suggestions please

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splashnutti1

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Hi i have a 4 year old nearly 5 irish cob, have owned him for just over a year. He is generally a forward going boy goes well off the leg (less forward in the school but still ok)

this last two weeks he has gone extremely stubborn to the point if i stop sending him on he just stops, i have tried backing my leg up with the whip and voice but he seems to be switched off, he is worse in walk seems to be more forward once in trot but is reluctant to work into a contact and soften which isnt like him.

He usually loves to hack strides out lovely however was a nightmare on last hack again stubborn and switched off.

He recently had his teeth done, had physio and tack is fitted to him. Vet came to jab him tuesday asked her to check him over all seems fine. He is fine in himself jolly and happy.

the only differnece is he is on a restricted diet as he had put on a few pounds due to some time off (not loads) anyway he is now a nice weight (vet said just right) and i dont want him to gain anymore. He is on a bare paddock at nite with one slab of hay and on minimal amount of grass in the day, gets a sprinkling of healthy hoof at nite so he can get his garlic and oil.

Only other change randomly is a new girth?:confused:

I wonder if he is lacking energy due to diet? Any suggestions welcome.:)
 
My cob was 'lethargic' this week which horrified me as he's very forward going normally. I think it was the weather but his management sounds similar to yours and I think he's running on empty so I've added a handful of chaff mixed with pony nuts. I wouldn't normally give any hard feed but the paddock he's in is like a starvation field.

If yours is stopping and refusing to carry on, I'd suggest a physical issue, though, so even though everything is checked, check it again. When was the saddle fitted to him? They change enormously at his age so worth having a fitting every six months, IMO. What bit do you use? And what girth are you using? I use a string girth because everything else makes him go red and chafes.
 
Hi cinnamontoast his saddle was checked a month ago as with him being young know he will change shape so get it checked regularly, he is ridden in a hang cheek snaffle and his girth is a comfort girth designed to prevent chaffing and ease sweating. Previous girth was leather with elastic one end?

he doesnt really refuse to go forward just stops if i stop asking but will move off again if asked although stubbornly. He saw physio only a few months ago and vet checked him over said seems ok but may get him checked again if it carries on.

Its just not like him

mite get some vitamins to add to his feed see if that helps?
 
It sounds a bit like a Kevin moment! Perhaps try some sessions on the lunge reminding him to keep going without being nagged IYSWIM. A horse shouldn't need to be constantly reminded when you're on board. Is he taking the mick, being a bit stroppy? Get after him and mean it, use voice to encourage him.
 
Oh meant to say cant change his girth back to see if is a difference as he snapped old one hence new girth lol
:o
however have purchased one same as old one over the interenet and waiting for it to arrive:)
 
You could be right he could just be tryin it on , its just not usually in his nature he loves to please. i did use the schooling whip to back up my leg and growled at him but didnt make much difference.

He is long lined 3 times a week and is quite forward on the lines although i do use a lunge whip to keep him moving on.?


Think will try giving him some vits and see if my physio can pop back. If all fine then ill really get after him lol :)
 
I always think that if the behaviour changes soon after a change in the management, there is the first place to look for the cause. I wouldn't ride this horse again until the replacement girth arrives. Then ride him in that to see if he is back to his old self. Hopefully that will be the matter sorted. If not, it does sound as if there is a physical problem. Horses don't usually 'try it on', there is a reason for their behaviour, even if we don't know what it is.
 
thanks pearlsasinger this was my initial thinking hence i have ordered the new girth.
:)
he isnt the type of horses to be naughty he is to genuine as i said before not really in his nature, i was thinking either lack of something in his diet or the girth, going to try new girth (it should be waiting for me when i get home) and adding a vitamin to his small feed see if he improves, if not then back to physio.

Dont want my lovely lad unhappy:(
 
He's hungry and probably simply has no energy.

I would also be inclined to drop the garlic as this won't help how he feels on an empty tummy.
 
amymay said:
He's hungry and probably simply has no energy.

I would also be inclined to drop the garlic as this won't help how he feels on an empty tummy.
Click to expand...

This i feel may be the prob however cant feed him more due to him gaining weight hence the vitamin idea, also wondered whether somethin like hifi lite may be a good idea but could i give him more of this without him gaining a lot, he is such a good doer.



Garlic is for the flies but can cut it out if neccesary.

feel bad restricting him but dont want him overweight as this has its own problems:( he does have minimal grass during the day but nothing at night only his slab off hay.
 
splashnutti1 said:
This i feel may be the prob however cant feed him more due to him gaining weight hence the vitamin idea, also wondered whether somethin like hifi lite may be a good idea but could i give him more of this without him gaining a lot, he is such a good doer.

Garlic is for the flies but can cut it out if neccesary.

feel bad restricting him but dont want him overweight as this has its own problems:( he does have minimal grass during the day but nothing at night only his slab off hay.
Click to expand...

It's a horrible battle. You could add some straw to his hay ration - that would fill him up a little more without the calories perhaps?
 
straw is a good idea in theory however i have the only picky cob in the world who would probably turn his nose up in horror :eek:lol.

It is a difficult battle, he is just right weight wise now hoping he will stay that way lol. :rolleyes:
 
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