American rider Cosby Green proved that headshakers can make it to the top level when she entered the dressage arena at the Mars Badminton Horse Trials with Jos Ufo de Quidam.
The 18-year-old Argentinian gelding, who finished eighth at Luhmuhlen last year, wore a nosenet for his dressage test on Thursday morning.
“As soon as we moved to England [in 2023], he started head shaking. Wearing a nosenet makes him at ease, and he likes it,” said Cosby.
Cosby, who is contesting her second Badminton, has been riding Jos Ufo de Quidam for four years and the pair received a score of 34.9 for their dressage test.
Good start
“Dressage is not a phase he finds easy, but he was really with me, and I’m very pleased with his test,” said Cosby.
“I think I lucked out [doing my test] on the Thursday morning. I mean, it’s just something so special to be in that arena. There’s just no place like it. It just gives you the chills trotting in.”
Cosby, who grew up on a farm in Lexington, Kentucky and whose father, Clay, is involved in the Kentucky Horse Park, moved to the UK in 2023 and is based with Tim and Jonelle Price in Dorset.
About headshaking
“Of course, it is normal behaviour for a horse to shake his or her head. However, one in 25 horses in the UK are reported by their owners to shake their heads more than is normal,” said Dr Veronica Roberts who is an European and RCVS Recognised Specialist in Equine Internal Medicine.
“There are many reasons for horses to shake their heads too much, including ill-fitting tack, musculoskeletal pain and dental pain.
“When this is the case you may be able to resolve the problem yourself or by involving paraprofessionals such as a saddler, trainer or physiotherapist — although it is my opinion that involving your vet early on can be beneficial.
“It is thought that nosenets work by rubbing the nose – the same way that if you bang your elbow, you rub it and it feels less painful.”
Image © Tim Wilkinson.
