I just bought my first cob! Introduction + feed advice + photos!
- Thread starter Red-1
- Start date
Red-1
I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
Is now the time to confess that I forgot how to tie a stock, looked out a diagram, totally failed to follow it, and merely tied a granny knot and pinned it!
Red-1
I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
He is not for sale! Besides, most people on here would recommend I PTS rather than pass him on. He can stay, be ridden whilever he enjoys that, then be a companion only.
Rosemary28
Well-Known Member
I more meant that he is the the sort I love, I am well aware he is not far sale ? you have done amazing things with him!
milliepops
Wears headscarf aggressively
I also don't think you look too tall. FWIW as a small-horse rider I find the best plan is to train them up so they are properly uphill then they look taller anyway 
with a big neck up in front of you it's less of an issue. No pressure
with a big neck up in front of you it's less of an issue. No pressure 
AmyMay
Situation normal
Many congratulations on a fantastic day out. You must be so chuffed.
Red-1
I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
I am. I really didn't know if he would make a ridden horse at all. I have put hours into walking in hand as rehab (for both of us, actually), done hours of schooling in 10 minute chunks and sometimes despaired at how little work he could do. But, little by little, his capacity has increased and his skill level with it.
So much has had to come together, I am still amazed, he feels great.
GoldenWillow
Well-Known Member
Congratulations to both of you for a wonderful and much deserved fantastic day out. As another pony rider who occionally has unfounded worries about feeling too big I don't think you are too tall on him.
OldNag
Wasting my time successfully....
That's brilliant - well done on the frilly. You're a great partnership. FWIW I think you look absolutely fine on him, and you're both having a wonderful time of it.
Emilieu
Well-Known Member
That is wonderful, what lovely comments from the judge and you look super smart, both of you! Congratulations
KEK
Well-Known Member
Wow, congratulations! What a long way he has come in the relatively short time you have had him, very inspirational.
SatansLittleHelper
Well-Known Member
Absolutely fantastic, well done both of you..!!!! ????❤
Red-1
I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
Wow, thank you all. It was lovely to be out at a horse-party again.
I don't think I am wrong to ride him, but do think I need another, bigger one to run alongside. Not like HHO to say don't get another!
I don't think I am wrong to ride him, but do think I need another, bigger one to run alongside. Not like HHO to say don't get another!
cauda equina
Well-Known Member
Of course get another!
But not because it would be 'better' than Rigsby; it would just be different
But not because it would be 'better' than Rigsby; it would just be different
rabatsa
Confuddled
You think that you look too tall for him because we are so used to seeing peas on drums as people go for bigger and bigger beasties.
Roxylola
Well-Known Member
Oh well of course you need another.
Annagain
Well-Known Member
You don't look too big on him at all. But I bet Rigsby would love a little (big) brother or sister.
Squeak
Well-Known Member
Congratulations, amazing achievement to both get to the dressage and then to win it.
I'm another who doesn't think that you look too big but you can never have too many horses so am fully supportive of this idea.
I'm another who doesn't think that you look too big but you can never have too many horses so am fully supportive of this idea.
Red-1
I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
We had a lovely time at the farm ride. Went in the box, travelled great, was a gent when we met up with the two other horses, a gent all the way round.
Rigsby doesn't yet have any experience jumping under saddle, but I did step him over a ditch. Well, not quite, he put one front foot and one back foot IN the ditch as he didn't really know what to do with it, so he simply walked through!
He also went through the water, got a lead first time but then confidently walked and trotted through.
He did take 5 minutes to load at the end because he could see the other horses but it is all part of his learning journey. He loaded 3 times more at home perfectly and is now in the field. He spends a lot of time rolling!
A lovely sunny day, out with friends and a great horse.
Rigsby doesn't yet have any experience jumping under saddle, but I did step him over a ditch. Well, not quite, he put one front foot and one back foot IN the ditch as he didn't really know what to do with it, so he simply walked through!
He also went through the water, got a lead first time but then confidently walked and trotted through.
He did take 5 minutes to load at the end because he could see the other horses but it is all part of his learning journey. He loaded 3 times more at home perfectly and is now in the field. He spends a lot of time rolling!
