Disturbing comment - morbid HALLOWEEN warning?

[Tamlain]

Today I was at the local grocery store to pick up a few items when an older teen that I'd seen around and I believe lives down the road from me came over and gave me some "advice".

He suggested that I make sure that my black mustang mare is hidden by Halloween "because, well, you know, bad things sometimes happen to black animals around Halloween".

I asked him if he knew of anything specific that I should worry about and all I got was a shrug and he walked off.

I was planning on putting her up in the barn on Tuesday anyway, but now I'm almost in a panic because of this kid's comment.

How would you respond and what would you do???

BTW - I already talked to the Sheriff's department and they don't seem to feel its an issue or concern......and that the kid was just being a kid.

[bird4416]

I've always made sure the black cat was tucked away safely on Halloween but I figured the 2 black horses were fine.:eek:

[Trakehner]

black mare in her stall, you sitting there with a shotgun and a bright light...

[Lori B]

I would do your best to be around your property on Halloween, keep ALL animals inside on Halloween (this advice for everyone), and perhaps even post your property with explicit No Trespassing signs. Is he probably 'being a kid' or perhaps even a jerk? Sure. but I would not want to find out I was wrong.

And I would tell his parents about the conversation you had with him, letting them know that it disturbed you so much you let the sheriff know about it.

[coloredhorse]

Not knowing the kid, or having heard the comment (tone, expression, etc.) first hand, it's hard to say. Since he did warn you, I'd like to guess it's an animal-loving kid who either A) has heard some of his peers talk -- seriously or not -- about "doing something" with a black animal or B) has heard generally of black animals being stolen for nefarious reasons on Halloween. If you know him, you could pursue it further and ask if if he knows of someone specific "out to get" your mare, or if he was just generally concerned because of the weird things that some people do.

When we've had black cats and dogs, we've always taken extra care to make sure they were secured in the house before and during Halloween festivities. There are some wackos out there, and you do hear sometimes about a black pet going missing. It wouldn't be foolish to put your mare in the barn, as planned. You could also play a radio, put timers on some lights, check on the horses more frequently than usual. In line with Trakehner's suggestion, stomping around the property toting a shotgun and alternately muttering to yourself and shouting can be a fine deterrent. No shotgun? Many common tools can be as effective ... a la Leatherface.

[Bluey]

Do you know anywhere else very safe you could board her for a few days around Halloween?
Maybe a barn with more black horses and good security?

I would definitely talk to the parents, if they are "normal" people.
Thank them for the kid's warning and so they are aware that he knows something may be up.

Never thought of black horses being a target. What a world!:(

[Lori B]

I've heard of black animals being harmed around Halloween. That's how I ended up with one of my cats -- she was an all black stray I found in a parking lot the week before Halloween. Sweet, dumb, trusting, and now, mine, and indoors full time.

Good luck, keeping an eye out should be all you need to do. Let us know that everything is ok on Nov. 1.

[Claddagh]

In light of the tragic incidents involving horses that we've all read about, I think that I would take this kid's "warning" seriously. There are just too many "sick" people out there to brush off what he said as "just being a kid". IMHO - better to be safe than sorry!

Maybe you should start keeping your black mare (and any other horses you have) in the barn from now until Halloween is long gone. I would keep the lights on all night too - preditors usually avoid well lit areas! Do you have a nice, large, loud dog who you could leave in the barn?

Basically, take any precautions you have to to try and keep "strangers" away from your property. And I'd also leave some lights on in the house all night long too - so that it looks like somebody is "up" and therefore the threat of being caught is quite strong.

Good luck - and I do hope that kid was just "all talk".

[MistyBlue]

Although it's not as common (I wouldn't think) with black horses...the animal shelters around here will not adopt out black cats or dogs for a few days before and after Halloween. There are some weird-ass people out there who think they're vampires or zombies or warlocks or some other "scary" thing they think they actually are and do bad things to black animals on Halloween. Morons don't realize the actual significance of the day..being All Saint's Day Eve. Others have looked into the background of it. saw it was traditionally a Pagan holiday and slaughtering did take place and totally misunderstood the reasoning behind that. It wasn't worshipful slaughter...it was a festival day that they prepared their winter stores on...slaughtering meat animals to put up in the smoke house. Strictly a grocery-shopping event and not trying to contact Satan or even Satin. :winkgrin: But then...one cannot expect morons who think they're really magikal bad witches or vampires to understand much of anything.
It's actually a non-violent holiday for both Christians and true Pagans.

But it's always a good idea to keep a closer eye on your animals..especially if they're black. Keep watch the night before Halloween too...many communities term that Mischief Night or something close to that name...it's the night set aside for pranks. Usually only toilet papering trees...sometimes leaving flaming bags of dog poop on porches...but sometimes folks get carried away and do some really rotten stuff. That night is the newer "trick" night for trick or treating...used to be we gave out candy when kids said trick or treat to bribe them from playing a trick on us such as soaping windows. Now the non-trick-or-treating aged kids go out the night before.

[Tamlain]

If I knew this kid's parents, I would have talked to them after what he told me, but I've only seen him around town. I'm not even sure if he lives near me, or I just seen him passing by on the way to a friends.......I don't even know his name.

As to his tone, it was very monotone, and frankly, brought the hackles up on my neck as he made his comment, and his expression was very odd and just as carefully blank.

It was all very surreal and weird....

I always tuck away any black animal I may own before All Hallows to be safe and will continue to do so....and I don't plan on going out that evening, but the barns are far enough from the house that I'm concerned......

Maybe I'll add a baby monitor to the barn for that night......

I hate being this paranoid.......:(

[Gray Horse H/J]

That would scare me, too, honestly. I would leave all the lights on, and hang out around your property as much as possible on Halloween. Keep ALL your animals inside.

People are nuts, and are very capable of evilness that the rest of us can't understand. Better safe than sorry. :(

[LLDM]

I am all for caution - and you should be cautious. But just consider that this kid might be doing the same thing we are - hanging out on line and learning more than he wants to know sometimes. He may have read something on-line that disturbed him so much, he felt the need mention it to you. It doesn't mean there is a specific threat to your horse.

But better safe than sorry.

SCFarm

[PalominoMorgan]

My gut reaction is to heed the kid's warning. He has heard SOMEthing, though it might not specifically be about your animals. I'd be sure to thank him and let his parents know (if they're normal) that you genuinely appreciated his concern. That being said, I would plan on being home all night with barn lights on, pets in the house, horses in the barn. Might be a good night to work on a small project in the barn or clean tack. Of course, sitting in the dark with a shot gun works too, but with litigation and law suits it might be best to deter the little buggers instead of seeing if they actually do show up.

[BigHorseLittleHorse]

My black cat turned 18 a few months ago, and we have always kept her inside around Halloween. Too many wackos out there...

You should dress up as the headless horseman and ride your mare around your property... scare the **** out of the kids who are trying to scare you:) (just kidding)

[Bluey]

Would it make sense to talk to the high school, so they remind the students NOT to do damage those nights, especially to animals?
How about asking the TV newspeople to have some stories on being responsable and caring, not tearing things, much less harming animals?
That such is sick and it should be reported, before it happens, if possible?
That they warn people to be watchful those nights for mentally sick people that may do harm?

With all those warnings, maybe the ones that were thinking of doing harm will have second thoughts.

[Cielo Azure]

I might phone the non-emergency police number. Explain your situation, and what you were told, explain your fears, with owning black livestock on holloween. Then ask politely if extra patrols could be sent around your neighborhood on halloween, just to be on the safe side. Most likely, the police/sherrif dept. will be glad to do it and it might give you more peace of mind. As soon as most teens bent on trouble see a cop car, they melt away.

[Hazelnut]

Good responses. Bluey and Cielo A both have excellent suggestions.

