Cleveland Bays

lol yeah I know, had seen those posts and was just wondering if anyone else had bad experiences with the breed. Don't think I'd want one personally!
 
Oh no please dont write them off - The other post is a bit silly - the poor horse hadnt even been in his home 48hrs!!! - I hope it improves soon poor rider.

I have a lovely one!!! (and previously owned 3 more fabbies!!!) I have also been involved with the CB Southern Breeders Club too. www.southernclevelandbay.co.uk
Mym had an old X schoolmistress that cantered at a medium pace across open fields, hunted in a snaffle and jumped anything!
It put up with me as a child whizzing around on little ponies!
Then she had another that she broke in herself english to start then did western (for mums back) and hacked anywhere alone or in company in any speed (Other than flat out - why waste the effort she thought!)

now mum has a 3/4 hack that is a lamb!!! walks past fireengines with lights and sirens and doesnt bat an eyelid - open fields are not a problem!!!

now about my girl - shes 8yrs old, an old Broodmare - and i broke her in last oct myself (im no professional!) - and shes going great! patient and unflappable! Jumping is beginning now and she is just amazing me with everyturn!!! :D:D:D

Please dont write off a breed experience with one horse - i know some fairly shocking thoroughbreds and some awful weshies not to mention the shireX that would pretend to be an angel then bronk about for no particular reason!!!! but i would try another of all of them no questions asked!!!


(ducks behind tree) ;):p
 
I have a cleveland bay stud place near me, the stallion is such a sweetie so I hear, runs free with the mares and very chilled and relaxed.
 
Clevelands are very mis-judged breed IMHO. You have to get them on side and then they're loyal as anything.

The KTRHA wouldn't use them if they were that bad ;)
 
Our first horse was a CB. He was an absolute saint, jumped to Grade B, did everything went everywhere and was wonderful. I know some say they are thick and stubborn but I think like any horse if they are treated right then no problem.....some just need more time than others.....but then don't we all?
 
I think every horse is an individual. Saying that, a friend has a CB X TB and regrets it hugely, blaming the CB part of her mare for the stubborn streak and the poor character. She is a bit of a swine, but nothing serious. The YO also claims that CBs are difficult, but I strongly believe that the owner's character impacts on the horse (which she had as a foal). The owner is a bit mad, so I think the horse is too!
 
I have five pure breds and they are wonderful and very popular with friends and clients - I run a Rare Breed Riding Centre. They don't kick, bite or buck.

Even my 17hh five year old stallion is a pussy cat. I sent him to a local dressage trainer for schooling. He was soon a favourite with her clients on account of his very gentle nature.

I have a fifteen year old filly home bred and amazed at her intelligence, she is also so easy to handle in every way.
 
I had a CBxTB when a teenager. We nearly sold it initially, as I struggled with it, however I'm so glad we stuck with it as it was wonderful. quite a worrier, but so so honest once we clicked. Shame theres not more about..
 
Lincoln University has a small stud of CB's. The stallion, Lindon Principal (Prince) is used for lessons for the students as well as stallion duties and won the ridden class at the last real Royal Show. He would not be allowed near the students if his temperament was in any way suspect. They have an undeserved reputation as difficult, but that is no more than the good and bad in any breed. Get a good one and you will have a really good all rounder, good doer, easy to keep and low maintenance. Just ask those who have them.
 
Never owned one but used to ride a CB x TB mare and a CB gelding. They were both lovely horses with a good brain and excellent nature. Having said that, they both had their moments! :)
 
I have got a full cleveland bay, and even at 17.3hh, he is such a sweetie, so honest and gentle to handle and ride - yes he does 'have his moments', but he is a horse at the end of the day. Unforutanialy (sp) he is injuried and been on box rest for 3 months - no turn out! and he took to it like a little lamb!. He follows my four yr old son any where (yes i'm there with them) and my little boy even turn him out for the first time in 3 months, and at the moment he is allowed out for ten minutes twice a day (it's all his litttle brain can cope with), and the second time I turned him out, he was like a nutter!!! gave lead rope to son and he stop messeing about. PLEASE do not judge a horse because of the breed!! I would not swoop him for the world - well apart from swooping his frount legs and fetlock joint for new ones! i miss riding him
 
I had a 3/4CB 1/4 tb and she was lovely, treat them with respect and not like toy horses, she was very good, was going onto burghley had she not got colic and died. she hunted, SJ, did all my pony club teams and events on her, jumped anything went all day was such a sweetie We had one with Queens breeding and very stylish horse.
 
They are wonderful! Some people consider then opinionated bags of trouble, but often those people seem to prefer more of an 'I tell, you do' kind of relationship. Ime cleveland bays tend not to appreciate this approach! They are very very clever, sensitive, kind and powerful horses and like to be treated with the respect and trust they deserve. Gain their trust and take time to understand them and I think you would struggle to find a more loyal friend who will try their heart out for you. I just adore them!!!
 
Spot on GlosGirl!

I was asked to ride a really difficult CB (they had run out of riders). I was told she was like a tank to handle and impossible to hold out on a ride. What I found was the sweetest mare, not strong at all and jumped absolutely anything from any stride! I could not understand it, I think they expected her to be strong and troublesome so she was.
 
I had a scatty chestnut TB so in desperation put her in foal to a CB and bred the most honest reliable horse you could ever wish to own. He did absolutely everything - affiliated SJ and dressage, RC teams, hunted as steady as a rock. You name it he was fantastic, no trouble to break in did it all myself as well. Sold him on to a dad and daughter share and they also showed him in working hunter to a good standard. So please don't write them off !!
 
I've never ridden a pure one but a lot of Cleveland bays x tb and I love them!

