Cleveland Bay - good allrounders?

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djlynwood

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I might be lucky enough to get my hands on a Cleveland Bay for full loan.

I have brief details of her and the owner said that she excells at XC and showjumping.

Having researched the breed, I find that they need to be crossed with a TB to have the jumping ability and are mainly used as carriage horses.

So, can a Cleveland really turn their hoof to anything?
 
From what I personally have seen, and I don't know that much, so don't just take my word for it, they can adapt to most things. I have seen them jumping, doing dressage and a friend of a friend drives a pair of them.
However, I have heard that some lines have poor temprements, and because of their size the few that I know can be a bit bargey and rude.
Personally, I'd say go for it, most horses may not be the most talented but can learn stuff, and handling can stop most behavior issues.
 
I know a cleveland bay x tb- can be tempramental, grumpy and rude on the ground! but if shes in a good mood jumps like a superstar and looks after you when you are riding.
 
Two friends of mine have had Cleveland Bays and they were both fab - one took hers to BE novice level and he was a complete gent. The other was developing well and would have got to a similar level as well but she broke her pedal bone in an accident which stopped her jumping. So yes they can jump and I've always found them to be lovely horses.
 
There does seem to be a higher incidence of bargy/grumpy horses in CB's but I think most of it is people think big horse (that isn't a TB) is a dope on a rope. Dopes on ropes are made not born! Plus any horse that is a good driving horse is good for riding there are plenty of horses out there that are not good enough for drive so ride, I've only heard (and it was through an ad) that wouldn't ride so drove! I'd go for it
 
I have five CB's and the first thing to say is the temperament is fantastic.

We bought our first for my husband, who took up riding for the first time, aged 50+. As well as being a small hunter and riding club horse champion she is a perfectly mannered hack for an older rider. Her sire Borderfame Prince Charming was a successful eventer.

As there are only 500 pure-bred CB's left in the world inc. USA and Australia and approx 40 are owned by HM the Queen, not many people own and compete with pure bred CB's. Therefore I would say that they are very very successfull when you consider how few enter the ring.

Look at Baydale's posts on this forum.

The Grade A showjumper 'Prosperty' was a pure bred CB.

Look at this website for pics of pure and part-bred CB's in competition.

wwww.southernclevelandbayclub.co.uk
 
I know a few Cleveland Bays and they have been fairly unpredictable bolshy horses but you dont know how they were handled as youngsters - all horses are different and not necessarily true to type - i would judge every horse differently not necessarily on its breed.
 
Most of the people I meet who tell me that CB's are difficult have never owned one themselves.

It is correct what you say about backing. Two of mine have been backed for me by people I trust, including my 4 year old stallion who is a gentle pussy cat, I have never owned a stallion before and he is big, currently 16.2hh with 9.5 inches of bone and still growing in every direction.
 
I used to ride a 16yr old CB who had been retired early from the Police (being hit by a motorbike had caused low level arthritis so she was retired early) She was totally awesome and I genuinely don't think having any TB in her blood could have improved her attitude or athleticism.
 
The lady i know that has 2 would never have anything different and travelled to the other side of the country to get a 2nd one so they must do something right!
 
I used to look after a CB mare. Apart from not keen on sheep
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, she was a dream
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. Be firm, but kind on the ground, just as with all neds, and they are sweetiess.

If I ever have another horse I think it will be a CB
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.
 
I've got a CB x TB, and I used to exercise a full bred for someone.

They are\were both big ponies, with pony brains but the size of the horse. Like a pony if you treat them right, and never let them get away with the small things they are a fantastic ride and an even better friend. However if you end up with one thats been allowed to be even slightly naughty beware, cos just like a pony they will use those brains against you, and they are big strong horses.

Having said that mine does everything with me, sure on his off days he can be as nappy as any pony, but now he's all grown up (had him from 18 months) we happily bomb over 3ft XC and SJ and if he didn't have his mechanical lameness would have affiliated dressage and eventing ages ago. The best thing is that unlike a full TB, the more work they do, the more they like it, and you get big bulging muscles to show for the work!

I'd never recommend a novice has a CB, but if you liked the intelligence and independance of ponies, you will have a new best friend. I'd never have anything else now.
 
have known, ridden and worked with 3 CB, they were fab allrounders but all 3 were rude, bolshy and stubborn to handle
 
I think Shazzababs is right - definately not for novices! The 2 i know are super for fairly advanced riders but would happily ditch a novice in a flash if they thought they could!
 
I am constantly surprised that so many people claim to have 'known a cleveland with a bad attitude' given that they are list 1 critically endangered! This is not a dig at anyone on here btw! I'm not being inflammatory, just having looked on many for sale websites I'd say often large bay horses of unknown breeding are labelled clevelands when they are clearly not!

I'd say take advice well from those who have had genuine CBs and perhaps take the 'i knew a...' stories with a small pinch of salt.

I had a purebred (you saw that coming didn't you!) registered and passported so definitely CB. He was a bit bargey at first- but that wasn't his personality- he was 17.2 and had learned that if he walked somewhere people moved! Didn't take long to teach him about personal space and he learned you moved out of peoples way not the other way round. He was very intelligent and very trainable. Very people orientated and so loyal, they will try anything for you if they trust you. Being intelligent and trainable is a double edged sword- makes it easy for the wrong handler to teach them bad as quickly as good!

Mine was a super horse- fun for fast hacking with me on board but calm, quiet and reliable if you put a novice on board. He tried his hoof at dressage, jumping, show hunter and would have done more had circumstances worke out differently.