I would have company over and perhaps have a little halloween barn party well into the wee hours.

Also, installing an entry alarm at the drive and barn entrance that buzz only into your home will alert you to unexpected visitors.

[mayhew]

A question, maybe totally irrelevant, but did he say "your black mustang mare," or did he say "that black horse" or something vague like that?

[GreekDressageQueen]

I don't think the police will care so much if you couch it in terms of "you fear for the safety of your black horse on Halloween." Sorry, but police don't have animals high on their priority list. NOW, if you called and told them a kid threatened you AND your property (animals included in definition of property) then they may be more than willing to patrol your neighborhood on Halloween evening. I would tell them you fear for your own safety and then they might pay more attention. I would also call the police station in addition to the Sheriff's office and let them know you are very worried.

I don't know what you can do in S.CA, but in Texas we would shoot anyone that came near the barn or the house. In a world full of crazies - you just can't expect a civil conversation to work every time.

I agree with the other posters, put ALL your animals up when it gets dark and be wary of your surroundings. Do you have motion sensor lights? That might help deter would-be pranksters if they walked up to the barn/house and were flooded by bright light.

Take care - I hope everything will okay. :(

[deltawave]

WOAH, cue the "Deliverance" music! :eek:

This has never even crossed my mind. I have a black weanling AND a black cat. Of course we live in an area of "good Christians" who think Halloween is Satan worship...our kids can't even dress as anything scary in some parts of town and there IS no Halloween in some parts of town, so I ought to be OK, right? :rolleyes:

That would freak me right out. The flat affect and creepy monotone, yikes!

Definitely camp out in the barn or at least alert the police, maybe they can drive by a couple of times?

[J Swan]

Normally I'd pooh pooh your concern - but - -uh - a kid who is pretty much a stranger to you sidles up to you in a public place and gives you some unsolicited advice concerning the safety of a horse he/she knows nothing about?

I admit to being completely creeped out.

Yeah - I'd be sleeping in the barn with a cell phone and a firearm.

[talkofthetown]

A question, maybe totally irrelevant, but did he say "your black mustang mare," or did he say "that black horse" or something vague like that?


I was thinking the excact same thing...if the OP doesn't even know the kid's name, why would he know so much about her mare?
And another thought, if the mare is up in the barn, wouldn't that make her easier to catch? Or would troublemaking kids not venture into a lit building? Sorry to bring up something else to worry about, but just something to think about. Good luck, Tamlain!

[Eventer55]

Ditto Trakehner except at my house we prefer a 45:lol::lol::lol: no kidding.

[Kimberlee]

I was thinking the excact same thing...if the OP doesn't even know the kid's name, why would he know so much about her mare?
And another thought, if the mare is up in the barn, wouldn't that make her easier to catch? Or would troublemaking kids not venture into a lit building? Sorry to bring up something else to worry about, but just something to think about. Good luck, Tamlain!

Being out in a pasture has not helped others horses.

[Anne FS]

I can understand it making your hackles go up, mine would've too, but remember, this kid could be one of the good guys and isn't threatening you but is trying to protect you, so please be cautious about calling the police on him or going to his parents. If you bring wrath down upon him he may never do a good deed again. As coloredhorse said, he could be a good guy.

As others have said, it's no joke about black animals being specific targets at Halloween and shelters not adopting out black animals around then.

Around Halloween ALL animals, regardless of color, should be brought inside. Too many wackos, indeed.

Heck, even if I'm home I make certain that all the cats and all the dogs are inside the house around Halloween, even the beagles in the kennel have to put up with the house (after a few hours of "isn't this fun?" they'd much rather go back outside).

[LDavis104]

Better to be safe than sorry - bring her in the barn, grab yourself a blanket, and maybe hang out in the barn for the evening (with a shotgun if you have one :)) Or, if you have barn doors to close, keep the barn lights on, and get one of those cheap-o alarm thingys from the drug store (can't remember what they're called, but they just make that loud noise if the door is open but aren't connected to an alarm systen or anything like that).

[PalominoMorgan]

If it were me I would keep the horses in the barn and supervise them. Good night for a barn party or tack cleaning. Heat up some apple cider and invite over a friend or two.

As for kids being evil... they don't need to catch a horse to torture it. Frozen paintballs hurt like hell and would probably get a nice reaction out of a pastured horse. I wouldn't worry about them catching the horse, but you trying to catch her after they put her thru the fence in a frenzy.

My advice is horses in the barn with a chaperone. Find a reason to be out there - small party, cleaning up, puttering around, cleaning tack, etc. It will help distract you a bit, but also spoil any plans that might be in the works without seeming obvious. If you can't be out there at all I like your idea of a baby monitor, though I would worry about being able to hear kids sneaking in and then getting back there in time if the barn is that far from the house.

If it were me the creepy factory would be in full effect and I would find someone to hang out with me in the barn. Most of my friends are easily bribed with beer so it's not THAT hard to get someone to hang out with you. Especially anyone who likes to yell at bratty kids. :) (Then again, maybe that is just my friends. LOL.)

I wouldn't count on the police to protect your horses and other animals. They have so many other things to worry about that night that they're not going to put you too high up on the priority list.

If you can't be in the barn that night what about getting a horse sitter to come over or a friend who wouldn't mind making a few bucks hanging out in the barn. Again, hot beverages, a lawn chair, and a good book make the evening pass quite quickly. I know if a friend needed the help I'd be more than up to sitting around drinking hot chocolate and reading a book. The off chance to chase off some punk kids would be a bonus.

[Nauset]

Although it's not as common (I wouldn't think) with black horses...the animal shelters around here will not adopt out black cats or dogs for a few days before and after Halloween. There are some weird-ass people out there who think they're vampires or zombies or warlocks or some other "scary" thing they think they actually are and do bad things to black animals on Halloween.


:yes: This is true in many areas. There are some CRAZY people out there!

I wouldn't take it TOO seriously, but keep your mare inside and check on her here and there.

[Anne FS]

That would freak me right out. The flat affect and creepy monotone, yikes!



That could've been him trying to not draw attention to himself. IOW, he didn't want anyone to see him talking to you and tipping you off. If his evil-minded "friends" saw him and said what was that about, he could say "nothing, I didn't say anything" and it would be more believable.

[ReeseTheBeast]

Yeah - I'd be sleeping in the barn with a cell phone and a firearm.

And a marine. :winkgrin:

Just kidding. [kind of]

anyway, I'm glad this kid mentioned something to you, whether it has any merit or not. And like others have said, the black animal-Halloween link is very real, as unfortunate as it is.

I also suggest calling the non-emergency number of your sheriff's department to report the roundabout threat to your property and ask for a patrol... and I also agree with the suggestion of having people over to your place and maybe having some kind of small "harvest party" in your barn, complete with spiced cider, cookies and stockpiled lethal weapons.

Let us know how everything goes.

[philosoraptor]

Shelters used to get so paranoid they wouldn't adopt out black cats near the end of october. Sadly, some of the shelters were kill shelters so these black cats may have ended up dead because they were there too long. There is no statistic or study they proves black cats (or horses) are in a significantly higher level of danger on Oct 31.

The kid was most likely just a weird local kid who had watched too many R rated movies. I wouldn't go losing sleep over it unless you knew for sure your town had some "satantic" crazies.

[Anne FS]

If it were me I would keep the horses in the barn and supervise them. Good night for a barn party or tack cleaning. Heat up some apple cider and invite over a friend or two. ....

My advice is horses in the barn with a chaperone. Find a reason to be out there - small party, cleaning up, puttering around, cleaning tack, etc. It will help distract you a bit, but also spoil any plans that might be in the works without seeming obvious.


