How to decide what classes for your Cob

It's a tricky one to be honest. I would start out at local level and leave hairy and see how you do if I were you. Not all traditionals have masses of feather etc. see Chantilly Lace

http://www.monivea-stud.co.uk/

Scroll down until you find her, she qualifies for HOYs every year without vast amounts of feather. If you wash and backcomb it a bit it's surprising how much fuller it will look.

FWIW I would be giving hack classes a very wide berth if I were you :)
 
Agree with ester most suited to maxi cob classes hogged. And at local level a hogged maxi cobs can do well in working hunter and coloured classes.
 
minesadouble, my understanding sit that lacey is a native traditional though, so less feathering required (and she also has that pretty ponyish head thing going on ;) ).
 
:p

Didnt mean to start a war lol

No deffo not hack bless her

So decision is still maxi cob hogged or traditional with not alot of feather (although she is only coming 3 so there is chance for more feather to grow) she is just turned away at the minute being a baby

Such a hard decision coz once its off its off but then some look much better like that :confused:
 
In coloured terms, they do not have to have any M&M breeding to be a native type. There is loads of great information about the different types on CHAPS & BSPA websites.
 
Vanner said:
Of course she could be shown as a hack! The term "hack" is used for a horse that can give a comfortable ride all day! I have a friend who breeds "hacks", and believe me it is a very generic term ...
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Not for showing it isn't, a hack in showing terms is not just something that hacks, just as a hunter is not just something that hunts and a riding horse is not just a riding horse.
 
Wait! :p steady those clippers!

Why not have a look at what shows you would like to do? Take her too them, lets say plaited. Do the coloured class, working hunter and see if they have a cob class.

See what the judges say :) If you have to hog for the next one.. sorted! If she shouldnt have been hogged... you have a long wait for it to grow back :p If you were supposed to leave natural.. dont plait next time :)

I took a 14.3 medium built appaloosa to a local show, called the secretary a few days before and she advise me to do coloured and possibly hunter ( just for the experience).

The hunters judge told me he was lovely, but not the right class for him :p and he then went on to do really well in the coloured class :)

Its better to try out a couple of classes at a local show for some feedback before you go the whole hog - pardon the pun :p
 
after 45 years of having horses, all sorts and types, I am suddenly glad that I am primarily a happy hacker these days with the odd trip to a local show and enjoying our lessons with my instructor. I just enjoy my Vanner cob for what he is - my friend.

The arguements on here about hunter "types" and hack "types" makes me realise that when I finished showing at county standard I made the right decision. Too much daftness about horses having to slot into a type.
 
She is predominantley a family horse we didnt go gor a heavier cob as husband hunts and wanted something that is of for me for schooling etc happy hacker for the kids and can hunt for him

Just wanted to do some local shows with her too,

Didnt want to be in the wrong class at shows as people can be so bitchy on telling you your horse isnt sutiable for the class or isnt this type etc :mad:
 
as I said previously, but was very soon shouted down, you must try all unsundry with your horse. Take the knocks and learn from them. Try a coloured class, try a working hunter class, try whatever takes your fancy! At 3 years old, whatever you do will be experience for your horse and a learning curve for you. It is all about having fun, don't get too bogged down in types and what you should do for this or that, she just needs to learn that shows are fun and not something to be scared about, and you and your family need to enjoy her. She looks like a lovely sort that will excel in whatever you decide.

I have dressage lessons on my Vanner with perhaps a crack at a dressage class in the summer ... a traditional, heavily feathered cob up against the "bay mare brigade" - it's laughable, but do I care? I care not a jot!!!

Have fun and enjoy whatever you do!
 
:o

I have time yet as she is still being a baby not even been lunged or anything just lead and fed and turned out haha

Plenty of time for her to be a horse

(and time to decide wether or not to be a scissor happy mammy or not haha)

:D
 
Springy said:
:o

I have time yet as she is still being a baby not even been lunged or anything just lead and fed and turned out haha

Plenty of time for her to be a horse

(and time to decide wether or not to be a scissor happy mammy or not haha)

:D
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LOL!! Scissor happy mammy!! love it!!!!

