Ronnie cob update, few pictures and saddle suggestions please? :)

[Ashleigh_]

Well, today was productive!!
Managed to drag my boyfriend up to the yard with me to take some photos which is always nice. I've been 'feeling' the difference in Ronnie's way of going for a few weeks now but after actually 'seeing' some photos of his improvement it has really hit me how much he has come on

As most of you know, i'm a very nervous, novice rider and had a real confidence knock for a long while. I still get very tense but learning to crack on anyway, he's worth all the effort twice over. He means the absolute world to me and i'm hoping this summer is the year we can finally go out to do some local shows together

Any helpful criticisms are more than welcome, i'm always conscious of him sometimes 'over bending' and also aware that my position is less that desirable ( ) so any exercises to help with those are gratefully received! Also hoping to lose the flash very soon, he is far more responsive to my seat when slowing down and doesn't seem to be evading the bit as he used to.

I've also just met my target of £350 of savings to put towards a new saddle (hurrahh! ) I'm looking for comfy, smart looking secondhand GP preferably in dark brown. Does anyone have any saddle make suggestions to look out for, good for flat backed cobs?

Thanks for all your support on here, it is always so encouraging

Nice pat to finish

And a few of our pessoa long reining.

 

[angel7]

Lovely coblet, all coming along nicely.

My only suggestion would be to look up and ahead at where you are going- he will feel the difference too. And bring your hands higher and slightly closer together aswell, more like you are holding 2 pints of beer.. He will lift his head too and lighten in front as you do.
Be proud to ride your lovely beasty and he will be proud too!

 

[Ashleigh_]

And bring your hands higher and slightly closer together aswell, more like you are holding 2 pints of beer..

Now THAT, I can do

Thank you!

 

[autumn7]

Wow, Ashleigh! He's a beauty, just my type - looks to be carrying himself very well and looks happy in his work. Well done!

On the saddle front, the Ideal H & C (Highland and Cob) GP is a great saddle for low withered, broad/flat backed types although you would probably be fortunate in finding one within your stated budget. They are popular saddles therefore retain their value. How wealthy is the boyfriend?!!!

 

[dafthoss]

Look at ronnie the dressage diva pony .

The only CC I would say is that you could bend your elbows and 'carry' your hand a bit more. Its one of my many bad habbits if I dont keep on top of it . I always have to remember to do my dressage diva impression and sit as tall as possible with my hands up in front and then just pretent the pony works at a higher level and I can just sit looking graceful .

My pony has a jeffries falkon hawk event gp saddle thats really comfy and about your price range second hand. He's a native not a cob but is rather lacking in the wither department .

 

[sbloom]

He's lovely! I fit for Native Pony Saddles and although we seldom have used stock, one of our saddles might work really well. They come up now and again ,mainly on ebay, HorseGossip and Preloved. Depending on how flat he is, he'd need different trees. If you'd like to post photos - naked, stood square, from the side, traditional conformation shot, and then from the back showing the whole area of back where the saddle will sit - I might be able to say which one. You definitely need the saddle to stay back further than where yours is, a common problem with wide flat horses.

I personally find that many other types of saddle supposedly designed for cobes seem to perch, and sometimes roll, often having too scoopy a tree and too deep a panel design. If he's not TOO wide and flat then these options may be worth pursuing.

 

[OldNag]

My pony has a jeffries falkon hawk event gp saddle thats really comfy and about your price range second hand. He's a native not a cob but is rather lacking in the wither department .

Lovely lovely cob!

My witherless Welshie C ended up with a Falcon Hawk too. I never did get to try a Native Pony one on him but think they would also have been ideal.

 

[Rosehip]

He's delicious!! *Drool*!
He looks very happy in his work and is tracking up really well in those pics! I echo the poster who said to lift your hands slightly, and to bend your elbows - a really bad habit of mine too if I dont remember!
My Coloured had a Jeffries Hawk Event too, I still have it and used it on my Fell too. Its the most comfortable saddle I have ever sat on!! xx

 

[Ashleigh_]

Thanks everyone
All your suggestions are so helpful, gives me something to work towards!

Will try and get some photos of him standing square tomorrow