In essence, it is where the sensitivity of the horse’s leg is increased beyond normal levels. As horses are athletes, per se, they are prone to minor injury due to the nature of their activities, but hypersensitivity can be caused by an irritant or even an insect bite, so the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) accepts it can naturally occur and do not deem it a punishable offence in terms of the rider, but will disqualify the horse from competition.

On the other hand, since it is only common sense that a horse with overly-sensitive legs will make a bigger effort to avoid hitting a fence, the FEI guard against hypersensitisation, which is the deliberate production of hypersensitivity through artificial means.

The public need to be aware of the difference.

@john.tynan So, how do they test for hypersensitivity?

@john Is this not a dangerous oversight on behalf of the HSI to to allow Swail and Splaine on the monitoring group?

@Patrick Okay, but you can come back to this page later and see John's replies to your comments. Thanks for joining us.

Hi Patrick, HSI said the Monitoring Group was unanimous in its concerns at Lynch’s hypersensitivity strike-rate - three in 12 months - and these concerns were not allayed at the meeting, though Lynch said it was "baffling", as he had "provided a full explanation for everything that was asked... and no question was left unanswered". Sure, his statement went into detail on the reason for each disqualification and they appeared valid. But you always return to the fact there were three instances in 12 months, while there were only six instances in total of horses being disqualified worldwide in the past three years. Definitely, HSI is concerned at no controversy at the Olympics. Ireland, nor the show jumping, in general can afford another scandal, even if Denis was not guilty of any wrongdoing. I do think the process needs to be examined, though.

Hi Peter, that's a fair point, but why did Denis and his legal representative not raise it at the time. On the other hand, as I said in my reply to to Patrick, I do think the process needs to be examined.

Anyway John, getting back to my earlier question, So, how do they test for hypersensitivity? And is it done at every meet or only randomly?

Hi Peter, testing for hypersensitivity is undertaken thus: International Equestrian Federation-sanctioned vets use a thermographic camera, which detects abnormal heat patterns, be they high or low, in the horse's legs. This is accompanied by manual examination of the legs, ie palpitation.

Hi Pete, as HSI have said, it was the fact he had three hypersensitivity disqualifications in one year and HSI say these concerns were not allayed at the Monday's meeting, which Denis disagrees with.

Hi Peter, the first point is interesting on a number of levels. Firstly, Denis won the place for Ireland through his individual performances on a weekly basis putting him top of the Olympic rankings. Despite winning the place for Ireland, it is the manager Robert Splaine who picks the rider to compete in London. HSI were very public in their pronouncements that if they had any doubts about a rider they would take action. In fact, they introduced a rule this year that said if a rider had two horses disqualified he would have to explain himself to a disciplinary group. HSI claims it could not apply the rule retrospectively. Also, I assume HSI must have been assured that Lynch would not have a third case.

Hi Peter, on the point of Cian been selected to replace Denis. Cian was not an automatic choice, particularly as he has only been riding Blue Loyd for seven months. Many, in fact, believe Cork's US-based rider Shane Sweetnam would have been a better more solid choice with his horse Amaretto d'Arco.

It is vital to note: Horses, like athletes, pick up injuries; I think even animal welfare groups, responsible ones at least, would recognise this. There is no suggestion whatsoever that any horse is being mistreated. In fact, the FEI has not detected one case of hypersensitisation - the deliberate production of hypersensitivity through artificial means - in the past three years for definite and never, as far as I can recall.

Hi Peter, on the question of Cian's Blue Loyd versus Shane's Amaretto D'Arco: He has only had the horse for seven months, a relatively short time to build up a partnership for the biggest challenge in show jumping.

It is believed that the performances in the nations cups in Rotterdam and last week in Aachen — in both cases the pairing had a single error over two rounds — convinced Splaine to nominate O’Connor over Sweetnam.

He told me yesterday, that he had built up a good relationship with the horse, and said "given our display under pressure in Aachen, when we were the last combination on the team. If we can reproduce that form in London, we have as good a chance as anybody".

The real issue is can the partnership remain consistent over three days of physically and, crucially, mentally taxing competition. It can be a lonely place in the arena when things are not going to plan.

H Peter, Sweetnam also has a strong case and I know he is very upset. He would not comment on the record last night. He is currently ranked 45 in the world, the third Irish rider behind Lynch and Billy Twomey, who was also selected by Splaine to compete in London. In 2011/12, he lined out in an impressive eight of the 11 top tier nations cup contests, while he provided clear rounds in two of his three nations cup outings this year with Amaretto d'Arco. His current form is good too: Recently at the five-star show in Calgary, Canada, he was second in the World Cup Qualifier.

Hi Jordan, in March some scoffed when I wrote that Cian had laid down an early marker for Olympic selection when he jumped a double clear with Blue Loyd in the US Nations Cup. It might not have been the stiffest test, but this must be qualified by the fact he had only been riding Blue for four months.

Thus, having held gold once, albeit briefly, it wouldn't surprise me to see him lifting some sort of metal again in London in three weeks' time.

Hi Peter, Denis says he is considering appealing the withdrawal of his nomination. Crucially, HSI have no appeals process, which the Olympic Council of Ireland told me on Tuesday was “extraordinary”. Nevertheless, Lynch can appeal to the Olympic Council directly, or the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland.

Hi Peter, I am awaiting a response from the Olympic Council of Ireland and the International Olympic Committee as to a deadline for an appeal by Denis. If I hear soon, you will be first to know!!

Doesn't Lynch have a wealthy backer? What will be his reaction to his man not being allowed to go to the Olympics?

Hi Peter, Denis's brother/manager Shay has literally just told me not to expect a decision on any appeal to be made until 'tomorrow morning at the earliest'.