YOUR HORSE'S CARE PADDOCK ANTICS | PREVENTING ESCAPES
WHO WAS THE ACTUAL HARRY HOUDINI?
Harry Houdini (1874-1926) was a Hungarian-American escape artist whose daring feats saw him free himself from shackles, ropes and handcuffs, as well as from various locked containers ranging from milk cans and coffins to prison cells.
ANYONE WHO OWNS a horse who is an escape artist will understand the total panic that sets in when he is discovered where he isn't supposed to be. From seeing whether the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, to becoming unsettled when his field mate leaves, there are plenty of reasons why a horse may put his Houdini skills into practice. And, while tales of greedy Shetlands sneaking under electric fencing and clever dressage horses undoing their own stable doors make for amusing stories, there is a darker side to escapee equines.
“The risks of escaping horses should never be underestimated,” warns equine behaviourist Kay Willoughby. “Some horses are kept in fields near roads, while those in an enclosed yard could get into fields with other horses where injuries may occur. There's a possibility of horses getting caught in fencing, tangled in torn rugs, or hurting themselves on farm equipment lying around.”
But what makes ahorse want to get out of somewhere he should feel safe and secure?
“There are numerous reasons that may make
