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

[Red-1]

Head-collaring and grooming went well for my builder.

Next week is how to walk out in-hand.

My builder is giddy at the prospect, there is a real bromance going on there. Not so much this morning with my partner and BH. He tried to feed a mint, but the electric was on and both got a shock BH hasn't forgiven him

Rigs could do with being exercised more and, although he is 100% on the school with any rider, he isn't 100% in traffic so can't have a novice. A lead out down the side road would be good for him though.

 

[SashaBabe]

I'm so pleased for you. Don't worry about what other people think. It's none of their business. You deserve to be happy. Life's too short. x

 

[Errin Paddywack]

I am another who is very happy for you. You are too young to spend the rest of your life alone. He looks really lovely and you both look so happy.

 

[Red-1]

An unexpected turn for Rigsby today.

Yesterday, my partner had a ride on BH. BH is relatively young and inexperienced, yet I thought Rigs would be too small. He was actually very good but is very bouncy at trot for a novice.

Today, I hacked out on Rigs and, when I came back to the yard, I decided a 10 minute sit wouldn't hurt a 15.1hh cob! Rigs is so much more experienced and is also very smooth.

It went well. Only his second ever time on a horse, but he got the emergency stop and also a rising trot.



Rigs was well rewarded LOL. The fields have been to wet but, today, one is dry enough so he had an hour. It doesn't seem to have tired him out, being a schoolmaster!

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7357734202084805920

Rigs has a new lease of life!

 

[Midlifecrisis]

Rigs looks fabulous and so does your land!!

 

[Red-1]

Rigs looks fabulous and so does your land!!

Rigs has been doing ride and lead through winter, with the odd ride out under saddle too. The land has been untouched since autumn: the lawn is still too wet to lead them across, we had to go right around a circuitous route to access the field!

It has tipped it down again overnight, so the fields will likely be off limits again. Happily, we have 2 all weather turnout areas.

 

[Red-1]

New Partner (NP) only rode Rigs once, as he is a little too big really, but he has graduated to BH. Lead rein at first, then the last ride was on the lunge.

Yesterday, I decided that Rigs could be involved in some way, as a ride and lead! BH is relatively green, only been ridden by 4 people in his life, sometimes has a sense of humour, so I thought it prudent to add a layer of safety with me nearby.

We started with ride and lead, as both boys are accustomed to riding out like that, with either one being the ridden horse. But, BH was so chilled with it all, I took the lead rein off.

All of us performed admirably. NP was great, 3rd time on BH. Rigs was the perfect companion, kept himself to himself and was exactly where I wanted him. I seemed to manage to keep everyone safe!

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7365108402042752289

 

[ycbm]

What is that hat cover . Rising trot already, well done NB

 

[Midlifecrisis]

That’s just fabulous Red..all round fab!

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Well done to all involved!

 

[BallyRoanBaubles]

Looks great Red

 

[Errin Paddywack]

Wonderful.

 

[Red-1]

What is that hat cover . Rising trot already, well done NB

It is a hairy bull hat cover, with horns .

I was that delighted that he was taking an interest, I bought whatever hat cover he wanted!

He is fully kitted out, Mountain horse yard boots, Mountain Horse chaps, breeches with pleats, pimple gloves and proper skull hat with comedy cover

I have told him that he doesn't have to ride if he doesn't want to though.

 

[Red-1]

Looks great Red

I love the way BH is trying to work it out and keeps offering to drop onto the bit. Rigs was also a star.

 

[Red-1]

Probably not the right place on Rigsby's page, but I was pleased with BH last week with the trotting lesson, then the very next day we went to an arena hire for a jump. I love how he is so adaptable.

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7366161573171186976

Then, today, 5th time on a horse, New Partner rode out with me to the pub! Both of my boys are adept at ride and lead, so this is what we did! Rigs was a little giddy to be off pub riding again, but only cheeky, not bad. BH was exemplary.

 

[Kunoichi73]

Awesome Red! I love reading your updates and now I want that hat cover!

 

[Red-1]

How wonderful is my new partner (NP)?

My horses have to wear grazing muzzles, for different reasons.

As said earlier on this thread, Rigs is an EMS horse, equivalent to a horse-diabetic who can't process sugars. Sadly, insulin isn't an option. He has to be kept slim and on a low sugar diet. But Rigs loves to be turned out to grass. So, he needs a grazing muzzle to limit the amount of grass per hour he eats.

