FRIGHTENED? NEIGH!!

It would be interesting to know how many of the hoorays who have objected to the proposed Lenchwick Windfarm on behalf of their horses actually read British Horse, the official magazine of the British Horse Society (BHS).

BHS Scotland had a superb awayday in September when representatives of the access committee and riders' access groups visited Europe's largest wind farm at Whitelee, near East Kilbride, to investigate equine usage.

As the article in the Oct/Nov edition of the magazine goes on to tell us, 'Delegates were met by three horses and their riders from nearby Meadowhead Farm Riding School. They shared their experience of living adjacent to Whitelee and discussed the new and exciting opportunities that Whitelee Windfarm brings to this busy riding school.'

New? Exciting? Did they interview the horses?

Well, according to one of our local nookies (who hasn't ridden a horse in years), the creatures are flighty things and will almost certainly be spooked by a wind turbine a bit of a distance away. The very first objection to the Lenchwick planning application came from someone - not very local - who seemed to feel that horses are more important than society or the planet, because they're more sensitive (or at least their riders are). So, obviously, horses and windfarms don't mix.

Or, rather, they do. Very happily. The first windfarm built in the UK - Delabole - also has a stud and riding stables on site. The owner often rides his horses round the windfarm. An early windfarm. Blades much closer to the ground.

And what's this - BHS Scotland Development Officer, Helene Mauchlen, says 'Wind farms are an increasing feature of rural life and many people are already enjoying satisfying and safe horse riding access around them.'

What? No horses rearing, panicking, running amok at the mere sight of a turbine? That can't be right, surely!

Well, actually, it's true. It's not horses who don't like windfarms, it's (some of) their owners - who, like the other nimbies involved in this fraudulent travesty, objecting to windfarms, would rather use their children, their animals or their elderly relatives to advance their cause than admit that they're just selfish and stupid.

According to the British Horsearticle, ScottishPower Renewables have made a modest donation to help fund a joint UK-wide survey, along with BHS Scotland, of attitudes and experiences connected with horses and windfarms. Ultimately, the reason is probably to help shoot down the maniacal claims of the horsey, anti-windfarm set of Daily Mailreaders who are currently doing their bit to hold the country back.

Still, yet again, it's all good news. Okay, BHS Scotland will be more familiar with windfarms than their soft southern comrades because the Scots are better organised than we are and are already a good way down the road towards a happily renewable future.

So it makes sense that the Scottish branch of the British Horse Society is leading on this one. They know what they're talking about (windfarms are good news for horseriders). Unlike the delusional fools of VVASP, who'll tell any lie going if they think it means people will take them seriously.