I just bought my first cob! Introduction + feed advice + photos!

[Red-1]

Yep another one with dressage legs the likes of me can only dream of.
You don't look a bit Michelin Red, you look far too elegant

Thank you, you are so kind. I just lost 4 1/2 stone! Well, I will have done, when I lose just 1/4 lb more! 1 1/2 stone of which is since I got Rigsby in September. I felt too large on him, despite him being a cob. He is not wide in the body - not since he has been on his EMS rescue diet!

That will be me, at my dream weight, that 4 years ago seemed unattainable. The sad thing is, when I was sorting through the house last year, so I could fit mum's stuff in, I threw away all the stuff that would now fit! I never thought it was possible to go back down to this weight. So, I am rocking the Matalan jeggins for riding. They just had a sale, I paid £6 a pair - suitable for riding and normal use. Bargain, but not very "dressage!"

The jacket I am wearing in the photos was too small a couple of years ago.

 

[Red-1]

Rigsby had a problem this morning, he had a thistle stuck in one side of his moustache. I couldn't get it out with a brush or comb, it was a problem. It seems to have self resolved over the day, phew.

As he has had a couple of hard days (for an old cob) he was just walked round the 1 mile block in hand today. He lounged around until this evening... then I had a mission.

Rigsby famously didn't load when I got him. For the previous owners he refused to go on. Then they paid a fortune for a specialist to train him. He got good enough to go on a trip, but it then took 2 days to get him home, and he ended up being ridden back. He refused to load again.

When I bought him, I said I would only have him if I got him on my box. Much as his old yard was nice, it wasn't where I wanted to keep him and it was too far to walk him. Sadly for Rigsby, I used to be one of those people who charged a fortune for loading - not failed yet. Sadly for me, I was emotionally not in a strong place at that time - which was the whole point of buying Rigsby...
I equipped myself with an ex colleague, who would also never give up, but who physically wouldn't be able to help. Two old crocks on tour!

It took just over 3 1/2 hours, but in that time Rigsby was correctly handled and loaded 3 times. He was rather rude, tried rearing, striking, kicking, running over me, taking me land skiing, planting... Tried everything once but found New Mum was resolute so he started to pay attention and loaded. He was allowed off then he loaded again, and again. I only put the ramp up when he was comfortable to stay.

I was firm but fair, but by heck, he was coming on that box - he was my new horse!!!

Rigsby was rude generally for me when he came so I decided loading could wait for 3 things. Firstly he needed to be trained to be responsive to requests from New Mum, i.e. not be rude. Then to be stronger. Thirdly for the ground to dry up enough to put the lorry either on the grass or in the school (still need to drive on the grass) so we had a soft surface if it took a test of determination.

Today was the day. He was no bother. Dithered about 10 minutes, was a bit nervous, looked to New Mum for help then loaded up. We did it many times, he must have loaded a dozen times in total! Such a good, brave boy!

There was a mind trick to it, but then that would be giving away professional secrets

I am sure there will be more days where Rigsby tests the boundaries, he really hasn't been anywhere and this loading to go somewhere then being overwhelmed generally and being tricky to load to come home can be a thing. So, we will be doing some loading practice here, there and everywhere. I wasn't be going anywhere too far until I feel loading is a reliable thing. Nothing worse than being over confident.

 

[ycbm]

Well done Red, correcting a horse which has learned it can say no is no small ask. And look at those ribs EMS be gone!
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[Red-1]

Well done Red, correcting a horse which has learned it can say no is no small ask. And look at those ribs EMS be gone!
.

He is up to an hour a day at grass with a muzzle. The ribs have to be evident or he can't risk grass. Poor Ribsby!

I am on holiday for easter, will load daily, then we can look at a short trip. There is an informal group lesson for people wanting pole work locally. It would be a super box ride, laid back ride with others, and short box ride back. Just need Covid to allow it now as it is in a covered school!

 

[ycbm]

I think you are doing a brilliant job of proving that EMS can be beaten in lots of horses if their owners are prepared to "be cruel to be kind". Not that I think you have ever been cruel, just that you have had to harden your heart to his demands for food, for his own good.
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[Red-1]

I think you are doing a brilliant job of proving that EMS can be beaten in lots of horses if their owners are prepared to "be cruel to be kind". Not that I think you have ever been cruel, just that you have had to harden your heart to his demands for food, for his own good.
.

To be fair, the previous owner had already got most of the weight off while he was on the box rest for lami. They followed the vet's directions beautifully. They were also careful to find someone to buy him who would keep up with all of his care. I was lucky to find a horse who had been a family horse.

