Help Me decide! Do I want a Cob or a Native

[pansymouse]

Native without a doubt. I really don't like cobs as riding horses; they are pulling horses and much better suited to the job they were designed for.

 

[DizzyDoughnut]

Exmoors are great, I learnt to ride on an Exmoor and he was great fun, I have fond memories of slowly sliding down his neck as he showed me many times my seat wasn't good enough bareback ?? I'd love an Exmoor too, maybe when my borrowed cob has to go back? How small would I have to be not to be out of place riding one?

Personally, I think I would go for a registered native. It supports the breed, and, depending on what you do, it can promote the breed, and you have the option of showing if you want. I love playing "spot the native" when on an EGB ride; they can be so distinctive! And it absolutely makes my day if someone stops and asks me "Is that an Exmoor?" or says "I love to see an Exmoor!"

 

[Surbie]

Gently pushes Highlands to the bottom of the wish list ?

I guess it depends what you come across. My friend's Highland was ace, super friendly and inquisitive and very brave, but very sadly had stifle problems and a degenerative spinal condition so left the world early. We have 3 at the RDA. All very opinionated. One bites, one both bites and cow-kicks and the third I am totally in love with despite threats to bite and kick. She's a 13.2hh ball (of fun, opinions and also quite literally a ball) and she has made me a fan, whereas the other 2 would have me running a mile.

 

[MollyFell]

Native without a doubt. You can’t beat a Fell and my Highland was a total dream too, not push button and you had to be firm with manners but the kindest and most genuine pony.

How could you turn down an elegant beast such as this -

 

[TheHairyOne]

My sister and I have 2 proper cobs and one who is half a one.

Super colour cob (now mostly white) is a wonderful horse who can do plenfy enough for us and go anywhere with anyoneand is so comfortable to ride.

Little Cob is my sisters childs pony, but is chunky enough for small adults to have a blast with too. Cheeky with the adults, super star with the child!

Half Cob is naughty! In a super fun way. Has so much character.

They all live on fresh air and weight is fhe big issue not hair! They look a mess with their feathers living out 24/7 in winter, but none have mites and easy enough to scrub up come spring.

My (slightly biased) vote, get a nice cob!

Dressage Cobs:

Jumping Cobs!

 

[Tarragon]

Exmoors are great, I learnt to ride on an Exmoor and he was great fun, I have fond memories of slowly sliding down his neck as he showed me many times my seat wasn't good enough bareback ?? I'd love an Exmoor too, maybe when my borrowed cob has to go back? How small would I have to be not to be out of place riding one?

Always a tricky question that one! It depends upon the pony, because some can be quite small, but there are still a lot that are 13hh stocky types, built like a horse on short legs!
The Vet school in Edinburgh have an Exmoor Pony Trekking centre who take adults. Have a look at their website! There are a lot of vets who end up owning an Exmoor pony because of this.
Edinburgh University Exmoor Pony Trekking Centre

 

[windand rain]

Highlands are the best they are versatile, forward thinking, trainable and fill any role you want from pony rides to eventing
jumping

teaching a small child to canter

hacking out
View attachment brox.JPG
long distance
pony rides child is just 2

and just simply beautiful
She has very little feather, never had a problem with bugs, never sick or sorry, never bargy and doesn't snatch at grass She truly is the almost perfect pony. Main fault is she can jump a 6ft fence if she feels the need

 

[DizzyDoughnut]

She is gorgeous! I love the pony rides photo. This is what I've mainly heard of highlands before, everyone I've met in person has been great, I'm quite surprised at the grumpy bitey ones mentioned here. My welsh can also jump far too well for his own good, and scales stone walls like he's a mountain goat. How he's never managed to hurt himself is a mystery! I've had to many phone calls to come and retrieve him from wherever he's decided to go adventuring, oddly he never manages to jump back in, like it just doesn't seem to occur to him as a possibility even when he obviously regrets his decision and wants back in.

 

[southerncomfort]

Fells are great, however mine is a trouble maker. But she is so placid, just super clever and mischievous.

I find as long as I keep her brain busy she is happy, winter was a challenge as she prefers to live out but my livery doesn’t allow that in winter so she did become a handful. However, she is young too so that doesn’t help!

She’s opinionated and sooooo stubborn but she is a little love, apart from when she’s breaking rugs. She’s cheap and easy to keep, I bought her to show but I’ll be having her as a hacking pony now. She loves exploring in hand, loves to learn and has a fabulous little character. I can’t wait to ride her, though it probably won’t be this year - these breeds take time to mature physically as well as mentally and she is only 3.
View attachment 73792View attachment 73793View attachment 73794

Looks like butter wouldn't melt! ?

Mine likes to destroy buckets. Any bucket of water will be lifted up, emptied and stomped on. Then he'll look at me as if to say 'where's my water gone?'.

 

[PSD]

Looks like butter wouldn't melt! ?

Mine likes to destroy buckets. Any bucket of water will be lifted up, emptied and stomped on. Then he'll look at me as if to say 'where's my water gone?'.

They certainly are characters aren’t they ?

 

[marmalade76]

I currently have a cob on loan (10 months now) and whilst he's an absolute pleasure to handle - manners to burn, easy to do in all ways, lunges & loose schools beautifully, friendly, cuddly.. sadly, he's not the same paragon of virtue under saddle - he's very clever & a bit sly.

The feather is high maintenance and is better kept clipped for health reasons.

Personally, I'd choose a native over a cob.

 

[lilly1]

There are some fantastic cob's about, natives too. Pick the individual horse not the breed.
I've recently become the owner of a lovely highland youngster and at the moment he is sharper than my welsh was at the age ?.