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**Victor** · 01-11-2010, 10:08

Sometimes I've seen horses running along when a train passes. Now I understand that this isn't out of fright. So are they racing the trains

or is it just herd mentality?

**convert** · 01-11-2010, 13:59

It's hard to know. Maybe they're just doing it for fun or a bit of sport.

doctor evil · 01-11-2010, 19:42

Could be excitement if one kicks off.

What a great way to desensitize a horse, having a train track beside the field.

mack2 · 05-11-2010, 21:27

My parents have a great field next to the waterford/dublin train track and we used to put all our youngsters in it from foals upwards........the foals and yearlings used to race the train (i swear they did!!) but once they got abit older they ignored it....brill for traffic and noises!
Have my welshies up there now and it was soo funny watching them the first time the train came...that was 2 weeks ago now they ignore it!
The CIE has been traffic proofing our horses/ponies for 20years!!!

**Victor** · 06-11-2010, 02:32

When the Dunboyne rail line was being planned, some of the local land owners were concerned as there are quite a few stud farms in the area. i mentioned the issue of the possibility of train horns disturbing horses.

The response at the oral hearing in front of An Bord Pleanála was that horses generally don't care about train noise. The example was given of, I think, Ascot which is close to Heathrow and the horses just ignore the noise from the aircraft (anyway, there is no way for a horse to meaningfully race against an Airbus

).

During the intermission, the animal behaviour consultant told me of a new quarry where the farmers were worried about the blasting disturbing the cattle. They did a few small test blasts and worryingly, the cattle ran towards the explosions!

doctor evil · 07-11-2010, 00:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by mack2

My parents have a great field next to the waterford/dublin train track and we used to put all our youngsters in it from foals upwards........the foals and yearlings used to race the train (i swear they did!!) but once they got abit older they ignored it....brill for traffic and noises!
Have my welshies up there now and it was soo funny watching them the first time the train came...that was 2 weeks ago now they ignore it!
The CIE has been traffic proofing our horses/ponies for 20years!!!

Thats cool Mack2

Do you do stud livery/weaning or is it just your own stock.

01-11-2010, 10:08	#1
Victor Moderator Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Dublin Posts: 60,934 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Accommodation & Property, Commuting & Transport, Infrastructure	Horses and trains Sometimes I've seen horses running along when a train passes. Now I understand that this isn't out of fright. So are they racing the trains or is it just herd mentality?

05-11-2010, 21:27	#4
mack2 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 40 Adverts \| Friends	Trains My parents have a great field next to the waterford/dublin train track and we used to put all our youngsters in it from foals upwards........the foals and yearlings used to race the train (i swear they did!!) but once they got abit older they ignored it....brill for traffic and noises! Have my welshies up there now and it was soo funny watching them the first time the train came...that was 2 weeks ago now they ignore it! The CIE has been traffic proofing our horses/ponies for 20years!!!

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01-11-2010, 13:59	#2
convert Moderator Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: everywhere and anywhere Posts: 5,588 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Equestrian, Greyhound Racing, Horse Racing	It's hard to know. Maybe they're just doing it for fun or a bit of sport.

01-11-2010, 19:42	#3
doctor evil Closed Account Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 3,072 Adverts \| Friends	Could be excitement if one kicks off. What a great way to desensitize a horse, having a train track beside the field.

06-11-2010, 02:32	#5
Victor Moderator Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Dublin Posts: 60,934 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Accommodation & Property, Commuting & Transport, Infrastructure	When the Dunboyne rail line was being planned, some of the local land owners were concerned as there are quite a few stud farms in the area. i mentioned the issue of the possibility of train horns disturbing horses. The response at the oral hearing in front of An Bord Pleanála was that horses generally don't care about train noise. The example was given of, I think, Ascot which is close to Heathrow and the horses just ignore the noise from the aircraft (anyway, there is no way for a horse to meaningfully race against an Airbus ). During the intermission, the animal behaviour consultant told me of a new quarry where the farmers were worried about the blasting disturbing the cattle. They did a few small test blasts and worryingly, the cattle ran towards the explosions!