Fat Cob doesn't want to work!

[MrsElle]

The last week or two has seen an increase in Fat Cob's work.

We only hack around the lanes and bridle paths and while 27 year old Ellie loves it, Chad is less than happy.

Normally Chad is relatively OK. He decided he doesn't like farm gates some weeks ago so I expect a sideways jog across the road when we pass those, but yesterday he was a pain in the backside.

We had his rocking horse impression on several occasions - not quite bucking and rearing, just front feet off floor followed by hinds off the floor. Planting himself and refusing to move then dashing forwards at a canter to catch Ellie up. With the last one I refused to let him canter and made him walk or trot just to let him know he can't do as he likes.

It made for an interesting ride and I did quite enjoy it but obviously can't allow him to take the p*ss. Do I just keep doing as I am, making him do as I ask and not allowing him to bully me into letting him do as he pleases?

I do realise that he is going back to his owner in a few weeks time, but I won't send him back bolshy and rude because I couldn't be bothered to work with him in his last weeks with me. He WILL go back well behaved and sensible!!!

 

[Lucy_Nottingham]

id say keep doing what your doing, just coz he doesnt want to do what he is told doesn't mean he shouldnt do it!!

 

[Paint it Lucky]

Is this behaviour out of character for him? Has he had less work recently so maybe feeling a bit full of himself? Has he had a bit much spring grass? Could his saddle possibly be pinching/rubbing to make him uncomfortable. Teeth, back etc. Could be lots of reasons.

 

[MrsElle]

[ QUOTE ]
Is this behaviour out of character for him? Has he had less work recently so maybe feeling a bit full of himself? Has he had a bit much spring grass? Could his saddle possibly be pinching/rubbing to make him uncomfortable. Teeth, back etc. Could be lots of reasons.

[/ QUOTE ]

No, this is just him apparently! He is 8 and I know his history from when he was 3 years old. The reason he was sold as a 5 year old was that he would buck (lots!) when he didn't want to do something and his then owner wanted to up her game and compete. He is a typical stubborn cob who wants nothing more than to stay in his field and eat

I know he is trying it on but unfortunately he has met someone as stubborn as him so hopefully he will improve over the next few weeks before he goes home!

 

[WishfulThinker]

That sounds just like my boy when he was 8!! We could go for ages doing the rocing horse, it also wasnt unknown for him to jump road marking and decide to go very fast backwards.........then there was the being a perfect angel, then going full pelt up the field with my sister and then slamming on brakes at the top.. He wasnt in pain, in fact if you werent in the saddle and he sodded off he would move beautifully, he was just a really cheeky wee git!!

He grew out of it when he was about 10 as I had to send him off on loan for meny reason, and the girl who had him did lots with him - XC, SJ fun stuff. He did also give her concussion twice and apparently both her thumbs will never be the same. I have since been told that cobs take longer to mature - physically and mentally. He is 13 now and can still be a wee chancer if he knows your up for a challenge. But you can also sit a child or a total novice on him and he will behave like he has a Faberge Egg on his back.

 

[MrsMozart]

Just keep doing what you're doing hun

Little Cob went through a stage of it (amongst others). Can still go down the road sideways if he's in the mood - okay, it's happening less and less often, but the silliness is still there at times

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