A lovely sunny day, out with friends and a great horse.
SaddlePsych'D
Well-Known Member
Fabulous sunny pics. Love the smile!
Red-1
I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
You would think that today would be a 'nothing' day, being as we just hacked round the village, but no.
Yesterday and when we last hacked but somewhere special, Rigsby held himself differently. His engine was engaged the whole time. He was, well not quite collected, but hearing that way.
Today, I decided that I was having that feeling all the time. A 'up' and energetic feel, rather than a plod.
It was actually a lot easier than I thought it would be. We just paraded round the village. Like a real Fresian. Proud and alert, but also listening.
Who would think that a simple walk round the village could be so... refreshing!
Yesterday and when we last hacked but somewhere special, Rigsby held himself differently. His engine was engaged the whole time. He was, well not quite collected, but hearing that way.
Today, I decided that I was having that feeling all the time. A 'up' and energetic feel, rather than a plod.
It was actually a lot easier than I thought it would be
. We just paraded round the village. Like a real Fresian. Proud and alert, but also listening. Who would think that a simple walk round the village could be so... refreshing!
Emilieu
Well-Known Member
I’m very jealous of that farm ride, looks like my kind of day out!
Red-1
I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
When he was on his more exciting outings, Rigsby held himself better. Yesterday I decided the more engaged movement was to be the new norm, we marched, nay, paraded round the village, with some persuasion
. This felt a whole bunch more engaged than plodding
Today I thought we would try for the 'added extra' on the arena too, I decided to put some pressure on him to really compact himself, just to see what he could do.
He initially thought that added pressure meant added pressure from him too, so we did some halts and reverses to remind him not to be 'into pressure' to the bit. They started off a bit ropey, but got better. We managed some turns about the haunches, then, in trot, some start of shoulder-in. There was much celerybration.
I also put some poles out, so we could have some more challenging work at canter. The poles are there for focus as I tend to be too mañana, and a pole means I have to get us organised, now, so pressure on me to make it happen in a timely manner instead of dribbling along in out own world. We did 9 minutes of work, with celerybrations, but I did insist on active but compact work.
Rigsby seemed happy enough, and I was smiling.
Once we have the 'added extra' as a valid daily expectation the we can make it softer.
One picture, captured by screenshot off the Pivo film, so not the best quality! It does at least show him compacted and a bit more uphill.
Today I thought we would try for the 'added extra' on the arena too, I decided to put some pressure on him to really compact himself, just to see what he could do.
He initially thought that added pressure meant added pressure from him too, so we did some halts and reverses to remind him not to be 'into pressure' to the bit. They started off a bit ropey, but got better. We managed some turns about the haunches, then, in trot, some start of shoulder-in. There was much celerybration.
I also put some poles out, so we could have some more challenging work at canter. The poles are there for focus as I tend to be too mañana, and a pole means I have to get us organised, now, so pressure on me to make it happen in a timely manner instead of dribbling along in out own world. We did 9 minutes of work, with celerybrations, but I did insist on active but compact work.
Rigsby seemed happy enough, and I was smiling.
Once we have the 'added extra' as a valid daily expectation the we can make it softer.
One picture, captured by screenshot off the Pivo film, so not the best quality! It does at least show him compacted and a bit more uphill.
Michen
Well-Known Member
Really lovely to read. X
Red-1
I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
I like that, even on Rigsby's easy-hacking days, we learn something. Rigsby now loads perfectly at home, but still takes a few minutes to load when he is excited about being somewhere new, so today I rode a bit further through the village and was picked up.
It meant a new section of bridleway, which was especially exciting because the local shoot was active. We also met a man strimming behind a hedge. Rigsby was typically Rigsby-like: he reacts by walking like a Friesian horse, but doesn't actually break out of walk.
He loaded roadside on the third effort, so still not great (although hardly disastrous as it was probably about 60 seconds in total); next week he will go for a daily drive. I have found two more places to travel to and ride as well as drives where he won't get off the box. He will find I am as determined as he is
but seriously, travel will become more familiar and less exciting. I don't mind a few minutes of loading, what I do mind is that he feels overwhelmed enough to have a slight mental block. I want for him to feel confident. It is, these days, a surprise if he says "no" to anything, and I don't like it.
