Do they mellow with age?

[LHIS]

I suspect the answer to this is going to be quite subjective as they're all different, but after a lesson with my boy being highly strung giraffe on stilts the whole time, I've come away hoping he mellows a bit with age. He's rising 6, quite green, but we're getting there. I've learnt consistency is the key but sometimes life gets in the way.

My question is, will he mellow a bit as he matures? I still want my forward going boy, just toned down a bit, with less giraffe and silliness. I suppose his breeding might have some influence - he's a coloured cob, dam is ID x Welsh D and sire unknown but will have been a gypsy coloured cob.

 

[Shay]

Well ridden they get less green I suppose. But they don't always mellow. Cobs are not generally known for their flighty natures so you probably have more hope there! Just get him out and about to see it all and do it all and hopefully he'll realise life is easier if he isn't silly.

 

[Crackerz]

My 14hh retired jumping pony hasn't mellowed at all in the 19 years i have had him & he is 25 now. He is retired because of an old injury - he can be worked lightly & quietly according to my vet but that's a no go - he doesn't do anything quietly!

Of course lots do mellow out, grow up and act their age/experience, but some don't in my experience

 

[Auslander]

Some do - some don't! My 19 year old dressage horse has just started doing a bit of work in the school, and he is being a bit of a wally. Spends more time getting his knickers in a twist than he does doing the very simple work I'm asking him for! He doesn't appear to have clicked that if he just does what I ask for, it won't be such hard work! Won't go forward, but is explosive. Interesting combination...

 

[LHIS]

Thanks Shay, that is what I am hoping. He is generally quite level headed but every now and then he can be a pillock. I don't want a sensible plod, but I need him to be safe and not lose his mind over silly things.

Crackerz and Auslander - yes this is what I thought, I am hoping his cobby breeding will be the dominant force as he matures. He too can be explosive - what prompted this post was an explosion whilst long lining him yesterday - caused by a pony he's not met before also being worked in the school. We brought him down eventually and he became more settled but was still eying up the pony at the other end of the school. Usually I'd let him meet the stranger but the pony had a young rider and given Pinto was already being a prat I thought better of it.

 

[HashRouge]

Mine certainly matured - she became far less likely to throw her toys out of the pram! But she's still a feisty thing some fifteen years later, post retirement. I don't think that side of her will ever change!

 

[Crackerz]

i hopped on with my hat & bridle back in the autumn to ride to the field. I was met with HUGE leaps of happiness and shrieking! As soon as his feet touched the ground long enough for me to get off i jumped off haha!
He still jogs sideways to & from the field and its something ive never been able to break the habit of (he did it before i got him as a 6yold) and snorts like a fire breathing dragon a lot too! He is Welsh D x Arab.