4 year old cob and 40 year old me

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eggr123

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I've recently taken on a 4 year old cob on part loan, despite being a novice who's ridden for 2 years, everyone seems to think it's a bad move because of his age. So far I've hacked him,schooled him and he us as good as gold with wonderful brakes. Listens to me and has a lovely temperament. Surely sometimes a young horse can be the right horse for a novice? I would add that whilst I'm at the yard I have full support from staff there. Any opinions on ages? He drives too so not spooky, what behavioral changes should I look out for? Thanks experts!
 
You can get a crazy 12 year old. So why not a calm 4 year old?! I did the same and got a 3 year old cob as a complete novice. I surrounded myself with good people and sought opinions. But don't listen to everyone - and listen to your heart with what methods and advice you are comfortable with. My cob has turned into everything I could ever wish for.
 
He sounds absolutely lovely. And the good thing about a part loan is that you can get good advice from his owner so that if anything does change, you have the support you need. But don't look for trouble - have some lessons, learn all you can and just enjoy him. xx
 
Abacus said:
He sounds absolutely lovely. And the good thing about a part loan is that you can get good advice from his owner so that if anything does change, you have the support you need. But don't look for trouble - have some lessons, learn all you can and just enjoy him. xx
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Agree with this. Enjoy him, he sounds worth his weight in gold.
 
I got a 4 year old cob at 40 too. I have been riding most of my life but have had a break and am not the most confident rider. My lad sounds pretty much like yours, he does have the odd spooky moment, but always settles back down once he realizes that it was just the dog/plastic bag etc. I suppose the advice I would give is make sure everything you are asking is within his capabilities. My cob was very kick on and slow off the leg, it transpired he actually wasn't using his himself properly, was hyper-mobile and didn't have the strength to support and stabilize himself and me. We have had lots of lessons and done daily in hand pole exercises and he is coming on a treat now
 
Magicmillbrook said:
I got a 4 year old cob at 40 too. I have been riding most of my life but have had a break and am not the most confident rider. My lad sounds pretty much like yours, he does have the odd spooky moment, but always settles back down once he realizes that it was just the dog/plastic bag etc. I suppose the advice I would give is make sure everything you are asking is within his capabilities. My cob was very kick on and slow off the leg, it transpired he actually wasn't using his himself properly, was hyper-mobile and didn't have the strength to support and stabilize himself and me. We have had lots of lessons and done daily in hand pole exercises and he is coming on a treat now
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Thanks everyone, was fed up with everyone being negative about him!! Thanksx
 
i am over 50 and never really ridden and class myself as a complete novice. i am happily riding a recently backed rising 4 year old. we parted company last week but that was entirely my fault. we have been described as the perfect pair due to our attitudes.
 
My lad was FAR safer at 4 to ride than most of the other horses I rode out with - he was a confidence giver to some. Cobs are a special breed !
 
I ride my much younger friend's cob who has from day 1 been really well behaved with me. I'd not been riding that long- a few months I think, when I started riding him two years ago - and am older than you OP :) Cob was very green 5 year old and was giving his owner a rough time and still can even now. Yet with me he's always been a calm and obedient horse. You would not think we were talking about the same horse if you asked us to describe him.
Sometimes it just works between a rider and horse and you seem to have struck gold :) Well done you.
 
All this makes me feel much more positive - 63 with a rising 3 cob cross yet to be backed! (Though I won't be backing him, I wouldn't inflict my weight on him). By the time I have a) Lost a shedload of weight and b) improved my core strength, I'm hoping to have as much fun aseveryone on here seems to do!
 
Nessa, you will do ! My lad and I hack out as an "old couple" tbh. We discuss what we are going to do as we go along, and have so much fun. x
 
Well there is always the exception that breaks the rule, but take care and try to stay safe. Is someone more experienced also schooling the horse? That will help enormously as it will instill good habits on a regular basis. Also, keep in mind that many youngsters are OK at 3 and 4 but go through a teenagery phase at 5 or 6. How the rider reacts to the first instance of taking the mickey may well determine how the horse develops later in life which is one of the many reasons it's generally not a good idea for a novice rider to be riding a green horse.
 
I think temperament is far more important than age, and you sound sensible enough to ask for help if you do encounter an issue down the line. I've known some horses that were fine with novice riders from day one, a horse doesn't know if you are doing something incorrectly and if the temperament is right they don't make an issue out of any mistakes you might make; as long as you are both happy then I don't see a problem.
 
Rapidly approaching 60 and bought a 3yr old cob last summer, best thing I have done, I treat him as I do the grandchildren, teach them manners and what they can and can't do, my little cob is an absolute star, he lives with a 20yr old ex broodmare, a 20 yr old ex racer and a 10 yr old trotter x, the perfect mix to keep him in line, combined with my ground work, it's a win win situation, this little boy goes from strength to strength, nothing worries him
 
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