[RC] Wind - Diane TrefethenWind is caused by air flowing from high pressure areas to low. The greater the difference in pressure and temperature between two fronts, the stronger the wind. A horse's brain is more sensitive to changes in air pressure than are those of humans - though research into how weather affects human behavior seems to indicate "low barometric pressure is associated with an increase in impulsive behaviours".http://www.cpa-apc.org/Publications/Archives/CJP/2003/october/schory.asp Additionally, if you observe your horses carefully during an approaching storm, you will notice their degree of uneasiness increasing. This is not because a storm is coming; it is because the barometric pressure is dropping much faster than it normally does. As long as the air pressure is fluctuating, a horse will be disconcerted. If you have a horse that is not particularly bothered by wind, it was born with a brain that is less sensitive to pressure changes than the average horse. Although the horse's discomfort and resulting desire to escape from the odd feelings in its brain is not a training issue per se, the other posts here suggesting that you "practice" in the wind are valid. You cannot change how the horse's brain reacts to changes in pressure but you can help your horse realize that when it is under saddle, it is 1) safe from harm and 2) needs to pay attention to you despite how its brain feels. Bottom line, you can modify your horse's behavior but this is a genetic limitation and cannot be fixed. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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