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

[Midlifecrisis]

I think Rigs is rocking the “Hannibal Lecter” look….I was a bit unsettled by the Googley eyes lol

 

[Red-1]

I've had a load of ground works done here, and all of the fencing has now gone. I'm also having stable soffit boards and guttering done. So, Rigs is following BH on a holiday to my friend's yard.

Rigs hasn't been out on the box for over a year but marched on and travelled beautifully. He felt very important in the new yard.

BH saw him and wanted to catch up with his mate Rigs, but Rigsby was more interested in the mare in the adjacent paddock

I am so lucky to have somewhere to take the boys where I trust them implicitly.

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7376984208637562145

 

[Red-1]

Rigs has been home again. We have a slight hitch in that all of the high fibre haylage has been sold, so he has been on slightly more nutritious stuff. Nothing for it but to ride then! Of course, that generally involves a coffee in the pub.

This video was taken last week, but the server said it was not allowed, not sure why Rigs raiding a coffee cup should be against guidelines, so I appealed. It has now been allowed. Tra-la, Rigsby enjoying the dregs of a coffee!

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7385626452563184928

Then tonight...

Rigsby's feet are like rock. Really hard work to file. I had wondered why my new boyfriend wanted me to buy an angle grinder - today I found out! I have no idea why this is not such a common practice. His hooves were done in a fraction of the time and with a lot less effort.

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7387885849309891872

Hurrah for new boyfriends who are learning to file horse hooves!

 

[Errin Paddywack]

Rigs is looking superb and what a brilliant idea with the angle grinder. Guess the only problem with one of them is getting carried away and overdoing it.

 

[ycbm]

Rigs is looking superb and what a brilliant idea with the angle grinder. Guess the only problem with one of them is getting carried away and overdoing it.

There was a trimmer in the early days of barefoot trimmers who got absolutely slaughtered for using a "dangerous" angle grinder. I posted at the time that I couldn't see any problem with it.

Red you're going to need to stop calling BF new soon
.

 

[Red-1]

There was a trimmer in the early days of barefoot trimmers who got absolutely slaughtered for using a "dangerous" angle grinder. I posted at the time that I couldn't see any problem with it.

Red you're going to need to stop calling BF new soon
.

He is very experienced with hand tools. The angle grinder now has the guard on too - it was just new yesterday. It is a flexible sanding disc not a fixed blade.

Also, TBF, we only met 5 months ago, so we are, in reality, new to each other.

 

[paddy555]

He is very experienced with hand tools. The angle grinder now has the guard on too - it was just new yesterday. It is a flexible sanding disc not a fixed blade.

Also, TBF, we only met 5 months ago, so we are, in reality, new to each other.

I have been thinking along these lines. Getting too old and too many feet. Which are the flexible sanding discs you are using?

 

[Red-1]

I have been thinking along these lines. Getting too old and too many feet. Which are the flexible sanding discs you are using?

I have no idea - he brought a half used one home from work

I realised it would be easier by far. What I hadn't realised is how much more Rigs would like it. He can fidget a bit for a rasp, I think it is a bit of arthritis that shows when his legs are moved with rasping. With the machine he was still as a statue and very relaxed.

 

[Red-1]

I have been thinking along these lines. Getting too old and too many feet. Which are the flexible sanding discs you are using?

He says P38, but there are 40 grit ones, flap disc, on Amazon for £9.99 for 10.

Double Dutch to me

A photo showing the individual flaps...

 

[paddy555]

He says P38, but there are 40 grit ones, flap disc, on Amazon for £9.99 for 10.

Double Dutch to me

A photo showing the individual flaps...

View attachment 142479

Please tell him thank you very much. I’m sure that will be instantly clear to OH. I’m just the trimmer.

 

[Red-1]

Please tell him thank you very much. I’m sure that will be instantly clear to OH. I’m just the trimmer.

I made him send the picture as it is all double Dutch to me too

 

[paddy555]

I made him send the picture as it is all double Dutch to me too

the comment when I showed OH the pic was there is one in the workshop that came with the grinder but it's not something I use. You will be doing now!!!

