Green 6 yr old Cob purchased in October 2024

[Mabel21]

Hi, I'm new on here and a new mature owner. To own my own horse was always my dream. I've done riding all my life off and on but never owned. Ive bought a cob pony from a dealer. I viewed and rode her there and she seemed what I was looking for. Shes a 6 yr old Skewbald chunky Cob bit of a plod. I was told she was "green" and I in my ignorance didn't fully understand what that meant.
To cut a long story short, I've had her 3 months and she will not stand still at mounting block to be mounted and spooks easily. I don't have a partner or anyone to help and have been relying on help of others on the yard.
I'm getting really depressed and anxious as I feel out of my depth with this mare and no real help.

I catch her, groom and do her feet. Take her for walks, I'm not able to lunge alone, need assistance, you don't learn this in a riding school!

I suppose my question is do i try and sell her as clearly shes an unsuitable match - (dealer could have let me know this), or do I seek a trainer? To help me.

Please be kind as I'm new to all this and am in a pickle!

 

[HopOnTrot]

Can you find a livery yard where the owner can support you? I was at a yard years ago where the YO would teach me 3x a week, maybe even a working livery?

 

[Mabel21]

That's a good idea, a working livery! You were very fortunate eith that YO, that would be ideal, I'd love that. I will look into your suggestion and I'm looking into getting a trainer to assess her. A natural horsemanship trainer, to get some idea of how "green" she is or what may be causing these behaviours. Thank you for your kind and timely response.

 

[Spotherisk]

You need a trainer to help you out I’m afraid. You can train your mare yourself to stand at the mounting block though, you tube is probably your friend here, unless anyone else can help out with some recommends?

 

[Glitterandrainbows]

I think get a trainer to give you lessons for n lunging training to stand at mounting block, you’ve not had her long she will be settling in still

 

[Amymay Again]

You just need a good instructor to help you.

 

[Equi]

Horse ownership is a massive leap from riding school and it’s mostly a learn on the job affair. You’ve thrown yourself in the deep end with buying a youngster but the things you mention are all very trainable with the proper tuition. Get an instructor who can help you learn what to do, as you will have to know anyway for any horse. Keep asking questions and seeking advice - you’ll be okay

 

[I'm Dun]

and before you do anything do a PSSM test. Sadly its rife in cobs and can cause them to be ploddy and sharp spooky, and any number of other weird things. Animal genetics do a test for under 50 quid.

 

[Cloball]

Despite working on yards since I was a teen and loaning ponies etc. Horse ownership was a massive learning curve for me too. My pony also turned out to be a lot greener than I had anticipated and she's had her moments. I chose part livery on a yard where the YO is also an instructor and it has been invaluable. Even just the hugs and 'i'll take over lunging for a bit' when I had a wobble. You do need to be prepared to put the work in and also so spend a bit and pay people for their time BUT I have found it so rewarding and I feel like such a better horse women now and I glow when my pony leads past the scary things or we do a dressage test in the wind or something silly like she doesn't dive for the grass because she leads like a dream. It has been totally worth it.

 

[MissMay]

I wouldn't be lunging a 6 year old cob much the joints and circles are a recipe for disaster.
Lunging has its place but it's so completely over used and unnecessary
And most people just use it to whizz a horse around instead of exercising so you end up motorbiking a horse in circles putting even more strain on the joints

I had one before that never lunged and I didn't bother as I would long rein or ride instead

 

[sportsmansB]

A good trainer will be able to help decide if she has the right qualities for you in the long term but just isn't trained enough yet, or if she will always not be the right one for you.

Recommendations are key - do others on the yard use anyone that they think is really good?
It may be that someone who is willing to get on her and instill some riding basics as well as helping you with the ground manners etc could turn her into a lovely horse for you. Be prepared to invest some cash now to get the horse you need for the future- but be clear with the trainer too that if they don't think she is the right one, they should tell you and help you get her sold and get another.
Green but willing with a lovely temperament could be worth working with
No horse you buy will arrive perfect in every way, it is just how much you are able to invest (financially, emotionally, time) and what the future potential for a partnership would look like. It is also no shame to cut your losses and start looking again- but either way having an experienced person who knows you will be of a lot of help in choosing another

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

All you need to do is employ a nice supportive teacher, fully insured and willing to spend time guiding you through the basics. Two novices isn’t a great combination but with the right help this time next year you could be writing a very different post.

I’m going to post script to add don’t feel bad if you decide to sell your horse on, it’s part of equestrian life.

 

[ihatework]

You just need regular good training. But with the caveat that if you have really lost your confidence with this horse and it doesn’t start to come back with the right support then you might want to sell and start again with something a bit older.

I’d very much recommend you find a full livery yard where they ride or teach 2-3 times a week in the package.