Excellent advice. Much better to have lights and activity than to be lurking in the dark (not saying you would do that, I mean it's better than hanging out there alone).

As one of my favorite Irish books says, lights and laughter are more than a match for any elemental.
:D

[AnotherRound]

Yep, I'd have lights on and a barn party going with all animals inside. This kid didn't get that from nowhere. If he was going to do something, he wouldn't have 'warned' you. However, he could have well heard other kids commenting.

Good night to air out the sleeping bags and bed down with the honey up in the hay loft, after you're through entertaining downstairs with cider and friends. :D

[ImJumpin]

I would contact the police again, but this time armed with some literature-- news from the recent College Station trial and anything else you might be able to google with news stories of horses being injured or tortured (I know I've heard a few in the past couple years). They might take you more seriously if they see there have been recent cases that have ended so poorly.

And I just have to comment on a previous comment about how people in texas shoot anyone who is around their house or farm. I would read up on my law if you think that you have the right to shoot people on your property, or else you may find your way into jail. There are very fine lines of when you may and may not use physical force and guns to protect yourself. Sad but true, it basically amounts to if someone is breaking into you house, you shoot them and they fall backward and land outside your door, you are SOL.

[cholmberg]

I had black cat taken and mutilated on Halloween when I was a child, and left in the neighbor's front yard. Ever since our family has been VERY careful about our animals on Halloween and the night before and after. . . esp black ones.

I'd take it as a face value warning. If the person intended to harm your horse, he wouldn't have warned you first. It's not just kids that do that sort of thing either. Paranoid? Perhaps, but I chalk that up to the shock of seeing my cat that morning. Neither myself (eight) nor my parents had any inkling that something like that would happen in a quiet subdivision.

[TwoArabs]

I have ablack horse who will be safely stashed in the barn withhis grey pasure pal. I will be there as well with my 20 guage and should someone with bad intentions appear, I take my chances with a jury of my peers.

[Fiat Lux]

Go to www.thehorse.com and look at all the news reports of people hurting horses for sport, NOT on Halloween. I would take the advice of everyone who posted -- notify police (doesn't mean they'll do anything, but if something does happen, gives you a better case in court), keep lights on, keep your black horse inside, etc. etc. Better safe than sorry, I think.

[NMK]

I would move that mare asap for the week. He knew you had a black mare, and that means he's seen her, been on or close to your property. OMG. If you can't move her, I'd hire security, or get a motion siren/light detector for outside the barn. Something very loud and very bright. You are not being paranoid, he knows your herd and that alone is disturbing.

Nancy

[akor]

Do you know the parents? Grandparents? call them and tell them what the kid said. May not help, but it might. Tell them you've reported his comment to the authorities and if anything does happen to the horse, he will be the first one spoken to.

[citabobita]

How bout', "ah' I won't worry, cuz if you think bad things happen to black animals on halloween, you should see what I do to tresspassers on any day. Let's just say dead people can't talk."

Then ask him if he knows where in the store they have the extra large garbage bags and duct tape.

That ought worry him without giving the police any solid evidence!

[asb_own_me]

Most of my friends are easily bribed with beer so it's not THAT hard to get someone to hang out with you. Especially anyone who likes to yell at bratty kids. :) (Then again, maybe that is just my friends. LOL.)

Too bad we apparently live so far away from each other. I can tell we'd be good friends! :lol:

I agree with the overriding sentiment - better safe than sorry. I would take this as an overdue opportunity to install motion lights all around my property ;), as well as one (or five) of those chime thingys that sound in the house and barn when someone crosses a boundary. Those are things that I will be installing as soon as we finally move to an acreage. I'm not a fan of surprises. I'd rather be prepared for no one and nothing than be caught off guard and sorry.

[see u at x]

We've switched over to day turnout at my barn, so most of the horses will be in that night. However, there are a few groups of horses at our facility that are on 24/7 turnout. We're surrounded by housing development hell on 3 sides, and there have been problems with delinquent activity in the past, and not just on Halloween. My barn owner's solution? Patrolling the property on Halloween with a paintball gun loaded with frozen paintballs. :winkgrin:

[Prieta]

I need to repeat what the others said...DO not go to his parents to talk about what he said to you. He might be a good guy who trusted you to be discreet about what he said and that you'd take care of your black mare. He might need to protect his reputation as being a tough guy when he is a softie on the inside. Teens at this point in their life care about what their peers think of them. Thus, respect that.

Just take care of your black mare in the best way you think is possible.

[walkinthewalk]

black mare in her stall, you sitting there with a shotgun and a bright light...

Double ditto that:eek:

[I'm EBO]

If you see him between now and H'ween, tell him thanks for the warning, that you've let the police/sheriff know, and that you'll be at the barn with a loaded shotgun AND a chain saw. Drool, and try to look as crazy as possible when you talk to him. I guess you could carry your chain saw around with you, and hang some of those Blair Witch thingies in your trees. Is the kid a Goth?

[riverbell93]

I'd lock the barn with the horse inside on Halloween, and keep an ear out. I had a dog poisoned (not fatally, thank God, but a near thing) on Halloween once, and while I love Halloween, I don't put her out on either October 31st or the 30th (Mischief Night, in my neck of the woods) after dark. And horses are in some ways even more vulnerable, as all those horrible attack stories have shown.

Re: the kid - who knows if he's a good guy or a bad guy? Boys that age often act like weirdos; my nephew is completely capable of sidling up to a stranger in a store, making a creepy pronouncement and slithering away again. He's not an animal-torturing freak, he's just socially clueless. :)

[Anne FS]

Of course we live in an area of "good Christians" who think Halloween is Satan worship...

Honestly, they're the communities you need to watch out for. IOW, they believe this stuff, so look out.

[mephistopheles]

Honestly, they're the communities you need to watch out for. IOW, they believe this stuff, so look out.

Ooooooh yes. I have a VERY Christian neighbor who frequently tells the rest of the neighbors they going to hell for not going to church with him and his family. This is the same neighbor that smokes weed behind his shed on a weekly basis, and has been known to get smashed and do stupid things :yes:.

[Anne FS]

Re: the kid - who knows if he's a good guy or a bad guy? Boys that age often act like weirdos; my nephew is completely capable of sidling up to a stranger in a store, making a creepy pronouncement and slithering away again. He's not an animal-torturing freak, he's just socially clueless. :)


Heeheehee. That is too funny, riverbell. I laughed out loud.

[tiburon]

This occured several weeks ago, but ..................

OMG! This is SICK!
« Thread Started on Oct 14, 2007, 9:52pm »

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*** HORSES TAILS STOLEN - CUT TO THE BONE ***
Reply to: comm-448137058@craigslist.org
Date: 2007-10-13, 12:14PM PDT


For those of you who haven't heard the news, there were several horses who's tails were cut off Thursday night between the hours of 10pm and 11:30pm in the Daybreak Park area of Battle Ground. All of the tails that were cut were black tails. The people who did this came onto the properties, went into the stalls and/or open pastures and cut the tails at the bottom of the tail bone. One of the horse’s tail bone was actually cut into before they realized they were cutting too high.

Please keep a very close eye out for suspicious vehicles driving around the area, looking at horses. They will come into your barns or your stalls, they have no fear. We are spreading the word out as much as possible and we would very much like to catch whoever did this.

If anybody knows anything please call the local authorities. Let's help get some kind of retribution.

KATU News Story http://www.katu.com/news/local/10515092.html?video=pop&t=a

FOX News Story http://www.kptv.com/news/14332473/detail.html




Good luck .....My blk tailed mare will be in her white unicorn costume and locked in the barn.........

[Sing Mia Song]

As a vet tech who formerly worked in emergency medicine, I have seen absolutely unbelieveable things done to black animals on Halloween. So bad and so graphic that I won't even describe them here.

