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

[Red-1]

I think Rigsby and Woody might be related. After my very gentlemanly old Arab cross Woody has come as a bit of a shock, he is never backwards at telling me very forcibly what he expects from me. He is a much heavier build than Rigsby but as quick and agile as a goat when he wants to be with quite a temper if thwarted. I like to put the hay in different places in the field but Woody has been know to lose his temper if he thinks I am taking too long about it. A mock charge by a small tank of a pony followed by furious circling left me rethinking my tactics the other day. We are working on respect towards humans right now!

Until we reached an arrangement, I was bringing Rigsby in while I put the hay out. Yes, he thought I was taking too long. He would crowd me and if I batted him back, he was... furious.

We seem to have that sorted now, and the same at night. At first, at night, he managed to make his way over the wheelbarrow, then under a chain, then simultaneously under the chain and over the barrow because he didn't want to wait for his hay. Then we had a truce where I simply removed him while we did the stables.

We now have an arrangement, and all is civilised. Sadly, the arrangement is that he has trained us to put the hay in first, before mucking out.

I thought I was a hot shot trainer. No, Rigsby is, he informs me regularly!

 

[planete]

I think 'compromise' may be the order of the day with these characters!

 

[SatansLittleHelper]

Rigsby is probably thinking his training of you has taken a step backwards ??

 

[yhanni]

He is absolutely gorgeous and his feet look fabulous - your trimmer certainly knows her stuff!!

 

[Red-1]

Rigsby is probably thinking his training of you has taken a step backwards ??

He is incensed with me! The major issue at the moment is leg clipping. I used to do that as a job, tricky loaders (not tackled that one yet - he famously doesn't and the old owner took 2 days getting home the one time he went anywhere!) and clippers etc. But Rigsby is different. For all his life he has been strong enough to simply do what he does. He is obliging in the main, so has run his life in a fair manner, and therefore got away with it.

I have done desensitisation, but he has Mallenders so it can actually cause pain. Rigsby is not one for standing for pain. Nooo, minion, stop that. We are still working out what the solution will be. We both think our training of each other could be going better there.

 

[Red-1]

He is absolutely gorgeous and his feet look fabulous - your trimmer certainly knows her stuff!!

She certainly does. I thought the farrier also did a good job the day the shoes came off actually. Then I did some trimming myself. Fiona is more than just a trimmer, she does Cranio-sacral and is a movement specialist, so treats the whole horse. She can see how a postage stamp taken off can change the whole movement of the horse. You book for a session, and in my case the session includes her showing me what she does so I can trim between trims. I usually do it twice a week.

With my previous horses they competed BD and BS barefoot with me trimming in the main, so I am reasonably competent, but Rigsby has probable rotation in both fronts and his soles were not to Fiona's liking (big bulge right in the middle behind the toe, behind the toe callous). That is why we are on 10 minutes only exercise at the moment. There is a load of false sole about to come off and she hopes that when it sheds, underneath that, the picture will be brighter. If not he will have X rays.

The original treating vet didn't x ray when he was treated for lami, prior to purchase. I booked to X ray when he first came and needed the vet for a rig blood test , but when the appointment came, the X ray machine had been booked out by someone else, and he was sound, so I delayed it. I couldn't delay the rig blood test as I needed to register myself as owner in the passport and wanted to remove the 'rig' label at the same time. Fiona did say that if I wanted to up his work now, or to shoe, then X rays were imperative. But, for just keeping him over winter, not on grass, not working more than 10 minutes, while he is sound (even on stones) and having a lami friendly trim, then it was OK to leave it for now.

 

[yhanni]

Where is Fiona based? I've found her on t'internet but can't find a location. I'm in Shropshire but wondering if I can engender enough interest on the yard to make a trip worthwhile for her. Once we've been 'loosed' from Covid restrictions obviously!

 

[Red-1]

Where is Fiona based? I've found her on t'internet but can't find a location. I'm in Shropshire but wondering if I can engender enough interest on the yard to make a trip worthwhile for her. Once we've been 'loosed' from Covid restrictions obviously!

She is pretty much nationwide. Before Covid she would sleep over in an area. She is good enough that people would offer that. That is why I have had to wait, she is doing less per day and travelling there and back. Shropshire would be within striking distance, probably closer than me.

I would highly recommend a full treatment rather than just a hoof trim. Right now she isn't doing people, because of Covid, but once she is again, if you ride your horse I also highly recommend a horse treatment and human treatment. Each takes up to 4 hours. Very detailed.

