Horses undisturbed by turbines, horse whisperer claims

A "horse whisperer" hired by the Genesis Energy power company to boost its case for a wind farm says the giant turbines will have almost no effect on horses but could get the blame when things go wrong for competition riders.

Paul McGreevy, a senior lecturer in animal behaviour and welfare at the University of Sydney and author of two books on equine psychology, gave evidence during Genesis Energy's appeal against the rejection of its proposed wind farm at Awhitu Peninsula south of Auckland.

Late last year, two Franklin District Council-appointed commissioners turned the project down, partly because sudden blade movement on the 90m-high turbines and "shadow flicker" from their blades could frighten horses at nearby horse training and equestrian facilities.

But Dr McGreevy said horses were in greater danger from thunder, large crowds and PA systems at equestrian events than turbines.

Recreational horse trekkers faced higher risks from dogs, sand-yachts and other horses while riding on the beach than from the wind farm, he said.

Equestrian riders regularly called upon "a catalogue of possible reasons for their failure to get the best performance from their horses", he said, and the wind turbines would likely be a target of their frustration.

"It is possible that, simply by anticipation, riders may fabricate and mythologise the impact of the wind turbines on their horse's behaviour."

But the animals could be "habituated" to the turbines in the same way they were prepared for competitive events at equestrian venues.

Neighbours opposed to the wind farm say its 19 turbines will spoil the peninsula's wild and windswept landscape and cause irritation through noise and "shadow flicker" when the sun catches the blades.

Of the 262 public submissions on the plan, 237 were opposed.

The planned wind farm site is 7km west of the small town of Waiuku and would be a first for the Greater Auckland region, generating enough energy to supply 8000 homes.

The appeal hearing is in its third week before Judge Gordon Whiting and hearing commissioners Marlene Oliver and Kevin Prime.

Horse whisperer's CV

* PhD in horse behaviour from Bristol University.
* Post-doctorate certificate in companion animal behaviour counselling.
* Author of two books on horse psychology.
* International expert witness in court cases involving horse safety.