Cleveland Bay bad press...... Mini rant!

cblover

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Hi there folks, I know all you cleveland bay fans will know exactly what I mean when I say this!

If one more person says to me that Cleveland Bays are stubborn and arkward, I swear to god I will every so slightly loose my rag!!!!! Granted some people have experienced negative relationships with CB's, but itsn't that true of all breeds of horses.

Luna is my third CB and I am learning from them all the time, as I do with every horse I come into contact with. CB's are only wanting you to ask them to do something and have the manners to wait for a reply. I know I like to be asked to do something and not be told. They get such bad press, when really they are very intelligent creatures, almost regal and if you let them, they will bring out the best in you.

Like I said to 'another' uneducated bloke this morning - horses are on dial up not broadband. Give them a few seconds to respond. They deserve nothing less!

Now relax and breath!!!! LOL
 
Lol!

Slightly different end of the spectrum but I feel your pain! I get upset when people say Andalusians are easy - they are easy to train because they are bright and sensitive, the most unsuitable people buy them and the poor horse suffers because of it:(
 
I know how you feel.... if anyone else fancies implying the horses drive because they're not good enough to ride or they must be old or broken I might smack them. I know various Horses who weren't good enough to drive so rode instead, not met one the other way round! Same with heavies, they're not all dopes on ropes and some of them are scattier than your average TB so walking up behind them and smacking them on the arse is probs not a good idea!
 
I feel your pain! Many people I have come across have this opinion, drives me mad!!! I think far to many people want to be in control of their horse and expect it to mindlessly obey. My oh cb x is an absolute darling. She is sensitive, inteligent, mannerly and so so kind. If you tell her or demand that she do something without having time to asses for herself (eg when loading, she will take a look at the trailer, pause for a sec then walk on like a lamb, if you rush her and haul her up instead of allowing her to pause then you have no hope of getting her to load, she will rear and do anything to get herself out of the situation) then you can forget a favorable response. Treat her on a level with you and she will willingly work for you all day long and be your unending best friend. A totally wonderful breed, I can't wait until we have our own place and can have the land to have a young cb to bring up ourselves - a dream!
 
I know what you are saying lols

I think its just folk law now - the queen loves them :-) however I have encountered 3 all mares and all with mind of their own - but hey thats mares for you !
 
try having staffies if you really want bad press.....

one positive thing about not having many CB's around there - means the breeding tends to be thought out. Have never seen a really poorly put together CB..
 
Glad its not just me then! Some people just blow me away! LOL We should treat them as individuals and give them a chance. My CB x isn't quite my usual type, in fact she's a much sportier model but there is just something about her.

Lets just say, if she was a person I'd want to be her friend!
 
There is NO other breed I would own - I have a mare and a gelding and both are amazing - you have to earn their trust and then they will try their hardest for you. Tell me they are stubborn and I'll tell you you don't know how to handle an intelligent horse.
 
I know what you are saying lols

I think its just folk law now - the queen loves them :-) however I have encountered 3 all mares and all with mind of their own - but hey thats mares for you !

I meant to say - You want stubborn ! My Conny X TB mare now when she says NO she really means it !!!
 
My retired lad is 3/4 Cb and yes he could be a bit stubborn but arent all men like that. He was my best friend for 14 years and I love him to pieces.

There is no feeling like sitting on the ramp of your trailer refreshing your mind over your dressage test with your horse resting his head on your shoulder blowing in your ear affectionatly - sigh!!
 
You know that I know what you mean on this one!! lol!

Having had two as unhandled youngsters, they are just about the most sensible to train. Just be patient with them and you will reap the rewards... I spent a while training my filly that tractors weren't horse-eating monsters - was a matter of minutes before she was marching up to them and chewing confidently on the tyres... I was 'lunging' my boy the other week and something worried him in the hedge... he stopped, looked and I asked him to walk on and he did, without hesitation... obviously keeping a close eye on the horse-eating moster while he did so... my friends youngster however would have (and has) lept 10ft up in the air and sideways from such things...

I stupidly forgot to undo the leg straps of his rug the other week before I tried to take it off.. and he looked round to me as if to say 'What ARE you going mother!' before he let me unclip it all and take it off lol!.. any other youngster would have flipped! lol!
 
Yep know exactly what you mean CBFan. I've done the leg strap thing and Luna just stood there thankfully! I've heard quite a few people say about how ticklish CB's are, but I can touch Luna all over and she never flinches! Right between her back legs and under her belly and everything!

Long may it last!
 
Nobody has said to me that cb are stubborn , I have a welsh d, a welsh a a tb and a newforest cross as well as a cb. My cb is without a doubt the most patient well manered eager to please out of the lot of them!! When she nuzzles me i never tense up waiting for a bite like i do with the seca and nfx .
 
My fav breed, I did not know they have this bad press. THe one I ride is just lovely and we have a great partnership, in fact today they brought her to see me while I was feeding my own horse, and they all said she lit up when she saw me ( really must save enough to buy her LOL ).

I think there is snobbery or envy in all walks of life, I have Weimraners and people say they are this that and the other, normally from people who have no idea, and more often when it come to my Longhaird Weim those in the breed who dont accept that they even excist.

Just smile sweetly and walk away in the knowledege that you have done something that they cant, have a relashionship with your lovely animal xx
 
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