Ongoing fear by my horses . - Ask Extension
I need to know if there is a way to detect the sound that is used by neighbors across the road to scare my senior horses. This has been ongoing by ...
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Ongoing fear by my horses . #197602
Asked July 08, 2014, 12:45 PM EDT
I need to know if there is a way to detect the sound that is used by neighbors across the road to scare my senior horses. This has been ongoing by one form or another. Local authorities are of no help. The guilty are friends with an elected official. Can you help me? My Liberty is now 33 years old and is becoming feeble due to the constant fear of simply grazing in her pasture. The rescue mare in my care is 22 years old and she too is hesitant now to enter pasture unless I am present. This cruelty has been ongoing for several years.
Fulton County Georgia
Expert Response
Hello,
I'm certainly sorry to hear of your troubles. If you haven't already, try calmly approaching your neighbors and asking them to be more considerate of your horses. Explain to them that their well-being is at risk, and ask if something can be worked out. Otherwise, I have only some suggestions that you might try. First, if there is any way you can get a recording of the sound or even take a cell phone video of your horses' behavior, you can then have on record what is going on and physical evidence to show someone. The next step would be to try and prove that the offending sound is in fact coming from your neighbor, and try to determine the source. Gather as much evidence as you can.
Have you tried contacting your local chapter of the SPCA? They might have further suggestions, but they may not be able to investigate without evidence. (You'd have to talk to them about that.)
You could also try to reach out to a well-qualified trainer who may be able to help recondition the horses to feel safe in their grazing area, despite any noise.
If all else fails, and your budget allows, you could enlist a private investigator.
Best of luck, I certainly hope the problem resolves and your horses can graze peacefully!
I'm certainly sorry to hear of your troubles. If you haven't already, try calmly approaching your neighbors and asking them to be more considerate of your horses. Explain to them that their well-being is at risk, and ask if something can be worked out. Otherwise, I have only some suggestions that you might try. First, if there is any way you can get a recording of the sound or even take a cell phone video of your horses' behavior, you can then have on record what is going on and physical evidence to show someone. The next step would be to try and prove that the offending sound is in fact coming from your neighbor, and try to determine the source. Gather as much evidence as you can.
Have you tried contacting your local chapter of the SPCA? They might have further suggestions, but they may not be able to investigate without evidence. (You'd have to talk to them about that.)
You could also try to reach out to a well-qualified trainer who may be able to help recondition the horses to feel safe in their grazing area, despite any noise.
If all else fails, and your budget allows, you could enlist a private investigator.
Best of luck, I certainly hope the problem resolves and your horses can graze peacefully!
