is a cob a good choice for novice adult?

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EJ87

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Iv been riding in a riding school for 2 yeats then i bought my mare have had her for a year and a half and after many lessons two instructors and 3 batches of trainers iv decided to sell her basically becauses shes too much horse for rider. iv been told that a cob would suit me as there safe and reliable. so just wanted ppls opinion who maybe have cobs on there riding style and ability. i want something that dosnt need ridden every day and i can take a hack after a week of nit being ridden. jump a course of 60s canter across the field at same speed in arena and not bolt off buck or rear! something i can take hunting when my confidence returned and isnt strong or excitable. does this exist in a cob or is it a rocking horse im after?
 
It does exist in a cob but won't be every cob. It will also exist in lots of other types of horses.

I had similar type experience to you when I got my cob. He was not an easy ride but now, after 3 years of 2 lessons a week, is a fantastic ride. But he will buck when excited and can be naughty. He is not a plod and has to be worked pretty much every day. He is loads better but would totally take advantage of a nervous rider.

So it isn't the breed/type of horse that makes it suitable for a novice - it is the nature of the horse.

Can you take your instructor with you to check out new horses?
 
Im a novice rider and i would want all those things in a horse .... I wouldnt go for a cob though as im just not a fan of them. I like lighter boned horses so to be honest you need to find the right horse rather than a type!

Im sure plenty of people have cobs on here who are as frustrating as your horse is now and im sure there are plenty of TB/ WB etc owners whose horses are complete plod alongs which you want :)
 
Shes a 15hh irish sports horse bay mare that is extreamly mardy and has a never ending supply of engine. jumped a course of 1.10 yesterday with experienced rider and didnt even break a sweat!
 
Sometimes and sometimes not.

You need to be looking for something with a superb temprement rather than a particular breed.

Probably be shot down in flames for this but I've never met a cob who didn't know its own strength on the ground and then use it. My cob would hack down the M4 for a novice without batting an eye but I can't send him to RDA or Horseback for this reason. If you are confident on the ground then this isn't an issue but something to bear in mind.
 
Mmm, don't make the mistake of thinking that a cob will be a plod and thus suitable for a novice. Some are, but IF you've got a cob then its a fair bet that they'll be quite weighty, and IF they decide to use their strength against a rider, especially a novice, then that can be quite scarey. Some cobs buck like stink, others pull like a train; some (like mine) can be deceptive in that he will look like a plod but actually be quite a challenging ride when he feels like it.

My old boy was 3-quarter TB and a lovely, sweet, amiable boy; totally bombproof. So it depends on the temperament of the horse rather than (necessarily) the breeding IME.

Having said that, I'd hesitate to put a novice on a TB or Arab!! Also would tend to avoid ponies as they can be the very devil..........

Personally think your instructor is the best person to guide you and go to look at horses with you.
 
scarymare said:
Probably be shot down in flames for this but I've never met a cob who didn't know its own strength on the ground and then use it. My cob would hack down the M4 for a novice without batting an eye but I can't send him to RDA or Horseback for this reason. If you are confident on the ground then this isn't an issue but something to bear in mind.
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Agree. Mine is a saint most of the time like yours, bombproof as they come and well mannered to ride. However on the ground it is a different matter. He was actually sent to the RDA by his last owners, but the RDA sent him back home. Something along the lines of opening the stable door and barging out and being bolshy when led - not good when you have a handicapped or disabled child or adult around. Before I get shot down in flames, when I bought him he was 11 and definitely knew his strength. He is much better now, but still tries it on, and I still need to keep 'the naughty stick' outside my stable door to wave at him as he tries to barge out and past me.
 
No, and particularly not a young cob. Can you deal with it on the ground when it decides to test out its strength? Can you hold it once it realises what hunting's all about? Your perfect horse doesn't have a breed, it's a type, you may find it in a tb, a new forest, a warmblood, a welsh. You may find it in a cob but as others have said not every cob, and don't overlook something else based on it's breed. Take an experienced friend with you when looking. And don't expect perfection. A horse is an animal with it's own mind, you'll have good days and bad days.
 
