New cob owner could do with some advice please!

[rose bud]

Hi everyone,
i became the proud new owner of a cob a week ago and i was just wanting to ask for some advice on a couple of things please.
She is a heavy weight cob with lots of feather, and yesterday i noticed that she is stamping her hind leg and biting at it.
Is this feather mites? I have looked at it and can't see anything but what is best to do about it?
Also, she has had ear mites in the past and now has quite manky looking inside of her ears which are black. This has made her sensitive to having her ears touched and bridle put over her ears. I am working on touching them everyday to try and get her used to it but is there anything i should be putting on them? Creams or anything?
And finally, i could do with some bit advice please, when i tried her out she was in a french link snaffle, however, when i rode her out last weekend i didn't feel like i had much brakes and when i asked her to stop she stuck her head up and out but did stop eventually! (we were only walking, but i wanted her to halt) so would a different bit be better? Any suggestions welcome!
Many thanks!

 

[FairyLights]

It quite possibly is mites. You need an ivermectin based product from the vet to deal with it properly. I think its an injection. Give them a call for advice, also ask about the ears.
re the bit,she sounds just very green,patience is required and short schooling sessions. Has the vet or dentist looked at her teeth? maybe she has some sharp edges which need filing.
Best Wishes with your cob, I hope you have many happy times together,they are just great.

 

[BonneMaman]

Congratulations on your new girl!

Mites - agree with above, I think the vet is the best way forward if it is mites as I know loads of people who have tried the old remedies and they dont seem to work.

Bit - could be a bit trial and error. Certainly get her teeth checked - the vet could do this at the same time as the mites investigation. Then you could try something with a bit of poll action. Is there anyone else on the yard that could lend you a bit to try?

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Can you borrow some bits to try? I saved a fortune by borrowing several different bits from friends and fellow liveries. It turned out that my old cob liked a kimblewick (I'd never have guessed) and went beautifully in it and became very light in my hands - no more tug-of-war!

I'm looking forward to seeing photos of your new girl.

 

[ISHmad]

Pig oil and sulphur is really good at treating mites. What bit was she ridden in at her old home?

 

[rose bud]

Thankyou for your replies and good wishes!
I was hoping that maybe there was something that i could wash her legs with rather than having to get the vet out but nevermind, the vet it is!
in regard to the bit she was in a french link snaffle in her old home, but she did have a martingale and a fluffy noseband on, so maybe just a case of trial and error with different bits? Many thanks x

 

[katherine1975]

we use Frontline on our cobs feathers for mites, we get it from the vet, or the vet can give Dectomax injections. I would also ask the vet about the ears.
Please post some pics of your new horse.

 

[Kola Bear]

We had the same bit problem with our cob. Try a waterford as they cannot grasp the bit between their teeth. Also i agree with your specualtion on mites. I would get the vet to sort it as they can sort it the best.

 

[rose bud]

Oh thankyou!
Is it a frontline spray or drops that you get from the vets and is it specifically for horses or is it the same as the one for dogs?
I plan on having a major grooming session this weekend (she is grey, so filthy at the moment!) and will get some pics after that

 

[Kat]

I haven't a clue regarding the mites but on the subject of the bit, I wouldn't change it on the basis of her being rude about halting.

I would get some lessons and work on learning how to halt her properly rather than just by pulling back on the reins and on teaching her to respond to your aids. Normally if a horse is doing this it is because you are asking for the halt from your hand too much rather than leg and seat.

I would also have her teeth checked and get your edt to look at her mouth conformation with her bit as it may be that she would be better with a thinner mouthpiece or a curved mouthpiece or something. If your bit isn't a loose ring then try swapping for a loose ring. If she had a martingale on before it would be worth popping one on for now, you can always take it off in future when you are more used to each other. If she is also opening her mouth try a drop noseband, but get her teeth checked as a matter of urgency.

 

[Kola Bear]

I agree with KristmasKatt. We had my cobs teeth checked and it was just her being awkward! In a loose ring waterford she is a different horse and love rider her we have a hunting breast plate with martingale attachment which is good as well if she chooses to stick her head up .

