superted1989
Well-Known Member
Now that Markie is fitter, he can manage sustained cantering in the show ring for 'proper' classes (rather than just veteren). He's ridden, at home, in a NS universal with plain cavesson noseband and all is fine. For a heffalump, he's quite light in the hand in the school and is usually lead horse, or solo, when hacking. He's a good doer, comes in from 6am to lunchtime for a snooze, and is fed a cup of Bailey's 14 (lo cal balancer), half scoop of Fibergy, garlic, dessert spoon of micronised linseed and a handful of fast fibre to 'moisten'.
All fine and dandy, nice, active, forward going, heavyweight cob! Totally chilled at shows, warms up lovely, couldn't care a tinker's about whizzy ponies flying about, tannoys screeching, flapping tents or anything. Happy to stand dead still, either mounted or tied on the lorry, then it's time to go in the ring...................
Out comes the top hat and tap shoes, it's Markie's party time! Somewhere in there, is a high class HOYS horse and he really, really shows himself. However, in the canter 'go round' he's getting stronger and stronger. He got into the championships yesterday (they'd linked 2 rings together for it so it was a huge space) and my friend that shows him came out terrified. Anybody that knows cobs will understand the feeling of immense power.
We've been showing in a mullen mouth rugby pelham so far, but, he has a very fleshy mouth so am unsure about using double bits. I've read up on both Waterford and Swales pelhams, both advise they are good for horses that take hold and particulary for cobs. I don't know anybody that uses either (in fact, most people have recoiled in horror at the mere suggestion of either 'strong' bit!) but I don't think my mate will show him again until we try something!
He is fine at home, I don't risk going to areas where he's likely to tank off as I'm arthritic, but he's not been strong and 'scary' when out with my more supple friends. He pulled up easily on a recent cross country training day (pelham in), didn't pull at all, so it must just be the show ring!
Any suggestions gratefully accepted. I'm on a limited budget (as are most horsey people!) and can't afford to buy a bit just to try it (I have a large selection of useless ones as it is!).
All fine and dandy, nice, active, forward going, heavyweight cob! Totally chilled at shows, warms up lovely, couldn't care a tinker's about whizzy ponies flying about, tannoys screeching, flapping tents or anything. Happy to stand dead still, either mounted or tied on the lorry, then it's time to go in the ring...................
Out comes the top hat and tap shoes, it's Markie's party time! Somewhere in there, is a high class HOYS horse and he really, really shows himself. However, in the canter 'go round' he's getting stronger and stronger. He got into the championships yesterday (they'd linked 2 rings together for it so it was a huge space) and my friend that shows him came out terrified. Anybody that knows cobs will understand the feeling of immense power.
We've been showing in a mullen mouth rugby pelham so far, but, he has a very fleshy mouth so am unsure about using double bits. I've read up on both Waterford and Swales pelhams, both advise they are good for horses that take hold and particulary for cobs. I don't know anybody that uses either (in fact, most people have recoiled in horror at the mere suggestion of either 'strong' bit!) but I don't think my mate will show him again until we try something!
He is fine at home, I don't risk going to areas where he's likely to tank off as I'm arthritic, but he's not been strong and 'scary' when out with my more supple friends. He pulled up easily on a recent cross country training day (pelham in), didn't pull at all, so it must just be the show ring!
Any suggestions gratefully accepted. I'm on a limited budget (as are most horsey people!) and can't afford to buy a bit just to try it (I have a large selection of useless ones as it is!).
