My new project... where to start?

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babeandbessy

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My lovely new project.. an 8 year old 15hh welsh cob chestnut mare arrived today. She is extrenely sweet and gentle! But very overweight and unbacked as she has been a broodmare until now.
Im planning on taking my time and take things at her pace but she desperately needs to lose weight.
Seeing as she has lived out the last few years shes also very scruffy.. debating whether to leave her mane long as it is now or pull it? Does a pulled mane suit a welsh cob?
Theres so much i want/need to do with her dont know where to start!?!
 
You can start by giving us some pictures.


Just kidding :D:p Although pictures would be nice... ;)
She sounds lovely. I would pull her mane but I like them smart and also trim her fetlock 'fluff' (assuming she has some). What are your plans for her? :)
 
Long reining is the way forward as long as you have the facilities and help. Obviously you will have to mouth her and get her used to the roller first.

Done properly it will put a mouth on her, get her going forward and steerable. After a few weeks of walking and no food, she and you will be fit and ready to back her.

Good luck.

sorry missed the mane question - kitchen scissors !!, followed by a thinning tool followed by pulling until it is 2" long and beautifully level.
 
Last edited:
AdorableAlice said:
Long reining is the way forward as long as you have the facilities and help. Obviously you will have to mouth her and get her used to the roller first.

Done properly it will put a mouth on her, get her going forward and steerable. After a few weeks of walking and no food, she and you will be fit and ready to back her.

Good luck.

sorry missed the mane question - kitchen scissors !!, followed by a thinning tool followed by pulling until it is 2" long and beautifully level.
Click to expand...

this^^
long reining not only starts the process of teaching her to accept a rider and the riders aids, but it will also allow you to exercise her gently to help with the weight loss.
 
thankyou am going to give her a 'makeover' tomorrow and then set to work with the long reining, shes already used to bridle and tack so that shouldnt be a problem :)

aslong as I can remeber my photobucket login details ill have photos up in a minute
 
Take your time! Moses arrived to me fat, unfit and unbroken. Started long reining (not keen on lunging) and walking out in hand prior to backing, then took it really steady as he was sooo unfit he did struggle at first, took a good 18 months before he was fully fit.
He arrived like this



and is now like this:



Strict diet of balancer with a handful of chaff, restricted grazing and soaked hay 50/50 mixed with oat straw. Shame his old owner doesn't appreciate his new look - she seems to think he is emaciated - No, he is a normal weight now!!
 
i also about 18 months ago bought a scruffy overweight shire x broodmare out of a field who was totaly unspoilt and not backed the main thing is to take your time i did loads of grooming lots of bonding my girl wouldnt be long reigned as she had been covered naturally so didnt like things around her back end so now 18 months on she will be long reigned has done a couple of dressage comps excellent to hack works brilliant with voice commands just a great all rounder and the best horse i have evr owned all i would say is take your time and have fun good luck
 
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