Many more little trips needed, make it all very much part of his routine on low risk trips before going to anything more exciting.
Photo of the new section of bridleway. Best view in the world, big fluffy mane.
It meant a new section of bridleway, which was especially exciting because the local shoot was active. We also met a man strimming behind a hedge. Rigsby was typically Rigsby-like: he reacts by walking like a Friesian horse, but doesn't actually break out of walk.
He loaded roadside on the third effort, so still not great (although hardly disastrous as it was probably about 60 seconds in total); next week he will go for a daily drive. I have found two more places to travel to and ride as well as drives where he won't get off the box. He will find I am as determined as he is
Many more little trips needed, make it all very much part of his routine on low risk trips before going to anything more exciting.
Photo of the new section of bridleway. Best view in the world, big fluffy mane.
Red-1
I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
Stress, stress, stress...
FINALLY, paperwork for mum's estate arrived to be signed. It "should" have been done in March, but the solicitor blames Covid, IT problems, holiday.... whatever... for them being late. Then, when they finally arrived, they had so many errors they needed re-doing... Then... it inexplicably took 3 weeks to re-issue the papers. We also had an inexplicable 1 week delay on a special delivery only to find... another error on the papers
Stress doesn't cover it.
I have a twitchy left eye permanently.
It's not about the money, it is about closure. I haven't grieved yet, and I don't think I will until all of the practical stuff is done.
Sooooo, the papers finally landed here at 1.30 today. I signed, the envelope was taken to the post office within the hour. Rigsby is doing a daily trip on the box, so it seemed fitting for him to accompany me to the Post Office! He was a champ, didn't move a muscle, even when left parked unattended.
Once we had done that little chore, we came home and went for a lovely hack out. Well, it should have been lovely, but I was still grumpy at the enormity of the paperwork challenge. I even had 2 more charities writing to her for money to sort out. Grrrrr. It seems never ending. I am soooo glad that I have a Rigsby. He seems very patient with me when I am grumpy. He just sets off on his ride, does his thing and comes home to eat. A simple life.
Good old Riggers.
He is perfect for me, especially whilst I work through this.
FINALLY, paperwork for mum's estate arrived to be signed. It "should" have been done in March, but the solicitor blames Covid, IT problems, holiday.... whatever... for them being late. Then, when they finally arrived, they had so many errors they needed re-doing... Then... it inexplicably took 3 weeks to re-issue the papers. We also had an inexplicable 1 week delay on a special delivery
only to find... another error on the papers Stress doesn't cover it.
I have a twitchy left eye permanently.
It's not about the money, it is about closure. I haven't grieved yet, and I don't think I will until all of the practical stuff is done.
Sooooo, the papers finally landed here at 1.30 today. I signed, the envelope was taken to the post office within the hour. Rigsby is doing a daily trip on the box, so it seemed fitting for him to accompany me to the Post Office! He was a champ, didn't move a muscle, even when left parked unattended.
Once we had done that little chore, we came home and went for a lovely hack out. Well, it should have been lovely, but I was still grumpy at the enormity of the paperwork challenge. I even had 2 more charities writing to her for money to sort out. Grrrrr. It seems never ending. I am soooo glad that I have a Rigsby. He seems very patient with me when I am grumpy. He just sets off on his ride, does his thing and comes home to eat. A simple life.
Good old Riggers.
He is perfect for me, especially whilst I work through this.
Red-1
I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
Yesterday I was still stressed, Rigsby told me off! I hadn't done anything to him, but he could feel my vibe and told me to get a grip, squealed at me when I groomed him. I could see his point, I was feeling grrrr. So, instead of schooling, we went for a nice ride. He was ace. Long rein. He wanted to go exploring footpaths, he doesn't know he isn't allowed. As ever, he out a smile back on my face!
Today...
I took Rigsby to somewhere posh! His first ever indoor arena!
I was on a mission, for Riggers to do his first ever jump!