I wouldn't set out only looking for a cob. Temperament is the key rather than breed. My girl is cob x WB, only 15.2 but built like the proverbial outhouse. She is the sharpest horse I have had and up to now I have tended to have TB's and ISH.
 
Just because a horse is a particular breed it doesn't make it have a particular tempremant. My horse is a TB and would suit you down to the ground! Go for tempremant rather than type, that way you won't accidently pass up what could be your dream horse :)
 
Cobs can be very strong, and many are pretty cheeky and known to use their strength to their advantage. So dont expect all cobs to be plods!

I doubt you will find many horses, if any, that will be great out hacking if they have not been ridden for a week. All horses, regardless of breed, need regular work if you want them to be calm and enjoyable to ride. Picking them up once in a blue moon and dropping them again isnt the way to achieve a well mannered easy to ride horse. Most horses would be at least a bit excited if they got out on a hack after a week of nothing!

It sounds like your mare isnt suited to you, so perhaps selling is the right answer. On a personal preference note, I have always found mares to be much more difficult (even cob mares!) and I tend to stick with geldings as they have a much better, more stable temperament and they are less inclined to have mood swings. But I'm sure there are mares out there who are lovely, this is just personal preference speaking here!

When you look for your next horse, try and keep an open mind and look at any horse within your budget that you like the sound of, regardless of breed. List the criteria you are looking for and make sure you stick to it, and perhaps it would be wise to go for a horse who is at least 8 years old or more, as maturity tends to help!
 
kc100 said:
When you look for your next horse, try and keep an open mind and look at any horse within your budget that you like the sound of, regardless of breed. List the criteria you are looking for and make sure you stick to it, and perhaps it would be wise to go for a horse who is at least 8 years old or more, as maturity tends to help!
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This ^^ with all breeds there's good and bad. Good luck, hope you find your ideal horse.
 
I'd go for the horse not the breed.
Some cobs I know are the strongest, most bullish sods with no brakes and a stubborn streak a mile wide.
People do have a general misconception that the bigger the horse the more of a plod they are. All I'd say to that is come and ride Hovis when he's trying it on!
By contrast I know several TBs who are so laid back they are horizontal, wouldn't know how to be fizzy if their life depended on it and are everything you describe. Don't be too closed in your thoughts and you'll find the right one.
Good luck xx
 
Certainly agree with the posters who have said that cobs who appear bombproof to ride can 'express' themselves on the ground - can be opinionated, bolshy, disrespectful and very canny about who to do this to!!
OP - maybe you need to think about sharing? Just that you are looking for something which may, as you say, only be ridden once a week ,yet comes out doing all those things you want to enjoy without any problems ....would this once a week be the schooling/practice session, or the hack, or the show?? Sharing would enable you to have your weekly ride on a horse that was getting exercise/schooling for these pursuits elsewhere perhaps.
 
About two years ago I was in the same position as you, OP, with a very lovely but totally unsuitable horse for my experience. My RI instructor persuaded me to sell him before I got seriously hurt and told me me to go try some cobs. I tried three (who were nice but not right for me) before I bought my current cob, who is everything you described. Well mannered on the ground, super safe out hacking even after several days off, but will also do a good dressage test and loves cross country. They are not easy to find though, as like most people with one of these cobs, I will never sell him. I think you just have to go and try lots of horses until you find one you feel safe on. Take a list of all the things you must have (my list was two A4 sides and Merlin ticked every box) and stick to it. If you find one you like ask for a trial period, to check all you have been told is true.
 