 

[tda]

I think you'd have to become pretty confident with an angle grinder before starting on a hoof, they are quite powerful.
However, I have been eyeing up OH's Dremel which is a lot smaller ☺

 

[Red-1]

I think you'd have to become pretty confident with an angle grinder before starting on a hoof, they are quite powerful.
However, I have been eyeing up OH's Dremel which is a lot smaller ☺

I wouldn't use it, I am a clumsy chump. He is a pro in the use of tools. Just a newbie on horses.

 

[tda]

I wouldn't use it, I am a clumsy chump. He is a pro in the use of tools. Just a newbie on horses.

Yes you can tell he's happy using it ☺

 

[paddy555]

I think you'd have to become pretty confident with an angle grinder before starting on a hoof, they are quite powerful.
However, I have been eyeing up OH's Dremel which is a lot smaller ☺

I don’t think the Drexel is powerful enough. I’ve trimmed with a corded angle grinder but wanted a battery one as safer, and with a paddle switch.

 

[Red-1]

The struggle is real!

All of the local suppliers have run out of the low energy/high fibre Haylage. I had to accept the next grade up. TBH, I didn't think it would be too much of an issue as he is only having a bag every 5 days to a week. Since having his new muzzle his grazing time has increased from up to 6 hours to up to 15 out.

Well... surprisingly, it HAS made a difference. As soon as we changed the haylage, the weight has crept on.

Rigs is looking a bit too well! Nothing else for it but to up the workload. This was a quick snap, but we had a lovely ride with a few canters. Rigs is very keen when cantering out and about. He is something of a turbo-cob in that respect.








Still no sign of the asthma returning, even after canters. The only bad thing about that is that I already had the vet out and got a prescription and bought the first 2 inhalers of the season, which will be a waste of money. A good waste of money though!!!

 

[tda]

He looks fab x

 

[Red-1]

He looks fab x

Well... the vet would say overweight.

The vet would always like to see the last 3 ribs on display. Nope, no ribs there!!! He even has a slight crest, which is a no no for him. However, the slight crest is soft so no immediate danger.

 

[Red-1]

A little Rigsby update...

My new BF and I have been away quite a lot and Rigs has been shuttled backwards and forwards to his holiday home. He was on best behaviour and has been no bother.

Back home, I noted that his tummy has grown somewhat (as has mine ), so today I thought we'd have a little play on the arena. He hasn't been on the arena for months, and then it has been for a few pony ride type scenarios.

We weren't on for long and we used some toys to keep his interest.

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7402705826428865825

Rigs continues to be a superstar!

His asthma has stayed banished. He did a 2 hour hack a couple of weeks ago and stormed round.

Older horses are the best!

 

[Kunoichi73]

I love your Rigsby updates. He's such a star!

 

[BallyRoanBaubles]

Fab news about the asthma! Love following rigsby

 

[Red-1]

BH has been a superstar too...

While I have been having the stables and fields renovated, and also going away many times, he too has been on holiday. His rider has taken him to three shows, this was the most recent.

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7397764889810439457

I was supposed to bring him home with Rigs, but one of the riders who has been riding him is taking him on a hunt ride this weekend so he is now staying there until after this. I was tempted to take him myself but have barely ridden for 2 months. I went on Monday and gave him a jump and we both did well, but I am so unfit that I think not riding for months then taking him on a hunt ride would be silly. On Tuesday I was aching and I was only on his back for 20 minutes! Just enough to warm up and pop a few fences. Hence poor Rigs being pulled into service to help me start rebuilding my own fitness!

I am hoping for a camp cancellation somewhere late in the year, hopefully Somerford, as I have missed doing camps since David died. That said, it is barely a year since David died and the house and now most of the land/stables has been renovated so it's not like I've been idle! I just needed a year with only low key horse activity. BH and I did a load of jump clinics over winter, so we did make some progress. This summer has also done him good. I asked the rider (professional yard) not to out him into a proper training regime, but just to tick him over and take him if they had a youngster going to any shows. He has done 3 shows and boxed out riding twice, as well as being ridden at home 3 X a week.