 

[HBrae2]

I haven't a clue regarding the mites but on the subject of the bit, I wouldn't change it on the basis of her being rude about halting.

I would get some lessons and work on learning how to halt her properly rather than just by pulling back on the reins and on teaching her to respond to your aids. Normally if a horse is doing this it is because you are asking for the halt from your hand too much rather than leg and seat.

I would also have her teeth checked and get your edt to look at her mouth conformation with her bit as it may be that she would be better with a thinner mouthpiece or a curved mouthpiece or something. If your bit isn't a loose ring then try swapping for a loose ring. If she had a martingale on before it would be worth popping one on for now, you can always take it off in future when you are more used to each other. If she is also opening her mouth try a drop noseband, but get her teeth checked as a matter of urgency.

^^^^ This. Please don't change her bit without doing of all the above and getting some experienced help and advice. It very, very often isn't the solution to have a more severe bit (although I accept in some cases this is necessary) and if you change from a snaffle you will be unable to do certain activities with your new girl (for example if you wanted to do some fun dressage comps in the future). The dentist and some lessons (and also giving her time to settle in, it can take a while) should really help her response to you asking for halt. Good luck and enjoy

 

[martlin]

The Frontline is the spray - the same as for cats and dogs. It works well if you are happy to have the feathers trimmed, if not, Dectomax is a better bet. Only way of knowing for sure that what you are trying to treat are feather mites is taking a skin scrape, of course.
As for the bit, it's trial and error, I would start by assessing mouth conformation and general way of going.

 

[Black_Horse_White]

My cob had really bad mites when I had him, the skin on his legs was all thickened and wrinkled. I had the 2 injections done twice in the space of 10 months but he still kept stamping after a short while, only way I stopped it was by clipping off his feathers, when I grew them back he'd stamp again. If after you've got some instruction and had teeth checked with reguards to the bit, I found both cobs I've had too strong for a snaffle, had no breaks at all with one. I too recommend a Waterford, they can be strong bits but if you are light with your hands they are ok.

 

[Rose Folly]

Welcome to the Cob Club!

Re the itchy back legs - don't diagnose, get the vet to do that. I speak from bitter experience as when my cob mare (not particularly feathered) had itchy legs everyone told me it was mites/mud fever etc. It wasn't ....but I'd wasted a lot of time by then. She has flexural dermatitis (old-fashioned name mallenders and sallenders, depending on whether it's on front or hind legs). She didn't respond to veterinary products, endless laboratory tests came up with either lots of things or nothing, and I now keep it at bnay, fairly well, with the following. A weekly wash of legs with coal tar shampoo - I use Polytar as that's what the local chemist has - and in between, probably every other day, I massage Johnsons' Baby Oil very very very thoroughly into any afflicted places.

Re the Pig Oil & Sulphur, I did try that. The PO was quite good, but PO&S drove her mad. We think she is allergic to the sulphur. But as I said, the diagnosis is the vet's job.

Re the bitting - I'm no expert but know just where you're coming from. I can't stop my cob, and am getting some long overdue advice from an AI. I might try her in a hackamore - I used to ride my old TB in one but it doesn't fit present large lady.

Inspite of the hiccups, I hope you have a wonderful time with your cob.

 

[LaurenM]

Get your horse's teeth checked by your vet before making any changes. The first thing I do with a new horse is; worm, teeth, back & tack checked. I'd hate to think of any of my horses being uncomfortable.

 

[Kaylum]

Echo everyone else you need to get the vet out as its possible it might not be mites. You need frontline if it is and you can only get this from the vets as you need a big bottle of spray.

Please see your vet for further help.

Regarding pig oil and sulphur its very strong and should only be used every other week, you can get pig oil on its own to use inbetween. But you need to patch test incase allergic to sulphur.

Good luck and if you do get a diagnosis loads of people will be able to help you on here for sure.

Apart from the obvious regarding bitting also get some help from an instructor who can see how you ride. Its not always the horse thats the problem x

 

[hairycob]

Welcome to the club.
If she was in a french link snaffle before I would persevere with that & a martingale for a while until you know whether it's just that she is unsettled. If that doesn't work a hanging cheek might be worth trying - it keeps the weight of the bit off the tongue.
Re the mites - get the Vet to check & then hammer them hard with whatever the Vet reccomends. After that you can see if you can keep on top of them with PO&S - pm Theresa_F - she is the guru!
I don't know how experienced you are with cobs, but resist the urge to feed & rug as much as possible - a lot of them would put on weight if they were kept in a car park! You only have to mention grass near Jason & he puts on weight!