[PalominoMorgan]

None of us were there to hear how and what this kid said to you. My take on it though was that he was trying to be discreet and give you a heads up. Thanking his parents for raising a good kid was what I meant by talk to his parents. He was low key about telling you and probably hoping you'll do the same. He sounds to me like he's trying to do the right thing (warn you) without getting himself in trouble (with his parents, friends, etc.) He took the time to approach you in public and talk to you. That took courage for a teenage boy to do. (Especially IF he knows of kids who are planning on acting like jackasses that night.) I don't get the sense at all that HE is the one you'd want to suspect anyway. (Think about it... IF you were going to harm someone in some way why would you walk up to them in public and speak to them... no way. You'd keep your mouth shut and noone would ever be the wiser. I don't think the kid who approached you is the one to worry about. He's sounds like he's doing his best to do the right thing.)

** This opinion coming from a teacher who worked with "troubled" teenagers quite successfully for a few years. Take anything I say for what it is worth to you. **

[Tiempo]

I must be naieve or live in a bubble, I've never even heard of this black animal/halloween thing.

Wow.

[Tamlain]

Here are a few responses to responses. THANK YOU everyone for your suggestions.....

BLUEY - That's an idea....I wonder if the news people would find it worth it among all the fire reports and crap still going on locally.....THANKS for the idea.

CIELO - Already spoken to them and they were the ones that didn't really seem to feel that it was an issue. We are seriously rural and have 3 patrol cars to cover an insanely sized area. Usual response time is something like 45 minutes most of the time. It SUCKS when you have an emergency.........:no:

HAZELNUT - time and finances prevent the alarm idea.....and most of my friends are too far away to come.

MAYHEW - I don't know this kid and have only seen him around, and yes, he did say "YOUR black mustang mare". I had to think about that after you asked.

GREEK - that was how I said it to the police, and they basically told me that I was probably just over-reacting to a kid with good advice. The call was very annoying.

DELTA - An area like yours might be where bad kids want to show the goodie 2-shoes something, so I'd take care.....amazing what you think about when confronted with possible horror.

TALKOFTHETOWN - they would have to travel past the house to get to the barn, so the dogs would bark. The pasture borders the street. This mare is way too friendly for her own good and would probably wander up to say "trick or treat" with her bedroom eyes, so I'm thinking barn is safer.....

REESE - Unfortunately, my Marine is in Iraq.....:(

I'M EBO - The kids is.....uh.....different, but I don't know if he qualifies for a Goth.... From what a friend of mine said of my description, she thinks she's seen him around and that he's definitely a tweaker.

The biggest problem I have for protecting our entire herd is this formula....
16 horses
2 barns about 500 feet distant from each other (some dumb person's lousy idea of a smart layout....UGH)
1 me.

Here's hoping I can find a friend to man the other barn! I could double up some of the horses, but we have 4 stallions who don't share stalls well. :lol:

Well, off to make my selection of fire arm.....The Marine in the family may be deployed in Iraq, but he left me a nice supply of items to choose from for my safety....

Its gonna be another long week.......and I thought I was going to finally get to sleep after staying up watching all the fire reports last week. sigh......

THANK YOU EVERYONE.

[Amwrider]

Go to Wal Mart in the craft section and get some white children's finger paint. Make your horse a pinto for the night. Four white socks, a blaze, some white body splotches. It will rinse out with a little soap if you get the washable paint.

[DLee]

I was told years and years ago (80's, how can that be years and YEARS ago?? :eek:) to lock up black horses and cats. It's never left my mind, and now I just lock up fricking EVERYTHING and leave the lights on as well.

[Phaxxton]

ALL animals should be inside or watched on Halloween as far as I'm concerned... Too much trouble can happen with pranks, etc. :yes:

[Bluey]

Go to Wal Mart in the craft section and get some white children's finger paint. Make your horse a pinto for the night. Four white socks, a blaze, some white body splotches. It will rinse out with a little soap if you get the washable paint.

That is excellent thinking outside the box.:cool:

Would not hurt anything to disguise her well with paint, just in case.
Easy to do and may even help throw anyone off that is "just looking".:yes:

[Tamlain]

Go to Wal Mart in the craft section and get some white children's finger paint. Make your horse a pinto for the night. Four white socks, a blaze, some white body splotches. It will rinse out with a little soap if you get the washable paint.

LOL - I could make her a mini-version of our big pinto mare! They are built the same, but about 2.2hh different in height!

I may have to do it just for the hilarity factor!:lol:

[cllane1]

Tamlain, jingles that the kid was just warning you out of the goodness of his heart, NOT b/c he knows something might be planned.

That said, thanks for posting this. Hubby and I have two black TBs with minimal white markings (star on one and star and sock on another) who we usually turn out at night in a paddock that borders the road. We will be keeping them in at night for the next few days! Without this post, I probably wouldn't even have thought of it.

[Chester's Mom]

J Swan... You should send her Saf-T Man!!

Seriously, it sounds like something right out of Home Alone but make yourself some hay "dummies" in lawn chairs, one for each barn. You can go back and forth and your dummies (maybe in camo?) with fake guns can stake out the doors.

[Gray Horse H/J]

The kid was most likely just a weird local kid who had watched too many R rated movies. I wouldn't go losing sleep over it unless you knew for sure your town had some "satantic" crazies.

They don't have to be "satanic crazies" to go do something stupid, like paintballing a horse or something. Something a kid (or adult, anyone, for that matter) may think is a harmless prank, when really it could cause a lot of damage. If the kid has friends who really ARE planning to do something, it may not be anything satanic, but something like paintballing.

I'd take a warning seriously, I really would. Better safe than sorry. I'd rather end up wasting my time being extra careful than brush it off and be sorry later.

[Anne FS]

Unfortunately, my Marine is in Iraq.....:(
...

The biggest problem I have for protecting our entire herd is this formula....
16 horses
2 barns about 500 feet distant from each other (some dumb person's lousy idea of a smart layout....UGH)
1 me.




Well, UGH indeed. In that case, all barn lights, all exterior house lights, and some other lights left on from now through several days AFTER Halloween. I'd say through Sunday night.

If you don't have someone come over, perhaps you can have someone park another car at your place or at the barn. Strange cars are always an alert to stay away to people who may have been checking out your place. Or at least park one of your vehicles at one of the barns.

You could also leave a radio (or better, a televison) playing in the lit barn although I probably wouldn't, as I wouldn't want it to mask any noises in there.

Really, I honestly believe the lights alone will have people staying away. Creeps like this look for the dark places. Lights on and they'll pass you by, just run the lights a few days past Halloween and through the weekend.

And Godspeed safely home to your Marine in Iraq!

[Bluey]

I can't believe your police didn't give you any satisfaction.
Our sheriff would have been on the ball, checking things out and giving ideas of what to do and maybe sending extra patrols over thru those days.

If we have a possible problem, they don't leave us hanging to dry out there.

If nothing else, if something were to happen, they are liable for not listening to you and trying to help out.

I would try them again, until they do more than dismiss you.

[CelticReinRescue]

Times like this make me so grateful to own a Rottie that is the smartest dog ever and loves 'her' horses. She has an amazing knack for knowing if a situation is 'ok' or if something isn't 'ok'. She does all of our middle of the night barn checks with me and I don't have a fear in the world with her by my side. She is not a growler or a barker - she just watches intently and I have no worry that she'd act swiftly and quietly if needed to protect me or the horses.

Sadly though, I've been told that even if someone were to trespass on our property and Ki went after them, I'd could still be sued......that is unreal to me, but I'd happily deal with the lawsuit if it meant my horses, family and property weren't harmed.

