is a cob a good choice for novice adult?

I've had two cobs and have found them both to be opinionated so I wouldn't recommend them if you are looking for a laid back type.

The first cob was a skewbald gypsy cob type gelding. 2000% bombproof, wasn't scared of anything, I was totally confident hacking him anywhere. But he would often decide part way through a hack that he had had enough and bomb homewards with me! I also remember him legging it back to his field with the farrier dangling from his headcollar once, and he would often refuse to be caught and led out, especially if a mare was in season.

And now, I have just bought a ten year old Welsh Section D! She is great in traffic, experienced, not quite bombproof but sensible. However, I have to be very assertive with her, particularly on the ground, as she is very opinionated about what she wants to do and doesn't want to do.

So no, I'm afraid I wouldn't recommend a cob particularly, if you are looking for a type that is easy to do. At least they keep condition easily tho I suppose! :D
 
My first horse was a 4 year old Arab. I got him when I was 14 (and he's still with me ;)).

I've spent a lifetime sitting fly bucks and bucks and general high spirits - but I know that Arab will ALWAYS look after me and get me home safe.

Then I got the draft x :o.

Slower, heavier...more 'ploddy'.

And MUCH MUCH more powerful :eek:

I smacked him with a whip once (instructor said, "Tap him up.") and I was launched across the school and ended up hanging upside down by my stirrup :D.

And that was just a mild buck but HOLY MOLY - THE POWER :eek:.

Get an Arab - much safer :D

In all seriousness - you want a schoolmaster. It doesn't matter so much what package it comes in.
 
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kc100 said:
Cobs can be very strong, and many are pretty cheeky and known to use their strength to their advantage. So don't expect all cobs to be plods!

^^^^^^^
This my boy is def not for a novice! he is all above, people's opinions are right go for temperament rather than type x
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Mr cob is as you have guessed it a cob! He's 21 fit as a fiddle, before I started with him I'd ridden for 10 years at RS and schooled for a few liveries and had a dabble in SJ. I had an accident and was out the saddle for well over a year (possibly 2), I then started sharing cob.

In that time he's tanked off, taken the complete pee, dumped me on the floor, destroyed a stable door and has had fun barging me out of the way and dragging me to fields. He s completely bombproof, but very strong and intelligent. I wouldn't have him any other way! In the last few years he has taught me everything and has made me a much better rider, he's also given me the confidence to start jumping again. But yes he hasn't been easy.
 
Oberon said:
IGet an Arab - much safer :D

In all seriousness - you want a schoolmaster. It doesn't matter so much what package it comes in.
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In truth....I feel much safer on my 15hh arab than my 13.3 Highland. No kidding.:D I have brakes and steering on the arab, occasionally neither with the highland.....:cool:

Oh's mare is an irish cob....she's done team chasing in her time, pulls like a steam train and has the turning circle of the QE2.

Neither of my cobs would be suitable for a novice owner....they would totally take the pee.
 
I would loook for an older "been there done that" Horse. It doesn't matter what the breed :)

There is an exracer on my yard and a Cob, out of the 2 you would probably say the Cob was the better first Horse. Very very wrong. He is a nightmare, he is bolshy, nappy, strong, tanks off, is led by food. The Ex racer however is a poppet to handle and a sensible ride.

Don't believe all the sterotyping OP :p
 
Absolutely agree - go for temperament and rideability over breed.

For example, I would not put a novice rider on my cob, as although a gentleman to handle on the ground, can be a lively ride with a demon buck!! However my previous horse was a tb x and could put anyone on him, including my 9yr old son.

I would enlist the help of an instructor or an experienced friend to help you in your search, and hope you find something suitable.
 
Of course go for temperament but my heavyweight cob (full up 15.1hh) would not dream of using her size to be bolshy or illmannered in any way. She isn't a plod can dressage sj and xc as well as any other RC type. Basic good handling is what is required and expected if its a horse for a novice. Good luck in your search.
 
Some cobs might fit the bill but I'd say your priority is finding the one with the right temperament. I wouldn't limit yourself to a certain breed but maybe place a wanted advert saying you want something great to handle, safe to ride and see what replies you get. During my search I came across some really mellow WBs and TBs but have met some stubborn and feisty cobs in the past. Good luck with your search! x
 
Scarymare and theoryx1 I'm afraid I have the heavyweight cob who breaks your mold. He backs up from voice commands, never barges anywhere and can be led to and from his field by my 8 year old daughter. He's never bitten or kicked anyone in his life oh and will pick up the foot you're standing next to when you say 'toe' and touch his leg. He'll stay in the stable with the door wide open unless told to leave and will wait for my 8 year old to step back from the bucket with his dinner in it and tell him 'ok' before he'll even try to put his nose in. He moves over from one finger placed either on his shoulder or bum and is generally a total gentleman in all ways.

