Irish cob or Fjord - youngsters

R

rafty

Well-Known Member
Joined
15 March 2012
Messages
152
Visit site
Cannot decide between the two. In my search for a poney, which is proving very difficult, have come across two adverts. One for a Fjord 5 years old and one for an Irish cob again 5 years old. I have had a youngster before, and he did turn out to be a very good horse. Although I am ideally looking for something I can leadrein my kids on as well as have some fun myself.

What are your views on these? What do they tend to be like once they hit 6 and 7 as that is my main concern. I have looked up as much as possible and they seem to say they are good family ponies, but as I have no experience with either breed would love some views from people who have them.

Thanks
 
Cob, all the way :) I never notice a difference in them to be honest. Once backed and ridden and 'quiet', they're just made I've always found. 6 months after Cas was backed and ridden the other year, you'd have thought he was a schooled up 8 year old, not a 4 year old stud just backed. He never changed after then either. He was 'quiet' before we even sat on him.


Occasionally like any breed, we'll have one sharper than the rest which doesn't follow the pattern....but generally on the whole, they're easy [personal findings anyway].

[But that said, I'm on about gypsy cobs, not Irish cobs, if you want to split hairs over it]


I've always found Fjords just a bit too headstrong personally. Plus, you have so many different shapes sizes and colours with a cob! :D
 
Last edited:
I have cobs, I love cobs, if I was a horse, I would be a cob :) My veteran cob kept going to comps etc till well into his twenties, did everything I ever asked of him be is sj,xc, dressage etc, loved a good gallop but looked after my kids like a dream when they were little.

Saying that, I once had a ride on a fjord pony and he felt sturdy and spritely but very safe, and I imagine he would have turned a hoof to anything. Every horse is different though obviously.

I'd also say if you're keen, go have a look at them both. Whilst internet and people can give you very good advice, sometimes your heart needs to lend a hand too.

Best of luck with it all.
 
I have a 3 year old coblet, irish x welsh x appaloosa, who after one week from breaking in, is acting like an 8 yr old! He's been so easy, on only his 4th ever sit on he did his first canter!! (not necessarily planned, but he dropped into it, so let him play it out, which he did as if he'd done it all his and his former life!!) He is absolutely amazing! So if others are anything like this then I'd say cob all the way!!
 
I have a fjord, and much as he is perfect for me he would not be good for children. He is like a tank, and once he decides he's going somewhere he's off! I would not have any other breed of horse though, I'm hooked! If you get a quiet one you'll be fine, but they CONSTANTLY test boundaries and patience :D
 
We've had both and they both made good allrounders. The Fjord was used as a plod pony for my mum who had dementia and was sold on to a lady to enjoy with her daughter (we bought him at 5 and sold at 8 years and he didn't really change). He has sparked up a lot with her but she has him on a busy yard and he is much fitter and getting lots of new experiences.

The cob's we've had have just made good allrounders. We sold a young ish one to a family who all wanted to ride and were relative novices but had good support from their yard owner. Mum, dad and daughter all rode him. He was a bit of a plod though.

Both breeds had their odd headstrong moments!
 
I have had my little Irish cob mare for 6.5 years and she is as close to perfect as you can get. She was almost fresh off the boat when I got her, aged 5, very green but the best temperament I've ever known in a horse. She has never put back an ear, raised a leg or wrinkled a nostril. She can be handled and ridden by little kids, total novices or nervous wrecks and will plod like a donkey, but is a fun, forward ride and jumps anything put in front of her, if you are confident and capable.
I could sing her praises all day! Best horse I've EVER had :)
 
Cob all the way after dealing with a fjordin the past i found them opinionated and strong and wasnt ideal for all the family.Most cobbies owned by a few friends ive found genuine and a good all round family member my 4 year son goes plodding up the off road track with me leading mine and doesnt put a foot wrong,hes a saint for me to ride we either plod round the roads or if were haveing a busy day i call it can certainly hot up for me,so yep me and my cobbie say cob all the way. :)
 
One of our liveries has the most amazing fjord! Bought him a few years ago as a confidence giver for her after a bolting accident, he looked after her very well, he's safe but also very althletic, working at medium dressage, happily jumps courses of 1m. Then her very novice mum can hop on and amble him around the park. He's a saint to handle, and do everything with!
 
I would choose the Fjord, I have a Fjord mare who is now 11 bought at 7.
She is currently on loan to riding school and is a total star will all ages of children. I have used her for lead rain, novice children can hack her out. I have had a go at hunter trials, done riding club with her and lots of 10 mile pleasure rides. My confidence was a rock bottom when I bought her result of 3 years with a 16.2 ID cross. The breed is loving and will have a go at anything I would have a field full of them!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top