Scared of Night Checks

[wildlifer]

@mmeqcenter

I’m on the hunt for a dusk-to-dawn solar light that ISN’T motion sensor.

These are the ones I put on my hayshed, the only outdoor lights I have always on (primarily bc they don’t have a switch: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0…?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Pros:
-Um, $11.99
-Install in less than 1 minute each, literally (I have 2, all you need is a drill & you could actually even use a binder clip, LOL)
-Very soft, dim light, so doesn’t disrupt my night (think subtle landscape lights)
-They are always on, but DO have a motion sensor so that when activated, they get brighter for a short period of time (since it’s not off/on, though, I don’t find that bothersome).
-Internal battery charges itself with panel. I’ve had them up for 2.5 yrs so far, no issues.
-Definitely weatherproof, I got BOTH Hurricane Florence & Michael effects this year, they also survived Hurricane Matthew in 2016 (WAY more rain), as well as intense cold last winter (wind chills hit -11F, it was ridiculous)
-You can turn them off with a little pin that comes with them, I never have

The motion sensor range is ~3 m or so, I think, not super far, and these have been ideal for hay shed, they put out enough light for me to load/move hay during the winter without falling in the pallets, but not as bright as a normal outdoor light. I put one on each side of the doorway at one end (one inside, one outside), it’s a 12’ x 24’ shed. Because they’re not super bright, while I’m sure rabbits occasionally trigger them, I’ve only noticed it once in 2 years & that was because I was standing at the window (hayshed is caddy-corner to house front).

Cons:
-Brighter time only lasts 30 seconds, sometimes I have to go reactivate it if I’m trying to rearrange hay in back of shed & forgot my headlamp

These won’t be like a big “standard” outdoor d-t-d light, if that’s what you want, but thought I’d share bc I love these little things & thought others might too. And the “brighter” is actually usefully brighter, I didn’t plan it this way, but the one on the outside of the shed is triggered when I pull my truck in after work, which is super handy when I inevitably drop something when I get out.

[walkers60]

What a bunch of wimps, I guess its the younger generation that well I don’t really know why all of you seem so timid. Grow one or move to the city.
When I read these post I cannot believe you are horsewomen with your own property.

Nighttime is for enjoying the stars and listening to the animals. Hey you horses need dark to sleep well and guess what if there was a stranger out there or a bad dog the horses would be letting you know.

I used to laugh at the cowboys movies where the bad guy sneaks up on the good guys sleeping next to their horses. . Have you ever tried to sneak up on a horse day or night? No way.

You women are so disappointing.

[tabula_rashah]

For several years, I borrowed a field from neighbors that required about 1/4 mile walk to get there about 1/2 of that through the woods (I live in a pretty rural area). I used to dread it but the more I did it, the more I actually decided that I liked that time. I also never took a flashlight and my night vision improved dramatically. I swear there is something about just hanging out with your horses in the dark that is amazing peaceful. The best were cold nights when there was snow on the ground and the sky was clear. Now that I’m typing all of this, I really miss those night walks

[mmeqcenter]

@wildlifer

These are the ones I put on my hayshed, the only outdoor lights I have always on (primarily bc they don’t have a switch: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0…?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Pros:
-Um, $11.99
-Install in less than 1 minute each, literally (I have 2, all you need is a drill & you could actually even use a binder clip, LOL)
-Very soft, dim light, so doesn’t disrupt my night (think subtle landscape lights)
-They are always on, but DO have a motion sensor so that when activated, they get brighter for a short period of time (since it’s not off/on, though, I don’t find that bothersome).
-Internal battery charges itself with panel. I’ve had them up for 2.5 yrs so far, no issues.
-Definitely weatherproof, I got BOTH Hurricane Florence & Michael effects this year, they also survived Hurricane Matthew in 2016 (WAY more rain), as well as intense cold last winter (wind chills hit -11F, it was ridiculous)
-You can turn them off with a little pin that comes with them, I never have

The motion sensor range is ~3 m or so, I think, not super far, and these have been ideal for hay shed, they put out enough light for me to load/move hay during the winter without falling in the pallets, but not as bright as a normal outdoor light. I put one on each side of the doorway at one end (one inside, one outside), it’s a 12’ x 24’ shed. Because they’re not super bright, while I’m sure rabbits occasionally trigger them, I’ve only noticed it once in 2 years & that was because I was standing at the window (hayshed is caddy-corner to house front).

Cons:
-Brighter time only lasts 30 seconds, sometimes I have to go reactivate it if I’m trying to rearrange hay in back of shed & forgot my headlamp

These won’t be like a big “standard” outdoor d-t-d light, if that’s what you want, but thought I’d share bc I love these little things & thought others might too. And the “brighter” is actually usefully brighter, I didn’t plan it this way, but the one on the outside of the shed is triggered when I pull my truck in after work, which is super handy when I inevitably drop something when I get out.

Thanks, I’ve seen those, really wanting something not motion censored at all.

[S1969]

@walkers60

What a bunch of wimps, I guess its the younger generation that well I don’t really know why all of you seem so timid. Grow one or move to the city.
When I read these post I cannot believe you are horsewomen with your own property.

