Do you ride on blustery days?

I

Ilovefoals

Well-Known Member
Joined
27 March 2010
Messages
1,935
Visit site
Trying to decide whether I'm brave enough to get on my 4yr old today. It's really cold and blustery and my arena is surrounded by trees all blowing in the wind. Would I be crazy? He's been out of work 8 weeks with foot issues so we are only walking (back on him first time day before yesterday). Or do you think I should give it a miss today? I must admit, I'm a worrier and start to fret if I can't get him ridden but tbh, I don't suppose in the grand scheme of timgs it matters that much. Does it?
 
I personally don't like riding anything really green if it's absolutely blowing a gale personally, I just think there's always another day for babies to never give them a negative experience.

Anything older and not 'sharp', then yes, I'll still ride them as I don't find it makes a huge difference. :)

If I do have to take anything a bit flightly out, then usually head for the nearest hill and get them trotting up it to get out some freshness till they're more settled.
 
Yes, I agree with Amymay. I always take everything out on bad days - we live in the pennines, so 90% of the days are blustery! The only weather that stops me is ice, as we live on steep hills and little lanes - I don't risk the horses.. I think its good for horses to get used to going out in all weathers. However if the horse has been off and you are already worrying, then no, wait until you have company perhaps?
 
I think I may tack up and take him into the school and see what he's like. Then I can either do some inhand stuff or get on if he seems chilled. Sound ok? I am quite a wimp really but since I live on top of a massive hill (the woods along the rd are called windyhills!) I should probably just get on with it or I'll never get to ride!!!
 
I ride whenever, although I usually hack if it's windy/blustery as Cobby is a spooky sod so schooling is pointless! At least out hacking there are enough hills to get him tired quickly to calm him down :)
 
Yep i went out on a hack yesterday when blowing gale! Went on a new route too.I was unsure how my ned would be but was an absolute star.

However, he is 8years old and generally quiet.
 
I do. Avoid some hacking routes when stuff like fence panels & bins are flying about, otherwise I do. But as amymay said, if he's been out of work, one more day won't matter.
 
I knew he would be as he has such a laid back temperament. If your horse gets anxious and so do you, I would wait until I felt that all surrounding influences were in my favor. Twenty-four hours won't make a difference.
 
Well I decided to tack up and take him into the school to see what he thought. Definitely on his toes and a bit snorty at the far end as hubby had cut down some big branches which were obviously pretty dangerous looking so decided to get on and ride at the bottom end to begin with. Gradually sneaked my way up the top when he was concentrating on me and only one spook which was more of an excuse to have a buck and a prance. A lot of pent up energy there me thinks. Rode for 15 mins. He was good considering the school surface was hitting us in the face at some points so all in all, pleased Thanks for your input guys. Appreciated!!
 
I don't if it's really windy, but I have no school, I hack straight up onto dartmoor which really isn't fun if it's blowing a gale. For me it's just not worth it, pony can be stupid in the wind. I am looking forward to cold winter days though , I'm a freak :)
 
I ride my younger horse out when its windy as she is not too bad in the wind, but my big older chap has always been very sensitive to wind and atmospheric stuff (even in the field, you can tell when a storm is coming as he goes ballistic) and there is no way I would hack him out in strong winds. It entirely depends on the horse. I think it is a good idea to ride youngsters in wind once their basics are solid tho as otherwise they dont get used to it.

There are some winds up here (Cairngorms) tho where I wouldnt ride either of my horses, simply because the winds are so strong it is dangerous (as almost anything could come flying through the air, pieces of buildings, anything !)
 
lachlanandmarcus said:
I ride my younger horse out when its windy as she is not too bad in the wind, but my big older chap has always been very sensitive to wind and atmospheric stuff (even in the field, you can tell when a storm is coming as he goes ballistic) and there is no way I would hack him out in strong winds. It entirely depends on the horse. I think it is a good idea to ride youngsters in wind once their basics are solid tho as otherwise they dont get used to it.

There are some winds up here (Cairngorms) tho where I wouldnt ride either of my horses, simply because the winds are so strong it is dangerous (as almost anything could come flying through the air, pieces of buildings, anything !)
Click to expand...

Agree I was in the Cairngorms recently and it was beautiful but blowing up a gale.

Generally yes I ride in anything except sheet ice and packed road snow but maybe not on a baby who has has 8 weeks off so well done to you for being brave.
 
Well, discretion is the better part of valour, but eventually, someday, you are going to have to ride when it's not perfect, so despite being the worst wimp EVER as in too wet/windy/hot/cold/too many flies/etc., I make myself ride in everything....sometimes.
 
I've found with my youngster that if you don't make an issue of stuff and just get on with it she tends to do the same. So yes I would ride on a blustery day, in fact often I'm the only one who goes out in bad weather from our yard.
 
I really don't like riding on windy days, but I do do it. I think it's the fact that I can't hear what's going on around me, and I just hate wind. Sounds like it's going to be bad over the next few days, so Shy way get a few days rest :)

Wind AND rain, forget it.
 
Ilovefoals said:
I think I may tack up and take him into the school and see what he's like. Then I can either do some inhand stuff or get on if he seems chilled. Sound ok? I am quite a wimp really but since I live on top of a massive hill (the woods along the rd are called windyhills!) I should probably just get on with it or I'll never get to ride!!!
Click to expand...

I always rode on blustery days and think you should pretty much be able to get on a horse and it does as you wish! Ice would be the only thing that would have stopped me. Ridden in snow etc. But as so young/been out work I would perhaps do as you say if he is fine then get on and carry on as normal. Just do a quick short burst, take it slow you have lots of time to build him up to it etc. But do it. He has a job to do and if a horse isnt exposed to new things it wont come as a shock at all in future. Perhaps at some stage do the scary things ie plastic bags etc etc. Good luck its good you are thinking about this to further his education.
 
If I want to ride I ride whatever, in the past I have ridden in in all weathers, rain wind sleet snow ice sunny foggy at night in the pitch black, you name it.
 
The only thing i change when its really windy is i put on an exercise sheet and leave tail tucked in but thats more because horse spooks at tail than a need for it. I was always told expect the horse to behave and be surprised if it doesn't not look for problems. Have had some amazing rides on bonfire night schooling with and view of fireworks is amazing.
 
All weather rider here!! :D

if theres alot of stuff blowing about i dont usually hack (or I will at least take someone with me:)) also if its too windy i dont jump as the jumps just get blown down and its infuriating!! :(
 
Its blustery here today and I have had a lovely hack around the forest - my boy does get a bit more on his toes when its like this but nothing silly.
 
Windy here this morning and newly clipped young cob went out like a ferrari, she is normally more 50cc moped ish.

Took me completely by surprise and had half hour of thinking the lanes look a bit hard to get dropped on. Very thankful the extra steep hill I made her walk up took the edge off.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top