Improving a heavy weight riding cob

[Jambarissa]

I've got a wonderful hacking cob.
She is properly heavy weight but well proportioned, she has done well showing in hand.

She was fat and unfit when I got her, now a year on she's lost weight, gained muscle and has much more stamina.

I do really only want her for hacking but now she's in better shape I think she'd benefit from more schooling to get her off the forehand and more flexible.

I'm used to sports horses; she's like a tank and I'm trying basic schooling/ in hand work /pole work but giving up pretty quickly.

Is there a 'best practice' way to work on really heavy horses? Or should I accept that she's built to pull a cart

 

[planete]

Have a look at Omar Rabia's Cob Can books and at Sam Gorman facebook.

 

[Red-1]

Rigsby had never done formal schooling before I had him, he'd been a hacking horse. I detailed what I did with him on his thread. I actually had most success with positive reinforcement.

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

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

forums.horseandhound.co.uk

 

[Jambarissa]

Sorry, I have only just been able to come back to the thread. Ordered cobs can books, thanks.

Very interesting thread there, thank you. I clicker trained my girl because she'll do absolutely anything for food, hadnt really considered it for riding.

 

[AdorableAlice]

Transitions x millions, half halt x millions, focus on balancing the walk with the back end doing the work into a soft contact and half halt. Once they listen and put weight behind not through the forehand, do it all again in the next pace and concentrate on having paces within each pace.

It is hard work for them, but once they grasp balance you will have a lovely mannerly ride.

 

[Kaylum]

Just make sure your school is big enough. Big horses do not want to be doing constant circles. Everything we do is about circles and a lot of schools are far too small.

 

[abbijay]

Correct training is applicable for every horse!
I'm now on horse number 3 that was "bred to plough" but all have been produced to be a nice balanced, supple ride.
The first was working medium and out at elementary, the second had just gone out novice before he was returned from loan and the third is now confidently working novice at home but I haven't actually ridden a prelim on him yet. I could put anyone on any of them and they would have been an easier ride than some sports horses.
The balance can take time to develop and small spaces are a challenge for big horses. I tend to limit time spent working in 20x40/60 arenas and whenever I can I school in the field so I have more space and I'm less dependent on constant cornering and circling. The third horse in particular was only 4 when I got him and I have been very slow and methodical in his training to ensure he wasn't physically pushed before he was ready.