TooManyCobs
Member
Hi
Just wanted to ask your opinions..
I have a 6yo cob who has done little in the past other than hacking. This spring i have made the decsion to use him for more demanding flatwork as he has naturally stunning paces and a real willingness.
After a winter of little activity he has started this year slightly tubby, not obese, but certainly heavier than i've ever seen him (he's half cob, half trotter so is finer than most cobs). All winter he has had ad lib hay but no concentrates.
In early February i started him off in light work, very slow intro of mainly walking and we have worked consistently since then to improve on this. He is now working 5 days a week ridden, one day lunge work or in hand work, and a day off. Ridden we vary the timing as i am quite happy to stop if he feels tired, but it is usually about 20 mins at the walk(includes exercises such as a little shoulder in, leg yeild, haunches in, collected wak), 10-15 at the trot (same exercises as in walk) and 6-10 mins cantering depending how much energy he has. Canterwork is still very basic and untaxing (light seat either on 30m circle or on track, occassion lateral steps or simple changes through walk).
My question is at this point would you consider adding hard feed to his diet? He is out on restricted grazing during the day and stabled at night with ad lib hay. I am torn between feeling like he lacks some energy in his work now, and feed might add some sparkle to his performance, but has not shifted the excess weight yet, and logic tells me to wait for the weight to reduce before adding anything.
Opinions gratefully recieved!
Just wanted to ask your opinions..
I have a 6yo cob who has done little in the past other than hacking. This spring i have made the decsion to use him for more demanding flatwork as he has naturally stunning paces and a real willingness.
After a winter of little activity he has started this year slightly tubby, not obese, but certainly heavier than i've ever seen him (he's half cob, half trotter so is finer than most cobs). All winter he has had ad lib hay but no concentrates.
In early February i started him off in light work, very slow intro of mainly walking and we have worked consistently since then to improve on this. He is now working 5 days a week ridden, one day lunge work or in hand work, and a day off. Ridden we vary the timing as i am quite happy to stop if he feels tired, but it is usually about 20 mins at the walk(includes exercises such as a little shoulder in, leg yeild, haunches in, collected wak), 10-15 at the trot (same exercises as in walk) and 6-10 mins cantering depending how much energy he has. Canterwork is still very basic and untaxing (light seat either on 30m circle or on track, occassion lateral steps or simple changes through walk).
My question is at this point would you consider adding hard feed to his diet? He is out on restricted grazing during the day and stabled at night with ad lib hay. I am torn between feeling like he lacks some energy in his work now, and feed might add some sparkle to his performance, but has not shifted the excess weight yet, and logic tells me to wait for the weight to reduce before adding anything.
Opinions gratefully recieved!
