How to make a horse fizzy/buzzy to ride? Fat little cob's too steady :(

[SNORKEY]

If you owned a nutty fizzy horse you'd want a quiet one! I can't go for a relaxing ride as my horse is always jogging and spooking, I've just brought a lovely coloured cob to break in as my plod horse.
You can change his feed, I used to give oats to my old cob to gee him up for the show ring as he was just too laid back.
If he really isn't your taste do think about selling him, there are loads of people that would love a quiet horse.

 

[Natch]

I'm struggling to believe that he got fat on hay! A grass belly is gas, not fat, I am on my phone and cant see your pics very well but I think he just needs fitness and time to mature. I am also inclined to think you can't and shouldn't want to change his nature, just work on yourself enjoying a responsive safe ride, it'll soon be time to get on the fizz bucket

 

[Trinity Fox]

I have not read all the replies but if you want fizzy sharp raving lunatic at the hunt I can swap you, I have a cob not what I usually have was bought in to sell, he is a looker make a good show cob but is more highly strung than my dads pointers.

The worst thing about him is he is so unpredictable he can run backwards at the most alarming speed and is built like a tank he is a saint on the ground, I fear he is with us forever as he is so awful and I will be tortured by him as I cannot bear to see a horse doing nothing and he may improve.

I would love him to be more settled and sane, what always makes me laugh is how sympathetic people are when he loses the plot, I think they assume big cob novice they are never so worried about me when on one of our tbs if throwing a strop.
I now also feel the pain of not being able to get weight off a horse he has lived out all winter with just a vit and mineral lick on a restricted paddock with plenty of grass but poor quality he has lost weight to when we got him but is a very big lad and surprisingly easy to get fit.
I think your cob sounds a dream we all joke its much nicer riding the racehorses beware you dont gee him up too much and end up with a monster.

 

[Mince Pie]

I would think hunting would help massively. Other than that, just focus on getting him fit and responsive but I have to say if it's his nature he may not change that much.

I agree. I have a dope-on-a-rope cobby who, after 1 days cubbing this season, had to be hacked in a waterford baucher as he kept tanking off! Normally he is in a loose ring and very easy to stop!

 

[traceyann]

I have a cob like yours layback what a joy to ride i can relax and enjoy the country side. On the other hand i also have a TB who is buzzy and sharp i wouldnt say he for the faint hearted I enjoy riding him because i know him my friends dont. Respect your boy for what he is and enjoy him. Better still ride a horse thats buzzy and sharp and see how much you enjoy it If anyone asked me what my fav ride is its always my cob. Take your cob drag hunting and see how forward going he can get.

 

[Kallibear]

Some seem to under the impression I want a naughty, silly horse?! I certainly don't (had that, can't be bothered again!), I just want a go-ey pony. One who thinks 'Whee, yeha!' when you go for a gallop, rather than 'Can I stop yet?'

Most riders, unless you're a nervous novice, prefer a forward, 'up for it' horse, so don't see why I shouldn't want my horse to be like that?! I've always had quite forward horses (previous cob esp!) and was hoping Piper would be too

Naturally: he's a cob, of course he got fat on adlib haylege! He puts his fat on his midline (his belly), his quarters, his ribs then his neck, in that order. Neck's fine, ribs bit tubby, belly is blubber, so we're half way there. Poor little mite is now on just whatever grass he can find in a huge very grazed but now starting to grow field. And 5x a week exercise at least, now he's old enough.

So, hunting it is then. And common riding this summer. Fingers crossed it helps him enjoy zooming about.

 

[traceyann]

Please make sure if you go hunting correct bit i went in a snaffle big mistake body protecter two if you can get them on gloves on top of gloves as i was left with hardley any skin left on my hands sick bucket clean pair of pants will be needed my cob was like was like a racehorse on speed glad i did it but would never take him again.