Nighttime is for enjoying the stars and listening to the animals. Hey you horses need dark to sleep well and guess what if there was a stranger out there or a bad dog the horses would be letting you know.

I used to laugh at the cowboys movies where the bad guy sneaks up on the good guys sleeping next to their horses. . Have you ever tried to sneak up on a horse day or night? No way.

You women are so disappointing.

LOL wow. Grow one or move to the city?

Keep in mind that there are thousands of active users on this board and only a handful are worried about doing night check. And yet, they still do it. Not sure there is anything disappointing on this thread except your post.

So, not sure what your gripe is. Just an opportunity to vent about women? There’s a word for that, you know.

[AllHorse]

@walkers60

What a bunch of wimps, I guess its the younger generation that well I don’t really know why all of you seem so timid. Grow one or move to the city.
When I read these post I cannot believe you are horsewomen with your own property.

Nighttime is for enjoying the stars and listening to the animals. Hey you horses need dark to sleep well and guess what if there was a stranger out there or a bad dog the horses would be letting you know.

I used to laugh at the cowboys movies where the bad guy sneaks up on the good guys sleeping next to their horses. . Have you ever tried to sneak up on a horse day or night? No way.

You women are so disappointing.

Well I wouldn’t call myself younger generation and have never lived anywhere but the more rural areas. The horses in our barn have no worries about deer or coyotes wandering about at night (or day) and they’ll often be lying down asleep when we go over and don’t all jump up so I doubt they’d do anything much different if a stranger was in the barn.
Motion detectors are a great idea, lights and the ones that make a loud noise. Have a good light outside the door of the house and one outside the barn door and carry a torch.
I know plenty of people, including men, who always have a gun with them when they go outside at night

[Hulk]

I just turned 50 and I have been doing a late night check my whole life. It is a family farm, so I grew up here so basically no excuses. I still love my dusk to dawn lights DH installed. I certainly have no problem owning that at all. Plans for the future to install more, for walking between our properties. Yup not ashamed of that either. And in all honesty it was my DHs idea to put them up, I just happen to love them. Bonus it sure does make doing chores in the dark easier cause you can see what the heck your doing instead of fumbling around in the dark.

[mmeqcenter]

Wow, people wanting lights when it’s pitch black out so they can actually SEE where they’re going and what they’re checking on… how AWFUL.
HEAVEN FORBID we don’t want to be jumped by a venomous snake in the middle of the night. LAWD what babies
:uhoh::uhoh::uhoh:

[Bluey]

I don’t think anyone here is talking about going for a nice night stroll down the country lanes, enjoying the bright stars up in the sky and the sounds and smells of an idyllic walk in the dark.

This is going to the barn for a night check, with purpose and a goal that requires lights.

Not saying some may like to make that walk fit the first image, but for most, most days, they just want to see all is well in the barn and turn in for the night.
Some light to show you the path in that quest is welcome.

[Foxtrot_s]

I THINK Walker was joking by being a bit sarcastic…tone gets lost when written down.

[PsyPsy]

@Foxtrot's

I THINK Walker was joking by being a bit sarcastic…tone gets lost when written down.

I thought that at first, and tried to re-imagine good intent. Then I re-read it a few more times and…nope, it’s just a plain insult.

Walkers60: just a couple of assumptions you might want to revisit:

1. Age - how do you know how old I am? Or anyone else for that matter?
2. Ditto to gender.
3. Circumstance - I could encourage you to simply “be kind,” but that went out the window when you called us disappointing. Instead, “be empathetic.” You never know what circumstances someone may have been through that lead them to where they are today - perhaps I was a victim of rape, burglary, domestic violence, etc. Or, you know, simply just cautious and preventative. It doesn’t make me, or anyone else on this thread less of a horseperson - arguably a better one, as who better to empathize with than a horse?

[atr]

I guess it depends how tame your “countryside” is, Walkers60. If the most you are likely to see is the odd fox or bunny rabbit, good onya, mate. Enjoy fumbling around in your risk-free darkness.

I prefer to give the mountain lions, wolves, bears, moose, poachers, etc., that share my wildland mountain habitat a bit of an advanced warning to move right along before I get there. (Spooked wildlife can indeed be dangerous, by the way, I have a large chunk missing out of my thigh from being gored by a deer to prove it.)

I don’t recommend tripping over a porcupine in the dark, either. For you or the porcupine.

[sing]

It isn’t about being afraid so much as being sensible. Who wants to spend valuable drinking time and money in the Emergency Room getting treated for a snake bite?

And we haven’t even brought up the subject of rabid animals-who won’t even try and get out your way if they can. Quite the opposite.

These are common issues that sensible country women(and men) keep in mind when they are out and about.

[Hulk]

Ya know I have been thinking about this and snakes and wild animals are one thing for sure, but how about just plain dang wiping out because you trip on something you don’t see in the dark. As we age are bodies don’t heal as well or quickly.

  That and another story came to mind.  We had a gelding for whatever reason seemed to be a problem child.  Loved him dearly but geesh.  So it was super dark out and it was storming something fierce.  I was doing night chores just trying to get everyone out of their paddocks and in the barn.  My glasses were wet from rain both sides and fogged up.  It was gusting, down pouring and dark as could be.  Said gelding had a cut on his leg I did not see till the morning chores.

