Post by Lorraine L on Dec 21, 2005 21:00:08 GMT 1
Our neighbour had a skip delivered yesterday. It wasn't your usual size skip, it was the really massive industrial sized one and the delivery driver arrived with it after dark.
We had already got the horses in and they were happily chewing away on their hay.
My sister Julie panicked that the noise and disruption would cause real concern as it had to be dropped next to the stable block. Her first reaction was to grab a headcollar and bring our 'scared mare' out of her stable so that she could 'see' what the noise and commotion was.
This mare would certainly have jumped over the stable door in blind panic if we hadn't thought of something quick.
Every night after we have finished, my sister ( being the tidy type ) spends ages sweeping up outside the block and telling my nieces dog not to jump up at the stable doors !
So, I told her to go and get two brooms and encouraged her to sweep ( all over again ).
This we did, outside the mares stable and we chatted (loudly ) and moaned at the dog although she wasn't actually there by this time.
It was incredible. The mare did not turn a hair. It was 'business as usual' and although the noise was quite alarming in the darkness, she just concentrated on what we were doing and was not in the slightest bit bothered.
So, if you find yourself in a situation where you think that your horse may panic, try to stay calm and continue your usual routine.... it really does help them.
PLUS we had such a clean stable yard that night !! haha
We had already got the horses in and they were happily chewing away on their hay.
My sister Julie panicked that the noise and disruption would cause real concern as it had to be dropped next to the stable block. Her first reaction was to grab a headcollar and bring our 'scared mare' out of her stable so that she could 'see' what the noise and commotion was.
This mare would certainly have jumped over the stable door in blind panic if we hadn't thought of something quick.
Every night after we have finished, my sister ( being the tidy type ) spends ages sweeping up outside the block and telling my nieces dog not to jump up at the stable doors !
So, I told her to go and get two brooms and encouraged her to sweep ( all over again ).
This we did, outside the mares stable and we chatted (loudly ) and moaned at the dog although she wasn't actually there by this time.
It was incredible. The mare did not turn a hair. It was 'business as usual' and although the noise was quite alarming in the darkness, she just concentrated on what we were doing and was not in the slightest bit bothered.
So, if you find yourself in a situation where you think that your horse may panic, try to stay calm and continue your usual routine.... it really does help them.
PLUS we had such a clean stable yard that night !! haha
