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

paddy555 said:
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
love your way with words 😀
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I was a professional at teaching grown men, who often weren't that interested, to ride in a short space of time! (Police Officers). Plain talking wins.

It was funny when she said he had to change legs at canter. Poor man had no idea what that meant! I mean, he hadn't brought a drill or screwdriver or anything 🤣 I tried to explain that we've been up and at it, not learning arena stuff.
 
Oh my, this is supposed to be about Riggers but I am insanely proud of BH too.

I took BH to his first ever hunter trial. BF went as support and was amazing. He dived into the bacon sarnies then groomed like he'd done it all his life - even trotted BH round the car park in hand as he looked like he thought he was out hunting. Under saddle, BH was amazingly chilled. He was a little cautious of the fences but was safe as houses, and that is what is important to me!

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7425243200887016737

2 days later, we went on a fab fast hack. BH used to be very weak and he is now growing into himself.

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7426015631134280992

Today, Rigsby was the pub ride horse for me...

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Because BH had a very important job... He had BF ride him for his 16th time ever on a horse!

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7426822635725589793

I am so pleased with both. BF for doing whatever I ask and BH for trying his best to interpret the signals from a new rider!
 
Rigs is busy testing the prototype of the new slow hay feeder.

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7429066047799545120

It is being tested in a commercial setting also, then will be on sale.

Rigs seems to like it. It slows his feeding and protects the forage.

I even got to ride him out yesterday, whilst BF rode H.
 
BH had a fab long/fast ride out yesterday,

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7429400677098458401

but it was Rigsby's turn for a shorter ride today...

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7429728064453496096

I had my builder back, and he painted the inside of the stable white so we could take photos of the prototype new slow hay feeder. Sadly, it is a damp day and the paint didn't quite dry...

I didn't think BH would mess with the wall...

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I was wrong!!!

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Good job we got the photos done first!!!

I don't suppose his snout will take long to clean the emulsion off!
 
Both horses have been lessons horses this week, Bf is doing well. This was him doing standing up at halt, walk, trot and canter! Riggers takes his teaching duties very seriously, and is quite forward and enthusiastic. He only does 20 minutes as Bf is heavier than me, but Rigs and he are having a bromance and Rigs is very much in charge.

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7431674019742600481

Jigs has also completed a pub ride.

Big H did just as well with Bf on the school but this video is him at a country park with me. He is more than laid back LOL.

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7431675152255012128

Both boys are busy testing new hay feeders; freestanding, slim and corner. The design is tweaked / improved again, and I think final version will be done by Monday. I am now adding a shop to Bf's website, ready to actually sell some! The hay soaker has also been tested and tweaks made to that. The trouble is, there has now been an upsurge in more normal industrial work for his company, but that is a good problem to have! I think it is because at least people know what is happening with the budget, finally!
 
I can't watch any of these videos as I sneak on using my work computer and they are blocked. I was getting confused as to who was BF and who was BH! Just played them on my phone, and it all makes much more sense :D
 
southerncomfort said:
I've been seeing his ads for a while now and only just twigged who it is!! 😄

What a talented man he is! Fantastic range of products.
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I have been going into the factory for a couple of mornings a week for a few weeks now to look at FB advertising. Sadly, I have no clue how to do it 🤣 and the first day I did the ad on the company FB page then many groups wouldn't let me share a company post, it has to be a person sharing. I'm still not certain about the rules and how to do it 🤣 I have joined groups, but not as many as I could, really. I need to find out how to get the adverts more widespread, but then I am not so fussed until the feeders and new hay soaker comes on for actual retail.

I have also learned to take posh photos like in a catalogue advert, for the design registration, and have learned how to and registered 5 British Designs. More designs still to do. It would have been cheaper to do them all at once, but some products didn't have anything other than an idea, so it will be done in 2 batches. The first ones have come back and are registered so I must have done something right.

Today, we are taking one of the big feeders to an equine charity for them to test to death. The corner ones and slim ones are for attaching to a wall and are therefore a lot cheaper as there is less to them, as the wall gives strength and stability. The big freestanding one has a water tank as ballast to stop it being tipped or dragged and is a lot more solid a thing as it has to put up with being in a field and kicked around.

I have also looked at what is available from the local council and have some free training for the company, and am mid way through sorting an online shop and revamping / redesigning the web site. The web site needed it and there was no shop.