We're far from the road up on a hill, but Halloween still makes me nervous and the horses are kept close to the house around this time. I just think it is a total shame that any of us have to worry about our animals at this time or any other time of the year.

[wasagroom]

Tamlain, jingles that the kid was just warning you out of the goodness of his heart, NOT b/c he knows something might be planned.

That said, thanks for posting this. Hubby and I have two black TBs with minimal white markings (star on one and star and sock on another) who we usually turn out at night in a paddock that borders the road. We will be keeping them in at night for the next few days! Without this post, I probably wouldn't even have thought of it.

Same here, my new filly that I got this summer is also pure black, nary a white hair on her. I never thought to be worried, even though in highschool, I had kids threatening to shoot my horses regularly.

[Anne FS]

Times like this make me so grateful to own a Rottie that is the smartest dog ever and loves 'her' horses.

That's great and I agree about having intelligent, formidable dogs around. I have two GSD myself. However, and this is OT for this thread as I don't believe it's the same situation at ALL, but in the real deal world of troublemakers, big dogs are extremely easy to disarm. Poisoned meat thrown around your property will disable the smartest, fiercest dog. And a real troublemaker wouldn't hesitate to shoot one.

That being said, the deterrent effect of people knowing you have such a dog on your property is effective.

[Chief2]

Great ideas. I do like that children's paint idea. Also, Hallowe'en is on Wednesday night, Begger's night is on Tuesday. Frankly, all black animals would be stalled up froom tonight (10/29) through the end of the weekend. Once these kids get going, it is tough reining some of them in. Get help from a friend for the tow biggest nights, and/or borrow a dog with a big woof.

[MistyBlue]

That's great and I agree about having intelligent, formidable dogs around. I have two GSD myself. However, and this is OT for this thread as I don't believe it's the same situation at ALL, but in the real deal world of troublemakers, big dogs are extremely easy to disarm. Poisoned meat thrown around your property will disable the smartest, fiercest dog. And a real troublemaker wouldn't hesitate to shoot one.


True...which is why my dog is trained to only accept treats or food on command. :)

Chief...Mischief Night is called Beggar's Night in your area? There's a ton of names for that night. We were such geeky kids in my family that mom would allow us out on that night with a bag full of toilet paper rolls and soap bars...but we weren't allowed to soap any windwos or TP any trees unless we got the homeowner's permission. :lol: So we'd be trudging up and down our little dead end street ringing doorbells and asking if we could soap windows or TP trees...and even funnier was a lot of our neighbors gave us the okay as long as we promised to come back the next day and clean it up. And we did. :winkgrin:

I would guess in the OP's case...if the young person made a point of saying something to her...he's most likely either heard of stuff like this happening either via online or TV or he's heard other kids talking about possibly doing something to her black horse. If her turnouts are anywhere near the road I'd guess most of the people in her neighborhood know she has a black horse. My turnout is *barely* visible from the road, you really have to look through trees and downhill to see it. Yet I meet more people out and about who know my horses if I happen to mention what road I live on. I always hear, "Oh, do you have those two red horses and the tan barn?" Even non-horsie people do like to stare at horses when they drive by apparently. I had thought only us horse folks did that. ;)
But I would keep a close eye on your animals just in case...if the kid heard something and was trying to warn you, it's good to be on your toes overnight for the next few nights.

[Anne FS]

True...which is why my dog is trained to only accept treats or food on command. :)


Oh, if I had a nickel for every "trained" dog I got to accept a piece of raw liver found on the ground.

Often "trained" dogs will never accept food from another person, but if they find something along the edge of a field, and that something is really tasty raw meat, they'll swallow it right down. They just don't associate their training to never take candy from strangers, or never to eat crap found on the ground, with something really fresh and enticing.

(I learned a lot living in Miami).

[J Swan]

I've been reading all these posts thinking - oh my - all those people with black horses.

Then I thought - wait - I have a black horse too. That big Percheron cross.

Duh. Well - they're in the back pasture this time of year anyway.


I hope the kid was just messing with you - or likes your horse and was just concerned - and nothing more sinister.

I would be happy to send you Safe T Man, too. He scares the he** out of anyone that sees him.

[MistyBlue]

Oh, if I had a nickel for every "trained" dog I got to accept a piece of raw liver found on the ground.

Often "trained" dogs will never accept food from another person, but if they find something along the edge of a field, and that something is really tasty raw meat, they'll swallow it right down. They just don't associate their training to never take candy from strangers, or never to eat crap found on the ground, with something really fresh and enticing.

Thankfully mine doesn't do that either. I've left stuff out for him hidden around the yard, he never touched it. The racoon did though, but he's never listened to me anyways. My GSD has the type of personality where he doesn't trust strangers at all...and he's not a snacker...nor will he ever roll in or mouth anything. I jokingly refer to him as Niles Crane...Mr Picky. :lol: He literally will not eat anything but his normal kibble and his normal dog cookies. Even if I put cut up meat in his dish he won't touch it. Hubby thought it would be funny to leave a piece of bacon overnight in his dish...it was still there untouched in the morning. So his personality does make it easier for me to leave stuff out for a few older rehabs I've had in the past that never moved away after healing. I have an older coyote and a coon that won't leave. My yard isn't big enopugh to support both in food...so they get food left out once in a while. The dog has never ever touched it.

J Swan...can you put Saf-T-Man on the Perch overnight? That should be enough to scare the evil out of any mischievous folks or Satin-worshippers wandering about. ;)

[Stacie]

My barn owner's solution? Patrolling the property on Halloween with a paintball gun loaded with frozen paintballs. :winkgrin:

I'm pretty sure I know the barn where you are.....
If I'm right, then I'm sure she'd rather be using arrows...

[mairzeadoats]

Tamlain,

Words of warning from a near stranger who knows who you are and that you have a black mustange in your pasture...that would freak me out totally. He may also know your marine is away. :(


Very glad to read that your horses will be in and you will be armed. The baby monitor is a good idea as well. I kept one in the barn when a neighbor was plotting to steal my horse. It gave me *great* peace of mind. If you possibly can, put motion detector lights on each barn. That way, you can monitor both at once and any intruders will be exposed before they can do damage. Also, if you have a cell phone keep it with you with 911 on speeddial.

[dressagetraks]

My family, too, has lost a black cat on Halloween night. She had her throat cut and was left in our front yard. Since then, I am extremely careful with any black cats, and when I had a black horse, I kept special watch that night, too. Better safe than sorry. This stuff does happen, sick as it is.

[Anne FS]

Oh, no! I'm so sorry. You know, we talk about this, and I know it's real, but I simply cannot wrap my mind around the reality of actually doing such a thing in real life. Ugh. How horrible.

A couple people on here said they'd never heard of the the black animals thing (in South FL it's pure black or pure white animals taken for Santeria), and kind of felt bad for introducing horrors into unsuspecting people's lives. But the best way to deal with this stuff is to look these things full in the face.

[TripleRipple]

You know, I bet he was just making stupid kid type small talk.

That said, you can never be sure, and now that it has been said, would never get over the guilt if something did happen. So I'd put the black horse in a stall, put a cot in the aisleway, lock up the barn and sleep there. Without hesitation. If nothing happens, then no harm, no foul. If something does occur, you can stop it from going real bad. I'd have a pistol too, but that kind of thing only applies if you already have one and know how to use it, and have thought this kind of thing through. Otherwise, a bat would be suffice.

ETA: I re-read, and see how many horses you have, goodness. Okay, I'd put black ones in the stalls, and I would pull an all nighter walking and patroling my pastures. I'd make noise too, to make sure they knew I was around. I'd have boom boxes playing some tunes in separate corners, so no one knew where I was sitting. I like the idea of dummies put in chairs as backup:)

I knew of a guy down our street who had someone shoot and kill one of his prize draft horses, right in the pasture. DH had asked where one of them was, and was told "dead." The guy was pretty upset, so dh didn't get much into asking the details. But the location is very rural, and you'd have to have made an effort to do this (can't see them from the main road, until you turn up a gravel road). It was shocking to me, as I'd been there 20++ years and just never heard of that happening, ever. So I don't take this kind of crap lightly anymore.

