Cob on the forehand help pls before i end up on the floor!!

[fuzzyp]

I have a gorgeous 16hh MW Cob whom i have owned since redcuing him as a yearling. I have brought him on myself but as he has matured into a very big and very strong chap i am having problems with him being on the forehand. He is like riding the wall of death in canter as he leans and gets faster and stronger! We do lots of half halts, counter flexion work and transitions all to little avail. We have regular lessons but they dont seem to be helping that much

He is ridden in a pelham as it is the only bit i can find that suits him. Jumping is becoming unbearable as he charges flat out at the jump and clears it by 2 ft extra! Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly welcomed! Thank you in advance.

 

[CentrestageSHS]

I find a cheltenham gag fantastic. I had a heavyweight hunter, that I just used for hunting and it felt like you were carrying his head! I put this in and it really lifted him! mine had full cheeks, quite a thin mouthpiece and rope not leather cheeks so it slid more easily. Happy hunter and rider!!!

 

[Spot_the_Risk]

I have a cob, not strong in the hand but with a big front end so I understand your problem! Just a couple of thoughts on the pelham, I assume you are using two reins - if so, practice riding just on the curb, start just in walk and trot until you and your horse understand each other. Make sure the curb chain is done up tightly enough. So often I see loose curb chains, with a rider vainly pulling on the reins, and almost a straight line from the bit in the mouth to the riders hand. I can't remember exactly (any classical horsemanship book will tell you) but I THINK the action of the curb should come into play after about 20% leverage is applied - but check this out don't take my word for it. Also the type of pelham - my cob has a thick tongue, and I found he lent on a mullen mouth piece. I changed to a low port, and this has made a big difference. If your horse has a big tongue, and you move to a jointed bit, you will probably find a double jointed bit like a french link is more comfortable for him. Also the longer the shanks, the stronger the lever.

Despite all I have said, the best brakes I ever have on my horse is my hackamore! It requires light handling though, as it can be savage in rough hands.

Good luck!

 

[Walder]

i too have a 'on the forehand cob' so i sympathise (although i had a little chuckle at your description - as i ve been there done that too!!!) i ride her in a pelham and the problem is much worse - but i need brakes and i also have the added problem of not being able to get a metal bit out of her mouth without. so i ma very interested in all the replies - good luck!

 

[the watcher]

I found a waterford bit to be quite helpful with this kind of horse. Your schooling sounds like you are doing the right kind of things, you do need to be able to give and release with the bit though, otherwise the horse has no concept of what is correct

As an aside, some times speed is a perception and occasionally it is not that the horse is going too fast in the paces, but simply going faster than the rider is comfortable with. In fact there is, in my opinion, a tendency now for horses to be a bit stuffy and not sufficiently forward going.

 

[fuzzyp]

Just want to say a quick thank you - i have logged in twice this morning and the replies are really helping - i really appreciate it. Keep them coming! I will kp you posted on how i get on...

 

[Parkranger]

surely first thing is to get him moving forward - and i mean really forward!

I always thought Ty was forward but he's so much more faster than he was....once you've tackled that then you can start trying to round him into an outline?

 

[Walder]

morning parkranger - i dont think its about an outline - i know what she means - they really really bear down on your hands - and you cant get their head up the more you try the harder they lean! You can come and ride my darling if you want - then you will know!!!!!

 

[fairhill]

I've used a loose-ring waterford (normally school in this) and a dutch gag bit (which my mum uses as she's not strong enough to cope with the waterford). I then switch occasionally to the pelham as it makes her back off the contact too much.

Maybe a change of instructor might be needed to get different advice?

Also, as soon as mine starts to get heavy we come back down to halt, get the submission back, and set off again once she's lightened.
We never do a full circuit of the school without putting in a circle, lateral work or transition - the longer she goes in one pace, the more she leans so we keep moving her round to keep her soft.

Good luck!

 

[fuzzyp]

Thankyou for that advice, i have tried a waterford which was fine out hacking but pretty much had no effect schooling

I lunge him in a chambon which also seems to help, he just seems quite unbalanced and so speedy!
Its really frustrating as he is a Show Cob but i dread to think how many judges we have attempted to mow down whilst cantering! Maybe i should wear a motorbike outfit instead!! LOL
Loving the replies though - any advice is appreciated

 

[fairhill]

What's he like in a double?

 

[fuzzyp]

Id say he's okay in general, its really in canter when he gets too excited and ploughs on even in a double. He just seems to bear down and take hold, his stride gets longer and faster and thats when things get a bit scary! He's such a star in every other way and i know he isnt being rude - just a bit too keen!! I think i will hold off the jumping until i have sorted out the flatwork...shame but for the best. It sometimes feels like im the only person that has such a big strong horse - i kow thats not true but it gets a bit hard when everyone else i look at seems to have perfect control!! Do any show cob owners have any methods of training i wonder? Sorry for being such a bore - you are all stars for helping!!

 

[LauraBR]

[ QUOTE ]
Id say he's okay in general, its really in canter when he gets too excited and ploughs on even in a double. He just seems to bear down and take hold, his stride gets longer and faster and thats when things get a bit scary!

[/ QUOTE ]

This is exactly the problem I have with my horse and exactly I have started to make some progress with it this week. I also have my horse in a Pelham. My instructor has got me really sending him forwards down the long side of the school- as fast as he'll go... and then collecting him right up on the corners but maintaining the canter. I REALLY have to anchor the lower half of me to collect him but keep my leg on. We go round and round like this- the idea then is that once I get him on his hocks I maintain the collected canter on approach to the jump and pop it in control.

Have been really working on this and wow it has made a fantastic difference! If I can keep the bouncy canter I can keep hold of him. If he breaks into trot on the corner and picks up the canter on the approach to the jump then he tanks flatly into the jump out of control and I can do nothing to get him back at all.

The key has been getting him back on his hocks. Still a long way to go but we managed a course of jumps today and I am absolutely thrilled with the progress in the last week.

 

[CentrestageSHS]

I don't have too much experience with cobs, but when I am schooling a big strong horse, I use flexing to the inside and out side to stop them from setting their necks and jaws and taking off. I also try to use small circles when the horse gets too forward to slow it down without having to haul on their mouths. I know this isn't possible in a show ring etc. but if he learns at home he may continue behaving out??
I have seen a lot of top cobs wear a double bridle with huge shanks and they have used a running gag bridoon instead of a normal snaffle bridoon. The rope gags are certainly worth a try, you can be as gentle or as firm as you need to be!

 

[fuzzyp]

Thats fantastic thank you - i am quite hopeful now!! I think i may try a bit with longer shanks, you never know! The schooling tips are fantastic, i shall try tonight and let you know how i get on! Thanks again, you are all star bars!

 

[fuzzyp]

Just to let you know, have been putting all your advice above into practise and i think we have the start of some improvement! Have changed his bit to a low port and he defintley seems to go better, there is now a lot more flexion. I have concentrated on walk and trot, keeping him active and doing a lot of transitions but asking him to halt when he becomes too strong. This seems to work. Im finding that my really using my lower back and keeping my legs on he is getting more used to them. Working on smaller circles and doing plenty of lateral work is also helping. (so knackering though!!

Will keep persevering and see what happens - i know it wont change over night. Thank you for the advice though - kp it coming if anyone has any other ideas?

 

[LauraBR]

Well done!