Snow and behaviour - please tell me I'm not the only one...!

[Kat_Bath]

Harvey is (normally) a joy to walk. He is funny, intelligent and keen.

Monday night, had 4-5 inches of snow.

Tuesday, on both walks, Harvey was an absolute &*£$ - no eye contact, not listening, no acknowledgement I was at the end of the lead. He wasn't always sniffing but he was on some kind of mission.

Tuesday night, even more snow.

Our walks yesterday were also horrid. Made the mistake of letting him off on a playing field (we often do and we have fun and play games etc) and he was AWAY. He wasn't going anywhere in particular I don't think but who knows?!

Today he's been better but we did take him to a secure field for a good run. He's still obsessed with going in everyone's gardens though - he doesn't do that normally!

How does the snow make so much difference?! I wonder what affect it has on smells (stronger or weaker)? How does it make him completely deaf (as opposed to just a little bit!)? Why is he such a &+£# when it's snowed?!

Is it just me dealing with this? Thank god we don't live even further north - won't be moving to the Highlands any time soon, that's for sure! ?

 

[Karran]

Oh God yes! Had alot less than you, can still see grass tops but Miss Collie has gone really, really feral! ??‍

 

[Annette4]

Dobby becomes a total idiot in snow; no listening, zoomies, spinning and just generally a total arse. Definitely not just Harvey.

 

[PurBee]

You’re not alone in your horse becoming a prat when its snowed!

We had snow overnight here for the first time this year. I go out there to find the snow covering their barn/hardstanding area completely pure. Not a hoof print had disturbed it. They’d stayed huddled in the barn, wondering what this weird white stuff was....evidently not remembering previous snow experiences!

When they heard me, out they came, heads high, nostrils huge, eyes glaring with some crazed wonder...! The snow felt weird under their hooves so the gelding pranced and spooked. The mare took cues from me that its normal and decided not to show herself up.

but from the kitchen window i saw their antics....rolling in it, prancing together, just like kids. Even after 6 hours the gelding still liked to spook himself, the mare has now decided the stable is unsafe...crikey! ??

ive been out there shovelling it out the way as they compact it and it’ll become an ice-rink. Luckily it’s going to get warmer tomorrow and rain the next day to wash the weird white stuff away!

 

[Kat_Bath]

What a relief! ? It's honestly like he's had a complete personally transplant. Sadly we're expecting more and the existing stuff's not going anywhere very fast but I can rest easy knowing I'm not alone in this misery!