Red-1
I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
His passport says cob X cob, but he is apparently part Friesian.
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...
Let me in!
He is in!
Sadly, we can't keep his back door to the patio open when it is this windy, as the bedding flies out! He has been out in the day, in at night, for both storm Dudley and now Storm Eunice.
I think he is happy enough at that right now!
He is in!
Sadly, we can't keep his back door to the patio open when it is this windy, as the bedding flies out! He has been out in the day, in at night, for both storm Dudley and now Storm Eunice.
I think he is happy enough at that right now!
Red-1
I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
Gave Rigs a trim, was forced to as I was finding tail hairs in his bed where he treading on his own tail! Once he was trimmed, legs clipped and legs and tail washed, as well as well groomed with his feet pristine and painted... well... it was tempting, so I slapped a saddle on and went riding round the block.
Riggler hasn't been ridden since 11 November, except for once in December, but he is a pro. I took his shoes off 2 cycles ago as he didn't have a rider, so he needed a couple of months to re-harden his feet, especially as he is on road planings when turned out.
He was sound as a pound and very proud to be on an outing.
Not the sort of horse who needs lungeing or taking on the school first, in fact, he would be horrified at the prospect ?
Riggler hasn't been ridden since 11 November, except for once in December, but he is a pro. I took his shoes off 2 cycles ago as he didn't have a rider, so he needed a couple of months to re-harden his feet, especially as he is on road planings when turned out.
He was sound as a pound and very proud to be on an outing.
Not the sort of horse who needs lungeing or taking on the school first, in fact, he would be horrified at the prospect ?
Tarragon
Well-Known Member
That is a lot of mane!
ElleSkywalker
As excited as Kitty about to be a bridesmaid
Ooo his mane is coming on nicely ?
Red-1
I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
It was a lot of tail too, before I trimmed it. To the floor and thick with it!
Emilieu
Well-Known Member
Love this. Love Rigsby.
Red-1
I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
Rigs has still been... retired. Not ridden him recently, but have booked him in for some kids to have a ride in the next holidays so we will have to get some time under saddle before then just to make sure everything is ready.
Some gratuitous photos just because he is a handsome old devil!
Some gratuitous photos just because he is a handsome old devil!
Squeak
Well-Known Member
Love Rigsby. He looks so happy and well and his mane looks AMAZING!
GoldenWillow
Well-Known Member
I also have mane envy, with the added bonus that it is black as opposed to a dirty orangey white!
Red-1
I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
He often loses a bit of forelock by standing too close when I tie the haynet up. It gets caught in the knot ?. His forelock goes to the end of his nose. Wild!
chaps89
Well-Known Member
His mane is bonkers!
He really landed on his feet with you
Can I ask what the little clip on his neck is for/from?
He really landed on his feet with you
Can I ask what the little clip on his neck is for/from?
Red-1
I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
From where he had colic. The vet clipped a strip both sides to get meds in. Those strips cost £1,600!!! LOL>His mane is bonkers!
He really landed on his feet with you
Can I ask what the little clip on his neck is for/from?
chaps89
Well-Known Member
Of course! ‘Spensive Rigsby. Worth every penny though, I think we’re all glad he came through that
Red-1
I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
Rigs is fighting fit, back at grass for 2 hours a day now, building up slowly.
He was particularly sprightly looking today, so I threw a saddle on and had a ride. He volunteered a canter!!! I wouldn't usually, as he isn't fit (from memory, he did mum's funeral in summer, paid his respects on 11 November at the church, was ridden once in Feb out hacking, then today) but he was up for it! He just gets on with it, no fuss.
He has been a bit warm, so I have plaited his mane to keep him cool.
He is a cool dude!
Sound too!
He was particularly sprightly looking today, so I threw a saddle on and had a ride. He volunteered a canter!!! I wouldn't usually, as he isn't fit (from memory, he did mum's funeral in summer, paid his respects on 11 November at the church, was ridden once in Feb out hacking, then today) but he was up for it! He just gets on with it, no fuss.
He has been a bit warm, so I have plaited his mane to keep him cool.
He is a cool dude!
Sound too!
Red-1
I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
I sometimes feel a bit guilty, having Rigs doing nothing. He would be happy as someone's happy hacker, would bring a lot of pleasure. Yet, here he is, loafing around doing nothing very much. He does make me smile, is a companion of sorts for baby horse (separate paddocks as he seems to want to duff up the baby!!!) and is just...here. He is welcome, I just feel a little guilty!
Roxylola
Well-Known Member
He's happy though, you've got his issues well managed. I don't think there's anything to feel guilty over
sky1000
Well-Known Member
You have been very good to him, and I think he appreciates it.
