Treats at a lesson/boarding barn

[RJC]

We have a “sealed containers for treats” rule enforced not by the BO, but by the naughty barn cats. They will rip through anything that isn’t large and hard enough that they can’t get their teeth through it. The first time I was amazed that the barn cats had ripped through a softer plastic tupperware container of horse cookies set on a shelf, BO shrugged and said “they do that.”

We (all two boarders and BO) do lots of baited PT with our horses, so it would be potentially challenging to not be allowed to keep treats in the barn at all.

[Renn_aissance]

@RJC

We have a “sealed containers for treats” rule enforced not by the BO, but by the naughty barn cats. They will rip through anything that isn’t large and hard enough that they can’t get their teeth through it. The first time I was amazed that the barn cats had ripped through a softer plastic tupperware container of horse cookies set on a shelf, BO shrugged and said “they do that.”

That is a very effective deterrent.

[Mallard]

I think the only mouse/cat-safe container would be metal, like a cookie tin.
Even heavy plastic containers gets chewed through at our barn and boarders are not allowed treats in their lockers unless they’re in a metal container.

[SharonA1]

@Angela_Freda

They only need a couple each visit

My horse has just thrown himself on the ground in an agony of paradise lost.

[candyappy]

@Luseride

I hate to say never, ever, ever, bring a treat. They are useful when catching a horse in the field at an odd time. We are concerned about bugs and rodents.

I would just let everyone know what has been happening and can they keep the treats in their vehicle from now on? They will still be accessible and not attract pests.

I have a specific bait station ( a T shaped thing made out of PVC pipe my husband made) in my tack area, my feed room and my chicken house. I have zero mice and the construction is such that nothing but mice can access it. I still place it in a way my chickens , dogs and other animals couldn’t get to it.

My treats are in a feed tub at floor level with no takers.

[Vyce]

My Barn’s rule is treats only in a mouse proof bin. Same with feed. It’s an old barn and our mouse population is thriving and living their best rodent lives. I keepy treats in my trunk and just bring the bag when I’m at the barn. I’m a soft touch and my adorable lease pony mare has my number. How many treats? Shh. I’ll never tell. What happens at the barn, stays at the barn. (Owner knows and she’s okay with it!)

[Luseride]

We use commercial chicken house bait and stations. Since the barn is at the edge of the woods it makes it more difficult to keep them out but we rarely have a problem and I want to keep it that way.

This did occur when we were in a drought. Now that we are getting rain I have not seen any signs of rodents. One of those times when several things conspired against. :0

[candyappy]

@Luseride

This did occur when we were in a drought

Probably the reason they even came in but as you know as it gets colder they will be back.