Stable Mirrors?

[Lisamd]

Are these any good? Thinking of getting my boy one as he will be on box rest for a few weeks after an op on Thurs. He has plenty of 'toys' and i will see him 3 times a day to break his day up. Just wondered if they do help, as the other 4 will still be going out every day and he will be left alone.

 

[lochpearl]

I bought one for my 4 year old last year when he ended up being on box rest for a year! It was fabulous, not sure he thought it was company but he used to admire himself in it, when he went for a pee!

I moved yards and took the mirror with us and fixed it to the wall in his new stable and it was fine for a month or so, then he decided to eat it, so I have taken it down.

I believe he thrived with it at the first yard as he had no company during the day, but when I moved him, everyone seemed to stagger visits up there to go and talk to him. I didn't ask them to and it was a pain because he then became very attention seeking and destructive when people weren't about lol.

 

[Lisamd]

Thanks. Mmm I was worried about that as he is a real 'busy' person in his stable, maybe i'll see how he goes first without it.

 

[mitters]

I got my horse one a few weeks ago after reading really good things about them. He wasn't sure about it when i first put it up, he couldn't understand why he kept bumping his nose on it! But now he loves it and is often standing looking at himself.

I got one for him as he can get quite agitated in his stable when others horses are moving around on the yard, and because we have limited turnout over winter so he'll be in more. He is now really calm in his stable and has stopped kicking the door and his cribbing has improved, probably because he spends his time eyeing himself up!

I read that it is best to position the mirror away from the area they eat their feed in case they become protective over it.

 

[asterid]

I think that they are a great idea! Some horses really benefit from them.

However, my last horse, I put one up for him and he took instant dislike to the new horse in his stable and double barrelled it! Needless to say the mirror was removed!

 

[sazzle44]

The owner of the mare I used to ride decided to put one up in her stable as she would get VERY agitated when other horses went out or there were people on the yard doing other horses. It was very good for her if she was the first horse brought in (some days I had to get her done a little earlier to give time for my boys) but if it was when others were going out she was much the same. But then she really was a headcase!
Worked fabulously with the next mare that went in that box, she was a little insecure but would just go into herself when upset unlike the other one who would canter round her box rearing! This horse just got a bit bored and lonely when in on her own but once she was in the stable with the mirror she seemed much more settled.
Third mare in there barely even notices it, but she's very very attatched to my boy living next door even though he couldn't care less for her and really does hate being in her stable.
Basically, I think it depends entirely on that particular horse and why they have it I think the two it didn't help with were so insecure and unsettled anyway that nothing was ever going to help much. Hope that helps x

 

[Laafet]

I got one for my boy as he was on box rest and hates being in a stable, he weaved and paced at the front on the box. The mirror has calmed him down, he is not so manic now, still weaves a bit but he does love his stable friend. I just have to make sure that I do not put his feed near it as he doesn't want to share with it! If I had my own lorry I would get one for that too as he finds travelling on his own very stressful.

 

[Lynsey&Smartie]

I've got a pony who has been on box rest for 7 weeks and I do think his stable mirror helps him feel he has got some company on the yard when the rest are out. He's not totally fooled as he still shouts to the others in the field though. I am surprised how quickly he became resigned to not going out, thought he was going to be much worse so hopefully yours will be the same.

Have used mirrors with others in the past and have found they help horses who stress about being alone especially travelling or being at shows alone.

 

[katherine1975]

Whereabouts in Devon are you? I've got one you can have. I bought a stable mirror for one of my horses so that when I hacked out the other one she didn't get as stressed. She liked her stable mirror the first time she saw it but then became aggressive and was running at it with her ears back and spinning round to try and kick the mirror. We have obviously removed it!

 

[SmartieBean09]

I always rave on about my stable mirror but it really does work.

Stopped my pony weaving, box walking and messing her bed. Best buy I have ever made IMO.

Would recommend one until I am blue in the face

 

[Georgie1989]

We have a stable mirror and for one horse it did not make much difference, he would run at it with his ears back and tried to eat it. There is now a 2 yr old ex racer in his stable who loves it, we can take the other horse out riding (only two on yard) and hes fine, just goes and stands next to mirror, racer has obviously always been on busy yards so *touch wood* its working a treat!

