I'm new, can you help?

debsey1

debsey1

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Hello everyone on here,

Wondered if you can help? I'm looking to loan/purchase my first horse, if I don't do it now I never will (I'm 48yrs). I've rode on and off for last few years although I would call myself a novice rider and I am looking to get myself a horse in early spring whether it be on loan or to buy.

Thing is, what? I love cobs purely as they are so comfy to ride, quite hardy, don't need fussing over as much as TB and most don't need shoes, plus I love the look of a hairy cob!

Do you think this is the right choice for my first horse?

Thank you all in advance
 
Hi and welcome.
I think it depends on the individual horse, really. I've known saintly cobs (one was a total saint at 3 1/2 years old, unbelievable) but also some really rude ones that would walk all over anyone they could, tbh.
You need to find someone local to you, ideally a good instructor, who is willing to go with you to try out horses, and be honest about how you will suit.
Good luck finding a super horse.
 
I am not sure you can make the assumption that most cobs don't need shoes. Whether your horse will need shoes - or not, will depend on what you want to do with him. If you are only going to ride around a field, or school, pretty much all of them will do without shoes. If you have to do a fair amount of road work, you will find that most of them need shoes. Whatever way you go, they all need attention from a farrier on a regular basis.
 
I was similar to you last year and bought a cob thinkng hed be an ideal first horse - he hasnt been!
Its been a year of sweat , tantrums and tears - and thats just me!!!!

I still have an excellent instructor who comes weekly and has helped me enormously, not just with riding but with groundwork, manners, general care - plus im on awonderful busy yard with lots of knowledgeable helpful people.

My instructor said many people buy cobs as first horses thinking they are easy first horses -
as mine wasnt - they can be stubborn, downright rude and very intelligent - they can sniff a novice or hint of fear a mile off and, being very clever, do use this to their own advantage!!!!
 
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Hi Bigred,

I'm not assuming that most cobs don't need shoes, I was told that most cobs have hooves of steel and can cope with any riding surface, suffice to say, that there are some that will require shoes if they've always had them, you have to excuse my ignorance thats why I have joined this site for good advice and opinions. I am erring towards a cob because of all of the above its nice to know what others think?

Thanks
 
Temprement is everything so I would not rule out any horse because of its breed. But a good cob is worth its weight in gold and is certainly an easy breed to keep. I wouldn't rule out a veteran either and there are other chunky breeds to look at. I am a recent Highland pony convert and a well bed one is a joy.
 
Thanks for that 'Narkymare',

What sor of problems did you encounter? I know they can be stubborn and you have to show who's boss the livery I'll be using is BSH approved with instructor, so hopefully help will be at hand! I am so excited at the prospect of finally owning my first horse after years of thinking its not possible
 
I would say that the right cob would be a perfect choice - however there are some cobs that can be stubborn, pig headed and downright difficult, they can also be strong.
My only advice would be to take someone experienced when you view and go for temperament, as they can be perfect easy horses when you get the right one (I worked in a riding school and all the novice rides tended to be coloured cobs!)
As for working without shoes, I work my native without them and to be honest the more work on the roads that I do the better her feet get, so I wouldn't let workload put you off remaining shoeless if the horse is accustomed gradually it should be fine as long as it is comfy to start with.
~Good luck with your search!
 
Ah that sounds excellent - i honestly couldnt have got through it with out my instructor!
I had lots of problems with basic bad manners - barging, no respect fo rme or my space, barging other liveries when they went to turn theit horses in and out (all now solved thank god!
Basically he didnt trust or respect me - he was a safe hack but a nightmare with me, napping, spooking - again now sorted but it took a lot of work, effort and tbh guts from me!
For a year i have lived and breathed him - i read so much horsey stuff i give myself headaches - i have literally read, watched and asked all i could for a year.
Lol im making it all sound very negative - it hasnt been - our first succesful hack out, when i felt he really was begining to trust me - magical

Now, when he stands back when i ask, never barges - priceless.

I absolutley adore him and we have grown together - another problem, he was only 7 when i bought him - very young.

Good luck! xxx
 
Well done you for thinking of getting your first horse at 48!! I bought the one I've got now when I was 47 - and thought I was daft!, but I have had horses before and had a break between horses.

I'd say that you need to be guided very much by your instructor as he/she will know just what sort of horse will suit you. Cobs can be chilled and laid back BUT can be blimmin awkward when it suits 'em and they're heavy great lumps to be pushed around by - soooo, you need to be assertive from the very beginning with them, starting on the ground. They need to be respectful of your space and learn to pick up feet etc., and move around the stable when you're grooming, then you can progress on from there into ridden work, but IME its important with a cob not to let them get the upper hand for one minute.

Personally I'd keep an open mind; you might for instance find that one of the larger Native pony's might suit you? Such as a Highland, Dales/Fell or New Forest. I'd avoid Welsh D's as they can be far too sharp for a first horse IME.

I've got a Traddie Cob, and he's mega easy to ride and to do; and could live out 24/7 if needed, so I'd suggest that as a good choice (but then I am biased! - sorry he's not for sale even though I know he'd suit you down to the ground).

Just a suggestion, but if you could have a horse on loan for a bit to see how horse ownership suits you, that would be a good introduction to it all.

Good luck! and happy hunting! Go for it.
 
How exciting! A new horse. From personal experience you need to go and sit on anything and everything and don't disguard it until you have done so. I was positive that I wanted a chestnut thb, however ended up with a bay belgaim warmblood! Love him to pieces.
You will know the right horse when you sit on it! Just take someone with you who will be honest and isn't afraid of riding the horse with loose reins, flapping their arms about. Who cares what the seller thinks, cause at the end of the day you want a horse that is going to be as safe as houses.
Happy hunting!
 
Thanks for your post 'MijodsR2blinkintite' (that made me laugh). I am seriously considering a cob on loan prefably something 15hh ish, but there seem to be nothing around at the moment especially where I live in North Devon suprisingly. I thought there would be as its winter and because of the economic climate. As I said earlier, I have the livery sorted, so I'll bide my time and wait for the right horse to turn up.
 
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