I am really looking forward to having both boys back in their newly drained and fenced fields!

 

[cauda equina]

I think the only way BH can be deemed a Baby Horse now is in relation to Rigs; he looks a proper Grown Up Horse in that jumping vid, and a very nice one too

 

[Red-1]

I think the only way BH can be deemed a Baby Horse now is in relation to Rigs; he looks a proper Grown Up Horse in that jumping vid, and a very nice one too

His education was broken due to other circumstances but he has been fab. When I've had difficulties, he has been happy to be on holiday and then is a horse who can just be brought in, saddled up and go.

When David died, we were in full swing. We had a XC lesson pretty much every week at various locations, a flat lesson every 2 weeks, a small SJ or unaffiliated dressage ever week and loads of hacking, boxing out every week to the local country park. We also did 4 camps in 18 months. Then... nothing! He's only 7 now, so not old, and hopefully, over winter we'll do more training and be ready to go next year. I dare say the breaks will have done him no harm at all.

As for Rigs... I had no idea if he'd even make a ridden horse when I took a gamble on him. It took 6 months to get him into a ridden routine, and then it was 2 years before I would say he was robust. Now, he is the happiest he's been. No medication. No issues I need to 'treat' other than some scaly skin behind his knees that I keep clipped and oiled/massaged so it is back to flat skin every day.

I know I am very lucky! When this thread started I still had a mother and a husband. Both horses have seen me through some tough times.

Oh, and BH is now Big Horse as opposed to baby! He only measures a couple of inches on Rigs but seems a whole lot bigger than that.

 

[cauda equina]

Oh apologies to BH for misnaming him!
He looks a whole lot bigger than Rigs too

 

[lauragreen85]

After a torrid 2 years of stress (not horse related) I have sold the posh competition horse and bought my first cob!

Introducing Rigsby!

View attachment 55359View attachment 55360View attachment 55361

Fetched him yesterday - before anyone has a fit, I was NOT grazing him on the lawn, I was walking him to his field, where he wears a muzzle, he only had half an hour, and we are scalping it when we have bought diesel this morning. He was like a terrier in a maxi Shetland body on the way and made me feel like a hapless 10 year old as he grabbed a mouthful!!!

Rigsby is 15 years old, he was owned by wonderful, caring people who had to sell him due to personal issues. He has EMS and has just recovered from mild lami (which caught them by surprise and was caught extremely early) and is ready to start coming back into work.

Rigsby is admirably slim right now (his sticky out bits actually stick out!), and his owners have given me feeding instructions, which I will follow. But, I wondered what else I can do. He is on soaked hay, 8kg a day unless he has time at grass ( up to 3 hours with a muzzle) when the hay is reduced. He has just a single handful of chop when he comes in, which I will continue as he comes to call because of it! Once he is back in work he will be able to eat a bit more bulk, which will please him greatly, I think.

Also, he has his legs clipped to keep scabs under control (which they are) but I would love to try to grow his feather. His old owners tried all sorts, including the mite injection, but his scabs are persistent. They are controlled by a good scratch every morning, so it may be that he needs to stay shaved.

I must confess, I don't feel like I own Rigsby, I feel like he now owns us!

My plans are to get him back to daily hacking, which is the only thing he has ever done so far. I am stressed and busy right now, and having a furry pal to walk the lanes is just the ticket. He has obviously been very well cared for, he is confident and friendly.

Hes lovely!!!

 

[Red-1]

Rigsby found stubble!

Of course, we had a little canter.

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7403342976958663968

Oldies are the best!

 

[Red-1]

Oh, and this was just before...

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7403353762997210400

Happy, playful chappie!

 

[Red-1]

Rigs pulls it out of the bag again...



It is my boyfriend's 7th ever time on a horse, only second time on Rigs. First ever canter.

Celebrations all round!