AAAAARRRRGGGHHHHH FLIES

[MitchyInge]

that's it really, and midges and dust and maybe pollen?

I got a mesh thing that velcros onto the noseband but that is so far making matters worse - is it worth persevering with?

it's one thing letting him have his head in the school but I don't much fancy hacking on a long rein

What about the sparkly fly repellent you were busy inventing?

My sister's old pony used to constantly toss his head when the rape was in flower. Do you have any of that near you? I'm not sure we ever found a cure, just had to try and keep away from it until it was harvested. Horrible stuff.

What's he doing? Chucking his head around? If the nose net is annoying him, check you don't have it fitted so it sits on his nose as that may be annoying. Alternatively, maybe try a fly gel rubbed over his nose (I use the NAF one on sheaths/muzzles/ears for turnout too) before you ride?

.sp1ǝıɟ (ʍo11ǝʎ-uou) uǝdo ǝɹoɯ ssoɹɔɐ buıob buıuɹoɯ ʎ1ɹɐǝ ǝuıɟ sɐʍ ǝɥ ʇnq ɥɔnɯ uǝppıɹ ʇou os sʎɐp ʍǝɟ ɐ ɹoɟ 11ı ʇıq ɐ uǝǝq ǝʌɐɥ .sn ɹoɟ poob ou s,ʇı ǝɹns ɯɐ ʇnq ʎ1ǝʌo1 sʞoo1 ʇı 'ɟɟnʇs ʍo11ǝʎ ǝ1qıɹɹoɥ ʇɐɥʇ ʎq pǝpunoɹɹns ǝɹ,ǝʍ ¿ı sɐʍ ɹɐǝ1ɔ ʎɹǝʌ ʇ,usɐʍ ı - punoɹɐ pɐǝɥ sıɥ buıʞɔnɥɔ 'sǝʎ ɥo

oops that should say:

"Oh yes, chucking his head around - I wasn't very clear was I? We're surrounded by that horrible yellow stuff, it looks lovely but am sure it's no good for us. Have been a bit ill for a few days so not ridden much but he was fine early morning going across more open (non-yellow) fields. "

I was trying to make it come out upside down

Mitchy . And why did you want it come out upside down?!

Rape is nasty stuff for horses and humans. Our old pony (no longer here unfortunately) was on Ventapulmin (sp?) every Spring/Summer because of it.

So you think it might be a rape pollen allergy rather than flies? Does the nose net touch the end of his nose at all?

How's it gong Mitchy?

Where have you gone?!

here I am!

I find it hard to be indoors when the weather is nice but happy to report the head shaking is pretty much over, phew

have missed my mumsnet tackroom mates!

We were wondering where you'd gone! Nice to see you back!

Hey Mitchy! Good to see to you back.

Know what you mean about being outside when the weather's good. It's gorgeous here today.

Still have itchy pony here unfortunately but (fortunately) not a headshaker. I'd started giving him an additive for 6 weeks but couldn't decide it if was doing any good. Stopped it because it was pretty expensive and within a week he's got worse again. So guess it might have been doing something and have had to bite the bullet and buy some more.

At this rate, I'll be saying roll on Winter. Mind you, then I'll be moaning about mud rash no doubt.

nooooo no roll on winter no no no no no! what was the additive?

all was going swimmingly for us until Saturday when in the process of demolishing a jump we managed to fall over and hurt our mouth - I mean HE fell over and hurt HIS mouth, day off yesterday, hope he is ok tonight

How did he hurt his mouth?

Ouch sounds nasty, hope you're both ok.

Additive is Feedmark's Equidermis Plus. Like I say, still not convinced it is the answer but bit of a coincidence if not, and if it stops him itching and wrecking the post and rail then worth if for the summer.

Off to the sun tomorrow (hurrah) see you when I get back.