He's also exactly what the OP has described that they want in a horse. :) I've had him from a year old and started right away with the ground handling skills and it's definitely been worth it. To be honest my IDxWB is much the same except for being lead in from the field when you do need your wits about you and a calm temperament, especially when the winds are up ;)

I think any horse can be taught manners so I don't think it's down to a particular breed. Although a cob may be heavier than a light TB or a pony, to be honest if any of them use their weight deliberately against you they're going to win.

Agree with whoever said it's a temperament rather than a type you're looking for though OP, some cobs are absolute devils and some Arabs are safe enough for a baby.
 
I have five cobs and a Fell pony. None of them have given either my wife or I any trouble on the ground or ridden. My children have quite a lot to do with them, too, and the ponies are good with them.

All these horror stories about cobs say more about the handler's failings than they do about cobs being unsuitable.

OP, we are all novices in some way or another. You can learn all you need to know about handling and managing horses so that they are well-mannered and safe. If you teach cobs to yield to pressure, handle them consistently well, and train them properly, they are lots of fun to own and ride.
 
My welsh cob fits your requirements quite well. He is a safe reliable hack. I can ride him after a few months of not being ridden and he is fine. But he can also be quite cheeky and opinionated but he is also very loveable. As others have said try a few and see how you get on.
 
AengusOg said:
I have five cobs and a Fell pony. None of them have given either my wife or I any trouble on the ground or ridden. My children have quite a lot to do with them, too, and the ponies are good with them.

All these horror stories about cobs say more about the handler's failings than they do about cobs being unsuitable.

OP, we are all novices in some way or another. You can learn all you need to know about handling and managing horses so that they are well-mannered and safe. If you teach cobs to yield to pressure, handle them consistently well, and train them properly, they are lots of fun to own and ride.
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I was just thinking this.

I had various cobs and they've all been extremely polite and 'light' to handle (and ride). They're not allowed to be anything else. I've also have great big hunter things and they're the same.

Cobs are generally good for novice riders as they are slower, less athletic, much less 'reactive', and usually less 'high energy'. You have more time to think and react and their reactions as less athletically extreme. Some can be whizzy and forwards but even at their sharpest they are nothing like a sharp whizzy sports horse type (and anyone who believes their cob is 'difficult' has clearly never ridden very hot competition horses!)

However many novice riders are also ineffective handlers and therefore have issues creeping in. That's where most cob reputations for being bulshy comes from! A cob produced by a competant and experience handler is a lovely horse to work with. A cob who's been allowed to walk all over their owner is a horrible little brat (but easily fixed). They are often worse that their more athletic counterparts as, with their laid back attitude comes a self-assured cockyness that can quickly develop into 'attitude'.

OP: I have your perfect horse. He's a nice 5yr old cob ;)
 
I like u was looking for similar. I ended up buying an Irish sports horse, mostly draught. I know I've had bad experience but I know many that tend to be quiet. I would recommend lookin st My safe cobs website. They train their cobs to be exactly what ur describing. My friend purchased one and she is a diamond!
 
My cob would probably intimidate you tbh. She'd also belt round a course of 1.10 without breaking a sweat. She'd probably do it in half the time though! Real pocket rocket at 14.1! A quiet cob or cross breed would be a good start.
 
Hiya

I am a novice and have just bought my first horse (coming Monday woooo hoooo) I looked at a lot of cobs and they were lovely although some were quite strong, generally lovely temperament. In the end I have bought a 15hh Connemara, he is a bit narrower than most of the cobs I saw and very laid back, he could rev up several notches and I could still manage him easily but he has enough go that I won't feel frustrated (I love him already :0)) good luck ...would deff recommend at least looking at connies
 
I have had four cobs over various years and only one was suitable for a novice. I always believed cobs were the way to go, but the two best and safest horses I have had were a warmblood and a thoroughbred cross, which I would never have gone out and bought but
were "accidentally" acquired!
 
I can only repeat what others have said, go for temperament rather than type. The only two experiences I've had of cobs were not goodi but I've had 5 tbs and all were brilliant, sensible and grounded.