He got degenerative joint disease and deteriorated rapidly. I had to have him PTS at 11. Devestating.

I would grab the chance of this horse with both hands! Run a tight ship when she first arrives and jump on any small misdemeanours and you won't go far wrong- once the boundaries are set I'm sure she'll be a star.
 
Our CB X, is a true gentleman. He has been known to be a bit bolshy with the grooms, but he is a true gentleman with most of us including a small and delicate 13 yo girl (who he could easily run of from given half a thought). Recently I have been teaching my friend to ride on him and he has been brilliant, I don't even need to use a lunge line as he listens to my voice and if she asks properly does whatever she says. We do a lot of dressage on him, he has been jumping plenty of times (enjoys it but has not real talent) but he excels at Pony Club games (funniest thing I have ever seen - a 16'1" CB horse competing against tiny ponies lol). Wouldn't swop him for the world.
 
Totally agree with the "Run a tight ship" point, if our young man (at 13) is anything to go by!
BTW - do you find they have a bit of a pony attitude to things? Or is ours just a bit funny??
 
"Being intelligent and trainable is a double edged sword- makes it easy for the wrong handler to teach them bad as quickly as good!"

I think that is definately the key point!
 
[ QUOTE ]
Totally agree with the "Run a tight ship" point, if our young man (at 13) is anything to go by!
BTW - do you find they have a bit of a pony attitude to things? Or is ours just a bit funny??

[/ QUOTE ]

Depends on the pony- if a bright intelligent breed like the welsh cob then yes- in that they pick things up quickly, sometimes before there owner has even spotted potential issue. Maybe its to do with being a breed bred for hard work- of a type that not a lot of horses get theses days so their brains are switched on for other activities; occupying them with work and learning is always the best way- give them a job, try new things, do ground work etc. Its not just a breed thing though, my youngster is sharp on learning anything- good/ bad whatever, he picks everything up and he is reg. ISH- although in truth is predominantly WB.

The advantage is they are so easy to train and so loving- they adore human company and 'playing' with their people.
 
Exactly that, he loves to play with you. He knows his strength (and manners), so is never any trouble, but he likes to play with you over the door, when working, when leading. He loves a cuddle and really loves a groom. But it is his sense of humor that gets me, it is like a pony. One of these ponies that keeps the kids on their toes. Honestly I could watch him for hours, he is so funny!
 
We own 3, and I know how lovely they are. I have a 5yo, home-bred, a yearling, homebred, and a premium mare. Our 5yo is backked and even I, a 5ft3 14yo weakling, can ride her, do decent flatwork etc, and pop a cross-pole.

Their temperaments are outstanding - I could go around our yearling when he was still a colt, and he was angelic. I'd really recommend them - I have seen them excell BE and BD.
 
I used to event and do pony club with a CBxTb who was by queenbury caribineer(SP?) who was owned by the queen. she was a lovely mare and very good temperment. she jumped VERY well and i used to take her hunting for half days and escort the littlies on their ponies and escort them over jumps etc then bring them all back t lunch time. they gallop very well, very brave and good. we lost her to a very mysterous episode of colic the year before we were due to take her to burghley. very clever too she once cut her front leg open right down the front and kept licking it so we put pepper on it and other sprays and as soon as we went out of the stable she would wash her leg in the water bucket.
 
Let me know if you don't want him, My OH had a 17.2 CB what a great boy and manners to die for jump, dresage anything never used a headcollar could lead him just on a rope, sadly lost to colic. I got my CB last year at 12 years old and just backed he tries anything for me although his jumping is not great but that could be an age thing. they are very intelligent, love attention and learn the first time they do something be it the right or wrong way so never let them get into bad habits, go for it
 
I personally dont like them. I have seen several CB crosses and none appeal - bargy and awkward. Sorry I know they are endangered - but I wonder why - could it be that the Irish Draught/TB has beaten them hands down for competition and riding horses
 
Actually Lincoln Universtiy have been running an annual competition for ID versus CB dressage and jumping and I know that the CBs won the first two years, I don't know about the most recent.

Not having a downere on ID I love them too.
 
I'm a student at Lincoln University's Riseholme Park Campus where they have a Cleveland Bay breeding programe.
On the contary to what others on the forum have said about them being bolshy, I have found them to be charming and calm tempered horses.
Ofcourse occasionaly - like with any other horse - you get the odd so and so that comes to us un-handled with no manners and who likes to throw her weight around but they come around eventually.

We currently have two stallions Lindon Principle (Prince) who was bred by the uni, who is the calmest, safest stallion you could hope for, now the year 2 students are riding him. And we have a new one on loan to the uni called Huckleberry, I haven't seen him ridden yet as he is currently on box rest but he is so well mannered and calm, he's never been used on a mare though, but Prince still works during his covering season.
 
Here's my purebred, Arthur:

Ok, so he "does not conform to breed standards" because he's ginger, but he loves his work, has an attitude to die for and wants to please you:

This is him at his first show, doing a working hunter class. He was officially 5 the week after this show:

arthur2.jpg


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He is destined to be a hunter. All my eventers have a bit of CB in them, 1/8 or 1/16 in the younger one, and my best horse, William Hill, was 1/4 CB yet he managed to be trainable and manageable enough to get to four star level.

I'm a believer in nurture over nature, so if I've had them from a young age I expect them to be well mannered and nice horses to have around, but that applies to any breed and type.
 
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