 

[little_critter]

I haven't a clue regarding the mites but on the subject of the bit, I wouldn't change it on the basis of her being rude about halting.

I would get some lessons and work on learning how to halt her properly rather than just by pulling back on the reins and on teaching her to respond to your aids. Normally if a horse is doing this it is because you are asking for the halt from your hand too much rather than leg and seat.

I agree with this - when I first got my mare she leaned on my hands and her halts were "in a minute, one more step, just one more...."
It didn't take much schooling to get her listening to my seat and quickly she was halting on a seat aid with a little rein resistance. This is really handy because if she does start pulling when out on a hack we don't end in a tug of war argument - she still listens (mostly!) to my seat.

 

[KimTurner]

Hello There. First I must say congrats on getting your new horse!!!

I would 100% agree with getting your horses teeth checked first.

I actually think a french link (whatever style) is quite a good idea. Cobs tend to have large jaws and large tongues. A french link will allow room for the tongue and not apply the 'nutt cracker' action that a single jointed bit can. If she had a martingale to stop her putting her head up then I would suggest either discomfort somewhere (eg teeth), lack of schooling or wrong style of bit. I do agree that if you take her out of a snaffle then any dressage comps are out the window but that depends on what you want to do with her.

Remember to 'ride her forward' into the halt whilst keeping your shoulders, arms and hands relaxed. Most of the halt should come from the seat and not the hands.

As for mites. I had a clydesdale x that had mites and we had the injection. It did help but it took awhile for him to stop stamping. He did have sweet itch too which didnt help. My friend uses the frontline spary on hers and only has to use it every now and again. She is fortunate to have control over her own field so she can dictate who they come into contact with.

 

[OWLIE185]

Stamping feet can indicate an infestation of mites. Mites love hairy legged horses as it keeps them (the mites) nice and warm. Mites are bloodsuckers by nature. In the first instance call in a vet to confirm it is mites.
If it is mites then removing the hair will remove the happy and warm environment they so enjoy. (If your horse is out all the time it may not like having all the hair cut off)!. Hwever cutting all the hair off and clipping the hair will remove a lot of the mites. Then spray the legs with Frontline etc to kill off any remaining mites.

Regarding bits I would not change the bit at this point in time but spend some time getting used to each other.

It always takes me about 2 years to get used to a new horse by which time I feel in complete control as we understand each other.

 

[jsr]

For mites intially I'd get vet out and in the future invest in some Camrosa I found it worked a treat. Also avoid over washing your cobs feathers in teh future, I wash my lads once a year at the most and he never suffers from any problems unlike the other cobs on the yard who's owners are forever washing down and scrubbing with shampoo!!!

Bits...my lad was in a french link and he was never 100% comfortable, they are too wide and thick for his mouth. I tried lots of things and settled with a NS transuniversal lozange...he absolutely loves it and it's perfect for his fat mouth! The french link was just too thick and it caused no end of problems, might be worth investing in getting someone to your yard to try bits out? Get the other liveries together and see if everyone would fancy having someone out to check theirs too?

 

[Sparkles]

Noooo don't just clip them out! Dectomax for mites everytime. Buy it from countrywide or similar [for 'cattle' if they ask). We inject it twice yearly in routine when we worm [or in between if they start stamping at all]. Sorts all ours out.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Re. the foot stamping/pig oil & sulphur advice - be VERY very careful if using this for the first time; I'd say patch test first. Especially if yours has white legs coz often the skin can be pink underneath it and very sensitive. I put PO&S on my boy's legs and he came up all red and hot (should have tested first, I know), my poor boy.