What you are looking for is a sensible, all rounder who is also a confidence giver. Almost impossible to find 'cos no-one wants to part with them but hang onto him when you do find him!
 
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!
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This made me blush, I quite regularly don't ride my pony (devils work!) for a week or two and then just clamber aboard and hack out. I don't ride much over the winter months!
In fact just this morning we went out after a week off and walked and trotted calmly through wide open fields, then again I am lucky with my boy! He's a pocket rocket but he's got manners to burn and 99.8% of the time he will only go at the appointed speed :D

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
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The aforementioned pony is a Welsh D x ;)

Some can be whizzy and forwards but even at their sharpest they are nothing like a sharp whizzy sports horse type (and anyone who believes their cob is 'difficult' has clearly never ridden very hot competition horses!)
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See I found the opposite, I worked with and owned competition horses for years and I didn't find them very 'hot' at all. I found them slightly lazier (yes there were exceptions don't get me wrong!) but incredibly explosive, so one minute you are having a pleasant walk and the next you are firing across the arena on all five cylinders! Whereas my current Native x pony is very hot, he tends to be on his toes and eager to go in all paces as oppose to being chilled one minute and like a Ferrari the next! I must say that I much prefer the consistently sharp horses as oppose to the lazier, more explosive ones! :D
 
Cobs do tend to be layed back, and we have a mini one now, and he's a plodder, most do tend to be plodders actually. But depends on the horse; first horse we had-P.O.D(prince of darkness), any big white vans come along the road, and your off, the there was Action Girl(Amy) and she was just nutty, used to rear and bolt at her own shadow, buck and rear at anything really.
Not all cobs are perfect, infact, every breed of horse can be layed back and ploddy, just need to find the right one:p
 
My guy started off fat, unfit, rude and bone idle as 6 year old who had done nothing when I picked him up.

I've worked hard on his schooling and his attitude and manners and 98% of the time he's lovely. He's now fit, forward going, bouncy and I have a lot of fun with him, but he wouldn't be called laid back at all.

However, when I have my 2 week holiday every year, and he has his, he comes back into work an ill mannered yob for about 2-3 weeks until the rules are re-established. He's also far to clever for his own good sometimes and has every evasion in the book to hand if he chooses to call on them. I'd not be able to ride him at the weekend having done nothing in the week and expect to plod on the buckle!

As other people have said, pick the horse, not a breed. My previous horse was a 17.2hh warmblood who was a complete saint. Cob is 14.3hh and a much more challenging ride. :)
 
LollyDolly said:
See I found the opposite, I worked with and owned competition horses for years and I didn't find them very 'hot' at all. I found them slightly lazier (yes there were exceptions don't get me wrong!) but incredibly explosive, so one minute you are having a pleasant walk and the next you are firing across the arena on all five cylinders! Whereas my current Native x pony is very hot, he tends to be on his toes and eager to go in all paces as oppose to being chilled one minute and like a Ferrari the next! I must say that I much prefer the consistently sharp horses as oppose to the lazier, more explosive ones! :D
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Sounds like we mean the exact same thing but have different definitions of words! I won't call something forwards and enthusiastic (as you native X sounds) as 'hot'. 'Hot' to me a negative thing: explosive, unpredictable, reactive and overly sharp. And 'sharp' is not a good thing either: it's overly reactive and explosive. And often with drama queen tendencies. Fine if it can be channelled into something useful but as far from suitable for a novice as you can get.

I really like forwards, sensitive horse who are fizzy and fun but cannot be doing with sharp, 'unpredictable' hot horses where you think 'oh for god sakes, stop being such a tit. It's a LEAF, not a dragon. The same leaf you saw the last 15 times. We don't NEED to be at the other side of the arena, trembling. Get a grip'

There are always silly nervous cobs but generally they're not as reactive, explosive or sharp as other types. They are usually self assured, confident and laid back, which can make them prefect for a novice (you don't WANT a horse perfectly atuned to the rider's every though, if the rider is a nervous novice! They need to be able to look after themselves AND their rider). It can also make them a nightmare as they're more than happy to take charge and make thier own minds up if the handler don't seem to be doing a competant enough job . But most do have that 'cold blooded' temperament that makes them more suitable for a novice, albeit needing their manners kept in line.

It's also far easier to find a sensible, quiet, laidback cob with very little tendancies for explosions than it is to fine a sensible laidback hunter type who's a real confidence-giver, unless you have stupid money to spend! People just don't sell them on.
 
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