I am looking to do rests for trotting poles, that are unlikely to roll as I don't like the foam ones that can roll and trip a horse.

More mounting blocks, I think, and looking for any new ideas for products made from sheet plastic, bended, welded cut etc. The sheet welded means it is more bespoke compared to moulding as the moulds cost a lot to make. One offs are easier.

I have thought of doing little fillers, for kids and nervous, as well as young horses so still a filler but a lot smaller than usual.

None of that is advertising, much of what I have mentioned is still a pipe dream and not in production to sell. I guess it would be good to sell to retailers but, again, I have no clue if cold calling is welcome, how much they would expect to pay as a % or retail price or anything.

First things first tho, doing the website and shop, which hopefully will be live in 2 weeks, albeit with placeholder text in places until I can compose copy, then I will read up on FB advertising, and see where else advertising takes place.

A year ago, I didn't see this coming :) but then neither did he, as he'd never handled a horse before, much less ridden one. He just walks round the place and sees need, and fills it. Being busy is also good for me as I found the 1 year anniversary of my husband's death hard to cope with, and I thought it would get easier, and it hasn't. Luckily Bf is so understanding and empathetic.
 
The Rigsby effect!!!

Today, we had a lovely ride in the sun. Rigs was feeling rather cheeky and, for once, after a tiresome non horse morning, I allowed discipline to go out of the window and just let him be a hooligan and laughed at him. Boyfriend will have to be on his toes next time he rides him
🤣



The video is sound only as I had to quickly pocket my phone. Ye-ha! He really does make you laugh.
Properly on form, once home he *almost* slipped his head collar then insisted on eating his hay with his ass still in the stable.

Rigs is a one-off treasure!

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7436072462745488673
 
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Jigs does it again, expert escort horse. He is genuinely the fittest and soundest he ever has been. Pity he is too small for BF!!! I have lost BH to BF, I accept that. I am *thinking* about buying myself another. Something that has been there, seen it and done it, but still has some running to enjoy a lower level. BH is a lovely horse, bit has no ambition 🤣 whereas, I do have!

If anyone knows of an older horse, who could canter round a BE80 and take an old gimmer-woman hunting (just for fun, no heroics!), then let me know.

Rigs will always be mine and I will guard him. But, he could live elsewhere, as long as it would be somewhere he would be happy.

Anyway, a video...

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7454244104499776800
 
BF had his first gallop. I'd have filmed it only we were supposed to be trotting so had long reins and had to gather them
🤣

Superstar Rigs did his customary 100yd dash then pulled up like a champ.
He cantered through the water, which was also meant to be a trot. That was less popular with BF as it was up to Rigs' belly so his feet got wet
🤣

Good old Riggers!

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7455707828754435360
 
Jigs continues to be great!

He has his new rider, who hasn't ridden for a long time. He was a gent...

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as well as being a superstar for me to ride while BF gets to go play on BH!

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7467090452370558240

He also had a physio treatment. I was concerned that he's done quite a lot of work and BF, in particular, is no lightweight. Also, the saddle is 1/2 inch longer than ideal. No worries, she reports that he is in good form. The odd tight spot but nothing abnormal and nothing at all on his back.

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He remains keen to ride LOL. But very safe. He has also let BF do some ride and lead. I'd got off to get the post and off the went, to finish the ride alone. Very adaptable boys!

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We had to come off the fields early Jan, but are back on them now.

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Finally, it looks like spring may be on the way! 2 days of warmer sun and the evenings are appreciably light for longer.
 
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Rigs is going great guns! I'm generally riding him now, as I'm lighter, but sometimes BF takes him to the pub.

I've finally got him a better saddle and... an Equitex pad 🤣 The pad is worth more than he is!!! The saddle is a Barrie Swain Semiflex dressage, same as BH's, only shorter for Rigs, although the seat is the same size. BH has a 17inch seat on a 17 1/2 tree, Rigs has a 17 inch seat on an upswept panel 17 inch tree, so it fits more like a 16 1/2.

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7480114401765297430

Meanwhile, BF has been playing with BH on the beach!

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7479887941741841686

I am proud of BH for teaching my boyfriend, but also of him as this is maybe his 40th ride on a horse ever, and there he is, fulfilling what is a bucket list thing for may riders much more experienced than him!
 
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