 

[hessy12]

Take him hunting. Get him very fit, which will take at least 2 months. Lots of trotting up hills, long canters, up and down transitions. My 19 y o used to be lazy and hard work, but being fit, the right food and decent supplements plus regular hunting have perked him up no end. I would agree your cob is little tubby. However there is a lot to be said for a horse like this.

 

[Ladylina83]

Well you probably no more likely to turn him into a TB than I am likley to turn into Kate Moss,

Lol

 

[meesha]

Another vote for hunting but also to give him time to mature before you make any final decisions if he is right for you - my chap was a bit lazy up until aged 7 ish but then seemed to really pick up - hunting has given him a real kick and he now strides out and really enjoys his fast work - you dont have to keep going hunting or go for hours - maybe go now but just for a few hours or leave it until autumn hunting (september) to start him off.

I thought my chap had no fitness as would sometimes lag towards end of fun rides - took him hunting and after 4.5 hours he was as up for it as the first 5 mins !!

also look at diet - mine are now on topspec light which gives them all the vits/mins they need but no calories - topspec helpline is great !!

 

[Black_Horse_White]

Send him to me, I love him he's just gorgeous.

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

Hmmm this seems to be a thing with traditionals, people seem t want to turn them into things they aren't.

He's a heavy weight Traddy cob, not a sports pony, he's not going to be the whizzy pony that our looking for and TBH jazzing them up maybe isn't the best thing t be doing as you may later his temp and then you have something that isn't as marketable should you NEED to sell as circumstances change as I am going through at the minute and K with his fabby hacking abilities and generally good temp and nature has gone to a new loan home and I'm having trouble selling E who has bags of talent and with a bit of careful fittening could return to jumping etc

I would just find him a home that will appreciate him for himself and you concentrate on the sports horse you clearly seek, I hate to see people trying to make these wee cobs summat that they aren't.

 

[Ibblebibble]

what is he like in company?, my big girl is a lazy so and so and puts in the least effort possible, but get her in company and go for a canter and oh my lordy she's like a rocket (not pockety at 17hh tho lol) perhaps piper needs a bit of fun company to gee him up a bit
we had a big old cob in college who made you work for every step, but apparently on the hunting field the boy was a legend! we persuaded YM to let us take him out on a group hack one weekend, first canter he was at the back and his rider was having to push him all the way, 2nd time he got the wind up his arse and bombed off , rider was laughing so hard she couldn't pull him up!!

 

[picolenicole]

At the min I have this with my cob. Due to dark nights and snow/ice he's not been ridden much, so is the plod cob. Although I know when we start riding again and he gets fitter he then goes into speedy loon!! And I strugle to get him to stop once he starts going, I have taken him hunting this year and he was a star. We didn't jump as I don't have the bottle for it, we stayed with the lead reins It's not changed the way he thinks so maybe this year he will stay a plod, we shall see.
All I can say is maybe as yours gets fitter he will be more forward, but if not I have loads of field room for him

 

[T's mum]

Can I teach him to be fizzy/sharp? How? I hope to take him hunting next year: rather hoping it'll go to his head and turn him into a raving lunatic, but I suspect he's far to polite and laidback for that

Is there anyone on your yard you could swap with (not sell) , someone who has a fizzy horse but wants somethng steadier?

Really would be such a shame to make him into a nutter when that's not his character at all. If you ever have to sell him he's not going to have a good life if no one can control him and have to put harsh bits in. He's going to end up very confused.

Have you had his saddle checked? If he's not even 5 yet his body shape is changing all the time and a saddle that might have fitted a few months ago might be pinching now and resulting in him not wanting to go forward

 

[Jingleballs]

I know where you are coming from OP and disagree with some of the comments about people wanting to turn them into things they are not - you're not looking for a psycho horse you just looking for a fit, responsive horse who is forward thinking.

I have (had) a very safe, steady coblet who's favourite gait was walk.

Yes he would canter when asked but would stop as soon as you stopped asking.

Last year I worked on getting him fit - I mean really fit. Interval training, fast hacking, lots of XC.

I also made sure he had a balanced diet - getting enough of what he needed without making him fat.