 

[Roxylola]

Oh this is good news. Supercob is occasionally sticky to load - usually when he's got somewhere really nice and had a lot of fun. Really didn't fancy coming home from somerford camp last year ?
I've dealt with bad loaders in the past though - its definitely something you have to be in the right place for mentally, and I think it helps to be have a horse who leads well in general. Which of course all your ground work will have done.
What a victory today, and how well he looks up there ?

 

[Red-1]

It was a school day! We did canter poles. It was a stretch for Rigsby, who is only just getting the hang of canter in the school but he made a fair fist of it. the nice thing is, the further we went on, the bigger the grin on my face!

The last photos show how, as he learned how to lift his body, his moment of suspension got bigger. He was flying!

Rigsby is ace!

Then. we did some time loading. I don't want loading to be situational, so today loading was done on the yard. It took 2 minutes the first time, then it was on request. He is a bit nervous when he starts, but then he realises that I don't force him on, just guide him, and he settles. Today we had the strap shut and ramp shut too.

I hardly dared tell Mr Red that I just spent over £100 on a more comfy girth for him. Will be here next week.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Lovely smiley photos!

 

[Red-1]

Today was going to be a walk round the block in-hand day for old Rigsby (because he worked hard yesterday) but I was pent up with yet more problems with mum's paperwork. Nothing insurmountable, but I am emotionally drained with it. Anyway, I firstly downed loads of chocolate, then took Rigsby out for a stress busting ride. Poor Riggers, missed his day off, but it is why I bought him and we only went out for a walk in the lovely sunshine.

Rigsby has a fan club at the bottom of the road. Some workmen have been there for months, they watched as I walked him in-hand through the wet and wind, through the floods, before the good weather came, through when he tried his trainers, and through to now, when he is sometimes ridden there, but usually walked back so as not to stress his feet.

They recognise him and call out for Rigsby - they used to ask why I was walking him on foot and the idea of rehab of an old horse made them smile. They would want to feed him on their digestive biscuits, and the idea that Riggers also has horsey diabetes and can't eat biscuits struck a cord.

Today I had some celery in a pocket, left over from schooling yesterday, so Rigsby got to meet up with his mates in the refreshment van so they could finally feed him.

Busy day, he then had an hour at grass only to then do loading, on the lawn this time. Today the ramp went up and I exited the vehicle. He was upset and did pawing, but not for long. Once he was quiet, he was allowed out. He did re-load, but not as well as I would like - so the box is staying out so we can go again this evening. He will be hungry then and standing with a net will look a whole lot more welcome than when he was straight out of the field

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[Roxylola]

Hes done well to come away from grass and load on to a box thats parked on grass. I am pretty sure if you asked me to leave the lindt shop and get in a car with no chocolate at all in there I'd probably paw too.
Hopefully hunger will encourage him to be a good boy tonight

 

[Red-1]

Hes done well to come away from grass and load on to a box thats parked on grass. I am pretty sure if you asked me to leave the lindt shop and get in a car with no chocolate at all in there I'd probably paw too.
Hopefully hunger will encourage him to be a good boy tonight

You make a very good point!

Well, he did hesitate and evil thoughts went into his head. But, he gathered his wits and got on board, did it twice, then I managed to put the strap across and put the ramp up ALL BY MYSELF!!! He stayed there, eating hay, while I sorted the stable ready for him.

Good boy!

We will load randomly this week, he is quite nervous when on so I need it to be a relaxing place before we do more. I need to get the top doors shut at some stage, and start the engine too. Next weekend, if all goes well, I may ride him and box him. I may ride out and box back or box out and ride back, not decided until I see how he is doing. The distance will only be a mile, either way!

 

[Pippity]

There was a mind trick to it, but then that would be giving away professional secrets

Are you absolutely sure you don't want to share the professional secret? I promise not to tell anybody!

 

[Lexi_]

I absolutely love that he got to have a celerybration with his new pals ?

 

[Red-1]

Are you absolutely sure you don't want to share the professional secret? I promise not to tell anybody!

Haha, not really a secret, just long winded.

Most non-loaders have had people try to either manhandle them or or beat them on, so they already have negative thoughts surrounding loading. Often they have been driven inconsiderately or had noisy transport/ not well ventilated/ not offered water or something. Very often they are a bit rude on the ground anyway.

I do ground work first, nowhere near the lorry, so they respond to a signal rather than being man-handled. Then practice the actual movements in an area made up with walls/barrels etc. Often have them walk onto and manoeuvre on a board or something that thuds.

