Cuffey
Well-Known Member
Visited Whitelees Windfarm yesterday http://whiteleewindfarm.co.uk/
3 riders came from a local yard and demonstrated riding literally under the turbines
Had good chat with them.
Horses come regularly
New horses introduced to the turbines with ones who have been before
Some do not like it but most get used to it very quickly.
If they notice a turbine ''resetting'' ie changing direction they stop and wait until it starts again
Biggest problem is moving shadows on sunny days both for horses and people.
Some Horses try to jump the shadows
They do not ride on misty/foggy days as blades coming out of mist could be scary.
There are concerns about ice as well, cold nights when blades are barely moving, going into sunny day and wind gets up but fairly rare, the staff could think of only one day this had happened since it opened.
From a distance the turbines look tall and blades small, when you are underneath the blades come down lower than I expected.
Noise is a 'whoosh'
Non changed direction while we were there but understand that noise is a cross between clicks and creaks until it starts turning again.
At Whitelees there are miles of tracks available, most with better surface than many forest tracks although not suitable as canter tracks. Further development overwinter will provide more parking areas and more horse access points.
A UK wide survey will be launched over winter to gauge how many riders can and do ride through windfarms, or would like to but feel the need for an organised acclimatisation session.
Your opinions are important so please watch out for the survey
Please if a windfarm is proposed in your area make sure you ask for horse riding access at planning stages, regardless of your personal opinion about liking/disliking them.
3 riders came from a local yard and demonstrated riding literally under the turbines
Had good chat with them.
Horses come regularly
New horses introduced to the turbines with ones who have been before
Some do not like it but most get used to it very quickly.
If they notice a turbine ''resetting'' ie changing direction they stop and wait until it starts again
Biggest problem is moving shadows on sunny days both for horses and people.
Some Horses try to jump the shadows
They do not ride on misty/foggy days as blades coming out of mist could be scary.
There are concerns about ice as well, cold nights when blades are barely moving, going into sunny day and wind gets up but fairly rare, the staff could think of only one day this had happened since it opened.
From a distance the turbines look tall and blades small, when you are underneath the blades come down lower than I expected.
Noise is a 'whoosh'
Non changed direction while we were there but understand that noise is a cross between clicks and creaks until it starts turning again.
At Whitelees there are miles of tracks available, most with better surface than many forest tracks although not suitable as canter tracks. Further development overwinter will provide more parking areas and more horse access points.
A UK wide survey will be launched over winter to gauge how many riders can and do ride through windfarms, or would like to but feel the need for an organised acclimatisation session.
Your opinions are important so please watch out for the survey
Please if a windfarm is proposed in your area make sure you ask for horse riding access at planning stages, regardless of your personal opinion about liking/disliking them.