What Were You Thinking Chula Vista? Tractors and Horses Don't Mix Well . . .
- Susan Heavilin
- Apr 1
- 2 min read
Horses are prey animals with a healthy, intrinsic flight response. They are "spooky" by nature and constantly on the radar for threats, reacting to stimuli that humans often overlook.
They don't like objects above their heads (it might be a mountain lion trying to pounce on their back) or things too close for comfort. You can all relate to that!
Big bad CAT
So whoever parked an extremely large CAT tractor very close to the Rohr Park Horse Arena yesterday was obviously not aware of these traits.
Equipment of this size would frighten most horses out of their horseshoes.
Click on photos to enlarge
This heavy equipment is better known as a Caterpillar 950M Wheel Loader and rivals in height the buildings located at the arena. The tires are five feet tall. It weighs 42,360 pounds compared to a 1000 pound horse. The bucket alone can hold a entire herd of horses (just kidding).
Cautious equines might be difficult to lead through the gate with the tractor so close. Most horses would avoid that end of the arena making it a taxing ride for the equestrian trying to teach leads. It pretty much voids the use of the arena for most riders with this big CAT around.
So Many Places to Park
Given that Rohr Park is approximately sixty (60) acres in size—and the arena is on one small acre—why was this location even considered?
Why was it not taken back to the storage yard? Did it run out of fuel?
Where to park? Maybe by the open areas by the round pen, or the trail, or the grass or even by the dirt piles . . . so many choices! So what rocket scientist decided to block the driveway and park next to the arena? Chula Vista, are you for or against horses in Rohr Park?
Left to right: open space by round pen, open space by trail, open space on grass, open space by dirt piles | Click on photos to enlarge
This was a poor parking choice that could have caused a crazed horse accident. That could have been CATastrophic for the horse and the rider. The Rohr Park Horse Arena is no place for large construction equipment.
Horses and BIG tractors . . . . no bueño.
Comments