He's 8 now and coming out the winter I can see the difference in him - he is bouncy, whizzy and extremely forward compared to previous years - I think he just needed to mature and to get fitter to really improve his attitude.

Don't get me wrong he can still pootle along on the buckle end although he's generally sharper all round and not quite as safe as he used to be but he's not silly - just more awake.

Get him out hunting or hacking in company with a faster horse - that will help him find the gallop button. Once you (and they) realise they can do it it makes it easier because you know what they are capable of and how much you can ask for. Do some transitions within the gait - especially canter to get him really powering forward.

I wouldn't go down the route of piling him with fizzy feeds for now - power and performance/ some kossalian blood salts would be a start, get him super fit and see how he goes.

 

[Rb1]

My first horse was a young cob who was very laid back. When I got him that was what I wanted but as my confidence and ability grew I wanted him to be more whizzy. We started feeding him (he didn't really need it), which helped slightly and I took him hunting, which made no difference whatsoever, he acted like he would have on any hack! He was also well schooled and he did enjoy a canter, but just didn't have the enthusiasm I wanted, especially for jumping. I made the heartbreaking decision to sell him, as I was wanting to do more and he just wasn't and we knew he could be newly appreciated in a different home.
However, I do know of a steady pony who after a season of hunting was a changed soul, he became whizzy and loved jumping. So I would definitely keep up with the fittening and schooling and try hunting him, but in my honest opinion it sounds like he would be more suited to a different home.

 

[hackedoff]

To follow on from my earlier comments

Fit cob (30 miles into a 40 mile ride!)

Fine cob

fat cob!

Hes semi retired, gives you an idea of how fittening work can change them though!

P.S when fit he did upto 40 and 50 mile rides on hay and a handful of coarse mix and a hand ful of chaff. he got that fat on hay and a scoop of D&H safe and sound chaff a day and was still working 5 days per week!!!

 

[rosie-ellie]

I know where you are coming from OP and disagree with some of the comments about people wanting to turn them into things they are not - you're not looking for a psycho horse you just looking for a fit, responsive horse who is forward thinking.

I have (had) a very safe, steady coblet who's favourite gait was walk.

Yes he would canter when asked but would stop as soon as you stopped asking.

Last year I worked on getting him fit - I mean really fit. Interval training, fast hacking, lots of XC.

I also made sure he had a balanced diet - getting enough of what he needed without making him fat.

Get him out hunting or hacking in company with a faster horse - that will help him find the gallop button. Once you (and they) realise they can do it it makes it easier because you know what they are capable of and how much you can ask for. Do some transitions within the gait - especially canter to get him really powering forward.

I wouldn't go down the route of piling him with fizzy feeds

^^^^^Agree

I have a cob who for the first few years i had her i used feed oats, iron etc to get her going but the oats didnt work but the iron did,i knew it could do more harm than good so stopped it.
I fittened her up, changed her feed completely (forage analysis-grass had loads of iron but not enough copper/zinc to make the iron work) and took her hunting and now all i can say is what a difference. Shes still my safe little girl but the energy and the want to work is brilliant.
Roll on the fun rides this year because last year she'd canter all the way around to the point someone asked if she was an Arab

 

[ironhorse]

I used to hunt/hack cobs for a friend of mine and we used to aim to get them as fit and responsive as possible before hunting - otherwise they can be hard work for you and may also injure themselves due to their build.
We used to do a fun ride at least once a month thru the summer, cantering and jumping wherever the ground was good, plus taking advantage of any stubble we were allowed to ride on at harvest.
Work in the school was all about transitions, pole work and grids (one thing about cobs is that they get very cheeky as they start to get fitter so don't let them get bored!)
But probably the most useful thing, which you can use even when they are not that fit is to find hacking routes with long, gradual hills (not too steep and plenty of grip, so choose your roadwork carefully). We would just trot, steadily and continually on any uphill and flat bits (walking downhill on roads, obviously)- sometimes for 40 mins or more. It makes you sweat too, but it is brilliant for their fitness, and they love it - my old hunter, who I miss every day used to adore one particular hill work road hack almost as much as he loved galloping in a field, tossing his head and snorting as soon as we turned onto the quiet country lane
There's nothing wrong with wanting a fit cob - they are fab