Also...... it might be worth getting your farrier to check her feet. Especially as you've not had her long. I say this coz mine, back in the late summer/beginning of autumn, was incessantly stamping one back foot, and I thought it was mites. Then as I was picking out his feet I noticed something white crawling around there - it was maggots!!! Eeeeuuuuuggghhh!!!! Jeez, I nearly was sick, and immediately rung my farrier - who said that he'd seen a lot of cases like this at that time. Apparently its quite a common thing and whilst it looks awful the maggots do a good job in that if there's anything like dead tissue in the foot they'll eat that but not healthy tissue. But it was horrible to see.

Re. bitting; I think you need some skilled help and advice, and possibly some lessons. It might be a waterford is a good bit to use (I put mine in one occasionally just to remind him not to be cheeky) BUT choosing the right bit is always a skilled job and my preference would always be to get an expert in for another opinion as if you bung in the wrong bit you'll only make the situation worse not better.

 

[Marley&Me]

I have just had a skim read through and no one has suggested diet.

Did you keep her on the diet she was on in her last home or has that changed? Only the slightest change can make cobs "rude", a little bit strong, or sharp.

Also a change in grazing can impact the mineral balance and upset the status quo in her head. (calcium/magnesium out of sink).

Low carb, sugar, starch is a good place to start for a cob.

As for a bit, I think lessons along with teeth and tack check is a priority. That way you will be able to work out if she is just green or it is something else.

Have fun with her! She sounds brill.

 

[indie999]

Hi

Mine has had harvest/field mites but you have to have a good look into the skin and its usually a spot or pin prick with a bit of oozing if its bad or it can look like bad dirty dandruff (scurf) I have used Benzyl benzoate slathered on(from friendly pharmacy and get a huge bottle ie 500mls or litre). But I find trimming the feathers off the floor too helps and put something greasy on legs to stop the mites clinging to the hair & sooth any sore areas. They do stamp the foot on the ground if its mites.

I have heard frontline is good and never tried the injection but if they have something in the ears would go for a vet and injection if its affecting tacking up etc(nip in bud). If you have a burden it might be worth sorting it out. I have only had my cob with leg mites.

Re the bit..agree teeth and schooling issue, I would get some lessons or some training out hacking etc to get horse listening to you. Shame to put stronger bit in if you havent tried other routes first dont want to end up fighting the horse or making it more uncomfortable. Good luck though.

 

[Spot_the_Risk]

Dectomax jab, I think ours had it a couple of times a year (he was in his teens when we got him, and had possible never been treated) and we had to clip his feathers off - blimey, that sent him beserk, he'd obviously never felt fresh air on his legs before!!! Under all the hair, his legs were raw and cabby in places, I washed them with Hibiscrub and that helped a lot.

Re the bit, I too would try a pelham, a port mouth can help if the horse has a large tongue (look in the sides, if you can see the tongue bulging between the teeth, it's a big 'un!).

 

[Supertrooper]

Welcome to the world of coblets

Certainly sounds like mites with her feet, classic sign with the stamping. They can be hard to treat but first step in my experience is to clip feathers off, treat any sores scabs and get vet out to give anti-mite injection (dectomax) best way of dealing of it.

With regards to the ears my shire x had similar to this, he had little flies in his ears and was very head shy. I treated it with frontline spray (sprayed onto cotton wool first) and wiped into his ears, fortnightly during spring, summer and autumn. He is alot less head shy now cause his ears don't itch like hell!

Re the brakes, yes you may possibly need a change of bit but first I'd think of ground work, schooling and some lessons with a good RI as you need to be in control.

Most of all good luck and enjoy, they're amazing horses and don't let anyone tell you otherwise xx

 

[rose bud]

Thankyou everyone for the brilliant advice!!
On closer inspection today i discovered that under all that hair her heels are a bit scabby so i'm wondering mud fever??
Thankyou for all the good wishes as well, i'm proud to join the 'cob club'! X

 

[Lotty]

I agree with the others that she may have visitors. I would get the vet out to have a look and give you advice. Not sure about you, but our vet has a day of the week when the call outs are free - maybe worth checking.

Regarding the brackes maybe have an instructor out and see what he/she thinks, it may just be schooling.

For her ears, maybe when you're grooming her just make a few strokes near her ears with your hand and every night get closer and closer. Honestly it wont be long before you are able to touch her ears. Have fun and congratulations