Showing & head shaking

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Ahrena

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This year so far, we've only done 2 showing shows when its been sunny. And 1 where its raining.

I dunno why but for some reason this year Willow's head shaking is much more ntoiceable. Last year (maybe it was cooler so less pollen or something), with a bit of vaseline in her nostrils and she was fine, won most of her classes and we had a great time.

However I've already really noticed it. We've still been doing well, in 6 classes we've had two firsts, two seconds and a third, but its bugging me cos I know its there and it is affecting her happiness and way of going.

I use a nosenet at home but surely we'd be marked down for that? I've tried putting a spray designed for horse headshaking up her nose, doesn't seem to work, as well as 2 human hay-fever things which don't work...She's also on spillers shake-away supplement which helps a bit (enough so that with her nosenet she's generally fine).

Has anyone got any ideas? I've been asking judges about her being marked down, 1 said yes, the other said no so I really don't have a clue.
 
I'm showing my headshaker in hand next weekend so will be interested to know people's opinions. Orkan's headshaking has got a bit worse in the last month or so and I've been trying NAF shake relief which I highly recommend. Whilst I can't do a full schooling sess, I can ride out quite happily.

Use happinose balm and a nosenet as well and a few piriton if its a particuarly hot day... If pollen is the trigger, perhaps try giving some antihistimines?
 
I know, via a friend, that CHAPS do mark down considerably for a nose net....their reason being that showing is all about finding the perfect horse and a nose net instantly shows that the horse in question has "a flaw".....sorry for that choice of words, not mine you understand....just what CHAPS said...

To be honest, I would think that this would apply for any showing class as the principle is the same for them all....
 
I only do unafilliated showing but we use a nosenet on the pony and the judge has always asked why and we've said he has pollen allergies, and we've never been marked down for this (he usually wins!). The one time we did afilliated dressage we used the nosenet but provided a copy of his allergy testing results to the secretary and she said it was totally acceptable.

Our pony is worse on bright days - he is on antihistamines which generally clear up the head shaking 100% but rather than risk it on a bright day we use the nosenet anyway. I'd say ring the secretary beforehand and check it out if you are worried.
 
royal said:
I know, via a friend, that CHAPS do mark down considerably for a nose net....their reason being that showing is all about finding the perfect horse and a nose net instantly shows that the horse in question has "a flaw".....sorry for that choice of words, not mine you understand....just what CHAPS said...

To be honest, I would think that this would apply for any showing class as the principle is the same for them all....
Click to expand...

That was EXACTLY my line of thinking to be honest, exactly how I tried to explain it to my mum. Its like having a slightly cow-hocked horse and putting a sticker on its backside saying COW HOCKED.

In both respects they can't help it - a horse can't help its conformation and Willow can't help having a pollen allergy, but either way, its still a flaw.

If she keeps on going badly cos of it I guess I'd just have to try and put it on, play it day by day according to the warm up - I guess she's more likely to do well with a nosenet, going nicely, than tossing her head all over the place continiously. It is only local.
 
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