 

[MagicMelon]

You say he's overweight and not fit enough - I'd say that's a bit factor for a start! Get the horse fitter and lose weight and he should naturally be more forward going. Certainly try doing this asap. Although at the end of the day, you have a cob type therefore they're not generally renowned for their speed! It sounds a bit like you're outgrown him, not in height but ability...

 

[Kallibear]

Thank you Babybear and rosie-ellie. You get exactly what I mean! I don't want to change his nature, just his forwardness. I suspect those who clearly don't get it haven't had ploddy cobs before, or poss prefer that kind of horse. As Ironhorse said, a truely fit and FORWARD cob is a joy to ride and i've ridden plenty of very forwards, very heavy traditionals before, so it's not ness a breed/build thing, it's an attitude thing. This isn't about making him jog up the road sideways, eyes rolling, but making him enthusiastic about going forwards.

RE: hacking in company. He's either better right out front, or when he's by himself. When behind he just sulks and if everyone else canters off, he's not in slightest bit bothered. Only time he's ever fizzy is when someone's beside and slightly behind: as soon as they over take or drop back he gives up (he is very VERY subordinate in the field and would NEVER challenge any other horse for the front. He even finds walking beside another stressful and frightening)

Hackedoff: I want a cob like that! Was he always fairly naturely forwards, or did that come with fitness? Pink, my old cob, is like yours, whilst fit and unfit, and would kill herself trying to constantly GO and needed to be saved from herself. Piper is going take much more effort and insistance on my part as he does as little as he can get away with (not entirely true or fair, but gives you an idea on his attitude)

Your stories fill me with hope, thanks you! Rb1: your story does not fill me with confidence and therefore I shall pretend I didn't see it

This summer is Get Fit summer for him, and there's PLENTY of hill work round here, thankfully. Then hunting and i'll reasses.

 

[connieconvert]

Why don't you sell him to someone who'll appreciate him.

Agree totally.

It's obvious looking at the photos that he is a certain type of horse - worth his weight in gold. Please don't bully him into being something he isn't happy with.

You would have no trouble selling him and putting the money towards something sharper.

Good Luck

 

[hackedoff]

"Hackedoff: I want a cob like that! Was he always fairly naturely forwards, or did that come with fitness? Pink, my old cob, is like yours, whilst fit and unfit, and would kill herself trying to constantly GO and needed to be saved from herself. Piper is going take much more effort and insistance on my part as he does as little as he can get away with (not entirely true or fair, but gives you an idea on his attitude)"

Thank you!

He needed loads of fitness work at first and I mean loads. 1 to 3 hours of trotting and speed work a day 6 days per week. He used to lag behind on hacks when I first bought him. Once fit he uses to zoom off in front on a hack, graze till the others over took and then run after them, thus combining his two loves, running off fast and eating in one go!

Thinking back (as I have owned him for 16 years,) he slowly livened up with pleasure and long distance rides and then he really livened up when:

a. he learnt to turbo trot whilst out hacking with a pony who had been used for trotting races, when at his fittest he could out trot many cantering Arabs , kept up with several standard breds at a trot and once outstripped a TB ex racer on a ride much to the rider's annoyance!

b. he learnt that the idea of rides was to catch up with the dot on the horizon

c. he did some race rides.

the problem I had was the race rides fried his brain so I couldnt keep him to a steady speed to pace himself for long distance and we got no futher than 50 miles in a day. it also meant that he became very very quick to react leading to:

a. getting hit by a car when shying when hacking out which lead to my lossing my nerve to hack out or do much for some years so no more long distance, and
b. a tendency to run off at shows, dressage tests etc.

