Straight from the horse’s mouth – FatBoy talks hayfever and ‘foot in mouth’

So is the summer over or not? I’m really struggling to tell, just when I was going to ask Ceris for my fleece the sun comes out again. I won’t be sad to see the back of the summer though as I get terrible hayfever – and before you ask yes horses can get hayfever! It makes my face very itchy! And no ‘why the long face’ wisecracks thank you very much.

On a more positive note, I took part in my first charity ride, in aid of The Fostering Network, earlier this summer. Thanks to everyone who supported me, together we raised £250. This weekend I went for a bigger challenge, a 19km trot around the Devil’s Dyke on the South Downs in aid of Riding for the Disabled Association; us horses have a real sense of social responsibility you know!

On a less savoury note, I don’t know if you saw the recent story of a man who complimented a young ladies appearance in her LinkedIn profile picture. She didn’t think it was an appropriate comment and shared her displeasure via social media. Whether you think his comment was clumsy, but well intentioned (and that her response was over the top) or that she was right to expose his outdated misogyny it goes to show the dangers of social media.

It’s all too easy to forget that we should use social media as a communications tool just like the phone, email or face-to-face. If you wouldn’t say it in those situations don’t on social media.

Right, I’m off to check my HorseBook page to see if any fillies have complimented me on my mane!