HORSES and WIND. Not a love story.

May 14, 2020

What is it about wind and horses?

I know that I always think twice when considering riding on a windy day. I think the horse does, too.

What is it about wind that makes a horse … uh… go on the fritz, as my Dad would say. It is as if on windy days, their brains short circuit.

Of course, wild ponies, who grew up in windy areas, are just fine with wind.

WIND AND THE DOMESTIC HORSE

I am sure there are many horses who are old souls or were trained in windy days or are from the Dakotas… But most horses that I’ve ever known usually totally freak out in the wind.

Horse: WIND!!! Agggghhh, gasp! I cannot hear or smell or THINK! RED ALERT RED ALERT! RUUUUUUUUN with your head REALLY HIGHHHHH AND SWING IT FROM SIDE TO SIDE.

Mustangs seem to be fine with wind, although I am sure they are on high alert on windy days.

AGE, GENDER AND WIND.

Today is an incredibly windy day here on top of the ridge in San Miguel, CA.

Now, if I was honest with myself, I’d look out over my herd and say, well, the boys are going crazy… but the girls are handling it.

Hmmmm. Is this just my herd? A false generalization? A reality? Dunno. But Wrigley, Finn and Mo are spinning around making themselves all sweaty… and the girls are just hanging out in the shelter.

Looking out over the herd, I would also say that the older horses are much more calm about this than the younger horses. That is probably a very basic conclusion. However, Finn is getting up there in age yet he is still freaking out right now. So that theory is a bit blown.

But, Gwen and Norma are acting as if it is just another afternoon. They are in their 20s/30s. Been there, done that.

Another wild one.

NO SENSES

People have said that since horses are prey animals and they rely on their senses, when wind interrupts their senses of sight and smell, they feel very insecure/vulnerable.

Sounds about right.

They look so beautiful in the wind!

JUST SO IRRITATING

Or is it that wind is just so irritating? It blows sand in your eyes… it blows your hair all around and the static electricity is very annoying.

I can’t even touch my cats right now… we all end up getting shocked.

This is me, today.

IN CONCLUSION

My only solid conclusion is that I must be very aware when working around or riding my particular horses on windy days. And even if I am hanging out with my older mares, a huge thing might break off from a tree or come rolling around or blowing about at any moment – which will cause some immediate and frantic hoof action, so best to be inside…

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