[blackstallion]

If he singled out your "black mustang mare" from a herd of 16, I'd have my hackles up too. I think you should listen to your instincts.

[TB or not TB?]

Hell, forget the shotgun - did your hubby leave you an Uzi?

Honestly I'd be decked out in like warpaint and go batshitcrazy (that's fruitbatshit, tyvm) all night just in case. You could also get like one of those airgun things that look so real... scare the pants off them if you fired ;)

[Sannois]

Oh, if I had a nickel for every "trained" dog I got to accept a piece of raw liver found on the ground.

Often "trained" dogs will never accept food from another person, but if they find something along the edge of a field, and that something is really tasty raw meat, they'll swallow it right down. They just don't associate their training to never take candy from strangers, or never to eat crap found on the ground, with something really fresh and enticing.

(I learned a lot living in Miami).

on food refusal. My shepherd would rather have died than take something from anyone other than me. And throwing it on the ground would make her go for you. Excellent trainer, Won her Brevet in French ring for her awesome food refusal. It can be done.
This thread is making me paranoid for my horse is is kept all alone on a friends property. Oh I may be out at the barn Wed. night! :eek:

[Anne FS]

Don't want to get OT on the dog thing, but you misunderstand what I'm saying.

I agree that taking it from a PERSON they won't do. I'm just saying that bad people leave stuff around, very tempting stuff. They do this days before they want to move in on a place. Very many trained dogs know not to take from a person, but they find the stuff when there is no stranger around. They simply don't associate that with being under command. In Ring Sport the food is thrown by a stranger while the owner is out of sight. Not the same as a creep planting stuff in an out-of-the-way spot on your property. In Ring II there are several pieces scattered on the field, so that's cool, but how many people on COH have Ring II dogs? Remember we're not talking about Ring Sport dogs here. I was talking about CelticReinRescue's pet Rottweiler. An entirely different thing.

[Tiempo]

I'd be freaked out. I'd have an all night barn party,or take the horse to a friends barn for a few days if possible.

I hope your Marine comes home safe and sound.

[Chief2]

MistyBlue: I grew up in Massachusetts. Beggars night was the only night my town did trick or treat. The kids from the neighboring town came over to ours that night, and then we went over to theirs on Hallowe'en. We also had a rag-shag parade on Begger's Night. I grew up in Leave it to Beaver-land. :)

[Tamlain]

Thank you everyone for some really great ideas!

I'm pulling everyone up to the barns and borrowed a couple baby monitors from some of my more prolific friends so I don't have to worry about being in 2 places and once, and with one in each barn, I can take bathroom breaks at the house without extreme panic

Since we just had the fires and the Santa Anas blowing through, I think I'll take up the idea of taking the night to deal with all the dusty tack that needs cleaning.

Motion sensor lights would probably drive me insane. We had them up at the barns once, but the horses and our dogs would set them off constantly. I think I'd spend the night going "what was that" every time a light came on and be a mental mess.....well, more of one than usual at least!

I kind of feel bad for upsetting so many people and making them worry (hopefully needlessly) about their horses.......but on the other hand, like its been said, better safe than sorry.

Well, I better get some sleep tonight. The next 2 nights are going to be LOOOOooonnnggggg.....

[Tamlain]

MistyBlue: I grew up in Massachusetts. Beggars night was the only night my town did trick or treat. The kids from the neighboring town came over to ours that night, and then we went over to theirs on Hallowe'en. We also had a rag-shag parade on Begger's Night. I grew up in Leave it to Beaver-land. :)

Cheif2: Wow, I grew up in Mayberry......LOL.

When we were kids, parents hardly ever went out with any child over the age of 4.

The kids from the high school would be in charge of watching out for the younger kids and their parents stayed home and handed out candy. In return for taking care of the little kids, the high schoolers got to trick or treat as their reward.

It was kind of fun not being frowned upon for trick or treating when you were 16 or 17 years old. :lol:

[grayarabpony]

I must be naieve or live in a bubble, I've never even heard of this black animal/halloween thing.

Wow.

My thoughts exactly. I thought kids just smashed pumpkins that were left out! :no:

[citydog]

but how many people on COH have Ring II dogs? Remember we're not talking about Ring Sport dogs here. I was talking about CelticReinRescue's pet Rottweiler. An entirely different thing.

Exactly. Most people can't get their dog to hold a simple sit stay let alone refuse food.

And even Ring dogs are occasionally fallible. ;)

I bring everyone in for the week and leave the lights on in the barn. I'd be alarmed by what the kid told me, but not about the kid himself, I don't think (although hard to tell without having "read" him first hand). I do think it's really odd that he knew your mare was a mustang (unless you are Tamlain Mustangs and have a big sign or something). Makes me wonder if there's some disgruntled former teen boarder or something?

[~Freedom~]

My thoughts exactly. I thought kids just smashed pumpkins that were left out! :no:

With the general disrespect young people to have to their parents, to other adults, to property and animals the fact that what was said to the OP tells me that the thought was there. Maybe THIS teen is sensible enough to not do anything but what about the next teen? :confused:

[MacknCody]

Jesus, as if horse people/animal owners don't have enough to worry about. My Mack and Cody will be stuck in jail with me sitting outside and I guess I'll shove the Cat in the guest house. Freaks....

[RoyalTRider]

I wanted to bump this up for this evening. I had never heard of this before and learned a lot from it, hoping others will.

[farmgirl88]

i'd put the black horse inthe barn, if you can, shut the windows to the barn if you have any, shut and lock any doors you may have open, and put a fan or something on for the horse. Just cuz you put it in the barn,doesnt mean they dont know its there and it doesnt mean they wont try and harm it anyways. If you have abuddy to stay with, sleep in the barn, maybe upstairs or in the tack room with the door locked and a phone nearby. Keep some lights on outside the barn, or maybe the tackroom light on and the radio playing inside, and a car parked outside. Knowing teenagers and teenage boys really well, i'd we watchful of his comments and i'd deffinately take them seriously. WAY too many creepy peeple and stupid teenagers in this world not to take his comment seriously.

[Claddagh]

This thread serves a very useful purpose. As some have said, they never heard of the black animal/Halloween connection. But we all need to be extra vigilant to keep all of our animals safe (no matter what color they are).

Tamlain - I'm glad you got that warning from the teen. Your plan of action sounds very good - tiring, but worth every sleepless hour :yes:.

I have a suggestion - could you maybe change the title of this thread to include the word Halloween? I'm sure there are many who haven't read the thread, and the more people who do read it, the more horses and other animals will be watched and protected over the next couple of nights. Just a thought ;).

[I'm EBO]

Thinking of Tamlain this evening. I hope your night is very, very boring. And tomorrow night, too. Let us know.

[Whisper]

I hope your horse is ok!

BTW, I used to go dancing at Gothic/Industrial clubs all the time, and never encountered anyone who was violent.

The really "flat" emotionless delivery reminds me of a few people I know who are on the autism/aspergers spectrum. Is he like that all the time, or was this the first time you had met him?

[Sobriska]

Jingling the next couple nights are boring. I do hope that you are prepared to protect yourself as well, should the need arise.
People who would come into your barn and harm your horse, would, quite likely, be happy to harm you too.

[asb_own_me]

on food refusal. My shepherd would rather have died than take something from anyone other than me. And throwing it on the ground would make her go for you. Excellent trainer, Won her Brevet in French ring for her awesome food refusal. It can be done.

