Does anyone have experience flying over farms/fields with animals - horses, sheep, etc. Obviously, not flying low - but how do they react? Are they easily spooked? Or don’t they take much notice?
Never had any problems, most are too busy eating! Just keep above 150 ft and they won’t notice you.
I’ve found horses the easiest to spook but as John has already said - keep to a reasonable height ~ 150 feet and yo should have no problem.
I’ve flown several lost dog SAR flight at around 50 feet and that will certainly get horses restless.
Quite often fly over farmland and always keep above 150 ft never had a problem.
When I fly over (my own) sheep at below 100ft they spot it and are a little spooked. Not enough to cause panic but they definitely know its there. I have thought of using the drone to round them up instead using the dog. Not sure if 150ft is the limit of their vision
Horses spook quite easily, race horses more so I imagine. The latter could test your third party insurance limit! Balloon pilots keep clear of pigs, which suggests they are best avoided. Above 150ft should be OK for most things.
Last year I flew from a public footpath in the middle of an empty field, I noticed horses in the far corner of an adjacent field, as there were no openings in the fence I figured I was far enough from them to launch.
What I hadn’t realized was that further down out of my view was another field with horses and an open gate. I’d flown for about 20 minutes and was about to bring the drone in when to my horror I see three fairly big horses galloping toward me, quite scary when you are not used to being near horses.
In the event the horses were friendly and just wanted attention, but now I’m getting battery critical warnings and concerned about bringing the drone in. I managed to walk away from the horses and started bring the drone in, the horses weren’t interested until I put my hand out to catch the drone, they must have thought I had food and came running again, but as soon as the drone landed and I lowered my arm the horses stopped and lost interest.
I must admit I was quite concerned at how they would react especially as battery level meant I had limited options.
Took these last year with my Mini 2, cows never got spooked, maybe didnt hear or see the drone, forefront of my mind whilst flying was their welfare
Thanks everyone! These are all great tips. Flights up around 150ft or more over wild ponies should be fine then, and can’t really be accused by farmers of worrying sheep. I bet they get worse problems with irresponsible dog owners.
I have 3 donkeys that one always getting spooked unfortunately and considered entering her into the grand national as she can jump over a big fence and stream, I have to cut the fence to get her back in after few hours chasing around the field,
Drones was DJI FPV which tbh is noisy but was surprised my old mini 2 scared her.