Advice on type/ breeds for future purchase

[Waxwing]

Having found a lovely new home for my previous horse I am now tentatively thinking about a new friend and considering potential sizes and breeds.

I felt very comfortable on my previous horse, 16/16 1 ID, and the other horse I regularly ride is of a similar size and stamp and at least part ID. I went to try another horse a few days ago, a cob who was lovely on the ground, but I didn't like the feel when I got on as they felt very short striding compared to my previous horse and as they were compact I didn't feel like I had much horse in front of me. Essentially I felt like I was almost looking over the horses head (obviously I wasn't but it made realise that shorter stridi.ng/ compact cobs are not for me. This cob was lovely but not for me.

I don't want anything bigger than 16/16.1 and do want something that is middleweight. I am looking for advice on breeds/ types. I had arranged to view another cob but they have sold already.

I still love Irish draught types but very open to other ideas. I do want something that gives me the feeling of having a reasonable amount of neck in front of me, if that makes sense

I won't be buying anything under the age of 8/9 this time and preferably a couple of years older. Essentially to hack three to four times a week and have one lesson or session in the school. I am minded if possible to have a go at a few pole work clinics and and maybe a couple of intro tests building up to a possible prelim.

My daughter now has the potential option of a long term share so I am hoping that the next purchase can focus on what works for me, rather than trying to meet both our needs through one horse.

I don't plan to seriously look for a couple of months but I am starting to look at adverts to determine what might potentially suit.

 

[ecb89]

As an ID owner I say get an ID

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

If you go ID, don't get anything with King of Diamonds anywhere near its breeding.

I think more than breed/type, just go for the horse in front of you (albeit I have an ID, I had always wanted an ID and he is everything I want in a horse, so I am biased) - you can get an ID that is a leg in each corner and workmanlike but won't set the world on fire, you can get one that could jump 1m20 and needs 6 days work a week or you can get one that is scared of its shadow and you can't even get for a hack around the block - I know one of each of those types all on the same yard.

Generally speaking though, for an easy life go for something with a decent dose of 'cold blood' eg: not a warmblood/TB/KWPN or similarly performance bred (there are of course, exceptions to the rule) and if you like a long stride go for something with a longer back.

 

[DabDab]

ID x tb or Connemara x tb/wb would probably be a reasonable shout for what you want. Or as a slightly left-field suggestion, Knabstrupper...? They are generally not too fine (unlike appaloosas that tend to be lighter) nor too tall with (imo) a nice way of going and they are generally good allrounder material

 

[mini-eventer]

ID x tb or Connemara x tb/wb would probably be a reasonable shout for what you want. Or as a slightly left-field suggestion, Knabstrupper...? They are generally not too fine (unlike appaloosas that tend to be lighter) nor too tall with (imo) a nice way of going and they are generally good allrounder material

My IDxTB is lovely but can be upset easily he is genuine though. A good Connie/tb can be amazing but they can be quirky and sporty

 

[2big2small]

I’m looking for something similar and have seen some Percheron crosses that looked nice but I’ve no personal experience and they have sold before I got to view.
If you like an ID though why not stick with what you know

 

[I'm Dun]

Just bear in mind that some cobs ride very small and some don't. I had one that rode like a pony with no front. I didn't like it and never got used to it. But another the same size and stamp rode like a big horse. It was always a shock when I got off and my feet hit the floor so soon. Just look for one that's built uphill with a good front and you will find it totally different

 

[marmalade88]

This, my cob rides big and he can float in an arena, the Power is insane. I reckon he’s got a touch of ID in him but we’ll never know. Write a wish list and stick to it is my advice, if you know what you like then just go with it. Also possibly not a great time of year to look coming into to summer, if you’re in no rush or a budget is a concern Christmas or January is a good time to buy because people are sick of winter.

 

[Patterdale]

Standardbred. They have the size and looks of a TB, with more to them and none of the typical TB problems or traits - they’re good doers with good feet and usually easy characters. They can turn their hoof to most things, have the stamina of an Arab and are generally just good eggs.

And they are cheap!

 

[Kaylum]

If you go ID, don't get anything with King of Diamonds anywhere near its breeding.

I think more than breed/type, just go for the horse in front of you (albeit I have an ID, I had always wanted an ID and he is everything I want in a horse, so I am biased) - you can get an ID that is a leg in each corner and workmanlike but won't set the world on fire, you can get one that could jump 1m20 and needs 6 days work a week or you can get one that is scared of its shadow and you can't even get for a hack around the block - I know one of each of those types all on the same yard.

Generally speaking though, for an easy life go for something with a decent dose of 'cold blood' eg: not a warmblood/TB/KWPN or similarly performance bred (there are of course, exceptions to the rule) and if you like a long stride go for something with a longer back.

