Have i made a big mistake??

What an un settling start for you. a six year old cob is very young, and whilst they are a brilliant first horse, you've picked a breed who are well known for their physical strength and also their huge strength of character - I've got one too! I agree with everything other posters have said about feed and turnout. I'd also suggest working on groundwork with your girl, even though you say she is good on the ground, if you spend time working in hand with her, it could build your relationship with her and rebuild your confidence. This will all help your ridden relationship too. As for treats, I would recommend herby treats, but only one at a time! And maybe the odd bit of swede ... Much less sugar than the carrots!
 
Your instructor said she 'wasn't acting like a typical cob' what does a typical cob act like? All horses behave differently, what a stupid comment :confused:

She is in far too much. If she's just come in from being out 24/7 and 24/7 turnout wasnt not possible, then I'd be turfing her out at 7am and bringing her in just before dark. If that isn't possible, move yards. Its cruel on the horse.

No carrots. No likkits. Nothing bar the correct amount of hay.

If your instructor hasn't been able to pinpoint your problems I'd be looking for a new one. I'd also be looking to move yards if you can only turn out for an hour a day.
 
Don't go hacking alone until you've got it together with your horse. Keep having lots of lessons. More turnout for the horse although most yards will be severely restricted at the moment and don't sacrifice support for turnout unless you can find somewhere with both.

Owning your own horse is completely different to riding riding school horses. Don't worry, I'm sure your horse will be fine for you, but you need to learn how to manage all these things which often come up.
 
I agree with all of what the others have said - cut out tons of carrots and lickits!! I also think that the lack of turnout will be a major factor. Your six year old pony is the eqivalent of a teenager - locked in his bedroom for 23 hours a day...

If it comes to a choice of you having the indoor school, or the pony having turnout, the pony's needs should come first. Whats the point in having the indoor school if the pony is getting too hyper for you to cope with... I also question the experience at the yard a bit - nobody has suggested to you that it may be the lack of turnout causing the issues.. Not saying that they're not expereinced, but they're economical with what they tell you, as its in their interest..

I'd have a look around - there may be a smaller, less flash yard with turnout for the pony, which costs less and allows you to afford more lessons..

You will get there. Don't give up.
 
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First pony G said:
Ok thanks definitely only one small carrot then :) I was thinking of changing yards and for more reasons than what I've been talking about. Thing is we have a massive indoor school so I'm able to ride her and exercise her in the evenings for a long period if I want to. Also the experience on the yard is massive they are all willing to help me, I might not get that somewhere else.
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Its very important that you have some onsite support that knows what they're doing, but an indoor isn't the be all and end all. A properly fenced, well maintained, all weather, floodlit outdoor is perfectly adequate, you sometimes just need to wear a coat. ;)
 
Agree with lots of other posters.

Lack of turnout is a recipe for disaster, no matter how much you ride. Horses need to be turned out with other horses to do 'horsey stuff'

Never underestimate the intelligence of horses - and also the fact they can pick up a mile off if you are nervous ( take it from me, I have been there!)

Best advice I can give you - get an instructor who will make you both WORK. It will make a world of difference.

Also bear in mind, cobs do tend to go through 'kevin years' All cobs are different - we have two on our yard - one who is very laid back, one who is very hyper. Just like any other breed, they are the way they are.
 
You really need to get your self on a steep learning curve you need to Learn horse care and learn to ride better .
Buy some books on horse care study ask people who know what they are doing, take regular lessons you will need commitment and dedication .
Horses need turn out you must sort this daily turn out is a must in your position .you are on a steep learning curve set to work hard you will get there.
And I aggree with all the other posters too many carrots and no likits sugar is not good for horses.
 
Yes the turnout is really bad but I thought it was the same in most places, at least the places I know of all the horses seem to be stabled. As the summer has been so bad they just sink in the mud. The last time she was In the field, about 6 weeks ago the owner was shouting at me saying she'll destroy the field and end up with mud fever too. Tbh it's not really a secure environment either, I leave her one place and I come back to find her somewhere else. The other week she got away, my fault, climbed up the 40 year old muck heap and ended up 5 foot deep in the stinking water below. I tried getting her out and fell in with her, in the dark and on our own. I really, really thought she was going to die :eek::eek::eek: Anyway somehow she got out and all was well but my children also come and I was never warned of the danger I thought it was shallow!!
I will definitely stop giving her all the extra treats. I think maybe I will look around again tomorrow for something more suitable for her. Thanks again :)
 
If you want to give her a mineral lick, Himalayan salt licks are good for them and ours seem to really enjoy them. You might also find that the minerals help to calm her. It does sound as if you would be better on a different yard from several points of view.
 
Get a very good instructor, and give it time and be patient the pony will soon come around, also she will make you a better rider in the long run :) you've only had her 3 months so she will be testing you a lot, my advice is lessons, time and patience :)
 
Good luck with your new pony - I also have a cob and although people look at him and think big, hairy, docile slug, he is definately not that especially when being schooled in an arena, when his naughty side comes out. He also does the rushing around corners thing - just to scare me I think, and my instructor makes me kick him on and work him harder when he does that. Keep having the lessons and if your instructor will get on and have a go that always helps. My poor boy visibly sulks when our instructor gets on him as he knows he is going to be worked hard.

I love my cob and would never have another type of horse - he is honest and forgiving of my often poor riding, but he can also be cheeky and moody. They are great characters though and your cob is still finding his feet with you. Keep going - you will get there x
 
I think you are right to look at another yard, as others have said turn out for the pony is most important they need it, you will however probably also need a stable because you might need to restrict grazing in summer ! Horses and ponies are never straight forward.

