What to do?

[planete]

My way of coping with my suddenly sharp coblet is to treat each hack like a schooling session to keep his mind on me, making him work instead of looking for mischief and to reward him lavishly for giving me the right answers.

 

[Coffeeandcakeandchocolate]

Thanks for the advice. I’m doing a lot of thinking but I’ve decided to give my horse a week off. I took him for a walk today and gave him a good groom. I think a lot has been asked of him…lots of riding (after very little being done for a few years) and schooling/lessons 3-4 times a week. I think he’s learned lots of new things (jumping/transitions etc) over the last months and hasn’t had much of a break (just a day a week). I think a rest for a few days will do him good. We can bond and enjoy each other’s company. I am going to have a good think about all of the advice and decide what to do over the next weeks…

 

[Coffeeandcakeandchocolate]

I have decided to sell my horse. I went up to see him today and he was really on edge and a bit spooky…I just walked him from his field to the yard for his feed. I just feel nervous and overhorsed and I’m sure my nerves make him worse. I just felt scared and took him back to the field feeling so sad ? I feel like I’ve let him down but I’m not the most confident person and he’s not a confident horse so we make each other worse. He would be a great horse for another person but it will just be so hard to part with him

 

[Goldenstar]

He gets a Magnesium supplement already, sorry forgot to mention. Can you recommend a better chaff? Thanks

There’s nothing wrong with the chaff you are giving him and carrots and parsnips as well unless you are giving him kilos of them a day or he has a serious metabolic issue
He needs more work and too be busy .
You need to address the stabling issue , can you get someone experienced to help you ?

 

[mariew]

I would get some lessons and do some serious groundwork I think before pondering selling. Get someone who is a very good horse person to help. Cobs can be strong and he needs some decent manners by the sounds of it. (In a nice way).

 

[Odyssey]

I think you've made the right decision, hard though it is. If he needs to take confidence from you, which you don't have, it's just not going to work. You'll also lose more confidence. I rode a gypsy cob a few years ago, and didn't realise how strong and bolshy they can be, they're not for the faint hearted imo. You could keep giving it more time to work without anything changing. You're not a failure and you haven't let him down at all, you've done all you can but the bottom line is that he isn't the right horse for you. I'm sure you'll easily find a lovely home for him, 14.2's are in strong demand for teenagers and small adults, and he's not a problem horse, he just has a few quirks.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

This horse knows you and I think horses will not then suddenly decide I'm nervous because your nervous, if the horse is ridden or handled by someone new yes they can be nervous spooky whatever but with a person they know and are used to they don't just then loose confidence just because you have a bit of a moment.

I would get some help with him if his pushing boundaries have as many lessons as you can, do 15 minutes of groundwork training everyday establish your relationship, horses need leaders they thrive on it become his leader you can do it