FW: [RC] wind and wild trail rides - Mike Sherrell
My
first instructor said she thought horses acted up in windy weather because the
wind was bringing them smells of things from far away, things they might be
afraid of, and they weren't sure if they were close or not.
Hunters say their prey often moves into the wind to
know what is ahead of them. Are horses calmer riding into the wind, and more
nervous and flighty with the wind at their backs?
My
main problem with the wind is my Outdoor Research rainhat with the chinstrap
turns inside out right on my head! Now if it's raining and windy I try to
tie my Indiana Jones-style fedora on with a scarf over the top of my head
and under my chin. Makes like bonnet, and it's nice the way it keeps the rain
from blowing into the side of your face, but the first bandanna I tried
wasn't long enough, and it slipped off and blew into the Sacramento River. I
need a belt or something.
-----Original Message----- From:
ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On
Behalf Of Jonni Sent: Thursday, May 25, 2006 2:08 PM To:
Ridecamp Subject: [RC] wind and wild trail rides
The more you get out and ride them on
windy days, the more you will relax, and find that the horse just does not
mind it. I think that many riders avoid riding on really windy days, as they
expect the horse to be naughty. Then, when they DO venture out in the wind, the
horse picks up on that apprehension, and indeed, is naughty. You can not
always chose what the weather will do at an event, so try to "practice" in all
kinds of conditions on training rides. It is just as much for the rider, as it
is the horse. When we can relax and say "well, just because it is blowing
like mad today, doesn't mean I can't compete, as we have ridden in worst than
this at home", we find our horses ARE fine, and not bothered by the
conditions.