  If I had seen the cut, I would have called the vet immediately and had it stitched. But alas I did not. Morning was just to late to stitch. It healed just fine but would have been better and quicker with stitches.  So there is that as well.  Whats the point of even doing a night check if you can't see any injuries anyways?

Look I can live without electric and running water in my house as well, but I sure as heck don’t want to. I don’t have to prove I am tough or a real pioneer women to anyone. We have the modern invention of lighting. I think its quite stupid to forgo the lights just to prove something and end up injured as a result of it.

[DMK]

@Foxtrot's

I THINK Walker was joking by being a bit sarcastic…tone gets lost when written down.

If it was, it was a written communication failure of considerable magnitude.

[Guilherme]

@Hulk

Ya know I have been thinking about this and snakes and wild animals are one thing for sure, but how about just plain dang wiping out because you trip on something you don’t see in the dark. As we age are bodies don’t heal as well or quickly.

That and another story came to mind. We had a gelding for whatever reason seemed to be a problem child. Loved him dearly but geesh. So it was super dark out and it was storming something fierce. I was doing night chores just trying to get everyone out of their paddocks and in the barn. My glasses were wet from rain both sides and fogged up. It was gusting, down pouring and dark as could be. Said gelding had a cut on his leg I did not see till the morning chores.

If I had seen the cut, I would have called the vet immediately and had it stitched. But alas I did not. Morning was just to late to stitch. It healed just fine but would have been better and quicker with stitches. So there is that as well. Whats the point of even doing a night check if you can’t see any injuries anyways?

Look I can live without electric and running water in my house as well, but I sure as heck don’t want to. I don’t have to prove I am tough or a real pioneer women to anyone. We have the modern invention of lighting. I think its quite stupid to forgo the lights just to prove something and end up injured as a result of it.

That’s why I like the low intensity, solar lights you can get to go along your pathway (whatever it is). And something similar for a “night light” in the barn. It’s not The Strip so you don’t need all that much. But safety says you need as much as you need.

G.

[Hulk]

@Guilherme

That’s why I like the low intensity, solar lights you can get to go along your pathway (whatever it is). And something similar for a “night light” in the barn. It’s not The Strip so you don’t need all that much. But safety says you need as much as you need.

G.

That sounds lovely as in really awesome. However our set up requires dusk to dawn security lights on the peaks of the barns. I have to cross the barn yard that is about 90X180. There are gates down thefar 180 side, the barn yard is used as pasture as well, plus I mow it to lawn length. And I have more intricate set up out back. Out front I walk on the driveway. Its a lot of walking but I do like to keep small herds. Its not like I can’t do it in total darkness, I have to during power outages. It is just a heck of a lot nicer with a bit of light.

I don’t have night lights for the barns but the security lights shine through the windows enough for my needs. We also have full lighting systems in all of the barns. Once, while a vet was out on a late night call he commented on how nice it was to be able to see what he was doing. He told us we had the best well lighted barn for night calls that he goes to. Honestly it made me feel good to provide a suitable work environment for the vet. Its not like the barns are new, in fact they are all quite old, but DH rewired them. It is nice to have the lighting if you need it.

[Guilherme]

@Hulk

That sounds lovely as in really awesome. However our set up requires dusk to dawn security lights on the peaks of the barns. I have to cross the barn yard that is about 90X180. There are gates down thefar 180 side, the barn yard is used as pasture as well, plus I mow it to lawn length. And I have more intricate set up out back. Out front I walk on the driveway. Its a lot of walking but I do like to keep small herds. Its not like I can’t do it in total darkness, I have to during power outages. It is just a heck of a lot nicer with a bit of light.

I don’t have night lights for the barns but the security lights shine through the windows enough for my needs. We also have full lighting systems in all of the barns. Once, while a vet was out on a late night call he commented on how nice it was to be able to see what he was doing. He told us we had the best well lighted barn for night calls that he goes to. Honestly it made me feel good to provide a suitable work environment for the vet. Its not like the barns are new, in fact they are all quite old, but DH rewired them. It is nice to have the lighting if you need it.

Sounds like you have as much as you need!!! Good on you!

G.

[lilak357]

Get you a flashlight/headlamp/spotlight, and then, (and this is my trademark secret which I debated sharing in a public forum): warm up those vocal chords and belt out a tune. You’ll either be distracted by how good or how bad a singer you are and you’ll forget all about the time of day. I myself have never hit a note in tune, and find much joy in yodeling in the dead of night. Even my separation anxiety ridden pup leaves me to it once I start on Total Eclipse of the Heart. No critter, crawler, or murderer is gonna stick around to hear more.

[Pennywell_Bay]

Hay or something was knocked out of the loft the other night and fell on me as I made my way down the aisle after turning off the lights. I thought- this is is- this is how it ends, someone is going to chainsaw me to death. Because I am very reasonable at 10 PM in the dark.

My neighbor came and replaced my dusk to dawn light for me yesterday