I have tried many, many muzzles. The usual ones don't allow enough airflow as Rigs is also asthmatic. I feel for him.

BH is simply greedy. He would eat his weight in grass if he could, and we have very good grass. The cheaper muzzles like Rigsby's rubbed him, so he had to have an all singing/ all dancing, £90 jelly wobble muzzle. Only, when he lifts his head, the wobbly jelly would fall over his nostrils. I hate using it on him.

My partner heard me complaining about the muzzles, and only went and made a superb one, loads of airflow, it hold itself off the face so doesn't rub and is effective to slow down the eating with maximum comfort. BH wore it for a few hours today and there is no chance of rubbing as the sides are clear of the face and the inside is smooth.

Genuinely, I have never seen a better muzzle!

A friend has seen it and also wants one.

Yes, I have a field safe headcollar arriving tomorrow, but have just experimented with a standard one. It is possible that he will offer them for general sale if they work as well as they seem to for my friend and I! He does have a plastics fabrication factory and is only now looking at the equine market, as I'm complaining about various things not working

Thank goodness I got him interested enough to have a go and appreciate them in their characters

NP thinks that cream may be a better colour than black though. Personally, I wouldn't care what colour they are as I am relieved that there is a way to restrict grazing with something so lightweight and breezy!

If I am to do marketing shots, I will wash BH as he was sporting a rather large manure stain

A mounting block, hay soaker, jump fillers, an automatic water trough and device to deliver a haynet automatically via phone app is also in the pipeline. Wow! Who'd have thought???

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7369650781399567649

 

[HorsesRule2009]

They look fab!

I would definitely be interested if they stand up to the job

 

[ycbm]

What are they made of Red, they look fabulous?
.

 

[Red-1]

What are they made of Red, they look fabulous?
.

NP would have a technical answer but all I know is that they are plastic

 

[ycbm]

NP would have a technical answer but all I know is that they are plastic

I'm fascinated, can you ask him are the shapes put in with heat or just mechanically? They are inherently so simple I'm almost cross that none of the big suppliers has realised that it can be done.
.

 

[oldandgold]

Are they patented? If not maybe they should be. Loving your updates Red-1

 

[Red-1]

I'm fascinated, can you ask him are the shapes put in with heat or just mechanically? They are inherently so simple I'm almost cross that none of the big suppliers has realised that it can be done.
.

I think he may be about to become a big supplier of muzzles.

They are indeed very simple. I didn't feel at all guilty putting it on as it is so light.

 

[Red-1]

Are they patented? If not maybe they should be. Loving your updates Red-1

He only made them this week. We are tweaking them, this is mark 2, although I think the tweaking may be done already. He thinks cream may be more aesthetically pleasing though.

He does have a proper fabrication business. Makes big tanks, parts for trains, parts for the Channel Tunnel, parts for all sorts! Just never anything equine before.

 

[cauda equina]

I think he may be about to become a big supplier of muzzles.

They are indeed very simple. I didn't feel at all guilty putting it on as it is so light.

There looks to be very little to no risk of rubbing too

 

[Red-1]

There looks to be very little to no risk of rubbing too

Yes, and the tension in the arms pulls everything away from the face and prevents them from moving it to one side.

As soon as I put it on, I was smitten!

 

[Red-1]

He was going to make a dozen this week, to see if they sold, but I said to let me use it for a week solid. The material does look very strong though.

However, I would need it in the correct colour, with a field safe halter and a washed face, to market it!!!

 

[ycbm]

Yes, and the tension in the arms pulls everything away from the face and prevents them from moving it to one side.

As soon as I put it on, I was smitten!

That's what's so brilliant about them.
.

 

[Peglo]

It does seem crazy that no one has designed one like that. It seems like such an obvious design now you see it. NP is indeed very clever. I look forward to seeing what other inventions he comes up with.

And lovely to see pics of Rigs and BH, even if their faces are mostly covered.

 

[HorsesRule2009]

He was going to make a dozen this week, to see if they sold, but I said to let me use it for a week solid. The material does look very strong though.

However, I would need it in the correct colour, with a field safe halter and a washed face, to market it!!!

If you are looking for extra testers I am keen to trial this! My boy is being rubbed currently by his shires.
I was thinking of try the thinking flexible filly but don't think it's tough enough for him