Do you keep a light on at night?

[FoxFireEMT]

I was reading my Equus magazine today before class and read a rather intersting article! I thought (for those who don't get Equus) I would mention this article and maybe some of you will be able to use the valuable information.

In the (September) issue there was a section on leaving the lights on at night as a "night light" and the issue if its risky to do so or risky not to do so. As the expert suggested that leaving a certain light on (over the summer) as a "night light" could cause an unwanted bug problem. They related that these lights welcome unwanted bugs, bugs that carry such disease as the potomic(sp) horse fever. I can't say that I was completely amazed by this fact but it shocked me! :eek: I'm sorry I can't qoute the article word for word because I left the article at home. Maybe those of you who have the mag. can't back me up a little on this. Or at least post the page number for those to go look the small article up themselves! I tried to research it on light throught their website but was unable to do so.

My point being is; I know my barn where I board keeps a light on for "security" reasons and now I wonder what my risks are. I know all our horses are UTD on their shots but still kinda worries me. Not sure I would win the battle with the barn owner (nor do I wish to battle her because I understand her position) she had her horse stolen FROM her pasture over a year ago now. All gates are currently pad locked but still the light helps with the security. What is one to do???

I guess motion light would be the best suggestion in certain situations like that. :huh: Just don't know.....

Anyone else see this article?

[WashingtonBay]

I keep a light on yes. I don't think the existence of a night light is a horse's only exposure to the area's mosquitoes. Or, put another way, if the area mosquitoes are carrying disease, turning the lights off will not protect the horses from them.

I've not noticed a bug problem from mine, save the occasional moths.

[FoxFireEMT]

Yeah I agree with you on that one. I wouldn't say that they said it's going to "cause" the only exposure. They were just putting the thought that it adds the extra added "possibility". You know what I mean? I haven't really noticed any major "dead" bugs in the area of our pastures & such either.

[WashingtonBay]

Well, I think my position would be similar to your BOs... I want lights on at night, because if I hear something, I want to be able to look out and see.

And barns are awful dark at night without them.

If there's potomac horse fever around, lights or no lights, it's around and you vaccinate anyway, IMHO.

[HeartofSteel]

I also saw that is Equss. There is a light on the side of the shop which is a "fence" on one side of Niko's pen, it isn't very bright at all and there is one on the front of the shop which is very bright. I have never seen any dead bugs on the ground below either of them.

[FoxFireEMT]

O yay i completely agree with you. maybe I didn't word right in my original post. I wouldn't try to battle the BO with the thought.... because of her history there & its in a kinda sketchy area (at times). I'd rather my horse be "safe" by being able to see unwanted visitors or whatever in the pasture. I was just trying to help with posting things that would help with hits on your site. :)

but my thought was also to gather opinions & you were given your opinion! I agree & Thanks!

[WashingtonBay]

Understood! Thanks! :)

[FoxFireEMT]

I also saw that is Equss. There is a light on the side of the shop which is a "fence" on one side of Niko's pen, it isn't very bright at all and there is one on the front of the shop which is very bright. I have never seen any dead bugs on the ground below either of them.


See I thought the same thing when I read that too. I never too noticed to an abundance of "dead" bugs around the light. I live in a fairly high mosquito area so regardless of a light or not the horse's (my risks) are high of any disease. Thats why we vacinate.

[HeartofSteel]

We have mosquito's but not a ton of them, we do have moths but there isn't ever any dead ones oddly under the lights. Equss has a lot of good articles but some of them like that don't make sense sometimes.

[painthorse72]

when Ribbon (3month filly) first came we left a light on but now no. Like Halfpassinghaffie said we dont really have a mosquito problem here.

[Steelhorserider]

I don't leave a light on but have spotlights that I can put on and the barn is only 10 feet from the house so the dogs notice anything not right.

[magayle]

i have 2 security lights and bugs or no bugs i wanna be able to see what's goin' on out there

[TLC97]

I have a HUGE security light right beside the door and that is on at night because I want to be able and look out to check on anything. It does cast some minimal light back into the stalls, very minimal. I shut all lights off in the barn itself. I have never noticed anything bug wise, except the moths will cover the side of my barn in the summer, no biggie.

[FoxFireEMT]

Sounds to me like the everyone's opinions are bout the same on this issue! I guess we can't always believe everything WE hear! :) Thanks everyone for your input!

[Miracle Whip]

I do not leave my yardlight on for the simple fact that its expensive to have it on and the light is right outside of our upstairs bedroom window. The horses are not afraid of the dark and actually seem to see quite well. I have rode Whip with only a smaller yardlight to see by. I don't know about bugs but I betcha it keeps the BATS away and they DO eat bugs.

[sugarsgirl]

I havn't read the article, but we don't keep lights on at our barn at night.