Best stallion we had was by full brother to kod.

 

[Waxwing]

Thank you all

" you can get an ID that is a leg in each corner and workmanlike but won't set the world on fire"

This would be my ideal horse

 

[Clodagh]

Best stallion we had was by full brother to kod.

IMO KOD mares are to be avoided, the boys don’t seem quite so… frisky.

 

[Clodagh]

I’m looking for something similar and have seen some Percheron crosses that looked nice but I’ve no personal experience and they have sold before I got to view.
If you like an ID though why not stick with what you know

My dad had a Percheron x tb. Beautiful mare but a proper heavyweight. Although you’d get all sorts I imagine

 

[gallopingby]

Cobs can ride very nicely if they’ve been schooled correctly and have decent conformation. Unfortunately they’re hard to find and not likely to be cheap. I agree some are short necked with upright shoulders and don’t move well but a good cob will give you a decent ride. It isn’t all about size / height.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

IMO KOD mares are to be avoided, the boys don’t seem quite so… frisky.

Best stallion we had was by full brother to kod.

We have one on the yard, and its his world/his rules and there is nothing you can do to get him to bend on that. He is also so spooky he just can't hack - and he isn't the only one of that breeding I have met like that...
Each to their own but if I had to hedge my bets, I wouldn't want to find out with my own £10k whether the one I bought was an exception to the rule

 

[AppyLover1996]

I'm a self confessed Appaloosa lover (I am owned by two beautiful Appy boys, who are both my heart horse and heart pony and I will happily be their human slave till the end of their lives ) - I do know that some Appaloosa's are stockier built dependant on their bloodlines but they aren't as stocky as an Irish Draught in general. They do ride lovely though and you do have a decent bit of neck in front of you.

Alternatively have you considered a breed like the Knabstrupper (closely linked to the Appaloosa breed but are known for being stockier in general) - I've ridden one or two and they ride beautifully - big and powerful, yet soft and responsive to their rider. It's obviously taken years of work to get to that level but it is certainly do-able.

Also another breed to consider would be something like a Barbrant - they are mega stocky and you will certainly have a neck in front of you when riding But they can be quite hard to come by so that is worth bearing in mind.

Would you consider trying a cob type horse again? I've ridden several over the years and found that each one rode different. One that was 16.2 rode like a 14.2, yet the 15.1 rode like a 16.2 so I wouldn't discount coblets just yet, it could just be a matter of finding one that rides like you like.

Of course there is the good old Irish Draught and I do adore them - however I've dealt with some who have King of Diamonds in their bloodlines and I have found that it can be mega dependant on the horse in front of you - some mares with KOD lines have been rather interesting to work with and other mares with KOD lines have been as sweet as apple pie. I did find that in my small pool of KOD bred ID's that I had experience with, that the boys seemed a bit easier to deal with in general (however I'm aware that I could be being biased as I do prefer geldings to mares - nothing against mares and I've ridden/ looked after some absolute legends of mares - I just prefer geldings in general). However there are always exceptions to the rules so I would take the KOD lines thing with a pinch of salt x

 

[maya2008]

Any well schooled, sound horse who is large enough to take you, will be a comfortable ride.

There is a saying that a good horse is never a bad colour. I would say that sweet tempered, sound and well schooled horses suitable for a quiet undemanding life are like hen’s teeth and if you find one, grab on with both hands regardless of breed!

 

[Annagain]

I know what you mean about the cob feeling short striding in comparison but I think this could be an individual horse thing rather than a cob thing specifically.
We don't know Wig's breeding but he came over from Ireland and we suspect he's ID, possibly crossed with a Connie or a cob. Everybody is surprised how light he is on on his feet and how well he moves. His best mate Oscar is ID (by Avanti Amorous Archie) x cob. They're the same size and they look quite similar in terms of body shape (they both arrived hogged and trimmed but now have neatly pulled manes and trimmed legs and they can both pull off both looks) but they couldn't be more different to ride. Oscar is very short striding and very upright (his half brother - same sire very similar dam - is far more like Wig in his movement). I've been riding him a bit while Wig has been out of action and it was very weird to begin with but I'm used to him now and really enjoy riding him. I wouldn't rule out all cobs based on that one experience.

I'd focus on kind and safe rather than breed - the chances are you will find what you want in an ID type but I wouldn't rule out other breeds.

Good luck!

 

[Waxwing]

Hi thank you for all the responses; I definitely won't rule cobs or any other breeds. As I am 5ft 10 and long of leg I am definitely more comfortable on something middleweight.

Interestingly my first horse ISH had King of Diamonds in her lineage. She was about 80% ID but in terms of size and stature remained firmly attached to the other 20%. We hoped she would grow as she matured, she chose not to and ended up to small for me. She was very good the majority of her time, then would take into her head to throw a few shapes, particularly if jumps were involved. She also had a good spook in her.

