How to contain a welsh cob's trot??!

[southerncomfort]

I ride a lovely 14.3hh welsh cob mare who I absolutely adore.

She is forward going but very sweet and safe.

Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE her big, exuberant trot! I can feel her front end lift up and her knees come higher and higher and it's the most wonderful feeling in the world.

However! When we trot out on a hack she can tend to go the wrong side of exuberant and become quite strong. Nothing nasty about it, she is just feeling jolly and would really rather like to have a bloomin' good blast.

So my question is...how can I contain her natural energy and exuberance without losing the fun and forwardness? To be fair, she is very polite about it and she will ask to canter (by trying to canter with her back legs!) and when you say 'no' she accepts it and if I ask her to slow she will (for a millisecond or two!).

So if she goes off like a rocket should I bring her back to walk and ask for trot again until she is more balanced and contained? Or just sit back and enjoy the ride? Any advice welcome!

 

[rara007]

You're lucky she comes off the forehand, the punchy welshes I know are all hollow and bring your neck and knees high sorts! Our C doesn't have much knee action but follows suit by hollowing *rolleyes*

Not section Ds but we have some very forwards As, they have to learn to trot at our pace keeping rhythm in a light contact, otherwise they find their sessions to be totally in walk They get 15min walk before starting work, and then as soon as they go to rush a half halt, if nothing back to walk for as long as it takes them to settle, and keep repeating until they learn! No fun being tanked off with at the trot/any pace!

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

What bit is she ridden in OP?? Does she snatch at the reins? Does she poke her nose or lean??

These little cobs have a fantastic trot; very punchy with loads of impulsion, and often a curb bit with ideally two reins will provide just the right level of control without cramping their style. Something that may be worth trying is a French Link Rugby Pelham: this is a single bit which has an additional ring (you will need another plain headstrap) and gives quite a lot of movement to the bit - its a tad like riding in a double bridle but without the two bits. I find this works well with strong cobby types who like a fair bit of mobility in the mouthpiece.

IME with these "forward going" cobs, they've got a lot of weight which is frequently in the wrong place, and so you will in effect need to "ride forward" with them in order to get them in the right place; don't try holding them in or containing the exuberance - its more a matter of going with the rhythm and then using your seat and hands, and breathing evenly, you can then channel the impulsion and thus not stifle the forward movement but more to work at getting the impetus coming from the "engine" rather than the forehand and working at obtaining a nice rounded outline rather than letting the horse get its head up, thus hollowing-out the back and putting everything off balance.

The worst thing you can do is hang on to the reins or tussle with her. Using your seat, ride her INTO the contact rather than try to hold her back. Its all about getting horse and rider balance in the right place - and the lovely thing is that when you DO get it right and she's balanced and on the bit, she will look and feel absolutely fantastic! So it is worth persevering.

She may benefit from being lunged and/or long-reined; and worked in the school - an instructor might help you to find a way of going with her as these feisty little cobs are not the easiest to get the right contact or balance with TBH.

 

[soulfull]

What bit is she ridden in OP?? Does she snatch at the reins? Does she poke her nose or lean??

These little cobs have a fantastic trot; very punchy with loads of impulsion, and often a curb bit with ideally two reins will provide just the right level of control without cramping their style. Something that may be worth trying is a French Link Rugby Pelham: this is a single bit which has an additional ring (you will need another plain headstrap) and gives quite a lot of movement to the bit - its a tad like riding in a double bridle but without the two bits. I find this works well with strong cobby types who like a fair bit of mobility in the mouthpiece.

IME with these "forward going" cobs, they've got a lot of weight which is frequently in the wrong place, and so you will in effect need to "ride forward" with them in order to get them in the right place; don't try holding them in or containing the exuberance - its more a matter of going with the rhythm and then using your seat and hands, and breathing evenly, you can then channel the impulsion and thus not stifle the forward movement but more to work at getting the impetus coming from the "engine" rather than the forehand and working at obtaining a nice rounded outline rather than letting the horse get its head up, thus hollowing-out the back and putting everything off balance.

The worst thing you can do is hang on to the reins or tussle with her. Using your seat, ride her INTO the contact rather than try to hold her back. Its all about getting horse and rider balance in the right place - and the lovely thing is that when you DO get it right and she's balanced and on the bit, she will look and feel absolutely fantastic! So it is worth persevering.

She may benefit from being lunged and/or long-reined; and worked in the school - an instructor might help you to find a way of going with her as these feisty little cobs are not the easiest to get the right contact or balance with TBH.

Excellent advice !!!

I too would try the rugby Pelham first. However my welsh mare is the first one I've known that prefers a straight bar Pelham

 

[southerncomfort]

Thanks so much everyone for taking the time to reply.

She is currently ridden in a french link full cheek snaffle. I did wonder about a pelham and this sounds like it might be worth a try.

You've really confirmed my feeling that trying to hold on to her front end isn't really the answer and maybe with a pelham I'll be able to much lighter with my 'slowing' aids which will allow me to go with her more.

Thanks again for all the excellent advice, very much appreciated. I have to say she is the first horse in a very long time that I actually feel excited about riding!