So, we have learned the skills away from any horse box. Rigsby did most of his homework in his shelter. It is the right shape and thuds.

Then, we work quite hard at ground work somewhere, somewhere where there isn't any hay. Then move to the box and go through the movements that we have already practiced in the set up, but there is hay on the box.

Rigsby had got quite good at getting on, but wanted to get off the box. That was OK, as long as he was polite about it, we got off the lorry and... went back to hard ground work (where there was no hay). Then he was offered the opportunity to get on the box. By the end of that session he was gagging to get on the box!

Now I have moved the box, the draw is not as great, but that is OK, I may now need to put some pressure on to signal where he is to go. But it is a little tap to indicate what I want, not walloping him! If that doesn't work, then we have to go back to the ground work away from the lorry, so he can remember how to follow signals without the emotion of the box. Then, when he is invited to get back on the box (where coincidentally there is hay and opportunity for a rest) he is much more likely to get on.

He is nervous on the box, the race is now on to have him feeling confident on there before the ground work needs refreshing.

 

[Red-1]

Rigsby just did his first ever arena hire! He was astonished when we went in, grew 2 hands when he saw other horses but... remained polite and even let me do the gate.

We mainly caught some rays, watched the jumping horse, which he found a bit scary, ate celery, rode through an intro dressage test and had a little canter each way. So, half a hour there, 10 minutes of which was work.

Poor horse then came home to loading practice, I can get him on and the ramp up comfortably on my own now. Rigsby then had a bath and is now in the field.

Poor Rigsby wishes the Easter holidays were over, I think!

Only an hour, with a muzzle, at grass - it is rather lush

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Aw his ears! He looks smart standing in the arena there too Sounds like a good trip out for the two of you.

I was thinking of you and Rigsby when I was having my lesson today. Partly the cob moustache but also the lessons in working as a team, taking your time and getting the basics right. And the smiling too!

 

[Red-1]

Aw his ears! He looks smart standing in the arena there too Sounds like a good trip out for the two of you.

I was thinking of you and Rigsby when I was having my lesson today. Partly the cob moustache but also the lessons in working as a team, taking your time and getting the basics right. And the smiling too!

The smile makes it all 10 time better!

 

[Tarragon]

I have just caught up with this thread. I love reading through your schooling sessions. I thought that your last canter photo was lovely, he had a real boing in him. I think that he must have some Friesian in him, he has a certain air about him that reminds me. I think his head and his neck seem very Friesian like.

 

[Red-1]

I have just caught up with this thread. I love reading through your schooling sessions. I thought that your last canter photo was lovely, he had a real boing in him. I think that he must have some Friesian in him, he has a certain air about him that reminds me. I think his head and his neck seem very Friesian like.

He must be part Fresian, everyone from the physio to saddle fitter says so. His passport simply says Cob X, so who knows?

He has been such a boon to me this past 6 months. Makes me smile even when the world was dark.

He was such a good boy loading this evening, I did it all by myself, no hat or gloves or whip, just showed him the ramp and up he went.

 

[SatansLittleHelper]

Please don't ever stop writing about Rigsby..!!! He's an absolute dude and this is probably one of my most favourite HHO threads ever. You have a really good relationship with him and it's paying dividends. It's definitely giving me some inspiration and food for thought on the way I deal with my two ??

 

[ycbm]

Another first! Coming thick and fast now.

I think he looks very friesian too.
.

 

[Caol Ila]

I wish I could get you up to Scotland to work with my filly on loading. She is sceptical, and I really don't want her to be Gypsum 2.0, who won't get on a lorry unless she's high as a kite on whatever fun drugs the vet gives her. When you don't have your own trailer/lorry, it sucks, because getting it to walk on and off one in a totally laid back and random way is not feasable.

 

[Red-1]

I wish I could get you up to Scotland to work with my filly on loading. She is sceptical, and I really don't want her to be Gypsum 2.0, who won't get on a lorry unless she's high as a kite on whatever fun drugs the vet gives her. When you don't have your own trailer/lorry, it sucks, because getting it to walk on and off one in a totally laid back and random way is not feasable.

I don't teach or do anything for £ with horses now. I lost the will to. When I was vitamin D deficient and had injury I lost the ability, will and energy. I lost my own ability to ride and then felt like I had nothing to say.

What with having also had the worst 2 years of my life, Rigsby was emotionally where my level was at. One day, early on, he was being extremely rude and I was of the opinion that if I could no longer even handle him, I may as well give up altogether. I dug deep and we won through.

