Cobs v Hot blooded horses

[_HP_]

I dont think cobs are necessarily more laid back or quiet as such, just that they are generally less athletic due to their build and so their reactions to things aren't quite so dramatic!
My cob does a very good impression of a spooky 3 yr old Arab but it's sort of in slow motion compared to when daughters TB would do the same thing.

 

[JFTDWS]

There are always exceptions to any stereotype, but breeds of horses do get stereotyped for a reason; in this case, most cobs are easy and quiet (hence the amount of novice riders buying them) and TBs are not (hence the amount of experienced riders buying them).

Exactly. Cobs are often difficult for different reasons - strong, rude, bargy etc - which are less dramatic issues to deal with for a novice. I have a completely unflappable cob who is saintly for kids and beginners, but can be a bit opinionated about getting his own way jumping / doing fast stuff. The ponies are another matter entirely - sharp and clever, a devilish combination for Daemon, but a charming combination in Fergus! TBs tend to be sharper again and sillier with it - that's why most folk wouldn't advise a novice teen to buy one off the track. But then most sane folk wouldn't suggest that cob would always suit a novice either.

 

[catkin]

Welsh cobs are in a league of their own

Exactly.
and they also have very different ancestry to an Irish cob/gypsy cob type. There's a whole bunch of 'hot blood' in a pure-bred Welsh Cob, and has been for centuries.

 

[Myhorseeatsmoney]

I don't mind usually what I ride but I got on my friends beautiful dappled HW cob who is an absolute angel but I have short legs and I did not feel comfortable at all. I'm happy to ride a 17hh if it's not to big boned and this may just well be luck but I've rarely come across one that size who is an absolute nightmare and I know this sounds daft but I always think that falling from that height I may just have a chance to land on my feet. I would rather not try to see if my theory is correct..

 

[Sukistokes2]

I have two cobs, my lovely Ffin is a super sane ride, although he can spook it usually is about entertaining himself. He is forward and fun to ride, or was because I have just had to retire him, due to ill health. A super ride, I will miss it. My second cob is 5 and is currently going through a toddler stage. He is sharpe, quick thinking and a bit of a pratt. I am leaving him to his trainer for a bit. Think I might have a loan horse for a bit until he calms down a bit!

 

[NZJenny]

For the last 20 years I have ridden Arabians and part breds, mostly Arabian/TB. I currenly own a purebred gelding and two partbred mares. I love them to bits and accept that they have a slight tendancy to over react, my gelding is a recreational shyer and they like to get out the gate and get going.

So last year I bought a three quarter TB, quater Clydsdale (cobs are rare here) not sure exactly what to expect. She is just two and a half, so not started under saddle yet, but is defenately different on the ground. She is just as clever, rocks to the beat of her own drum, but dosn't react quite so quickly as the Arabians. However, I wouldn't ever want to get her in a situation where she says "won't". I suspect that would be a very bad idea and would result in feet planted and shut down, unlike the Arabians who tend to go hyper and leap all over the place.

 

[minkymoo]

I've only ever had hot bloods, I thought I wanted an ID x and ended up getting an Anglo Arab.

He was very spooky and quite annoying but he had a great personality and taught me a lot.

In 2011 I got an Andalusian colt. He's been backed about 6-8 weeks and is proving to be amazing and a completely different personality though they have the same attitude to work though my youngster loves it more than my AA ever did!

For me there's something about a hot blood that makes them special, sparky & a great character. I also think they seem to have such presence too.

 

[Hippona]

I have 2 Crabbet arabs (google the Crabbet organisation for history). They are renown for making fabulous riding horses, very athletic, bold, corageous and level headed. Bouncey, forward going, yes but that is enthusiasm for working and having the undivided attention of their rider, they love people. I could never have something I had to constantly nag with my legs. I want a willing partner who enjoys their work as much as I do. If I was ever in a spot where my life depended on my horse, I'd trust my girls to bring me through.

Yep....that's it. Mines up for it....very forward and bouncy but doesn't pull like a steam train with the steering of a barge. I've given up riding daughters highland....it's like sitting on a lump of lead in comparison. OHs shire cross mare is nice and bouncy though, just how I like them.....but of all three I actually feel safest on the Arab.