Like any breed though there are bad ones and good ones but don't discount them as they are normally very sweet tempered. If you want a Cleveland Bay have you thought of an ID as they are lovely and quite similar. :)
 
me and OH have a 5 yr old Pure Cb mare who is as solid as a rock and the most trust worthy horse I`ve met, she doesnt spook, will jump anything and has a heart of gold, she prefers humans to horses and wouldnt hurt a fly. We backed her ourselves last summer and yes she was a bit nappy at first, but she was a four year old just broken going on her first few hacks, now she steps out proud and eagerly and loves it :)
 
Rollin said:
I have five pure breds and they are wonderful and very popular with friends and clients - I run a Rare Breed Riding Centre. They don't kick, bite or buck.

Even my 17hh five year old stallion is a pussy cat. I sent him to a local dressage trainer for schooling. He was soon a favourite with her clients on account of his very gentle nature.

I have a fifteen year old filly home bred and amazed at her intelligence, she is also so easy to handle in every way.
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SORRY TYPO 15 month old CB Filly. Were she a 'human' she would be a member of MENSA Here she is. At a year old having her tail brushed at liberty in the yard.

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Dad Arthur and mum Rosemary ran together before she was born here are the happy couple asking if dinner is served.

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Another photo of stallion Arthur, who had just taken off on long reins and broken a buckle. We are having a conversation about his behaviour. Love Him!!

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We bought our first CB mare for my husband to ride. He took up riding in his 50's and was a novice. We wanted a safe sound hack and here she is - Merindah when not doing 'Cow Pony' and 'Safe Hack' was a champion 'Small Hunter' in Scotland.

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You asked... The only (pure-bred) CB I have personally ever known was a nut job. Neurotic in the extreme and a nightmare to do anything with. Wouldn't jump, had so many personal demons it was easier to list the things he could cope with than those he couldn't and he was permanently lame. Numb as can be and very special needs.

I probably blame inbreeding, early years and possibly later on his owner who likely influenced his neuroses with extreme regimentation and lack of natural ability with the breed.

Put off by this example? Not as such, except I don't need anything bigger than 15 hands max, so am unlikely to be looking in their direction. I felt sorry for him, actually.
 
They are gorgeous Rollin!!! Not good for me to be seeing such beautiful pics. Am desperatly trying to tell myself that as a two horse family we have plenty to keep us busy, but would so love a full cb filly to bring on ourselves. Particularly love your 'happy couple' pics, what kind faces they have.
This is my oh stunning cbxtb
 
We love them in our family. They are not easy but they are brave and ours have been sound and tough.

Jim is currently 20 years old and will be hunting twice a week as normal.
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They do have to be properly handled as they are intelligent enough to pick up on your weaknesses. They are stubborn and I know people say they are piggy but if you rule them with an iron rod they know the rules. One lay down on the ramp when it was 3 rather than load. Its first hunting season my father spent in a sweat as it was so stubborn but once it got over this is was a fab horse. Jim likes his routine and food. I spent my teenage years being dragged round lorry parks or trying to catch him as a 5yo as he constantly would use his strength to pull back or bugger off when you were on the floor. But horses do not stay with us unless they do the job well and he is still here 15 years later.
 
brighteyes said:
You asked... The only (pure-bred) CB I have personally ever known was a nut job. Neurotic in the extreme and a nightmare to do anything with. Wouldn't jump, had so many personal demons it was easier to list the things he could cope with than those he couldn't and he was permanently lame. Numb as can be and very special needs.

I probably blame inbreeding, early years and possibly later on his owner who likely influenced his neuroses with extreme regimentation and lack of natural ability with the breed.

Put off by this example? Not as such, except I don't need anything bigger than 15 hands max, so am unlikely to be looking in their direction. I felt sorry for him, actually.
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I don't like big horses either. Our first two mares were 15.1 and 15.2hh the third Rosemary is 15.3hh. The original CB was a pack horse and (for similar reasons as the Highland being 14.2hh because it was used to transport deer of the mountain) you can't lift a heavy weight onto a tall horse.

These small CB's are called Chapman's and there are plenty around. Whippletree have recently sold two mares of this type. One was only 15hh.

I also hav Shagya Arabs and own a mare who jumped out of the menage with long reins, jumped the electric fence, knocked me over, trampled me, threw me and put me in hospital with concusion and was terrified of cows. The stud offered to take her back and refund all my money.

I kept her and she is the nicest safest hack you could wish for. A fifteen year old French girl rides her. Nasty? No. She had a terrible move from Hungary and was traumatised. Love and time. Here she is.

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LEC said:
We love them in our family. They are not easy but they are brave and ours have been sound and tough.

Jim is currently 20 years old and will be hunting twice a week as normal.
JimBricky0004.jpg


They do have to be properly handled as they are intelligent enough to pick up on your weaknesses. They are stubborn and I know people say they are piggy but if you rule them with an iron rod they know the rules. One lay down on the ramp when it was 3 rather than load. Its first hunting season my father spent in a sweat as it was so stubborn but once it got over this is was a fab horse. Jim likes his routine and food. I spent my teenage years being dragged round lorry parks or trying to catch him as a 5yo as he constantly would use his strength to pull back or bugger off when you were on the floor. But horses do not stay with us unless they do the job well and he is still here 15 years later.
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I totally agree with you on this, if they know what you want they`ll do it, if your unsure you dont have a hope in hell :)
My Oh is a good rider for having taught himself and Roxy goes for him a bit ploddy but she goes but if i am on her or another person who rides well she goes like a dream :)
 
love them! agree with them on picking up on your weaknesses as they are so intelligent but are oh so loving and very soppy! Mine has his full on days and then has days when he is a dope on a rope. you just have to take them as they come and deal with them consistently. you can't be afraid as they recgnise it and seem to take it quite personally! lol!
 
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