Can i ride a 15hh cob?

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niaismyname

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I'm 5ft7 and 14 years old, and have recently been looking for a share/loan horse. I have managed to find one through word of mouth (websites completely useless), hes a 15hh skewbald cob, quite round but not gypsy-like (if you get what im going on about). Im going to ride him on the 26th august but im worried i'll be too big. Im 8.5 stone so not heavy for him but i dont want to look stupid, & i dont want to waste the owner's time, she'd basically given up on a sharer until I phoned up, so shes pretty keen & i dont really want to disapoint her by being way too tall & completely unsuitable. Do you think i'll be too big? If im allowed im gunna get some pictures & videos so I can get other peoples opinions, i might put them up.

Also; I currently ride at a riding school weekly, & ride a 16.1hh TBx. Hes amazing & i love him to bits, i'm improving so much now ive swapped to the higher lesson & im really enjoying it. But i'm not sure whether I should sacrifice my place at the riding school- where I know i'm going to improve, or go for the share/loan horse, which could disapoint & risk my confidence at the moment. But with this share horse the owner often gets an instructor down to teach, which would be included in the price. The share would cost me £80 per month, which is the same that my parents are paying for riding lessons. I will get to ride 3 times a week, & possibly compete at the livery which is practically next door. It sounds like a great oppurtunity, but i'll miss riding the school horses so much, the TB i ride is probably more talented than this cob (in the jumping sense- even though the cob loves to jump).

Sorry for the essay but its really important.
Thanks,
Nia.
 
I don't think you'll be too bit at all but depends slightly on how much he takes up your leg.

Sounds like a good opportunity. Try the cob out a couple of times before you commit yourself. If it doesn't work out you can always go back to the riding school.
 
Ok, firstly you will look absolutely fine on a 15hh cob and lucky you being 5'7'' and skinny!!

secondly, you can back out of a share situation whenever you want if your confidence starts to take a knock - your riding will probably improve much faster if you can ride 3 times a week instead of once. Could you maybe afford the odd lesson as well, maybe once a month?
 
I am 5'6" and was 8.5 stone and rode a 14.2 and didnt feel as under horsed as I thought I would.

I am sure you will not look big on the cob, esp as cobs tend to be round.

Ride the cob several times and see how you get on.
 
im 15 and im 5ft8 and i have a 14.2 mare and she is fine im about 9 stone i think and she has no problems and i dont look daft on her. i ride a 15.1 mare IDxTB and i look tiny on her just because she is so round so she really takes my leg up.
 
I'm 5'3" and used to ride a 13.2hh highland pony. At no point did I look underhorse as his lovely round tummy took up my leg and he was generally chucky so my upper half didn't look to tall. I reckon you'll look great on him, good luck!
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This is me on a 15.1hh horse - by no means a cob but he is fairly wide. I'm 5ft 8 to give you some idea.


Danxc21Oct07.jpg
 
Dont worry - im 6ft 1 and when i was viewing horses the dealer stuck me on a 15.1hh (he easy took my weight)!!!

Ive never rode anything so small and it was great (although my legs felt like they were in mid air!!). I want a pony!!

I rode him well, and the dealer even suggested taking him LOL! (Everyone would have taken the mickey thou!!!!)

I eventually chose a H/W 16.1 and my legs are still miles away from the bottom of his belly.
 
Thanks
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Yeah, hopefully the owner will let me ride him a couple of times before I make my decision, im not completely sure about the whole 'sharing' business yet so yeah.

Umm well at my stables in the holidays they do clear round competitions, XC masterclasses & Dressage competitions & more, so I would probably take part in them on the riding school horses, & sometimes possibly have a private lesson. I might ask if i could pay with my own money for one lesson per month- and if i feel the share is going well I might just leave completely.

But im still not 100% sure what to do. I'll probably just have to wait and see when I ride him
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We have a 14.2 very flat withered welsh x TB, who due to being a right little nutter, we have never managed to sell. He is now 21 and still ridden by me and my sister.

We are both about 5'6" and weigh a bit more than you (ahem, just a tad
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) He does not struggle at all with us, and is only a MW I would say. I don't care if people think my leg looks too long - if they want to ride him, on their head be it!!!

I would go for the loan option, it may open up more avenues, and riding 3 times a week should be good for you
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I would try the cob and see how you feel, it's amazing how they can take up your leg. I learnt to ride on 15hh+ horses but ended up buying a 14hh pony - he felt small the first time I sat on him but fine the next time lol.

Ride him a couple of times and see how you feel, I think it will do you good to ride a different type of horse and you will hopefully learn more by riding three times a week and competing - I missed the lovely riding school horses that I used to ride but I learnt so much more owning my own.

Good luck, hope it works out for you
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I'm 5'7" and 10 stone, my 15hh cob carries me easily and I don't feel too big for him. Here is a pic:

Dibbs10.jpg


I think riding 3 times a week with the opportunity to compete and have lessons would be more beneficial than in the RS, but at the end of the day it's your choice.
 
Oh wow thanks for showing me a picture. Ive seen pictures of the horse & i dont think hes as muscley (sp?) as yours, but hes pretty round & apparently a very good doer! I would show you a picture but as hes not mine i don't want to get in trouble.
 
Go and try the cob out, take someone with you and ask them to take a picture or two of you riding it. Then you can decide for your self wether or not you think he's too small.

Good luck.

PS colured cobs are my fave!!
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I'm 5ft7 and up until I lost her last xmas due to an accident my mare was a 14.1hh arab....we were fine and I never looked 'underhorsed' at all....
 
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