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Flossy is well known to many on the British Dressage Forum as a teller of interesting stories and perhaps the odd joke or two. We have selected a few tales for your pleasure.
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Summer problems
At last the summer is here (for a day or two knowing the British weather) and with it the joy of riding in the sun, after months of being in the dreary indoor school the fresh air in the open outdoor arena makes horses and riders feel on top of the world.
Unfortunately for some it is not so, for unexplained reason some horses develop fundamental dislike to fresh air and riding in open spaces. In spite of years of research ,applied scientific trials no body have an answer why some horses the moment summer arrives they turn into HEAD SHAKERS, COMPULSIVE SNEEZERS OR NOSE BLOWERS.
Some say it is pollen, others blame the ultra-violate rays from the sun, obviously flies, midgets and other insects all been identified as a possible causes for this annoying equine behaviour of endlessly shaking the head ,spiting at the bit and continuously blowing raspberries during a dressage test .
The problem is that no one really knows what is the cause for this seasonal affliction and what is the remedy for it.
Tried but failed are lotions, potions ,nasal sprays , feed supplements etc etc the only partially successful reply to this condition is the application of tightly fitting NOSE NET , placed over the horses snout ,that acts as some kind of filter preventing the minute particles of whatever it is from entering the horses airways.
During a world class clinic Senior Trainer’s patience was tested to the full when Lady Suckley’s latest acquisition, of a top of the rang German graded stallion, displayed all the symptoms of a seasonal head shaker.
Madam he bellowed “I don’t know from which end your horse is making this sound but the noise is doing my head in !! and if he raises his head any higher at this speed you will need a guide dog to see you back to the lorry park!! may I suggest that you PUT A NOSE NET on his head !!!”
“I haven’t got one “ she replied
After a lot of fuffing and fluffing , searching and asking it was suggested that in the absence of an original equine nose net a pair of Lady Suckley’s cream coloured tights will act as the perfect replacement for a nose net.
“I can’t put my tights over my stallions nose I have just worn them last night” Lady Suckley moaned .
“Neither your stallion or me give a toss who worn these tights and when ” Senior Trainer said “As long as they prevent the pollen , midgets or what’s ever from ENTERING your horses breathing tracts” he concluded .
The rest of the clinic went without a hitch , the new stallion piaffed , passaged and flying changed with the only head nodding of Senior Trainers head in acknowledgement of how good the work IS.
Junior Trainer that somehow managed to sneak in among these few world class riders on Bluey the cob was suddenly noticed to develop an irregular head movement eyes flickering with a continuous snivelling and sneezing sounds.
Senior Trainer called him over and said “ Junior stop shaking and nodding your head like a demented dervish you will upset your horse’s halt and that’s the only movement in your test if you remember”.
“I can’t help it” Junior Trainer snivelled “It is the pollen from the crop field over there , it is really irritating WHAT DO YOU THINK I SHOULD DO?”
Unfortunately for some it is not so, for unexplained reason some horses develop fundamental dislike to fresh air and riding in open spaces. In spite of years of research ,applied scientific trials no body have an answer why some horses the moment summer arrives they turn into HEAD SHAKERS, COMPULSIVE SNEEZERS OR NOSE BLOWERS.
Some say it is pollen, others blame the ultra-violate rays from the sun, obviously flies, midgets and other insects all been identified as a possible causes for this annoying equine behaviour of endlessly shaking the head ,spiting at the bit and continuously blowing raspberries during a dressage test .
The problem is that no one really knows what is the cause for this seasonal affliction and what is the remedy for it.
Tried but failed are lotions, potions ,nasal sprays , feed supplements etc etc the only partially successful reply to this condition is the application of tightly fitting NOSE NET , placed over the horses snout ,that acts as some kind of filter preventing the minute particles of whatever it is from entering the horses airways.
During a world class clinic Senior Trainer’s patience was tested to the full when Lady Suckley’s latest acquisition, of a top of the rang German graded stallion, displayed all the symptoms of a seasonal head shaker.
Madam he bellowed “I don’t know from which end your horse is making this sound but the noise is doing my head in !! and if he raises his head any higher at this speed you will need a guide dog to see you back to the lorry park!! may I suggest that you PUT A NOSE NET on his head !!!”
“I haven’t got one “ she replied
After a lot of fuffing and fluffing , searching and asking it was suggested that in the absence of an original equine nose net a pair of Lady Suckley’s cream coloured tights will act as the perfect replacement for a nose net.
“I can’t put my tights over my stallions nose I have just worn them last night” Lady Suckley moaned .
“Neither your stallion or me give a toss who worn these tights and when ” Senior Trainer said “As long as they prevent the pollen , midgets or what’s ever from ENTERING your horses breathing tracts” he concluded .
The rest of the clinic went without a hitch , the new stallion piaffed , passaged and flying changed with the only head nodding of Senior Trainers head in acknowledgement of how good the work IS.
Junior Trainer that somehow managed to sneak in among these few world class riders on Bluey the cob was suddenly noticed to develop an irregular head movement eyes flickering with a continuous snivelling and sneezing sounds.
Senior Trainer called him over and said “ Junior stop shaking and nodding your head like a demented dervish you will upset your horse’s halt and that’s the only movement in your test if you remember”.
“I can’t help it” Junior Trainer snivelled “It is the pollen from the crop field over there , it is really irritating WHAT DO YOU THINK I SHOULD DO?”