OT but congrats! Impressive :yes: It takes a lot of GOOD training and a good-minded dog to do that. I want to do schutzhund training with my Dobies but have had no luck finding a reputable club in my area. The closet I've come to anything similar was taking them to the WAE with no prep. They both passed with flying colors and +3 scores on the threatening stranger. The WAE doesn't ask for any food refusal, though.

To keep this on track I send my best wishes to the OP for two long but UNEVENTFUL nights. Jingles to you.

[Tamlain]

Claddagh - I've added the word "Halloween" as requested.....

Tonight is night one of my long vigil....DANG.....its getting cold out there!

Sadie is in the barn, and I don't think I could sleep if I tried to.....there sure is a heck of a lot of traffic on our road for a freaking Tuesday middle of the night! I never realized!

[Claddagh]

Tamlain - Thanks (that's perfect)! I think that since it is Halloween, more people might see the title and then be interested enough to open the thread if they see the word Halloween in the title. Like an invitation to come on in and read. ;)

I hope your night was totally uneventful - and the same goes for tonight! In this case, a nice quiet, boring night is a good thing. :sleepy: :winkgrin:

Take care. (Maybe you can catch a nap during the day so you're ready for "round two" tonight).

[deltawave]

I trust all was well last night? I left the outside barn lights on and slept poorly. :lol:

[cllane1]

Our guys stayed in last night and will do so again tonight, ESPECIALLY as our barn's hay barn has apparently been rented out for some teen's birthday/Halloween party :eek: tonight. Will definitely keep the ponies out of reach of random teenagers that may be romping around.

Jingles that everyone has a quiet night tonight!

[PalominoMorgan]

Last night was a weird one here with 3 hunters running 3 dogs behind our property hunting. Apparently it was raccoon season, but the dogs were carrying on with a holy ruckus and the guys yelling were quite loud. (Even from 1000+ feet away.)

I ended up calling the DEC and they checked the guys out. There were on the up and up. It's just weird to go out for your night check and hear what sounds like a pack of wild dogs running, guys yelling, and gun shots. Fun, fun.

Horses were in the barn with all doors closed. They were a little confused about me closing the doors since the weather was nice. Everyone had shavings on them this morning so I'm assuming they slept well. :)

Here's hoping tonight is very BORING for everyone. :)

[Claddagh]

A teen's birthday/Halloween party in a hay barn??? :eek: Red flag alert for sure. I hope that this party will be well supervised (hopefully by some of your BO's people as well). I'd be most concerned about any of the teenagers smoking (as teens are known to do)!

I don't think you have to worry about any of them purposfully hurting the animals though. It is an organized party and there should be adults present.

BUT...

Hay barn + party + teens possibly sneaking in some smoking! :no: :no: :uhoh:

[FalseImpression]

I only read the first three pages, so sorry if someone has mentioned it before. Did he really say "your black mustang mare"... would there be any reason for him to know "your black mustang mare"? If you do not know him, how would he know that specific information? anybody would have said "your black horse".... how can he be so specific unless he has researched it, is a horse owner, or was told by someone who knows horses or is up to something? It strikes me as strange that he would be so specific!!
Good luck tonight. I hate Halloween... hate it hate it hate it!

[moonriverfarm]

Jingling that tonight is peaceful and boring at your barn.

[rebeginner]

I had not read this previously, but did just now, which prompted a call to BO regarding plans for this evening. My mare is on night turnout. Although no longer black, she does have a black tail.

Hope everyone has a safe, pleasant and uneventful evening!

[wlrottge]

A teen's birthday/Halloween party in a hay barn???

It sure should be well supervised. This is not just some hay barn out in the country. We'll be there to take care of the boys for part of the night... and I'm sure to check on the goings on.

[GansMyMan]

Where are you in so cal? I'm in San Diego for business and will come over to man the other barn if you're not too far. Of course, I could be a weirdo. Nah, my mom says that's merely a pet name! LOL

[dwblover]

I must say that I really do not think he would warn you if HE was the one that was planning on doing anything. He may have friends or have heard things through the grapevine, and perhaps he was trying to give you a heads up. Just be glad you were made aware of the situation so you now can keep her safe. There are a lot of weirdos out there. I would keep her in the barn and stay close by. Halloween is a weird night! :(

[Alagirl]

I have not read all replies. maybe the kid just read on the net ow weird people do strange things to black animals on Halloween and wanted to let the old fogey know about it. There are nice kids still around.


(of course, it depends on the kid...)

[Anne FS]

Shut the windows to the barn if you have any, shut and lock any doors you may have open, and put a fan or something on for the horse. Just cuz you put it in the barn,doesnt mean they dont know its there and it doesnt mean they wont try and harm it anyways. If you have abuddy to stay with, sleep in the barn, maybe upstairs or in the tack room with the door locked and a phone nearby.

No no no (with all due respect). I'd seriously NOT go to sleep in a barn that had every single window and door locked. How terrifying in event of fire. Even a place you know like the back of your hand will be just about impossible to escape if fully locked.

[Tamlain]

Well, I slept most of the day, fed, watered and just got out of the shower and am preparing for tonight. LOL

GansMyMan - thank you so much for the offer, but I think I actually have it covered and will do okay. My farrier is sitting vigil with me as he has his horses boarding with us and when I told him about the warning, he said "well, if you have a coffee maker we can hook up down by the barn, lets set up a table outside and get a good gin game going." He then called a friend of his who is going to come over and join us for part of tonight so we can get some pinochle in! Whoo hoot!

What sucked was the getting the horses in to the barns. They had just been put out on Sunday so they could stretch their legs after being put up during the fires so I could host evacuees in the pastures. They did NOT want to go back into confinement so soon. Poor babies.

To those who keep asking:
YES - the kid was specific about the horse. We have a herd that includes several breeds and we have mares, geldings, stallions and a colt. He identified color, breed and sex......the only thing he didn't mention was her name.

I think that was why I came so unglued about it. The pasture may border the road, but to get all that down....well...dunno.....unless at some point he was looking at the horses and she was by he road and her mane was flipped so you could see her BLM tattoo....most people just call her "black pony".

Well, the sun is down, and the company just pulled in, so I'm off for a night of caffine and cards!

Everyone stay safe!

[LockeMeadows]

How did everything go last night? I hope it was calm and uneventful.

[Bluey]

So, are you still in this dimension this morning? No tricks sent you into another? The night a treat?:)

I hope you didn't have to shoot at anyone last night.:eek:

P.S. Did you win at cards?;)

[Nezzy]

if the kid knows BLM tats, he knows horses. maybe he's just a strange kid who meant to be nice and give you a friendly Halloween warning, but not b/c he knew anything, but just b/c he was worried about the horse..? who knows. people are so Weird, anymore.

[meredithbarlow]

Hope everyone's Halloween went well.

Honestly I warn/remind people to keep black cats indoors (though NEVER thought about a horse) I'm certainly not threatening them, just making sure they keep their pets safe... because naivety doesn't keep their pet safe- keeping them in does. My black kitties have always been kept indoors around halloween time.

[Bluey]

I saw this morning a black cat dead by the edge of the road. I assume someone ran over it.:(
After remembering this thread, I wondered...:eek:

[blackstallion]

Hopefully Tamlain is just catching up on her sleep. We had an uneventful evening, but live on a quiet road with most of the pasture in view of my bedroom. And I think I have said many times and openly if anyone messes with the horses I WILL shoot first and then ask questions.

[Fenway]

My black kitty is forced to stay in on Halloween night too, but she knows the rules--black cats aren't allowed out at nighttime. Too bad she has such an over-protective mom!

I hope that the silence from Tamlain means nothing tragic happened.

