Feel inadequate having cob?

[L&M]

All my best horses have been cobs or cob x's - anytime I have deviated it has ended in disaster, resulting in a similar tale of losing confidence, coupled usually with the loss of large sums of money.......

My current cob x connie is awesome and totally irreplaceable, to the extent that once he retires (which hopefully won't be for many a year yet), I doubt I will have another horse as nothing will compare.

Get and book that lesson!

 

[Coblover63]

I get where you're coming from. When I came back to horses after raising my family, I bought a chunky traditional cob. I used to ride it with a friend on his cob and we had great fun. Then he bought a TB and I will admit that I had a bit of horse-envy. I ended up parting with my mare and bought myself a TB. Big mistake! He was lovely but sharp and could turn on a sixpence (as TB's are and do) and I missed my "tanker". My confidence gradually oozed away and I found every excuse not to ride. Fast forward a few years and I held my hands up and admitted I was over-horsed.

Four years ago I bought a young traddy mare and she is my absolute soulmate. She is plucky, steps up and does everything I ask of her. She's everything I'll ever want and I adore every cell of her. She also helped me overcome a 35yr jumping phobia and I couldn't be happier. I see so many people at my yard buying the horses they want rather than the horses they need. Been there, done that, admitted my error. Give me a hairy cob ANY day.

 

[Flame_]

To be honest OP I think this is actually about status anxiety rather than horses. We live in a very status driven world sadly where even our animals are signalling about perceived values, money, skill etc etc. I think most people are susceptible to this to some degree - we are constantly receiving messages about those things and we are all very sensitive to semiotic material. Some folk choose to reject that stuff consciously, others have to 'buy in' at some level but then decide which values are relevant to them. It is complex! It becomes even more complex if we investigate and try to match what makes us happy with what we might think expectations and status signals are in any particular situation.

Just to add on to this, there's the "value" thing as well, isn't there? The £10k horse should be better than the £3k horse, shouldn't it? Well, it should but not if it's always lame or too highly strung to control. The £10k horse, theoretically, should have more athletic ability but if being good in traffic is more valuable to you, you might have a better chance of getting the "best" horse by limiting your budget, if that makes sense.

 

[McFluff]

A horse you feel safe on and fits with your life is the dream. Learn to enjoy it.

Book the lesson - in my experience, the better the trainer, the more likely they are to enjoy taking you on a journey. As long as you are keen, willing to learn and try hard the best trainers will enjoy working with you.

 

[Red-1]

If he is 15.2hh or over, I think you should sell him actually..... to me!!!

 

[Shilasdair]

Would now be a good time to recommend this informative and completely serious thread examining cob ownership?

Linky

 

[Winters100]

The problem is that if you live your life by looking at what others have, or are doing, then you will never be satisfied. If you buy a 'flashier' horse you will soon be looking at those with even more flashy horses and feeling inadequate. It sounds like you have a horse which is suitable for you, and that is what is important.

Edited to add that a lot of the other owners probably look at the fun you have on your horse and wish that they had one like him!

 

[Rowreach]

Would now be a good time to recommend this informative and completely serious thread examining cob ownership?

Linky

No, go away.

 

[Rowreach]

Just to add on to this, there's the "value" thing as well, isn't there? The £10k horse should be better than the £3k horse, shouldn't it? Well, it should but not if it's always lame or too highly strung to control. The £10k horse, theoretically, should have more athletic ability but if being good in traffic is more valuable to you, you might have a better chance of getting the "best" horse by limiting your budget, if that makes sense.

I'm not even joking when I say that money couldn't buy my cob, each and every day I am more impressed with her and I can't quite believe how lucky I am to have her.

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

My old cob was the one people turned to when their big fancy warmbloods broke down

This kind of statement really grates for me. There’s no need for anyone to slag off any other type of horse to make you feel superior about yours. I’ve known some wonderful cobs and some pretty dire ones likewise for warm bloods. There’s as much if not more reverse snobbery from cob owners as there is snobbery from people owning more “flashier” types. Dumb-blood is a term often used.

I just love seeing people enjoy themselves with their horses that’s what it is all about. Less judgement from both sides is what is needed.

 

[milliepops]

This kind of statement really grates for me. There’s no need for anyone to slag off any other type of horse to make you feel superior about yours. I’ve known some wonderful cobs and some pretty dire ones likewise for warm bloods. There’s as much if not more reverse snobbery from cob owners as there is snobbery from people owning more “flashier” types. Dumb-blood is a term often used.

I just love seeing people enjoy themselves with their horses that’s what it is all about. Less judgement from both sides is what is needed.

well yeah. and cobs can break too :/

 

[MagicMelon]

I feel the opposite OP! I have had a fair mix of horses over the years, some fancy and some not so. I loved riding the scruffier / not usual sport horse types and beating them show jumping etc. I never felt inferior. I always feel inferior when Im riding a really nice smart type. Ive got a lovely horse who is beautiful to look at, I've not had her long so only been to some training but I feel like everyones looking at me thinking "well shes a rubbish rider, what a waste of a nice horse"! My instructor even pulled me aside at the last lesson and asked me if I felt I wasnt good enough for her as I was riding like I was scared of breaking her which is true! So I think it can very much work the other way too. Honestly, nobody can judge anyone. Ive beaten plenty of nice horses on my scruffy ones and Ive had the scruffy ones beat me easily on my nice horses, how they look ultimately means nothing.

 

[DressageCob]

I'm a massive cob fan, but I know where you're coming from. I've had times when I've felt inadequate as a rider, or that I'm out of place. Since my second cob and I stepped up to Medium BD I have had a spot of imposter syndrome. But my friend always gives me a verbal slapping when I say there are fancy horses in my class; she always says "yes, and you're sitting on one" ?

For me, there is a massive satisfaction in riding "unconventional" dressage horses. I've had lots of people come up and compliment my horses, or even ask to buy them. Most judges love to see an active, accurate cobby test (although you do get some who have a certain type they like and everything else is scored poorly).

My little cob had more admirers still since he lost an eye. He was 14.2hh, coloured, one-eyed and wearing safety goggles but did bloody smart tests and looked to enjoy his work. What's not to like?

The big lad is by far the flashiest horse I've ever ridden. His trot is enormous and his canter is unlike any other I've ever seen let alone ridden. He has the ease and lightness of a warmblood but the power and strength of a cob. A better rider would present him better than I can, but even though I get moments of imposter syndrome as I said, I can't complain.

To be honest, I'm always proud when I show my boys off at competitions. I'd give anything in the world to be able to ride my little cob again, but I lost him last month.

 

[Celtic Fringe]

Enjoy your cob and book that lesson!
Your dressage trainer is likely to enjoy teaching you both - your cob is probably more typical of the type of horses that many people own so you are likely to be a good advert for her.
My little cob is the only one on a dressage yard. Like yours he is forward, light, rhythmical, clever and safe. He is a great advert for the yard as he is used in demos etc to definitely show that 'cobs can'. There have been more people booking lessons and clinics with their 'ordinary' horses so hopefully he has played a small part in increasing income for his trainer too!

 

[splashgirl45]

sorry you lost your little cob, DC...he sounded great..