Advice needed!!! Thanks

[Coblover18]

hi everyone I went to look at another cob at the weekend and he was perfect so we have decided to go ahead with him I’m just wondering do I look ok on him he is 14hh and is a real sweetheart. He was really lovely and I rode him. The only issue I had was he didn’t want to trot with me the other lady he trotted with was fine but I was very nervous and I think it could have been him playing his luck with me. He is a bit lazy
Thank you

 

[Littlebear]

How tall / heavy are you, hard to tell in that pic? also the pic doesn't show side on, its sometimes tricky with (for want of a better way of saying it) adults fitting their bums in a suitable size saddle if its a short backed cob.

 

[Coblover18]

How tall / heavy are you, hard to tell in that pic? also the pic doesn't show side on, its sometimes tricky with (for want of a better way of saying it) adults fitting their bums in a suitable size saddle if its a short backed cob.

I am 5 foot 6 and around 11 stone I felt comfortable on him and I didn’t feel too tall

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Or he could have been being kind,realising that you were nervous and unbalanced, thought that he would walk rather than risk losing you.
If you have any growing to do, I would say that you will outgrow him very quickly

 

[[153312]]

Taken the liberty of rotating it so it's easier to see, hope you don't mind (happy to delete it if you do).

 

[Coblover18]

Taken the liberty of rotating it so it's easier to see, hope you don't mind (happy to delete it if you do).
View attachment 86743

Thank you I wasn’t sure how to do it. I don’t mind at all

 

[Coblover18]

Or he could have been being kind,realising that you were nervous and unbalanced, thought that he would walk rather than risk losing you.
If you have any growing to do, I would say that you will outgrow him very quickly

I’m 18 so I have now stopped growing he’s going to stay with me forever

 

[ihatework]

How old is he?

 

[Coblover18]

How old is he?

11

 

[ihatework]

11

Great age!

Okay, I think you look on edge of being to big on him but probably ok, providing he is sound on vetting.
Take care on getting a good saddle fitted because this can be an issue on smaller short backed cobs.

 

[HappyHollyDays]

I think you are to big for him and something 14.2+ and a bit longer in the back would suit your leg length and seat better.

 

[LegOn]

So you couldnt get him to trot? How do you know you really like him & can gel with working with him? Was he struggling to trot with you - how much smaller than you was the lady that trotted him?

I would be more worried you didnt get a proper feel for him without a trot & a canter or a pop over a fence - is all you want to do is walk/hack?

 

[Coblover18]

So you couldnt get him to trot? How do you know you really like him & can gel with working with him? Was he struggling to trot with you - how much smaller than you was the lady that trotted him?

I would be more worried you didnt get a proper feel for him without a trot & a canter or a pop over a fence - is all you want to do is walk/hack?

I’m autistic so I really struggle with my nerves and I saw the lady riding him. I haven’t cantered and definitely not jumped on any of the ponies I have viewed I like to take my time with a pony

 

[Birker2020]

I'd get the vet to give him the once over, if he is lazy and you struggled to get him to trot it could be that he has some physical issues.

 

[Coblover18]

I'd get the vet to give him the once over, if he is lazy and you struggled to get him to trot it could be that he has some physical issues.

The lady who rode before me had no issues getting him to walk trot and canter. I did get him to trot but it didn’t last very long

 

[Velcrobum]

Sorry but another who thinks he looks too small for you. As HHD says 14.2+ and longer in the back would probably be better for you.

 

[LegOn]

I’m autistic so I really struggle with my nerves and I saw the lady riding him. I haven’t cantered and definitely not jumped on any of the ponies I have viewed I like to take my time with a pony

I can understand this completely - I'm just concerned there is a bigger reason why you struggled to trot with him and keep him in trot? Maybe he is struggling with you and it might not be the best fit in the future.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I’m 18 so I have now stopped growing he’s going to stay with me forever

Some people continue to grow into their 20s, so really I think you would do better to find a bigger pony tobuy, especially if you intend to keep him for the rest of his life.

While you are looking for the right one, can I suggest that you take as many opportunities as possible to ride different horses/ponies to build your confidence on strange horses because you really do need tobeabletoget aproper feelofhow you get on with the one that you are going to buy, in all 3 paces.

 

[Jenko109]

I rarely say it and as a general rule I like seeing adults on ponies, but I also think you are too big for this pony.

 

[snowangel5]

He does look really beautiful

 

[Coblover18]

He does look really beautiful

I’ve fallen in love with him but as everyone else has said I’m too big. I’m heartbroken I really thought he was the one

 

[Bernster]

From that pic I’d say he does look a bit small. Having ridden a horse slightly too big, one very big, and one about right, I hadn’t appreciated before how important it is to get a horse that fits the rider and vice versa. Both for tack that works for both and riding them comfortably.

 

[ycbm]

I’ve fallen in love with him but as everyone else has said I’m too big. I’m heartbroken I really thought he was the one

I do think this is sensible. I grew another inch and a half between your age and 25.

 

[Leandy]

If you are looking for a long term horse for just you, then IMHO you need something bigger.

 

[Tiddlypom]

I doubt that he's a full up 14hh. I'd expect a 5'6" rider of your build to look fine on a 14hh stocky cob, but I agree with the others who think that he's too small for you.

If you are still set on him, then do try him a second time and try him out in walk, trot and canter. If he won't trot for you again, then walk away.

 

[shortstuff99]

I think the angle of that picture makes you look bigger then you probably are on him (being taken from up and to the side).

A level side on picture would show it much better. I can't see how you would be too heavy for a 14hh well built cob.

 

[Coffeeandcakeandchocolate]

I’m going to go against the grain! I am 5ft 8 and have a 14.2 cob. He’s fab! I think you should trust your instincts…maybe go back and try him a second time and see how you feel. He looks well built and as long as your saddle is fitted correctly you should be fine!

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

He is a lovely cob and I can see why you are taken with him. My concern is that where your legs and feet are on him it will be very difficult for you to give effective and correct aids and I am not surprised you struggled to get him more forward going.

Plus never underestimate the difficulty of getting a correct rider and horse fit saddle on a very short backed horse. I had this with a short backed 15.2 cob and ended up having to ride him treeless.

I think maybe he is a tad too small, and it might be wiser to wait for something just a little bigger. they are out there and you will find one but it does take time.

 

[AmyMay]

I’m another who thinks he’s too small for you.
Who did you take to the viewing with you?

 

[eggs]

I'm afraid to say that I agree that you look too big on him. He probably isn't a full up 14 hh pony. The fact that you couldn't keep him in trot would also ring some alarm bells although I can see why you fell in love with himm.

I am 5'8" and looked fine on a 14.2 hh Dales pony.