My search for a perfume that won't frighten the horses

passing the snort and sniff test

When I say I'm beginning to smell like a horse, I don't mean in the way you're thinking-that particular horsey lady problem deserves it's own blog post- but I mean my sense of smell is becoming more sensitive. Good fragrances really enhance my mood but I can't stand designer perfumes any longer and so many bodywashes sound beautilicious on the label but when you pop the top are horribly synthetic-bleugh. I have to admit I've become a smell snob.

But do you think I'm mad to worry about how I smell to my horses? Well I do and I'm in good company as it's been reported (by Clare Balding I think) that HRH the Queen doesn't wear perfume when she goes to visit her race horses in case she over-intoxicates the stallions.

Horses are incredibly sensitive to smell. I don't know if any of you have used essential oils with horses like I have? It's quite incredible the effect they have. But, I wanted the benefits of trotting around in mood-enhancing smellies for myself, without whiffing like a jostick waving hippy.

It's been a long hard slog of spritzing myself at every opportunity, ever hopeful of finding the perfect pong, but eventually my search ended at Burghley Horse Trials-who would have thunk it!

I found myself at the Natural Origin stand getting very excited by their Les Fleurs de Bach Eau de Toilettes.  First, you could drink Bach flower remedies, now you can spray them on-how bloomin' marvellous. Funnily enough, even old 'hunting bags' I know who are wary of all things 'alternative', have been seen knocking back the rescue remedy in times of need. And you can, I've just discovered searching the Natural Origin website, get an Emergency Treating Fragrance too.

These Eau de Toilettes come in three lovely, gentle but very different fragrances-Allegresse (Energy), Audace, and Harmonie.  Like all perfumes, it's  a case of spraying them on and walking around for a bit to let them react to the oils in your skin to find the one that suits you. I may have thought I wanted Audace (confidence) but the more primitive part of my brain chose Harmonie (harmony) with it's scent of lush green figs, and top notes of watermelon on a vanilla base-sigh.

I've worn it every morning since I bought it, because it makes me feel good, harmonious even, and it seems natural enough to wear around the horses. A small bottle set me back £34.95, which isn't bad, especially as despite my every day spritz onto pulse points and behind ears, it has hardly gone down at all.

So, do you wear perfume around horses? Do fragrances affect your mood? Have you ever known a horse react to the way you smell?  

If you want to talk fashion and beauty for equestrians, then please join me in the Equestrian Style File at www.troton.com.