DizzyDoughnut
Well-Known Member
Rigsby looks fantastic and so shiny!
I'm sure he's very happy loafing about and he's not doing nothing, he's doing a very important job of making you and all of us very happy to see him. He got so lucky when he found you!
I'm sure he's very happy loafing about and he's not doing nothing, he's doing a very important job of making you and all of us very happy to see him. He got so lucky when he found you!
ycbm
Einstein would be proud of my Insanity...
If you think he would be happier doing some work, and he might be simply because more work = more food, then I'm sure you would have your hand bitten off by a number of very good loan homes.
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cauda equina
Well-Known Member
He's not doing nothing, he's being the youngster's companion. I think being a companion is often undervalued as a job, but not all horses are good at it.
He has also taken a lot of work by you to get him where he is and it sounds as if he's never going to be a live out until you want to go for a hack type horse, which I guess is what a lot of happy hacker owners would want. It would be so sad if all your good work were undone.
So please don't feel guilty about anything
He has also taken a lot of work by you to get him where he is and it sounds as if he's never going to be a live out until you want to go for a hack type horse, which I guess is what a lot of happy hacker owners would want. It would be so sad if all your good work were undone.
So please don't feel guilty about anything
Red-1
I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
No, I don't feel like loaning him out. He has a job here as a companion, even if he is rubbish at it! His main rider emigrated to Spain in January and I now have another horse for myself, that is taking my time.
He is a rubbish companion. Is jealous of the baby and kicks/bites. That is why they are on separate turnout. Rigs does have the whole patio so he can go to Baby Horse's back door and pester him. I have put bars up though, as last time they 'groomed' over a door, it took weeks for the cut on Baby Horse to heal up!
He is actually really easy to keep. On a daily basis, he is turned in/out, fed, hooves picked. Once a week he has his legs clipped and washed. Once every 6 weeks, his hooves trimmed. Normal vaccinations/teeth. Nominal hard feed.
Just that for weeks, then slap a saddle on and ride. He is a super horse.
I guess it is because he is fit, sound and up for it, I just think it is a waste.
planete
Well-Known Member
Try and find him a new rider?
Bluewaves
Well-Known Member
It does sound like you would like him to have an occasional rider especially as he is in such fine fettle and a great hacker.
Any friends of friends of friends you could ask?
Any friends of friends of friends you could ask?
Roxylola
Well-Known Member
No horse stands looking wistfully over their door thinking how if only they'd got a more committed owner (with unlimited funds) they could be aiming for badders or Paris 2024, they don't wonder to themselves what music they could use in the kür or anything of the sort. The idea of wasted potential is a human one. Imo its a societal construct and the root of a lot of human unhappiness. Horses know nothing of what they could be doing, they only know that they're (hopefully) comfortable and content. And if they are comfortable and content they're not wasted.
Maybe you'll find a rider for him, maybe you'd rather not and either is fine, he's happy either way
Maybe you'll find a rider for him, maybe you'd rather not and either is fine, he's happy either way
Birker2020
Well-Known Member
Never a truer word my friend.
ycbm
Einstein would be proud of my Insanity...
I do agree with this but I have a horse who most definitely hangs his head over the gate and says "why aren't you riding me? " and it's noticeable that on days when I do, like today, he hangs around the gate wanting a chat instead of wandering off into the field.
It makes me feel guiltily about only having ridden him 6 times since Christmas.
.
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stangs
Well-Known Member
Is that wanting to be ridden or just wanting some affection/attention/enrichment?
Roxylola
Well-Known Member
Yes and to anyone who knows him I follow the "no horse" with "except charlie" He will stand at the field gate watching if I'm teaching in the next field and the other weekend after a challenging flat lesson on the Saturday when he saw me getting Bon's tack out and getting ready to box up for a ride out he left his hay to hang cheerfully over his door as he thought he was going out. I'm pretty sure he's convinced that he just needs to get seen by Ben Hobday and he'd be the next Mulry. That said, in all seriousness I love that he enjoys his job but even he isn't wondering about getting sponsors for badders
However, in this case Rigsby seems pretty content with his life, I think it's more how Red feels about what he "should" be doing
Red-1
I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
I kind of abstratcly like the idea, but we (Mr Red especially) are fiercely protective of our privacy and he is kept at home.
I think you are correct. I think a lot of the guilt is actually because I know how lucky I am that he is fit, well, healthy, up for it, mannerly, fun etc and yet... he does nothing! I guess it seems like a waste.
I don't think he is bothered at all. He has a fuss every day. Now has field turnout as well as dry lot, and a stable. He can pester Baby Horse when he wants. His haylage is split into 5 portions, so always more food about to be delivered.