One time, I had a joint treatment. We were struggling with shoulder-in to the left. She was on the arena with us, treated me mainly, and suddenly shoulder in left floated in there, sweet as a nut.

 

[Red-1]

It was cold and raining early yesterday morning, Rigsby doesn't usually mind rain, but he is now blanket clipped. I really didn't think that would bother him though...

Usually, I come out of the house at 6.30am to be met with a welcome whinny. He usually reports for duty, with his head over the door. Up-front and "here I am!" I know it is not for me, it is for the upcoming hay net (he is a cob on a diet after all). Yesterday, however, no whinny. No head over the door.

A actually rushed over, to be met by a strange grunt. I was plunged into the possible scenario of doom - colic? Lights on, he came over to the door. He looked OK, no sweat, bed in order, appropriate amount of water gone, empty hay net. You OK Rigsby?

He gave me a long suffering look (or it could have been directed at the rain) and marched to the back of the stable. Just as I was getting worried, he actually picked the empty net-bottom up in his teeth and gave it a shake, turning his head to me, net still in his mouth. I got his head collar, he usually presents his nose in an oh-so-helpful-not-so-helpful way (on the floor so I have to bend down to put it on). Not today, he half came to the door, turned back and stood by the net.

Dratted horse is now rain shy! He is in a 50g sheet since the blanket clip, no neck. So waterproof body but no warmth. I intend to keep it like that so he can have a decent amount of hay. He was then OK to put out, but when I got home, again he normally greets me at the gate with a shriek (hay net time again - he has them at 6.30am, 12.30pm, 4pm and 8.30pm to a total of 9 -10kg as he is now at perfect weight). This time - no Rigsby. He was dozing and sun bathing in his bus shelter shed, it is out of the wind and does get really warm in there.

Dratted horse is becoming soft!

He worked well anyway, saddled up with the stirrups tied down to ground drive with the lunge lines through the stirrups. Rigsby really concentrated, tried to figure out what was coming next. Still only 10 minutes, but we did many, many fig 8s.

I still get the feeling he is training me, he is prepared to put some work in though, so it may all work out that I will learn something. He is certainly becoming clearer in his explanations. Maybe I am a less than efficient student?

 

[Red-1]

OK, Rigsby has now trained me into upping his rugging!

He now has a Rambo Optimo stable rug and a Rhino outdoor rug, all 200g.

So much for letting him be cool for weigh control purposes. It was after he was reluctant to go out for the second day running. then was furious when he came in. He is now happy as Larry and twice as beautiful!

Walking out is going well, he is storming round the short block, landing flat now (he was VERY toe first to start). His false sole is shedding. He was amazing yesterday, feels like I am leading a fearsome stallion, but he doesn't pull, push, rush etc, he is just one proud pony.

I did ask the previous owner about his breeding, she says he was cob X cob, but one of the cobs looked like a Fresian cross. That could explain his high head, high step, length of stride (he is generous in stride length) and that he is not too course a cob.

I rode again today, he is amazing! We now can hold a bend on a circle, and have the start of 'different walks' going on. His halts are square, backwards is willing, leg yield doing well and today... He did his first step of shoulder in. Only one step each way but Wooo Hooo.

Rigsby isn't so excited about the lateral work, but he digs the new rugs.

 

[ycbm]

I always wondered if he was party Friesian, i wouldn't be at all surprised,.

He is

ONE

SPOILED

HORSE

?

 

[southerncomfort]

Loving his new PJ's!

Really enjoying this thread. ?

 

[Red-1]

I always wondered if he was party Friesland, i wouldn't be at all surprised,.

He is

ONE

SPOILED

HORSE

?

You have no idea. I have just ordered a VenTECH girth after he disliked the Stubben cord one on his naked skin. Everyone seems to recumbent them on here. The saddle straps aren't level, so he has an Equaliser one rather than the elastic ends.

I have been using his original cord one with a fluffy cover but it is too loose even on the highest holes. It was bought by the previous owner when he was a fatty and I don't fancy slipping round if he does anything wrong. I have been riding on trust alone up until now!

 

[Red-1]

In my defence, he is the same size as my last horse, so he is reaping the rewards of the luxury she lived in!

 

[ycbm]

Spoiled spoiled spoiled

?

 

[Red-1]

Yesterday mum was put onto 'end of life' care, which means I can finally visit. It has been a tough few days, not least when the care home got Covid this week, for the first time. They said I could visit, but wearing full PPE. To add insult, they also said that after each visit I would have to reset the clock for 14 days' isolation. I would have to stay at home except for her visits.