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I think you need a generally older horse... But even they can be a nightmare so its all about the individual. I know plenty of horses over 12 who could be left for a week and hack out just fine. Cobs are sometimes laid back in temperament, but not always, and not all TBs etc are mentalists... Although some definitely are especially if underworked and overfed! I have a haflinger and although she is quite docile she does need boundaries to be maintained as she is a tank so I would be worried she would eventually squash or intimidate someone who is less confident around her and allows her to get away with it!

Bombproof cobs are a lot of money too, a bombproof TB could be just as good!
 
Potentially, yes, if it's the right cob - not young, well schooled, well mannered, and you have a good back up (livery yard / instructors) - but if it's the wrong cob, it's out of the frying pan and into the proverbial fire. Pick your next horse by temperament rather than breed and you'll have a better chance of success.
 
Like others have said it's the horse not the breed.

Earlier in the year I was looking for a horse of your description, and ended up with an Andalusian, who is perfect in every way, it's just a case of looking at all breeds and finding the right horse for you.

Good luck in finding one, your horse is out there somewhere :)
 
A cob is just a 'type' and does not guarantee temperament and suitability, as others have said, many cobs are bolshy and strong and indeed very forward going and hot headed, just in the same way that you will find some warmbloods and thoroughbreds that are total plods and bombproof! Go for the 'type' of horse you like then find one with the temperament to suit your ability :)
 
scarymare said:
Sometimes and sometimes not.

You need to be looking for something with a superb temprement rather than a particular breed.

Probably be shot down in flames for this but I've never met a cob who didn't know its own strength on the ground and then use it. My cob would hack down the M4 for a novice without batting an eye but I can't send him to RDA or Horseback for this reason. If you are confident on the ground then this isn't an issue but something to bear in mind.
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I've had many issues with my cob who I have had for 18months, he is a like a 'jekyll & Hyde'. He was bolshy, bargy, loads of attitude, would tank off with me, strong and generally a hooligan. After loads of ground work he is not too bad now but work is still in progress. I took him hunting which he loves but is so so strong but on the other hand, out on a hack he will pass anything from lorries, tractors to a flapping paper bag in a hedge. In the school, he is a nightmare, so sluggish and it's so hard work to the point where I feel like giving up to him, the school is work and he hates it.

He is my first horse and while he is quiet on a hack everything else is hard work even his weight management and all that hair!

With the benefit of hindight, I think I would have chosen something other than a cob. But alas, he is here to stay as I don't give up..... for now anyway ;)
 
Perhaps try something older, as apposed to looking for a specific breed look for a specific temperament as many have said.

I have known bolshy speedy sharp cobs and chilled beyond belief warm bloods...

You woud be better with something older, having been there done that. Not all older horses are plods' but generally will be able to teach you more than you have taught them.

For my first horse I have a dressage schoolmaster on loan. He is a saint to ride, I have had him In open fields with my friends conemarra spooking and galloping in circles, her Id x tb doing an impressive half pass (he was blowing his mind trying to gallop into the distance but failing) and mine, Was a saint, although he was tempted to disappear into the distance, he didn't take too much holding back, and stood still until the others calmed down. He can be a bit bolshy on the ground, if he wants to drag me to eat that blade of grass then he will drag me there, and at 17hh good luck to me stopping him... However he is starting to lean who's boss :rolleyes:

Anyway as I was saying not all cobs will be plods, and they have a hell of a lot of strength behind them so if you get one who likes to gallop into the distance on a hunt, then you would be lucky to be able to hold them back! But definately go for temperament when you get your new best friend. Take your instructor or some other knowledgeable friend with you, and I'd say get something that doesn't need too much teaching but will be able to teach you instead! Good luck!
 
scarymare said:
Sometimes and sometimes not.

You need to be looking for something with a superb temprement rather than a particular breed.

Probably be shot down in flames for this but I've never met a cob who didn't know its own strength on the ground and then use it. My cob would hack down the M4 for a novice without batting an eye but I can't send him to RDA or Horseback for this reason. If you are confident on the ground then this isn't an issue but something to bear in mind.
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I agree with the strength thing, mine is mostly like eeyore but if he puts his mind to something like not going through a puddle, he just won't do it and he isn't scared of the whip, in fact he looks at you as if you have gone mad!!