[see u at x]

Hopefully Tamlain is just catching up on her sleep. We had an uneventful evening, but live on a quiet road with most of the pasture in view of my bedroom. And I think I have said many times and openly if anyone messes with the horses I WILL shoot first and then ask questions.

My ex-boyfriend's grandmother is a real spitfire. I always liked her theory on whether or not to shoot trespassers. She looked at us without a trace of humor on her face and said in her East Texan drawl, "I say shoot 'em. Dead men can't talk, after all."

[Alagirl]

My ex-boyfriend's grandmother is a real spitfire. I always liked her theory on whether or not to shoot trespassers. She looked at us without a trace of humor on her face and said in her East Texan drawl, "I say shoot 'em. Dead men can't talk, after all."


ROFLMAO!! She must have taught the cops around here: A friend was told to make sure any trespasser was good and dead before calling the cops, as they really didn't want to deal with two stories, conflicting ones at that! :lol::lol::lol:

[Candle]

tamlain, any updates?

[Bugs-n-Frodo]

Wow, that is just creepy! Please give us an update.

[millwrightmomma]

I chaiined all the gates, put anything away like shovels, t bars etc. Locked up the gas and weed wackers............then a cop pulls up and tells me to lock the gates. :D DUH...
I told him, since I know him, tresspassers not looking for candy get shot......he laughs and says hide the body on someone else's farm. So much for law enforcement, I think the cops are getting jaded from all the crap the kids pull these days and get away with.
Took all the halters off all the horse too.

Everything, and everybody was fine in the morning

[oharabear]

Do you know the parents? Grandparents? call them and tell them what the kid said. May not help, but it might. Tell them you've reported his comment to the authorities and if anything does happen to the horse, he will be the first one spoken to.


Personally, this is the LAST thing I would do. I deal with punk kids all day long. I find that they are only rude or causing trouble (generally) when they are in groups. VERY rarely will a kid do or say something like that while alone unless it is because they are genuinely concerned. I find that kids usually are smarter and kinder than we give them credit for. It's when they get in a group situation that they lose all common sense. Give him the benefit of the doubt, since it's good, solid advice anyway.

As for telling the kid's parents, and threatening them with the police in this manner, WHY would you violate this kid's trust like that when he potentially saved your horse? :no:

IF his intent was to scare you, he would have actually DONE something to your horse. He would not have warned you. If you piss him off, and he feels threatened by this, what happens if he has info on this kind of thing next time? (God forbid that there is a "next time," but you never know...)

[Tamlain]

Needless to say, I slept all day and am only now just getting in a few minutes of computer time.

It was a looong night, and a little after 2am, we did have a truck full of teenagers stop in front of the pasture and chuck eggs, but all the horses were up in the barns.....so no damage, just a lot of, uh, additional nutrients for the ground out there.

My farrier's friend (Dave) has 2 kids in high school and recognized the truck.....so, he called his oldest son, woke him up and got the kids cell phone number from him and called him. Did he gripe him out, no - he freaked him out and asked him what size and color the eggs he'd thrown had been.

The kids came back about 15 minutes later all sheepish and apologized and we found out they had been egging houses and pastures all over town for the last few hours.

I asked them if they had talked about doing this to anyone and they said they had just decided to do it last night, so I told them about the cryptic message from earlier in the week.

One of the kids said that he had heard some rumor about some kid at school that made himself out to be some kind of gothic/vampire/witch (somebody has an identity crisis) that had said he was going to sacrifice some animal, but there were always wild rumors about this kid that never seemed to be proven true, but that the kid was a real freak.

Regardless, Jesse and I stayed up until dawn anyway. Dave is taking care of the hooligans and their shenanigans. Most of them are seniors and a couple of them have single parents that work nights.

So - aside from a bunch of egg spatter in the pasture that the birds were having fun with today, no other damage.

[Bluey]

Good to know all are ok, horses and people and that you didn't have to shoot anyone after all.:eek:

You did impress on those kids that they may ought to report that kid, so someone can keep an eye on him, maybe get him some help?
Threatening to hurt animals can be a sign of a kid wanting attention saying outrageous things, but if he feels no one is paying attention yet, he may go ahead and do something stupid.
That is hopping he is not only a little off, but really disturbed and intends to hurt animals for fun.

Someone should look into that, to be sure things don't escalate and get out of hand with that kid, if something can be done.

Good for your horseshoer to help you out like that.:cool:

[mayhew]

I chaiined all the gates, put anything away like shovels, t bars etc. Locked up the gas and weed wackers............then a cop pulls up and tells me to lock the gates. :D DUH...
I told him, since I know him, tresspassers not looking for candy get shot......he laughs and says hide the body on someone else's farm. So much for law enforcement, I think the cops are getting jaded from all the crap the kids pull these days and get away with.
Took all the halters off all the horse too.

Everything, and everybody was fine in the morning

That's interesting. In Canada, owning a gun for protection is illegal.

[Bluey]

That's interesting. In Canada, owning a gun for protection is illegal.

Why else would you own most guns?:confused:

We have "varmint" guns and those varmints sadly may include the two legged kind.:(

[Fenway]

I'm glad that the night was pretty much uneventful. :yes:

[mayhew]

Why else would you own most guns?:confused:

We have "varmint" guns and those varmints sadly may include the two legged kind.:(

People say that it is for target shooting or hunting. I'm American and my father is Texan, so I'm right there with you, but technically, it is not legal to shoot two-legged varmints. Whether you're charged for murder is decided in court on a case-by-case basis, but you legally have no right to protect your property and your family.

[My2cents]

Needless to say, I slept all day and am only now just getting in a few minutes of computer time.

It was a looong night, and a little after 2am, we did have a truck full of teenagers stop in front of the pasture and chuck eggs, but all the horses were up in the barns.....so no damage, just a lot of, uh, additional nutrients for the ground out there.

My farrier's friend (Dave) has 2 kids in high school and recognized the truck.....so, he called his oldest son, woke him up and got the kids cell phone number from him and called him. Did he gripe him out, no - he freaked him out and asked him what size and color the eggs he'd thrown had been.

The kids came back about 15 minutes later all sheepish and apologized and we found out they had been egging houses and pastures all over town for the last few hours.

I asked them if they had talked about doing this to anyone and they said they had just decided to do it last night, so I told them about the cryptic message from earlier in the week.

One of the kids said that he had heard some rumor about some kid at school that made himself out to be some kind of gothic/vampire/witch (somebody has an identity crisis) that had said he was going to sacrifice some animal, but there were always wild rumors about this kid that never seemed to be proven true, but that the kid was a real freak.

Regardless, Jesse and I stayed up until dawn anyway. Dave is taking care of the hooligans and their shenanigans. Most of them are seniors and a couple of them have single parents that work nights.

So - aside from a bunch of egg spatter in the pasture that the birds were having fun with today, no other damage.
Glad that no one (horse or human) was injured or worse. Also, the fact that you've identified the egg throwers and weren't too harsh on them may let them know that they can 'keep you in the loop' about any other trouble makers out there. Years and years ago, I was a lifeguard at a public pool. Through the grapevine I had heard that there was a small group of young boys just primed to make trouble for the 'new guard'. I figured it was better to have them with me than against me and I approached them with the plan of 'hey I've heard that there are some troublemakers trying to make the pool a bad place, can you guys help me keep the peace?' and then I gave them a corner of the pool to watch. It was the best thing I could have done. The summer went by without a hiccup.

[asb_own_me]

ROFLMAO!! She must have taught the cops around here: A friend was told to make sure any trespasser was good and dead before calling the cops, as they really didn't want to deal with two stories, conflicting ones at that! :lol::lol::lol:

:Snort: Here's hoping the cops are like that around the area we plan to move to!!!