He is doing his job, I am casually looking for another, more sporty model. I would consider an older one, one who wouldn't pass a vet, but one who could still go out and do a job. I am waiting though, maybe I will get back to a stage where I would invest the extra money people are currently charging for a younger and fitter model. No rush, Rigsby is keeping me busy. I just want to do... more than he can. That is new of late. Of course, Rigsby will stay, he has earned his place in retirement or as a hack-about. That said, I have 2 people lining up for him. Noooo.

I never was the best at trailer loading, Richard Maxwell or Guy Robertson are better. I feel that, even though I am much more positive now, I would fly to the moon rather than take on a trailer loading job. Although I may go back to having a competition horse, I don't think I will ever go back to teaching.

You are correct that it is harder if you don't have transport to use regularly. You can hire trailers by the month from some places though. So, you could block hire until it is routine, then go back to hiring by the day. I bet a winter month-long hire wouldn't be too expensive.

 

[Red-1]

Please don't ever stop writing about Rigsby..!!! He's an absolute dude and this is probably one of my most favourite HHO threads ever. You have a really good relationship with him and it's paying dividends. It's definitely giving me some inspiration and food for thought on the way I deal with my two ??

Rigsby would have disagreed yesterday. I was perhaps a bit demanding. He came back from his arena hire experience and was put into his stable where there was bedding and water, but no hay .

After a pause, he was offered the lorry with a hay net. He was initially unconvinced, but was ordered on. He was on long enough to realise that hay was there, but was not mentally 'in' the box with his body. So, I let him off and put him back in the stable with bedding (non edible) and water but still no hay. A bit later, he was offered the box and this time he was more ambivalent about going on. He stayed for quite a while and ate properly, for the first time.

Back off, washed and out, firstly on the field then on the arena, with a small amount of hay that soon ran out. When he was hungry he was brought back and invited onto the lorry, he knew the hay was there and took himself on. This was the first time he was forward in his thoughts onto the lorry, as well as being forward in his legs. He munched with relish, mind in the box with him.

The lorry is fully insulated and was cool but the day was hot and perhaps I did too many 'things' for Rigsby's liking (first arena hire, box loading x 3, washing, and field, which is still new to Rigsby and rather frustrating with the muzzle) - which is why I think Rigsby may wish the Easter holidays were over. But, none of it was too physically taxing, no-one got cross, and I think you do have to stretch them to help them be more rounded. The stretch is what will make him look for what WE will be doing next, without question, as opposed to being cross that his routine has altered.

I do subscribe to the saying about horsemanship, goes something like... If you are having trouble in training your horse, ask yourself if you are spending 6 hours (or 8 hours, or whatever you can spare) in a day with your horse and still having trouble. I think that we are all so busy that, often, we compartmentalise and only train them for less than an hour. We can revert to putting them out, putting them in... maybe lungeing for half an hour or riding for 40 minutes.

When I was training new Police Horses, I would have 8 or 10 hours in a day to work with them. They were expected to bend to my will, were expected to stand tied while they were got ready, stand tied whilst we were briefed, get on and off wagons, stand tied on wagons, hack for increased periods of time, in unfamiliar areas, with sometimes unfamiliar horses, even stand with me whilst I ate my packed lunch, knowing not to try to steal and eat it. Of course, we started slowly, but spent hours with them. They knew I would look after them, both in directing them but also in providing regular water, food and reassurance.

I do think we compartmentalise a lot and a busy life makes us rush through our time with the horses. I have 2 weeks off, Rigsby and I will be spending a lot of time together, even though he can't be ridden for long periods yet. It will translate to being turned out and brought in a number of times as he changes location, loading several times a day, grooming, clipping, trimming, and yes, a little ridden work.

 

[TPO]

I wish I could get you up to Scotland to work with my filly on loading. She is sceptical, and I really don't want her to be Gypsum 2.0, who won't get on a lorry unless she's high as a kite on whatever fun drugs the vet gives her. When you don't have your own trailer/lorry, it sucks, because getting it to walk on and off one in a totally laid back and random way is not feasable.

Not to hi-jack Red but I taught my 2yr old ti load without having transport.

When he was faced with a trailer to move yards it was the first time he had seen one never mind been on one. He walked straight on and travelled like a dream. This was after his sensible friend was ro give him a lead and show him hows it's done decided to kick off big style and had to be removed from the trailer and put back in a stable.

All it takes is basic groundwork and then setting up things like Red had already said; poles, cones, make tunnels/narrow walkways and walking over different surfaces like tarps (bought a cheap one from B&Q). Then a ramp and trailer just become another space and the training is there so they trust you and do as they are told.