My cob is a dope on a rope and at 6 years old the only boundary pushing is not wanting to be caught from the field so I walk away at which point he stops so I can get him ...why we need this silly ritual i don't know?!lol I can leave him a month without being ridden and he is fine, not silly or fresh but I cannot lunge him, no matter what I do, he will pull and hard. I have tried long reining and it is slightly more successful but once he is bored, that's it. You can wallop him til the cows come home, he does not budge. When riding however, he is fine so I guess he doesn't like schooling bur that's ok, in would rather be riding too! I freely admit I am not a brilliant rider, I don't have aspirations to make the Olympics or grassroots or dressage, i like to hack and that is all he is for when I am about, hubby might hunt him if we can get him into canter but he throws a cheeky buck at the mo.

I broke my back and still have physio every couple of weeks so I have to be careful, for me cob by is ideal but I guess we got lucky, he was the first horse we saw and I fell in love :)
 
My cob is a young boy but bad on the ground. lovely to ride but a unpredicatble barge on the ground.
I was really glad to read the post aboput bargy cobs as I thought it was something I was doing.
 
Can I just say - do NOT buy a welsh cob unless you know it very well already. People often buy welsh cobs thinking they will be like normal cobs (or at least, like the reputation normal cobs have), but actually welsh cobs are complete neurotic nutcases - you will find many threads relating to this if you search. Of course there ARE quiet ones so if you know it well already, great, but steer clear if not :-)

Good luck! Agree wiht the others - in general you're probably more likely to find a quiet cob than a quiet TB, but that doesn't mean you defnitely need a cob! Because some of them are stubborn and bolshy and difficult - just like any breed. Take your instructor and keep having lessons on lots of different horses in the meanwhile.
 
I agree with the rest that it's temperament that is more important rather than breed! My horse is all those things you are after and he's an athletic 5 year old ISH! I've ridden some horrible cobs, and some lovely ones, just like lots of other breeds! At a yard I used to ride at before there were all manner of horses and the safest by far was a 16.3 Dutch Warmblood after I got bucked off the "safe" highland plod!
 
Agree with others it's the individual horse to suit you and you can't choose by breed etc. Me and my daughter (12yrs) have 2 lovely mares. My daughter's is a coloured 15.2hh cob who is forward going, soft mouth, has brakes, sensible to ride and is a pleasure to handle. My mare is TB x Shire is forward going with brakes, bombproof on the roads and is very polite to handle. It's taken me a while to find such lovely horses but I never had a particular breed in mind just knew what attributes I needed in a horse.
Good luck with your search.
 
Hmm, All horses are different, even within a type! I thought 'Oh Ill get a a cob as he seems sturdy and I havent really ridden in 4 years so can plob about", So I bought a rolley polley cob who was an angel.............

He was an angel as he was 300kg over weight....he lost that weight, broke my ankle and my spirit.

BUT

All he needed was schooling that I didnt have the confidence to do. 8 months on loan with someone with balls of steel and no sense of danger and he was a differernt horse. Not a plod but he listened and he turned into a wee start who took me from crying at cantering to clearing 4ft jumps in less than 4 months.

I bought him because he felt right...........he wasnt instantly but he was eventually. But I was stubborn and even if I was told no would have bought him.

So dont restrict yourself to a certain type. Maybe look more at Age, and what its already done - my cob didnt have his brain properly wired til he was about 9-10. My friend also has a cob type who was late to mature. It also depends on you - are you a softy or will you stand your ground?
 
The worst horse I've ever owned was a cob. The best horse I've ever owned is a cob. Go for the temperament, look for something a bit older and experienced with novice riders (in a good way! Some horses have learned to be horrible to beginners).
 
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