 

[Gloi]

If you can afford it , I'd send her to a good trainer to restart her. A lot of these cobs have not got a proper start to their ridden work and have missed vital steps because of their placid nature. A month on a breaking/schooling yard and then lessons with her and you will likely have a different horse.

 

[Red-1]

TBH, the mounting issue can usually be sorted on one or two sessions, with the right help. When I did teaching, that would often be the only thing we did first lesson. In fact, some people I taught, the only thing we would do was catch the horse from the stable, lead onto the yard, stand the horse still with his foot in a drawn circle and finish.

When my new boyfriend showed an interest, I employed someone to come and teach him to halter and handle my horse, as I knew how much he'd learn in that hour about horses in general. After that lesson, he was more enthusiastic than ever but wanted me to teach him as he knew I used to do that and didn't understand why I'd pay someone else (I was keen to avoid the husband wife learning to drive scenario, but it was unfounded and he is an excellent student). He can now do all duties and ride as well.

Maybe if you said where you live/keep the horse someone could recommend someone good nearby?

FWIW, when I buy a new horse, the handling lessons start as soon as I take ownership and often our first riding sessions are just mounting. It is just a stage they go through, that dealers don't often bother with as they just hold the horses' heads.

I would also change the livery to one where you have help on a day to day basis. Probably a small, professional yard where help can be tailored and the horse has ground manners installed every time she is turned out rather than a big concern where minimum wage teens will stack them out in the field whilst playing on their phones!

I wouldn't say the horse was mis-sold, the dealer did say she was green, and that would simply mean you need help, as she does sound otherwise kind. The spooking is the only concern, but then she may correct this when she has more leadership from her rider/handler.

 

[Mabel21]

You need a trainer to help you out I’m afraid. You can train your mare yourself to stand at the mounting block though, you tube is probably your friend here, unless anyone else can help out with some recommends?

Yes I have been watching YT and putting some things into practice. Ive booked a trainer for next week and will take from there. Shes really resistant! Thanks.

 

[Mabel21]

If you can afford it , I'd send her to a good trainer to restart her. A lot of these cobs have not got a proper start to their ridden work and have missed vital steps because of their placid nature. A month on a breaking/schooling yard and then lessons with her and you will likely have a different horse.

Thank you. That is probably what she needs but sounds really costly
Definitely worth looking into.

 

[Mabel21]

I think get a trainer to give you lessons for n lunging training to stand at mounting block, you’ve not had her long she will be settling in still

Thank you. Lunging lessons for me for real! A girl at yard has a trainer so can find out about her.

 

[Nari]

Thank you. That is probably what she needs but sounds really costly
Definitely worth looking into.

It won't be cheap - if it is then it's probably not the place to go - but it may not cost much more than paying a teacher and trying to do it yourself in the long run. If she's straightforward it probably won't take them long to restart her, get the basics firmly in place and have her riding away politely whereas if you're trying to do it yourself with help it's going to take much longer, you may still have gaps orweak areas and you have to pay your teacher. If you do go this route be clear with them about what you want her to do (if you want a hack you need her time with them to focus on this not more advanced flat work or jumping) and also your abilities. Book some lessons with them on her so you're familiar with what she's been taught. If she turns out not to be straightforward then you may want to consider if she's really the right horse for you, you may decide she is but then be prepared for more work and challenges ahead.

 

[Highmileagecob]

Get an instructor that you get on well with, to teach you to deal with your mare. Cobs are a bit different from your average horse, they are clever and can spot a weakness at fifty paces, whether it's a weakness in the fence or a weakness in the rider's ability. Once she feels she is getting the upper hand, it will be a challenge to get her to respect you. Make friends and build a good bond and she will be your most loyal mate. If you remember that cobs co-operate with you, but you can never give them orders, you'll be fine.

 

[Landcruiser]

If you can afford it , I'd send her to a good trainer to restart her. A lot of these cobs have not got a proper start to their ridden work and have missed vital steps because of their placid nature. A month on a breaking/schooling yard and then lessons with her and you will likely have a different horse.

I would politely disagree. OP will learn a lot more by working with a sympathetic trainer alongside her horse. I have always found IH trainers excellent. I had a massively steep learning curve with all three of my own owned horses, and involved trainers each time as each one has been different and found new ways to be less than easy. Take it slowly OP, and try to enjoy the journey, you'll have a stronger bond in the long term, and more tools in your toolkit that way rather than sending away (or selling and swapping for a different set of behaviours)

 

[Mabel21]

Thank you. I'm quite bonded already with her. She waits for me at the gate or trots over to me. I'm such a softie, when I see that it melts my heart!

