Fair weather horse ?

[Sonia]

Ellie seems to be a bit of a fair weather horse ! She is really spooky when it's raining or foggy. She lives in the South Pennines which are high and so get's plenty rain/fog etc. I can understand why she's spooky - because her senses of sight, hearing, smell and even feel must be distorted by this weather making her fell edgy.

Has anyone else come across this ? Also, any suggestions as to how to help her through it?

Thanks
Sonia

[Mossy]

In a word Yes. We get a lot of fog and general mucky weather on Dartmoor. I bought, in a glorius summer drought, a TBxID who I later discovered hated going out in the fog and/or wind. I never really did solve it. We compromised, as if it was really foul, he was quite happy to stay in the field and exercise himself, taking shelter when he felt necessary. I must confess I am not a fair weather rider but I need no excuse not to risk being blown off sideways. I appreciate that I am very lucky with 24hr turnout and ample foul or hot weather shelter. The situation would be different if we had to get out for exercise. Sorry no to be more help.

[Jay Kay]

Hi Sonia
Just a thought but could she be cold ? If she is a thin skinned type, she may be. If she is a native or Heinz 57 with a furry coat then that throws that theory out !
My youngster (who is a native), is objecting to the acorns dropping at the moment, especially if they land on her bum, while I am riding her, sometimes they look for any excuse to liven things up. How is Ellie on a windy day ?

Jay Kay.

[Sonia]

Hi Jay Kay
Unfortunately I can't used "thin skinned" as an excuse as she is a cob x trotter with plenty coverage and furry! She is a bit spooky on windy days, but seems worse in rain/fog. It also may be worth adding that there is a pylon right next to the yard and so it sizzles and hisses in wet and makes an awful noise in wind too.

Sonia

[Jay Kay]

But it might be worth considering that the magnetic field from the pylon is worse on rainy or foggy days ?
I know its sounds a loony idea but I have heard of it having an adverse affect on some horses. The sound is I agree enough to spook anything.
Jay Kay