It was great to see mum, but there is no indication as to how long this phase of her life will be. I have been told it could be days, weeks or months. Months is a long time to potentially isolate at home.

Happily, I made some enquiries and the nurse was wrong, unless mum's latest pending test result is positive, I don't have to isolate.

Thank goodness. I don't do much with Rigsby, but that 10 minutes walk in-hand up the road is a real stress buster.

This was this afternoon. Super horse.



At the end of the day, there is Rigsby.

 

[TPO]

I am so sorry about your mum. I cant begin to imagine what you are going through.

I'm glad that you have Rigsby by your side. Take care of yourself x

 

[ycbm]

Yesterday mum was put onto 'end of life' care, which means I can finally visit. It has been a tough few days, not least when the care home got Covid this week, for the first time. They said I could visit, but wearing full PPE. To add insult, they also said that after each visit I would have to reset the clock for 14 days' isolation. I would have to stay at home except for her visits.

It was great to see mum, but there is no indication as to how long this phase of her life will be. I have been told it could be days, weeks or months. Months is a long time to potentially isolate at home.

Happily, I made some enquiries and the nurse was wrong, unless mum's latest pending test result is positive, I don't have to isolate.

Thank goodness. I don't do much with Rigsby, but that 10 minutes walk in-hand up the road is a real stress buster.

This was this afternoon. Super horse.

View attachment 59671

At the end of the day, there is Rigsby.

I'm glad for you that you have a perfect therapy horse Red. So sorry about your Mum.
.

 

[Lexi_]

Oh Red, I’m so sorry to hear that. You’ve had such a tough year. I hope you’re able to spend plenty of time with your mum and that Rigsby continues to bring a smile to your face.

 

[wren123]

I'm sorry about your mum.

I love hearing about Rigsby, I'd like a Rigsby in my life too!

 

[paddy555]

It was great to see mum, but there is no indication as to how long this phase of her life will be. I have been told it could be days, weeks or months. Months is a long time to potentially isolate at home.



View attachment 59671

At the end of the day, there is Rigsby.

sorry about your mum. With mine at that stage it was 3 weeks. Every one is different but that may give you a slight guideline.

R looks wonderful in his stable. He's getting you trained. Probably thinks ", she is finally getting the idea at last. "

 

[w1bbler]

Sorry about your mum, glad Rigsby is there to help you through.
My mum lasted 10 months on end of life care.... it really was a living nightmare ?

 

[SatansLittleHelper]

Sorry about your Mum, it's just rotten
I'm happy for you that you have a Rigsby to cheer you up...they should hand them out on the NHS

 

[southerncomfort]

I'm so sorry. Very sad news but I'm glad that you can see your mum now.

They do say that each horse crosses your path for a reason. X

 

[Pippity]

I'm so sorry about your mum, Red. My gran was on end-of-life care for about three weeks, and it really is hard. I'm glad Rigsby's doing his job as a therapy horse.

 

[PapaverFollis]

Sorry about your mum Red. Glad you have a Rigsby. ❤

 

[Red-1]

Thank you all. I was there again today, she looked a lot stronger and had eaten something. It is a lonely old time though, only me and Mr Red in our bubble, he is at work, so I have to drive p and down the motorway on my own. Only I can visit mum, it feels so lonely in mask, visor and all the other stuff. I feel quite pathetic.

Covid stinks.

At least it is riding day today. 10 minutes, in walk, on the arena. I can't wait. Rigsby is so eager to please and feels more powerful every time I ride.

 

[Red-1]

Sorry about your mum, glad Rigsby is there to help you through.
My mum lasted 10 months on end of life care.... it really was a living nightmare ?

I was gng to press 'like' as I liked that you replied, but then couldn't 'like' the post as yes, it is bad and I can only hope it doesn't last 10 months, for her sake. On a personal level, I don't know how to juggle 'normal' life with this, with the Covid regulations meaning I have to do it all alone.

 

[ITPersonnage]

Difficult to now which posts too "like" IYKWIM but I love your relationship with Rigsby and am so sorry about your Mum. Not normally a huggy person but have one if you like ....

 

[OldNag]

I'm sorry to hear about your Mum, Red. It's horrible being at that stage. I think my Mum was lucky in a way as once it became clear that's where she was, she only lasted a few days.

Rigsby must be a real tonic to balance all the cr*p right now. x