Highly recommend Richard Maxwell's book about training youngsters to you

 

[ycbm]

I've never done any of that TPO, but all my young horses that nobody else has messed up before I got them have loaded with no issues. I think it mostly comes down to trust in the person who asks them.

 

[TPO]

I've never done any of that TPO, but all my young horses that nobody else has messed up before I got them have loaded with no issues. I think it mostly comes down to trust in the person who asks them.

Well yes your way is the obvious way. I just did all the extra because I had a very weak (skeletal!) 2yr old who needed his brain occupied so it added some variety to his groundwork.

Not having the option to practice with transport meant that while I was playing around I made "uncomfortable" spaces for him to walk over/through/stand in calmly etc.

Having been over tarps, hessian sacks and what not meant that a trailer ramp and water wasnt anything scary to him.

It worked because on his first time presented with a trailer, on a high stress day for me with moving yards, he walked straight on and travelled like a dream.

Since then he was on a lorry with a steep ramp and different friends trailers 3x over a 5yrs period before night my own 3.5t. So all that work in the beginning paid off and stayed with him despite no specific training or reminders in between travels.

But yes 100% agree with you that just doing the basic inhand training should be enough to get a blank canvas 2yr old loading stress free. It was just because CI appears to be having worries and issues that I suggested the extra steps that worked for me.

Like I said highly recommend the Richard Maxwell book as it covers all the basic foundation training up to backing and riding away

 

[Red-1]

Not to hi-jack Red but I taught my 2yr old ti load without having transport.

When he was faced with a trailer to move yards it was the first time he had seen one never mind been on one. He walked straight on and travelled like a dream. This was after his sensible friend was ro give him a lead and show him hows it's done decided to kick off big style and had to be removed from the trailer and put back in a stable.

All it takes is basic groundwork and then setting up things like Red had already said; poles, cones, make tunnels/narrow walkways and walking over different surfaces like tarps (bought a cheap one from B&Q). Then a ramp and trailer just become another space and the training is there so they trust you and do as they are told.

Highly recommend Richard Maxwell's book about training youngsters to you

I agree that they can be trained to go on a trailer, and travel. But, I have found, that for a higher % of happy, confident horses, who travel once and then continue to be confident, time and time again, it is better to have your own transport, even if you just hire for a month.

We used to buy green babies, and they would go on all trusting to move in with us, but then, after being locked in the metal box, maybe for several hours, shaken up over bumpy roads, have numerous new sounds etc, then find themselves in a completely different yard... they may think twice about getting on quite as confidently next time.

Rigsby took quite a while to get on when I picked him up. That was OK, I was warned about that. He actually travelled really well. On the face of it, once on, he looked confident.

I have then, over winter, done the training in hand, plastic, boarding etc etc, and to load again took just 10 minutes of stress free request-chess. I could have made the mistake of thinking all was now well, especially as, by the end of that session, he was walking himself on. But, looking closer at it, he really is NOT confident at all - yet. You can tell but he raised head when a door slammed, the lowering of his quarters when the ramp moves etc etc. He already has negative associations and they will take some breaking down. But, after a move, many horses have a slightly negative view.

I think this is why so many horses look to load fine at home, but then the system breaks down when they go somewhere and they then won't load to come home. Many can manage at home, look OK but are not really OK. Then, when they have the added stress of a show, they go back to being too nervous to load. The trouble then is that you will have numerous 'helpful' people come over...

I am sure some horses really are fine with being locked in a box and moved, but I would prefer to go slowly and confirm that they are (as) happy (as I can make them), before I am that person at dusk on the show ground wondering if one will ever get on (been there, done that). Not that there are any guarantees even so!

As he gets more confident, we will have longer periods on, start to shut top doors, slam doors, work round him on the box, start the engine, move a bit, load and move a mile, get off and ride home, ride a mile get on and travel home, building it up bit by bit. In a truly unspoiled horse, this may not be all necessary, but for Riggers it will be.

 

[TPO]

In theory I agree. It is obviously better to have transport to train babies/any horses how to load and travel. Neither I nor CI had/have transport (or towing vehicles) with our 2yr olds so it's not an option.

Basic groundwork should get any horse loading. That is all that the "good and the greats" do. For me using that groundwork to get a horse confident walking over different surfaces and into narrow spaces etc was just an extra step to cement the training.

My horses have always been travelled carefully so what happens in the trailer/box has never been as much of a concern than ensuring that they go in it.

Theres nothing new under the sun and o secret to loading horses. Just some alternatives that can be used for when you dont have transport at your disposal and want to ensure that you have built a solid foundation.