 

[Mabel21]

I think get a trainer to give you lessons for n lunging training to stand at mounting block, you’ve not had her long she will be settling in still

I booked someone in for next week hopefully! Natural Horsemanship trainer. So it's a start

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Surely worth getting a trainer out to asses her on the ground and out on a hack first? Going straight to sending her away seems like overkill if it's potentially a case of novice (no offence OP, I'm right there with you!) handling which could be fairly quickly improved with experienced guidance. Or some recommendations on management changes which could help. Three months seems like no time at all for her to settle in her new home.

I have had a couple of lunging lessons at the RS. It's such a skill to learn. I imagine if you haven't learned to do it with a horse who knows what they are doing then start trying to do it with a horse who hasn't been taught their end of it (or taught badly), it could go downhill quite quickly!

 

[maya2008]

I say this having once been in the position of having my first horse as an adult without family support. I had a little more experience than you do, having shared, but it still was very daunting to start with.

1) Get someone to help you regularly with the ground work. The person you have coming should ideally come once a month or so for the first six months to a year to help you learn. Along the way, so will your horse, but predominantly it is you who needs to learn. Just because this is something you’ve not done before, and knowledge you do not yet have.

2) Do the above with a freelance instructor who has experience with bringing on green ponies (they don’t all, ask on your local horsey Facebook group or for in person recommendations). I had a lesson once a week, progressing to once a month once we were getting on well with my first horse.

You’ll have paid less because your horse is green, now you get to pay the difference in lessons - which in the long term will benefit you far more. I bought a recently backed 4yo - sweet temperament, tolerant of my mistakes, but green as grass. I had a friend for the groundwork and a good instructor and it was the best learning experience ever. I have never regretted it, not once.

Best of luck going forward. Even if you do decide to sell and try again with an older horse, you’ll need to pay for some help to acquire the skills you currently lack though. It’s just the fun of that first owned horse!

 

[Mabel21]

Surely worth getting a trainer out to asses her on the ground and out on a hack first? Going straight to sending her away seems like overkill if it's potentially a case of novice (no offence OP, I'm right there with you!) handling which could be fairly quickly improved with experienced guidance. Or some recommendations on management changes which could help. Three months seems like no time at all for her to settle in her new home.

I have had a couple of lunging lessons at the RS. It's such a skill to learn. I imagine if you haven't learned to do it with a horse who knows what they are doing then start trying to do it with a horse who hasn't been taught their end of it (or taught badly), it could go downhill quite quickly!

Thank you. An experienced person has lunged her a couple of times. She was lazy but got the hang of it. I was useless at it, it is a skill and will need practice. Im just awaiting confirmation from an indtructor booking. If he doesn't confirm I will book another.

 

[smolmaus]

I have had a couple of lunging lessons at the RS. It's such a skill to learn. I imagine if you haven't learned to do it with a horse who knows what they are doing then start trying to do it with a horse who hasn't been taught their end of it (or taught badly), it could go downhill quite quickly!

Can confirm, we still can't lunge

I agree getting a trainer out is the best plan rather than sending away, a friend has been in the same situation and her and pony have come on very nicely with trainer both schooling the horse with her observing sand learning at the same time and also giving lessons with friend on the pony. Everybody is reading off the same hymn book so to speak.

Will add, if one trainer doesn't work, don't be afraid to try others until you find one that fits you both. The people at the yard who handle their horses how you would like your horse handled would be the ones to ask for recs. Someone who will be kind to both of you!

Congratulations on your new pony by the way. The Dream Come True part will hit eventually (hopefully soon!) when you get your team around you ❤

 

[Highmileagecob]

Cobs are not good candidates for lunging due to their short leg/heavy body conformation. In such a young horse, I would be wary.

 

[Mabel21]

Cobs are not good candidates for lunging due to their short leg/heavy body conformation. In such a young horse, I would be wary.

Would you recommend long reining instead?

 

[Mabel21]

Can confirm, we still can't lunge

I agree getting a trainer out is the best plan rather than sending away, a friend has been in the same situation and her and pony have come on very nicely with trainer both schooling the horse with her observing sand learning at the same time and also giving lessons with friend on the pony. Everybody is reading off the same hymn book so to speak.

Will add, if one trainer doesn't work, don't be afraid to try others until you find one that fits you both. The people at the yard who handle their horses how you would like your horse handled would be the ones to ask for recs. Someone who will be kind to both of you!

Congratulations on your new pony by the way. The Dream Come True part will hit eventually (hopefully soon!) when you get your team around you ❤

Thank you. Now bring ghosted nylon trainer! I will find another. This is second time we seem ready to go and then silence and no reply to messages! Obviously not right match! A girl at my yard has a lady every other week and she's come on great in her confidence as her riding was not the issue. I fo love my mare and you are right. When I have my treat around me I will feel better as my confidence has taken a hit.