Personally, I love them to have mane. However, be thankful she isn't a true traditional. It takes me hours to get my Vanners mane and tail brushed, washed, sorted etc as it is so thick and long! and in this sodding weather it goes like dreadlocks!!! Rastafarian Vanner!!!!
 
From my 2008 copy of BSPA Judges compendium......

VANNERS and draughts..
This cluster of types is very popular and includes many of the draught and driving animals.As with cob types and driving cobs the VANNER frequently displays the conformation of its draught origins. With cow hocks/upright shoulder or dishing not being uncommon. Judges are not as harsh on this as they would be in other types.

All VANNERS should however be capable of displaying a very active and sharp trot but in ridden classes may not always be able to extend or gallop as is expected of a riding cob or hunter.

A VANNER is frequently described as a 'typical tradesman's horses of pre-motor days of indiscriminate breeding, it is usually a hardy short legged type (including light draught types). Many however do exceed 16hh 'Cob type'. VANNERS may be shown as either 'Traditional' (hairy) or hogged with pulled tail and trimmed legs (Show Cob turnout).

VANNERS now have their own ridden and in hand classes and are part of the National Cold Blood Championship. With interest in British Coldbloods, many VANNER, Cobs and other Coldbloods are now of verified breeding and multi generation pedigrees.

When shown as 'Traditional' they are invariably a great eyecatcher with mane, tail and feather flowing dramatically. Not all Traditionals however are VANNERS.


So, looks like you can choose whether you want her hairy and shown as a 'Traditional Vanner' or hogged and trimmed as a show cob if she is substantial enough to be a good one, she is not however, looking at her pictures, a hunter. I would suggest that as she is young yet I would leave her unclipped for a season, show her as a Traditional Vanner and see how she develops, her hairyness may not be complete for some time yet and her shape will obviously change with ridden work, be a shame to clip it all off to find she is not a show cob type and then you have to wait too long to grow it all back. As a judge there is nothing worse than trying to judge something that's trying to be something it simply is not!
 
I don't think she particularly fits into any one type, hence the conflicts of opinions on here! :p

I would take her in in-hand horse, youngstock, coloured classes, handy pony (great life experience for a family horse) and once she is established under saddle some tack & turnout, equitation and riding club horse.
 
Woah..... Another vanner!!! Please don't confuse us!

Let's get this right.. You have a baby, unbroken, coloured maxi cob.

At local level you could do the following classes:
Young stock,
Coloured,
Cob,

IN HAND AT THE MOMENT.

Get her out leave her au natrel and get opinions from the judges you meet.

She is certainly not a hack. Max height of a cob is 155cm (15.1) but at local level they don't split the heights. I should think in time she would probably be best clipped out but for the moment I shouldn't worry.

In time she could do cob and coloured ridden and working cob classes. At local level she may be slotted into working hunter but only because they don't have a cob class but you may be marked down by some judges.

Main thing is enjoy her.

PS: although my user name is vanner my boy is a traditional through and through!
 
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This is the boy before her

he was easy to say what he was lol

paddy_zps77bbf399.jpg
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:D
 
I think it will be dwarfed in maxi classes unless she shoots up dramatically. Fine for local cob and coloured classes, but I would have reservations about anything beyond that.
 
I saw this thread and thought yayy I will read and see what Freddie could show as! He is 15.2 withers at the moment and 16hh on his arse, he is short backed and very poncy when excited, but like a quiet donkey the rest of the time, i am now utterly confused!!

ps hes 2.5 yrs old!

IMG01047-20121218-1513.jpg

Freddiesfirstbathandfieldplay079.jpg


Sorry to steal your thread, but I might help clarify lol
 
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