Heinz 57 no more?

[Pink Gorilla]

Does anyone else feel pressure through social media, or local peers to have a fancy sports horse? I feel so inaquate and self conscious with my young cob. I absolutely adore him though. But because I’ve ridden horses 30 odd years, I feel as though I should have a flash big warmblood. I did buy a warmblood, last year, after I lost my speedy/nutty Section D of 21yrs. The warmblood and I (although he was stunning and moved amazingly) just didn’t click. He was stroppy, dominant, opinionated, backwards thinking and needed a lot of professional help to reach his full potential and the ease and fun of just popping in a trailer to meet friends for a mad hack when we want a break from dressage schooling just seemed so much harder work and likely to be traumatic ? But now I can’t help but feel I’m trying to turn my Irish Cob x Connie (who I absolutely clicked with) into a fancy pants sports horse because I’m embarrassed to be riding such a novice horse at my dressage lessons. I clip him and buy him tack to look smart (within budget), but can always feel myself silently wishing he was taller, or leaner etc. Does anyone else feel the pressure to look ‘professional’ through social media and the abundance of well bred sports horses these days? What happened to the hairy Heinz 57 of the 90’s being the norm?

 

[southerncomfort]

Nope!

I have a hairy Fell pony and I think he's the bees knees!

He has a big fanclub locally and I've definitely never felt looked down upon.

Life is too short to worry about what other people think.

Enjoy your cob, he sounds wonderful. ?

 

[milliepops]

I can't afford to buy a fancy horse, never have been able to. Despite (or because of) that I've found great pleasure and fulfilment in training up my odd gang of different types of horses. If you focus on your own journey then peer pressure just passes you by anyway.

Enjoy your horse for what he is. He deserves that ? There's no need to feel embarrassed, any decent trainer won't be snobby and should be keen to help riders with all types of horses to improve.

 

[Caol Ila]

Not at all. Not even a little. I went from a warmbloody-looking draft cross to a fluffy Highland. Nothing says professional like a medieval bridle and purple muck boots.



90% of liveries at my yard own cobs and other natives or native crosses. Out of sixty liveries, I can count about five warmbloods.

 

[AmyMay]

Nope.

 

[Lois Lame]

Does anyone else feel pressure through social media, or local peers to have a fancy sports horse?

No.

 

[Ceriann]

I hear you and get it but I don’t feel that pressure. I have a lovely ISH of no particular breeding but has a good dose of Connie. I adore her, she’s perfect for me - she’s not a flashy big mover but she’s capable and has the most beautiful giving personality. She makes me look good because she’s so willing and if I ride her well she’s amazing. I’ve ridden for years but have so many positive first experiences with her - I wouldn’t change her for the world. She’s just the nicest horse to have around too - wouldn’t swap her for 10 well bred sports horses.

 

[Lois Lame]

In fact I'd love a Heinz 57. So healthy to have a rip-roaring mixture of the gene pool.

There is a mare not far from me who is a lovely beast -- conformation-wise. The only trouble is that she was allowed to get away with all sorts of behaviour as a yearling or so when she had a nasty injury. As a result, she's slightly wicked. Anotherwise she's quite wonderful.

She's got a little bit of this and that running through her veins.

 

[fidleyspromise]

When I first comoeted 10 years ago I felt very put of place on my hairy Highland but people were pleasant. Since then I've seen people on fancy horses not able to go out and have fun. Me? I can take my pony anywhere and do anything and have a laugh. Over the years people have complemented my pony and how much fun we look like we're having. Try to Enjoy your pony for what he/she is and remember how much fun you're having compared to your previous warm blood.

I do sometimes wish my pony had longer legs to keep up with the 16hh horse we hack with but it just means we trot everywhere when out with them.

 

[Miss_Millie]

You could say the same about the pressure to look a certain way as a human. I personally hate the trend for tight fitting lycra equestrian Lemieux-type tops, and would never wear them just because they're the 'fashion'. Same goes for horses. I love riding ponies and would feel out of place on a big fancy warmblood.

Enjoy the horse you have and the privilege it is to be a horse owner

 

[shortstuff99]

I think the popularity of cobs is at an all time high! When I was competing BE on my proper cob about 15 years ago it was very unusual to see any others and I think I was judged a bit. Now I see loads of them having great fun!

If you're on Facebook, cobs can! And Dressage Cobs are good groups to join.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I'm sorry but I think the pressure comes from within. Just enjoy your horse.

 

[Sossigpoker]

Nope. I've got a lovely, hairy cob on a yard full of warmbloods and I don't care! He's super, he's my little sausage and I don't give a feck what anyone thinks!
I'm in my 40s, I'm too old to care about the opinion of strangers and the only two things that matter are my happiness and my horse's happiness.

