I am always wary of news items about things I don’t know about as the ones that have concerned things I do are rarely reliable. Second or third party observations are quoted as nearly fact even when they are simply wrong. The more sensationalist the better. Hereafter all collections of any bees numbering more than two shall be referred to as a “swarm”NigelP wrote:
I'm willing to listen to any rational reasons why this myth (IMHO) gets repeated
There was allegedly a story in Horse and Hound of an incident linking bees and horse deaths in 2011 after some hives were “damaged” that is repeated on the BBC news online website. Likewise several stories online linking Africanised bees in the States with horse incidents. Obviously we do not have Africanised bees in the UK.
It is always speculative what bees or horses will or will not do in a given situation. Some horses are quiet and unflappable while others are a bit bonkers. Rather like humans.
Personally, separating any stock from hives by either a hedge or a fenced enclosure would seem a reasonable precaution for the sake and convenience of all concerned.