I won't discount anything that sounds like it might be suitable. If my previous horse hadn't developed SI issues, and subsequently be found to a slightly tilted pelvis, she would have stayed for life.

 

[millitiger]

I wouldn't pigeon hole yourself to a certain breed tbh, I don't think it's necessary for what you want.

A middleweight, around 16hh and look for something well schooled, perhaps hunted.
There are very sensible hunter types for sale each year as their older riders are retiring.

Look for something uphill and watch videos before viewing as you want something with a longer and smoother action.
You might have to try a few to find the one you click with but imo, you're more likely to find it by sitting on them than by keeping to just one breed.

I don't like the way 90% of pure TBs ride, but I wouldn't exclude them from a search, as I know the type I do like.

I also wouldn't discount anything with KOD lines- he's been dead a very long time and any influence he has is incredibly diluted by this point so not going to impact anything.

 

[Amymay Again]

Any well schooled, sound horse who is large enough to take you, will be a comfortable ride.

There is a saying that a good horse is never a bad colour. I would say that sweet tempered, sound and well schooled horses suitable for a quiet undemanding life are like hen’s teeth and if you find one, grab on with both hands regardless of breed!

This all day long.

 

[eahotson]

Whatever you go to look at take someone genuinely experienced and knowledgeable with you and listen carefully to their opinion.

 

[YourValentine]

Ignore breed, there is so much variation with in them that steroetypes aren't much use for what you want. Look for a horse that's descibed as solid, calm, kind etc it might be an ID or IDx it might be an anglo-arab, you never know.

I know what you mean about amount of horse in front of you, look for something with a decent length of neck and a not too upright shoulder, but sometimes you won't know till you sit on them.

 

[Bobthecob15]

Aww I’m pleased you are looking for something else!!

I agree forget breed, go for budget first, then just try different things that sound suitable, you might be surprised what you find!

I love our Welsh D mare, she’s so sassy but it’s a fab breed and good for adults as well as teens etc. I’d love a Welsh D cross for me now, I’m too big for her sadly! But they are amazing horses.

I’d also not rule out a well bred warmblood, or part. I had the most amazing Trakehner many years ago when there were more of them about, they have the most amazing natures if you find one from good lines. They aren’t all lunatics

 

[blitznbobs]

If you like an id I’d stick with Irish -lots about - tend to be fairly sensible and less likely to eject you into the stratosphere than something like a Welsh d… I’d also look at a sensible kwpn … or even a luso but I’d steer clear of a cob - now I have 3 cobs and am a big fan but to me they come in 2 flavours … very hot and very not … neither sounds like what you are looking for…
Now a hot cob is great but they don’t bend all that well and take a lot of training to get a tune out of them … a warmblood can be a lot less hot but can bend much easier… and a luso is more middleweight than a pre and is a shorter shape than both a pre or a wb so is easier to collect

 

[eahotson]

If you like an id I’d stick with Irish -lots about - tend to be fairly sensible and less likely to eject you into the stratosphere than something like a Welsh d… I’d also look at a sensible kwpn … or even a luso but I’d steer clear of a cob - now I have 3 cobs and am a big fan but to me they come in 2 flavours … very hot and very not … neither sounds like what you are looking for…
Now a hot cob is great but they don’t bend all that well and take a lot of training to get a tune out of them … a warmblood can be a lot less hot but can bend much easier… and a luso is more middleweight than a pre and is a shorter shape than both a pre or a wb so is easier to collect

I had the most amazing welsg D.A geldings.On the sporty side in build but literally anyone's ride.

 

[blitznbobs]

I had the most amazing welsg D.A geldings.On the sporty side in build but literally anyone's ride.

I have had a lot… most of the ones I had were nutters

 

[eahotson]

I have had a lot… most of the ones I had were nutters

I only owned one but knew and rode several.In my personal experience they were fine.

 

[Asha]

I would be completely open minded in your shoes. Just focus your search on rideability, look for one thats already doing what you want.

As for king of diamond lines, all i can say is all mine have KOD in their pedigree. But he passed a million years ago ( well may 34 years ago) so he genes will be somewhat diluted. My purebreds are all pretty darn chilled and wonderful temperaments.

The wonderful Avanti Amorous Archie has KOD in his lines and he is well known for his rideability in his offspring.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Any well schooled, sound horse who is large enough to take you, will be a comfortable ride.

There is a saying that a good horse is never a bad colour. I would say that sweet tempered, sound and well schooled horses suitable for a quiet undemanding life are like hen’s teeth and if you find one, grab on with both hands regardless of breed!

This absolutely! Ask to try anything that you think ticks your boxes, regardless of breed.