So as I said early be careful what you wish for. Id have prefered a steady eddie with a go faster option when needed!

good luck anyway yours looks a really cutie pie.

 

[Kallibear]

The image of him running off, grazing then rushing to catch up made me giggle.

I don't need, want or have time to get Piper THAT fit, but hopefully a decent fitness level will really help. He's so polite and bombproof (not because he can't be bothered, but because nothing actually frightens him. Even now he's not in the least 'switched off' (except poss when sulking at the back))

And for those thinking he's a really heavy tradition, he's not! He's a fat middleweight at best. He's broad but fairly leggy and not a huge amount of bone. I deliberately tried to buy a more "sports cob" as I don't like the really heavys.


Last year, when not quite as tubby

And WHY he wasn't quite so tubby!

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

Its not that the rest of us don't get it OP we do its just we feel sorry for the horse. He sounds like a sweet wee guy willing to please and your wanting a sports pony.

The people who blow smoke (nit saying everyone does I'm a cob owner myself!!) Up peoples butts to get them to do things that is just not what the ponies are built or bred for I find disgusting and immoral.

If you want a sports horse buy one. If you want a coloured to show then buy a coloured sports horse.

My wee coblet did everything and we had a ball but I knew his limits and when I wanted to do more I went out and got a horse that would do more. I didn't feel comfortable making mines into summat he's just not.

 

[JFTDWS]

The people who blow smoke (nit saying everyone does I'm a cob owner myself!!) Up peoples butts to get them to do things that is just not what the ponies are built or bred for I find disgusting and immoral.

If you want a sports horse buy one. If you want a coloured to show then buy a coloured sports horse.

Whilst in theory I do agree with what you're saying BB, I don't think it's disgusting or immoral to encourage your horse to be the best that it can be - whatever its limitations.

I'm in the process of trying to jazz up my highland and turn him into a jumping machine. I could just go out and buy a jumping machine, but I happen to like my highland and have many aspirations with him - jumping is only one of those. He's young and, while he enjoys jumping, it doesn't come as naturally to him as other breeds. Part of getting him jumping well involves getting him really forward off my leg and jazzing him up - schooling, hunting, xc, fast hacking, gallops, fitness, etc. These are all the things that the OP should be considering.

When I posted two days ago about the aforementioned pony, I got a great deal of advice and encouragement - which is almost certainly down to wording, given that much of our problem is shared. I hope the OP didn't mean to sound as unappreciative of her pony as the first post does - I suspect from subsequent posts it was the result of frustration rather than truly disliking the pony.

FWIW, my highland was as sharp as I want him schooling today, and my older horse is a HW cob who was a saintly child's pony when I asked him to be, was also competitive around 95cm tracks and a joyously forward hack

 

[Kallibear]

I don't dislike my pony at all In fact, the fact that I DO like him so much is why I haven't gone and just bought my 'perfect' horse instead! He's the nicest, sweetest little horses possible and I adore him (he's such a cuddley Mummy's Boy that everyone loves ) and hence why I desperately want him to be more forwards to suit my taste! If I didn't like him I would just get rid, problem solved.

I've had him since a baby, he's never been a single days bother and, although my plan was always to sell on once going, I don't actually want to And if he'll just become a little more forwards and fizzy, he'll be perfect.

 

[Jingleballs]

Whilst in theory I do agree with what you're saying BB, I don't think it's disgusting or immoral to encourage your horse to be the best that it can be - whatever its limitations.

Here here! And in doing all this my horse has remained happy, healthy and sound so I'm clearly not doing him any harm and on the contrary get comments about how well he looks and how much more spark he has about him!

 

[Kallibear]

Oh, and as for disgusting and immoral, what a silly thing to say!

It's not like i'm complaining that he's not talented enough to compete round Hickstead, or to make it to GP dressage.

Just because you're willing to put up with a lazy, reluctant horse doesn't mean everyone else is, or even thinks it acceptable. ANY horse can, and SHOULD, be forwards and enthusiastic with a good work ethic. I've just got to instilled that in Little Pips.