Heinz 57 no more?

[SheriffTruman]

I like flashy horses but stick to my unfashionable Arab!

Unfashionably maybe, yet stunning (if you like them).

At my yard, everyone thought I bought my young Arab because of his good looks. While I DO find him very handsome, I chose him because he was so good-tempered, and cuddly, and nice with other people and horses. Because of his friendly eyes. I'm small, he's small, so we're a good match. I'm also green, have a lot to learn and need a forgiving horse. Imo you can't ride looks.

As Mark Rashid says: a good horse is never a bad color.

 

[windand rain]

Hazel highland never hit a pole or stopped but the kids around her all scoffed when we went UA showjumping, she won more showjumping classes than they did put together as she always jumped clear. Now its all timed I doubt she would do so well but almost always won on 2 clear rounds. To be honest thats the only time we came across the snotty looks

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

Conversely, I think there's a lot of reverse snobbery about "posh sports horses". I love them, and wouldn't have anything else, and I rather object to the notion that they considered to be a bit useless for doing "fun" stuff on. My horse goes where I want him to go, and does what I want him to do (and lives out 24/7 all year round!)
I have the hairiest of hairy little cobs on my yard here, and I don't judge her for being hairy and not very athletic. I like her because she's a horse, and I like horses.

Totally agree both my “flashy” warmbloods are all rounders. I sort of feel sad for cob owners with inferiority complexes about their cobs because it says more about them that they have to put down other peoples horses to make themselves feel better. Just love your horse and appreciate what you have.

The reality is though not all cobs are good all-rounders or nice easy horses any more than WB are nightmares. Personally I prefer my WBs but I love all horses for what they are and their characters not what they look like.

 

[anehta]

I currently ride a rather opinionated fell pony who is amazing! However most of the people I know who have recently been looking to buy a new equine have struggled to find something suitable more cobby.

View attachment 83923

I am sorry to hijack a post, where did you get the hi viz neck strap from? That’s exactly what ive

 

[Caol Ila]

I currently ride a rather opinionated fell pony who is amazing! However most of the people I know who have recently been looking to buy a new equine have struggled to find something suitable more cobby.



I am sorry to hijack a post, where did you get the hi viz neck strap from? That’s exactly what ive

I got it from V-Bandz. My favourite place for hi-viz things.

That strap is brilliant. Velcros onto your saddle d-rings so no faff to attach.

 

[honetpot]

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?

I think they are still there, they have just be rebranded, like dogs, you can not just have a xbred, and not know the cross, it's, got to be branded as SH, or partbred connie, even if it has no papers.
It's like the whole gubbins of tack and kit, it's not just a brush its a xxxx brush, at double the price.

 

[rowan666]

Nope!.. I had a livery who was extremely snobby about breeding, everything must be pure bred and worth a fortune. She hated my "cheap crappy" horses with no recorded breeding that cost peanuts but mostly because they have beaten hers out showing and dressage etc every single time! ? Plus my £100 common coloured cob is literally the perfect alrounder, whilst her beautiful, expensive well bred horses can't actually jump, get decent dressage scores, behave at shows, do water and aren't bombproof ?

 

[MagicMelon]

Im very lucky that I have a stunning horse right now, and whilst Ive had other stunners (well bred sports horse types), Ive usually bought scruffy horses of mixed breeding. I much prefer riding scruffier types as then when you ride into the warm up, you dont feel like you have to prove something. Its more fun winning on a scruffy horse and beating all the fancy ones. Now I have a lovely one who has amazing potential, I do feel a bit inferior as I worry I wont do her justice. So I guess it works both ways! But ultimately I dont care what other people think. Any horse can go in and win, doesnt matter what it looks like or how pricey your tack is. Thats the joy of equestrianism.

I also dont stick my photos on social media very often, that helps hugely

 

[[153312]]

t I like her because she's a horse, and I like horses.

This is how I feel.

I just like horses! ? ?

 

[Charley657]

I'm sorry but half of you half flashy horses and don't even know it. I think compared to a piebald cob lots of horses might look flashy and definitely don't look Heinz 57 but some of the sweetest horses I have ridden have been cobs. If I ever buy a horse, I'd definitely look there first but teenage me would dream of an Arab.

 

[exracehorse]

I have five. Two retired. All
Different breeds. Saddlebred. Warmblood. TB/Welsh. Retired Arab. The one I’d ride in any weather. By myself. Even after being left for weeks or months is a Heinz 57. He’s definitely got ‘trotter’ in him. And cob. Might be a bit Irish draft ? Has a bull head. But he’s just brilliant.

 

[Sossigpoker]

Just looked at a video of me riding and because my previous horses have been big, I do feel like I look like a giant on my 15hh cob.
But then I remember how much I'm enjoying having him and I soon forget to worry about what I might look like.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

4 years ago at age 57 I took on my first-ever youngster (profile pic) AND "went back onto ponies" - in fact the pony I've got is the smallest thing I've ever owned (had a 14.1 pony when I was a teenager!!).

This little one found me rather than the other way around, and make it incredibly obvious that she wanted to be with me!! During the last few years we've just grown into each others' hearts and she's turned out to be a super little happy-hacker. We occasionally box up and go up to the nearest common for a hoon around with the dog and/or meet friends, and we're perfectly happy with that!!

I really don't care if others look down their noses at us; I'm happy with my scruffy little pony and it really doesn't concern me!!

Ditto dogs: ever since I was a kid we've always ended up with various waifs and strays with indeterminate (and unimaginable!) breeding, and they've been the most loyal and devoted dogs.

 

[palo1]

I never worry what other people think. Do you like your horse? If the answer is ‘yes’ you have the best horse in the world.

This, absolutely! We have flashy horses and 'ordinary' horses - each one of them is loved and valued for themselves. I could not put a piece of paper between them in terms of how highly we think of them for different reasons. I was told once that the 'trick' is to see what you have and tell anyone who asks, just what you value in the horse you have. That will be true and people will hear what you say above what may be fashionable. Everyone laughed at CJD for choosing a small chestnut pony after Valegro but Pumpkin (Gio) worked out ok!!

 

[Red-1]

I have had a few posh horses in my time, when I wanted to jump silly-big fences.

I then had a tough time with family illness, and felt less resilient in life generally and bought a little cob, had a fab time with him.

I now also have a new baby horse, a sort of ID cross, but not posh. He is perfect for me, right now. I don't suppose he will be doing international 3 day, but then, that is no longer on my radar either.

I am immensely proud of both of them. They are both mannerly, happy, good examples of what they are. I am proud of their care and training.

 

[Ratface]

Congratulations on Little Cob and new baby horse!
I've had all sorts of horses and ponies over the years. Almost all rescue ones.
The last three have been Arabians. I love their characters, looks and history.
I'm probably on my last owned horse, due to advanced age. My balance and "feel" still OK, agility to get on/off without assistance, necessary strength adequate. Horse and I know each other backwards and have a jolly time together, hacking and schooling. No more jumping. He's an ex Grade B showjumping star. Now has arthritis in his sacroiliac area. That was 20++ years ago, but not as far as he's concerned. He locks on, and that's it!
I adore him for his beauty, style, attitude and historic breeding.
If I'm still around when he goes, I'll probably see if I can share something I can potter about on. I love all horses and ponies: they've kept me sane and alive for 75+ years.

 

[canteron]

I have a little cob on a yard of huge showjumpers. I do have to remind myself occasionally that my horse is perfect for me and that I really don’t want 17hh of pure athletic ability.