Does anyone have a cob that works "on the bit"

[**Vanner**]

Biggest issue with mine is making him work through his back. He will happily go round in an outline but dragging himself with his forehand, so technically not on the bit. I am currently working on him using his back end which has currently resulted in a less rounded frame at the mo as he strengthens.

 

[Kat]

I'm going to be really controversial and say that not only do I know of cobs that work on the bit, they are also riding school cobs!

Fancy that a cob and a riding school horse that isn't a kick along badly schooled plod!

Oh and I've done changes and half pass and jumped 3ft+ all on riding school cobs

 

[~ Clear Light ~]

This is Jack, owned by Thorthepony, who I train and compete. He's a 14.2hh Dales pony. We came 2nd in his first unaf novice at Oldencraig last month with 66% and we are all set for his first BD next month. He is currently working at Elementary level.

Medium trot-check!

Uphill canter-check!

Leg yield-easy peasy!

But I think any horse or pony can do well in dressage... Cobs often have super safe rhythmic paces and a good trainable temperament, so as usual it all comes down to the training. With short chunky necks its all about getting them to take the contact out and forwards. Usually I would rather they were slightly in front of the vertical than on the vertical (and never behind! No curled up necks!) Jack is exceptionally light and I hate it when people expect chunkier horses to be stronger in the hand! No they can be lightened, honest!

 

[Kat]

It would be worth looking up trendybraincell's posts, she has a gorgeous welsh cob (I think) that does dressage to a decent level.

 

[Kat]

Miss C's Genie is a dressage cob too and Adorable Alice has a rather lovely cob that is worth checking out.

 

[Hexx]

Yep! Mine does leg yield, shoulder in, half pass, canter pirrouettes, renvers and travers - when he feels like it!!

 

[trendybraincell]

It would be worth looking up trendybraincell's posts, she has a gorgeous welsh cob (I think) that does dressage to a decent level.

Ahhh thank you for the mention
I do indeed have a welsh cob who does dressage, he's only competed to elementary a handful of times but is schooled to advanced medium at home.

Currently he's living as a refugee as our yard is flooded but we were working on tempi changes, pirouettes etc.

This is at a demo earlier in the year.

With my trainer

And one of his rather "expressive" flying changes...

They're getting more controlled, I have managed a few 2X changes but they can still give you whiplash!!

He'll never be a top competition horse as his canter really lets him down, but he has a fabulous attitude towards work and is a pleasure to train...most of the time

 

[miss_c]

Love love LOVE Shadow!

Genie and I do dressage and have had an amazing year - 2 RC Nationals, 3 RC Areas, and 1 BD Regionals. Hardest thing with her is her attitude and her reluctance to lengthen her frame due to her short neck, but when she does she's fab.

 

[mrogers]

Lovely coblet mrogers..... Name? It's nice to put a name to a nice face

Thank you Billie. His posh name is Llanmorlais Braveheart, stable name Vegas (normally pronounced Veg-Arse) but normally called Spanner as he does some very goofy things and it seems to suit him. Im really hoping he will get me to HOYS one day. We are attempting our 1st intro test this weekend (hc of course)

 

[Megibo]

My little D can, but was more of a jumping pony. Here:

And my proper D who I bought in May is being taught to This is her doing her first ever lesson on it, she is much more consistent now and really likes to stretch long and low. Its getting good in walk and trot, and have seen her do it in canter too. Her physio commented on the remarkable improvements in a short space of time thanks to her working in self carriage!