In a message dated 8/15/2008 12:56:10 P.M. Central Standard Time,
ridecamp-digest@xxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:
I'll
admit I've never been sure why the hunter/jumpers use them but = "to keep
the ear plugs in" sounds reasonable.
It's because hunter/jumper people (and thus their horses) are big woosy
wimps. I've worked with them for over 20 years, and I've only met a couple
who actually leave their horses out for more than a couple hours. I
remember one owner who insisted her horse be walked and walked and walked after
a "workout" (30 minutes of light work in an arena) and not given water for an
hour because--according to her--he was sweating buckets. In reality, he
was a little damp under his saddle. Another owner would have us bring all
the horses in if it was cloudy out, because it might rain on them. Another
would only turn her horses out from 7 to 9 am, because after than it would be
too hot for them. These horses get to the point that if one fly lands on them,
they throw a fit, and I think the owners are certain that if they don't have
those little ear covers on, a bug will fly into their ear and lay eggs in their
brains!