Think it depends on each individual horse really but defo worth a try

 

[lilacjackie]

I bought my lad a stable mirror after reading that it helped to reduce weaving, well it certainly did in his case, when I eventually managed to get him in the stable (he was not happy passing the other horse lol) he stood where I left him and wouldnt move, tried him for a few days but was no use, I had to cover it to get him in the stable and then he just stood at the back not looking to where the mirror was and wouldnt eat or drink, needless to say I removed it.

 

[Lisamd]

Thanks everyone for the info, very useful. And thanks for the offer Katherine1975, have pm'd you
Looking forward to getting his 'bedroom' kitted out in even more 'toys' to help him pass the time of day, he's such a busy bee, love to be kept busy!

 

[amigo123]

Are these any good? Thinking of getting my boy one as he will be on box rest for a few weeks after an op on Thurs. He has plenty of 'toys' and i will see him 3 times a day to break his day up. Just wondered if they do help, as the other 4 will still be going out every day and he will be left alone.

Hi

I have just read your thread and thought I would respond.

Stable mirrors do provide companionship to a horse or pony, thus reducing stress and leading to a much happier, relaxed horse/pony. Many of the benefits of mirrors are now well documented.

We have been manufacturing Stable Mirrors for over eight years. Both ourselves and our distributors have supplied many hundreds of happy customers, including some of the top yards in the country. Our customers have seen a reduction in, or the ceasing of, stable vices such as weaving, crib biting, box walking and other stress related behaviour.

We also use these with our own horses and appreciate fully the great comfort they get from having mirrors in their stables.

Our stable mirrors are precision machined on state-of-the-art equipment. They are supplied ready drilled with corners properly radiused for added safety, with all fixings included.
Please, do beware of products that are advertised as stable mirrors but amount to little more than cut sheet that you are expected to finish yourself.
We offer a high quality stable mirror delivered to your door by a secure carrier and are able to offer free, experienced support by email or phone.

The mirrors are very easy to fit and we supply full instructions with each mirror.
The Stable mirror should be fitted straight to a flat wooden wall. If your stable wall is uneven, we can supply a quality moisture resistant MDF backboard. These are machined to exactly match the mirror size and shape. We can advise on the correct thickness to suit your application.

Have a look at our website: www.amigostablemirrors.co.uk and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch, by email (stablemirrors@aol.com) or call us on (01858) 432652.

I hope this is helpful,
kind regards
Melissa

PS Below is a testimonial I received yesterday from a client, have a read .....


RE: Thank you

Hiya!

I recently bought a large stable mirror from your company and just wanted to let you know how thrilled I was at my horse's reaction.....I can't recommend them enough.....for all of you out there who have any doubts, please don't ponder any further. One of my horses had laminitis in January and as you can imagine, has been confined to his stable for many hours. Initially he tolerated the box rest and resigned to the fact that he was not allowed out in the field for as long as my two mares, however during the summer the farmer who lives opposite our property started shooting the crows in his fields and in the farm yard. Well, the noise was incredible and to say it frightened my horses would have been an understatement! I was beside myself and thought the stress of it all would bring a return of the laminitis. The farmer agreed to stop shooting, but the damage was done and I had to start leaving one of my mares in to keep my gelding company as he continually box walked and was very anxious about being left on his own. I bought the mirror in desperation, but I never thought in my wildest dreams, it would get the reaction it did.....the box walking stopped immediately, initially he couldn't stop staring at himself, and would often leave his hay to check out his new stable mate in the mirror.....and now he can often be found standing alongside it virtually with his nose touching it.....its kinda embarassing sometimes as he's been known to relax too much next to it, if you get my drift!! He is now quite happy about the mares being turned out without him.....as he has found a new stable mate that never leaves him!!

I can't recommend them enough!

I would also like to pass on my thanks to your company. I found the service you gave was first class, from the advice which was given, to delivery of the product.

Yours sincerely
(name removed)

 

[Thursday]

I've been looking into this right and some things amaze me.

In the UK, I can order one (size:1200mm x 1200mm) for £30 but the postage is €30 (circa £25). BUT if I want to order the exact same size in Ireland, its €160 plus delivery (whatever that is).

How ridiculous is that?!