fuze
Well-Known Member
Question, really, is in the title.
I bought a 6yo 14hh cob in September. Friendly, cheeky, hacks alone or in company, bombproof in traffic and open spaces, but still green. He is 100% all of those, however suspicions and tests have shown that he's also a true rig.
He's not aggressive, he's not nasty, and he can be turned out with boys without too much of a mis-hap (though he can be dominant and mounts). He paces fencelines regularly, he shouts a lot, he terrorises any mares that pass his field. He snorts, prances and parades both in-hand and under saddle, particularly around horses he doesn't know, and the minute he's given an inch under those circumstances, you may aswell be pulling on a freight train - he will go through anything in his way be they people, doors, other horses, etc. He'll hack sensibly with mares with a firm rider, but again, he has to be kept in check at all times. The minute you lose his concentration, you have a problem on your hands.
We've explored the option of surgery - his insurance policy won't cover the procedure, and I'm not in a position whereby I can afford to have it done out of my own pocket. I'm not able to keep him entirely isolated due to facilities, and I'm struggling to find a yard that will accommodate such for a rig. Due to our fields being completely trashed, he's stabled 24/7 at present which is sapping away even more of the funds I don't have, and it's pressuring me to make a decision.
The question: What would you do with him? Persevere and see how bad his behaviour becomes in Spring? Rehome him (but what are the chances of finding someone to take a rig regardless)? PTS (which seems like potentially the most responsible option...)? Before anyone suggests, his old owner will not take him back.
Help please... what would you do?
I bought a 6yo 14hh cob in September. Friendly, cheeky, hacks alone or in company, bombproof in traffic and open spaces, but still green. He is 100% all of those, however suspicions and tests have shown that he's also a true rig.
He's not aggressive, he's not nasty, and he can be turned out with boys without too much of a mis-hap (though he can be dominant and mounts). He paces fencelines regularly, he shouts a lot, he terrorises any mares that pass his field. He snorts, prances and parades both in-hand and under saddle, particularly around horses he doesn't know, and the minute he's given an inch under those circumstances, you may aswell be pulling on a freight train - he will go through anything in his way be they people, doors, other horses, etc. He'll hack sensibly with mares with a firm rider, but again, he has to be kept in check at all times. The minute you lose his concentration, you have a problem on your hands.
We've explored the option of surgery - his insurance policy won't cover the procedure, and I'm not in a position whereby I can afford to have it done out of my own pocket. I'm not able to keep him entirely isolated due to facilities, and I'm struggling to find a yard that will accommodate such for a rig. Due to our fields being completely trashed, he's stabled 24/7 at present which is sapping away even more of the funds I don't have, and it's pressuring me to make a decision.
The question: What would you do with him? Persevere and see how bad his behaviour becomes in Spring? Rehome him (but what are the chances of finding someone to take a rig regardless)? PTS (which seems like potentially the most responsible option...)? Before anyone suggests, his old owner will not take him back.
Help please... what would you do?