His previous owner said she once aimed him at a raised pole and he tripped and fell over it
and she never tried again.
A while back, I trotted him at a x pole (after we had done the trot poles, and a canter pole sessions). He trotted at it, full of promise, when he got there he slowed and carefully stepped over, one foot at a time, then trotted off, all pleased with himself
His canter is simply not good enough to try from canter yet.
I aimed him, at walk, at a little ditch when we were at the XC course. He didn't understand what I was asking there either, but made a best-Rigsby job of it, one front foot and one back foot in the ditch - he walked straight through.
Soooo, we went with the mission to get him to actually jump a jump instead of walking over. Not too high a goal, you would think.
Bless Rigsby, he us neither nappy or spooky, he was amazed at the size of the indoor, and I dare say at the prospect of being ridden indoors, but he is a cool dude and took it all in his stride. His canter was good! He liked the posh surface and the fact that the space was so big.
We cracked trotting over the fence quite quickly. But that was it, no jumps. Just a big trot. We put it up to see if that would prompt a leap, nope, he tripped
We tried a spooky plank, nope Rigsby was not spooked. With a pole on top? Nope. Next the blue water tray sheet, folded up, hmmm, that almost worked....
So we unfolded it a bit bigger. Yessss! the last photo shows his very first jump! The last photo shows both front feet definitely off the floor together.
I never stopped smiling, he is so funny. Fair to say that he is not an athlete. But, Rigsby has jumped!
He was also perfect to box, travel, unbox, mount, work, re-load, everything.
Good boy. He is a really good companion.
Different types of goals for a different type of horse!
Today...
I took Rigsby to somewhere posh! His first ever indoor arena!
I was on a mission, for Riggers to do his first ever jump!
His previous owner said she once aimed him at a raised pole and he tripped and fell over it
A while back, I trotted him at a x pole (after we had done the trot poles, and a canter pole sessions). He trotted at it, full of promise, when he got there he slowed and carefully stepped over, one foot at a time, then trotted off, all pleased with himself
His canter is simply not good enough to try from canter yet.
I aimed him, at walk, at a little ditch when we were at the XC course. He didn't understand what I was asking there either, but made a best-Rigsby job of it, one front foot and one back foot in the ditch - he walked straight through.
Soooo, we went with the mission to get him to actually jump a jump instead of walking over. Not too high a goal, you would think.
Bless Rigsby, he us neither nappy or spooky, he was amazed at the size of the indoor, and I dare say at the prospect of being ridden indoors, but he is a cool dude and took it all in his stride. His canter was good! He liked the posh surface and the fact that the space was so big.
We cracked trotting over the fence quite quickly. But that was it, no jumps. Just a big trot. We put it up to see if that would prompt a leap, nope, he tripped
We tried a spooky plank, nope Rigsby was not spooked. With a pole on top? Nope. Next the blue water tray sheet, folded up, hmmm, that almost worked....
So we unfolded it a bit bigger. Yessss! the last photo shows his very first jump! The last photo shows both front feet definitely off the floor together.
I never stopped smiling, he is so funny. Fair to say that he is not an athlete. But, Rigsby has jumped!
He was also perfect to box, travel, unbox, mount, work, re-load, everything.
Good boy. He is a really good companion.
Different types of goals for a different type of horse!
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ycbm
Einstein would be proud of my Insanity...
Bless his little white sock, he hasn't got a clue, has he ? I'm expecting similar from Deza when I try a little fence on Saturday.
.
? I'm expecting similar from Deza when I try a little fence on Saturday. .
Red-1
I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
Bless his little white sock, he hasn't got a clue, has he
.
Nope, even the first trotting poles confused him, he had never seen double distance ones. I had done singles and normal distance. He wanted to walk to examine them carefully. But, he did everything first time, brave as a lion, steady and careful. It was just that this was the one and only actual jump we got out of him!
It really was just for fun. He needs to strengthen and get fitter a lot more before jumping is really on the agenda, and it doesn't matter if he never gets it. He is simply amazing as he is
SaddlePsych'D
Well-Known Member
This is...so wholesome! Bless him!