The lack of time out to relax may go a long way to explain the problems you are having. A friend of mine took on a pony with terrrible reputation and temper, but found he had been kept in all time (owner did not want him to get wet), when the pony was allowed out in field each day he became a changed character.

Let us know how you get on
 
Oh my god that muckheap event sounds seriously traumatic and not safe at all especially for your girls!

Also what your YO said about churning up the field and getting mud fever SIX WEEKS ago, no I am afraid that made me annoyed! Yes horses do move and they are supposed to be outside?! It's not your fault, but I would put money on your horse becoming the saint she is supposed to be if you move her somewhere she can get some decent turnout. Lots of yards do restrict grazing yes, but not for anywhere near that long and you can usually find somewhere that offers 4 or 5 hours a day which is still not ideal but certainly better.

Hopefully you can find another yard with a floodlit school, an indoor is nice but I would think it might be more expensive or on par with somewhere more horse welfare instead of customer comfort orientated... They can be hard to find but people on here will advise if you do a post with area in the title :-)
 
If she's hardly out then she will go mental when she does get let out. Also the rushing round corner thing in the school can be because she's unbalanced, sounds like you need a different yard and a better instructor
 
When I bought Archie I very quickly realised my confidence had drained and all I knew I had forgotten, my mind a blank. I expected to get on, ride into the sunset and us live happily ever after. Reality checked in and I realised I was in above my head. I got a good friend who was my 'instructor'. We went back to basics, for my benefit and his. We took him out in hand to show him his surroundings, a few times. She rode him in the field, I rode him in the field. She rode him along the road, then me ... on a lead rein. We did this a few times, instilling confidence in us both, him in me, me in him and then one day she didn't turn up, he was already tacked up so I told my hubby to go lock himself in the stable and I bit the bullet and rode him down the lane and back. Short but positive.

You need to do whatever you need to do, what may feel like baby steps to you will reward you tenfold if it gets your confidence back. Not all people want or are able to jump on and master their steed from the outset, I was one, you sound like another. Time and patience pays dividends, as does lots of groundwork, bonding and you and him time.

Oh, and I moved him from my original field to a yard around the corner with people on hand to help if I went backwards, a godsend, within about 8 weeks. We have never looked back.

Good luck
 
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Thank, yes you've hit the nail on the head I did think I would ride into the sunset and everything would be great. I thought I'd found the "bombproof hacker safe even on the busiest roads" all would be great and I'd spend my weekends walking around my local area with my daughter riding her bike and we'd swap every so often. Em, not a chance! I think that realisation really did knock my confidence, especially since we got chucked off in the first week. omg what had I done. The relative safety and protection of the riding school was certainly not what I had gone into but all I had known and thought would be like. Hopefully when I get onto a good new yard I can start again, thanks x
 
One thing you could consider is a decent working livery on a good riding school.You have to look around, see how the horses are kept and the standard of teaching.Also make sure that they are the sort of people who stick to agreements.The advantages are many in a decent place.You get what amounts to full livery for a fraction of the price.Facilities are usually good and some will throw in one group lesson a week.The horse will get work,some firm and consistent handling and there may be some stable management courses as well.
 
Archiesmummy said:
When I bought Archie I very quickly realised my confidence had drained and all I knew I had forgotten, my mind a blank. I expected to get on, ride into the sunset and us live happily ever after. Reality checked in and I realised I was in above my head. I got a good friend who was my 'instructor'. We went back to basics, for my benefit and his. We took him out in hand to show him his surroundings, a few times. She rode him in the field, I rode him in the field. She rode him along the road, then me ... on a lead rein. We did this a few times, instilling confidence in us both, him in me, me in him and then one day she didn't turn up, he was already tacked up so I told my hubby to go lock himself in the stable and I bit the bullet and rode him down the lane and back. Short but positive.

You need to do whatever you need to do, what may feel like baby steps to you will reward you tenfold if it gets your confidence back. Not all people want or are able to jump on and master their steed from the outset, I was one, you sound like another. Time and patience pays dividends, as does lots of groundwork, bonding and you and him time.

Oh, and I moved him from my original field to a yard around the corner with people on hand to help if I went backwards, a godsend, within about 8 weeks. We have never looked back.

Good luck
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Re: Have i made a big mistake??
Thank, yes you've hit the nail on the head I did think I would ride into the sunset and everything would be great. I thought I'd found the *quot;bombproof hacker safe even on the busiest roads*quot; all would be great and I'd spend my weekends walking around my local area with my daughter riding her bike and we'd swap every so often. Em, not a chance! I think that realisation really did knock my confidence, especially since we got chucked off in the first week. omg what had I done. The relative safety and protection of the riding school was certainly not what I had gone into but all I had known and thought would be like. Hopefully when I get onto a good new yard I can start again, thanks x
 
grumpyoldmare said:
How old is she? Some cobs can go through a bit of a stroppy stage when they are younger and it might be this combined with her settling in to her new home.

If it is a case of her picking up on your nerves get some of this stuff...absolutely marvellous and it REALLY works if it is you unsettling the horse.

http://www.paxhorse.co.uk/

Is she being fed appropriately for her work load with you, does she get enough turnout every day. There could be several reasons for her behaviour and I certainly wouldn't give up on her too quickly.
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Thank you very much this stuff sounds great I have ordered some. ill let you know how we get on, might pop some beta blockers too to stop my heart beat racing too!! Lol
 
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