was quite content whilst i mucked out etc being in there. where i am now, she whinnies at me as soon as im in sight when she’s out in the arena or tied up - took me a while to realise it was the mirrors she liked

I have a mirror in my cupboard, which is outside her stable, and she loves looking at herself in that too - she’s a stroppy cow and hates other horses, but loves her own reflection! so in her case yes, unintentionally it did make her settle on her own