 

[Sossigpoker]

I'm sorry but I think the pressure comes from within. Just enjoy your horse.

Well said!

 

[Arzada]

Does anyone else feel pressure through social media, or local peers to have a fancy sports horse?

No

Does anyone else feel the pressure to look ‘professional’ through social media and the abundance of well bred sports horses these days?

That would be another no

 

[Lois Lame]

You could say the same about the pressure to look a certain way as a human. I personally hate the trend for tight fitting lycra equestrian Lemieux-type tops, and would never wear them just because they're the 'fashion'. Same goes for horses. I love riding ponies and would feel out of place on a big fancy warmblood.

Enjoy the horse you have and the privilege it is to be a horse owner

When watching the tennis, which I do on occasion in summer, I often think that the players look so uncomfortable in their clothing these days. I bet they hate wearing it but have to because of their sponsers.

Most fashions I avoid. It's all one big con.

 

[Dave's Mam]

Nope. I love ponies. I have my scruffy little brown pony & I adore him.

 

[windand rain]

No and to be honest my rare breed highlands are very much sought after and have a huge fan following

 

[Snow Falcon]

Nope. NF ponies hold their own in all spheres. I feel no need for anything else.

 

[Winters100]

Does anyone else feel pressure through social media, or local peers to have a fancy sports horse?

No, I buy horses fit for the job that I need them to do.

There will always be people with "better" horses than me, and others with "less good" horses than me. To me these labels are worthless, my horses are perfect for me, in the same what that other horses are perfect for their owners.

I cannot imagine any situation where I might feel pressure from others to influence my choice of horse.

 

[Gloi]

Nope. I just look at just how often the ones at the stables have to go to the vet.
I'll stick with solid built little hairies.

 

[ycbm]

Been there, done that. I have two mongrels now who I love more than any pedigree on the planet because they love having me around and they do what they say on the tin, every day ?

I don't do social media except this forum, for some of the reasons you're talking about.
.

 

[Miss_Millie]

When watching the tennis, which I do on occasion in summer, I often think that the players look so uncomfortable in their clothing these days. I bet they hate wearing it but have to because of their sponsers.

Most fashions I avoid. It's all one big con.

Yep, I don't think the 'fashionable' equestrian clothing looks comfortable at all. I find that anything synthetic makes me sweat terribly - natural fibres all the way!

 

[teddypops]

No! I love my ponies. I go for fast and small and I don’t really care about breeds or looks.

 

[SEL]

Should see my bunch - not a flashy warmblood in sight!

Did that 20 years ago and I'd take tough native types now any day.

 

[Peglo]

I know what you mean. I watch reels on Instagram of people horse riding and see the fancy horses and think they are so nice. But then when I’m with my haffie with her long white mane and she’s making me smile just looking at her I wouldn’t switch her for any fancy horse.

 

[Lyle]

nope

FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) is a real phenomenon that has been exacerbated by social media, it makes you think that people are having more fun, live better, or are experiencing better things than you. It's important to keep it all in perspective, particularly when we have living partners (the horses) who we don't want to put humanized pressure on.

Everything with social media needs to be taken with a grain of salt, particularly when viewing people's profiles who could be considered 'popular' or of 'influencer' status; everything put up is carefully scripted to appear perfect. You will rarely see the true side of how those horses are to handle, work with, and even ride.

I like to look at pages of top riders, but never feel envy because, well, I know I couldn't ride a single leg of some of those horses

Might be worth taking a step back from watching reels and focus on making memories with your own fur baby Dress up smart and get a friend to take some photo/video, for YOU to look at and enjoy.

 

[saddlesore]

Nope! I love my traddy cob. I’ve had horses 30 years and a variety of types through that time. For me, my horse is my pal who I enjoy spending time with. My relationship with him is far more important than his breed.

 

[nikicb]

No, absolutely not. In fact it is the complete opposite to how I feel. I have had my Heinz 57 mare for a year and we have really not done much at all, but at our 5th competition together we placed in a large class at an Area Festival and one judge had us on >70% and in 4th place. Maddie doesn't even have her dam/sire names in her passport, she's just a Welsh X. I have no desire whatsoever to upgrade!

 

[I'm Dun]

Nope. I like them to look smart and I do like my matchy, but I dont feel pressure My young highland is exceptional quality with the brains and temperament to match and I think he will eclipse any sports horse when hes a bit older. I did however sell my little cob and buy the TB as I wanted more horse power. But if I could have afforded a bigger sports type cob Id have gone that route, but budget meant I went for an ex racer