youngster - happy post & some advice please :)

cob&onion

cob&onion

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Mega please with the cob today :) been doing lots of ground work with her over the past week or so i really getting her to listen to me. She has been long reined, knows basics ie turning, stopping, walk on trot etc, Have sat on her and been led round a few times now, but always had someone leading me on the ground.
Tacked her up this morning, did a bit of groundwork, got on and walked her around the pen. We got a bit stuck twice, was asking her to walk on and she just turned her head and looked at me :o with a turn to the right she picked up walk, did a few circles and changes of rein and halts, she got stuck again at the first halt i asked her for - she halted straight away on voice command but got a bit stuck with walking on again :o once we got going she was perfect :)
So just a few questions :)
I will be carrying on with the ground work and introduce some things like walking over poles, walking over plastic, etc.........
At the moment i am just starting to ride her more than long reining, aiming for 3 times per week (no more than 10 - 15 mins per session) for now just pottering about the field for the next few weeks and introduce a bit of trot.
After this i am planning to walk her out with a friend on foot, then after a few more times with my friend on an older horse.
My plans are basically to have her quietly hacking out by the end of September and basic walk trot in the school.
I am fully aware that she will be changing shape so i am thinking of getting the saddler out in a few weeks to get a saddle properly fitted, the one i have fits her but i will be wanting something a little better when she does more.
Over the winter i plan to turn her away till about April (when she will be 4) then bring her back to work and aim for some walk and trot tests over the summer.
The saddle i have slips a bit when i mount, she is a wide cob with no whithers - any suggestions?? i do not always have someone around to hold the saddle for me whilst i get on, basically i am in the middle of a field with zero facilities apart from an area i have roped off to work in. There is a livery yard down the road i can take her too and a big school to hire if i need it, but its not always possible that there will be help there, its so quiet of a daytime.

Although i have a fair bit of experience with young horses (only ready backed ones) This is my first baby from scratch so i want to make sure i am doing everything right, i have had help from an experienced person who has alot of experience with babies.
Said person thinks i am more than capable to carry on on my own as she was assisting from the ground and stayed in the background alot. Although she is available if i need her again when she has the time!
My cob is very laid back and relaxed about the whole thing and seems to be taking it all in her stride.


Any thoughts, suggestions would be good thanks
 
Hope you don't think I am being rude, I don't mean to be, but your post is too long to get through. If you make the initial post a bit shorter people will be more inclined to read it and reply. Sorry just trying to help.
 
lost said:
Hope you don't think I am being rude, I don't mean to be, but your post is too long to get through. If you make the initial post a bit shorter people will be more inclined to read it and reply. Sorry just trying to help.
Click to expand...

Well i think thats abit rude... :confused:

Is there a word limit now?? :rolleyes:
 
You sound like your doing really well :) I have done exactly the same with mine- first pony from scratch! Saddle slipping I would sugget a non slip pad, you can get them relatively cheap now and they keep the saddle where you want it, as I know the feeling on a round no withered cob! Before getting the saddler out I would suggets you are walking and trotting happily as to know that the saddle is not going to move when you begin doing more work e.g canter and popping a jump!

Good luck keep us posted!! your sounds alot easier than mine. :)
 
Definitely get a grippy pad. I have a young cob - just turned 4 and 16.3hh already and even after I spent two hours with the saddle fitter we could not stop the saddle slipping about 2-4 inches either way left or right. I always get on from a mounting block and preferably always have someone the other side to hold the stirrup but still it slipped. All that worked in the end was a big grippy pad (can't remember what make it is offhand but mine looks like a bit of carpet underlay with holes punched in it for ventilation). It works well however. The saddler recommended a Barnsby grip pad also - which might look neater than the one I have but as funds are tight, I will be making do with the one I have - as it works!!
 
* has just posted a long post * oopsie :p

No advice, just wanted to say it sounds as though you are doing a fab job and can't wait to see pictures of your progress :)
 
Was interested to read your post as we have a baby - Jay in my sig - he is away being backed at the mo and I am fetching him home in 2 weeks time.

With regard to the saddle slipping when mounting, you should buy yourself some steps to mount from. It's also a really good lesson for the horse to learn to stand still next to something while you get on. My other horse knows that he has to stand by the mounting block til I tell him to walk on - giving me time to adjust stirrups and girth etc. This was an invaluable lesson when I had to get off him on a hack and mount from a gate!

Keep us posted with your progress.
 
sounds like you pretty much have everything sorted, I'm pleased it is all going so well for you especially as you have no facilities!! as to the saddle, agree with the non slip pad, also I would invest in a proper sized mounting block as it isn't good for their backs to be mounted from the ground or lower level and it will help her learn to stand at the block.

Saddlewise, I would recommend the Saddle Company saddles in the Cob fit, that will help with being very wide and no wither. Saddle Company saddles are fully adjustable buy their fitters so it would be brilliant if your mare is likely to change shape again - saves going through lots of saddles on a youngster.

Well done :)
 
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