Safe cob or flashy purebred?!

[pistolpete]

I’d like another horse. I’m 57 ridden for years but have lost a lot of confidence in the last few years. Multiple reasons but I am working on it. I’m 12 st so can’t be anything dainty but I’d like something safe but pretty! Horse shoppers help please? Reasonable budget and I can travel although based in the south. I’m 5’6’’ so nothing too dinky either. Mainly want to hack but pleasure rides beach rides and general horsey fun is my dream. My old warmblood fit the bill perfectly. He’s gone now and the Highland I bought to replace him is retired lame sadly. He was tricky and sapped my confidence. What would you go for breed wise? I want to feel safe but hate all that coarse hair on cobs. Thoughts and ideas appreciated.

 

[marmalade76]

Cobs are not safe! I'd been riding a spooky arab for two years, never fell off him. Switched to a cob, fell off that along with everyone else who rode him here, why? Because he wanted us to fall off, that's why!

Perhaps stick with what you know and look for another warmblood?

 

[pistolpete]

Isn’t it tricky? Very good point.

 

[[153312]]

A Native cross already under saddle for a few years would be perfect - nf , Highland, welsh d, cob etc crossed with TB, wb, ish/Id or other sporthorse sort. Native strength and brains crossed with sporthorse size and ability, especially if it's been working for a while and you can get references to vouch for its temperament along with a five stage vetting obviously.
Although of course when horse shopping it pays to have an open mind, many untraditional breeds can be brilliant: I have an Appaloosa X native mare and she is incredible, but the complete opposite of what I was looking for: I was searching for a cob colt! And a good size cob certainly isn't something to rule out.

Some untraditional crosses can be very good, and temperament and compatibility is the most important thing to consider if you're low on confidence rather than a specific breed. Best of luck in your search!

 

[saddlesore]

I’ve had a variety of horses over the past 30yrs, 2 of which have been cobs. I find them great fun and a real ‘partner in crime’. Up for most things with a great nature. That said both of mine have been forward thinking (especially the current boy) and take confidence from their rider. Imo a 15hh h/w cob would do your job and more ?

 

[DabDab]

Not sure what your budget is, but maybe something like this?

https://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/...horses-livestock/horses-ponies/for-sale/lewes

 

[poiuytrewq]

That doesn’t strike me as ticking the boxes?!

Not sure what your budget is, but maybe something like this?

https://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/...horses-livestock/horses-ponies/for-sale/lewes[/QUOTE

 

[Red-1]

I am looking for the same thing. I found a few to look at a few months back, but only looked at one in ages. Not found one that clicks yet. I am prepared to throw money at it too, but tat seems to bring better competition ability into the mix, not so much sensible type.

There seems to be a real shortage of the riding club type. More TBs, cobs, and competition types. When I was younger, there were loads of half breds. Wish I could locate one now! Half Clydie, shire, ID...

 

[rextherobber]

Have you seen the 10 year old mare on NFED, ad 168619 warmblood x ?

 

[DabDab]

That doesn’t strike me as ticking the boxes?!

? Ok then. Sounds like it is a solid hacking horse

 

[I'm Dun]

I just sold my cob and bought an ex racer. Best thing I've ever done. Some cobs are ploddy, safe hacks, some are clever, sharp little toads! Buy something thats already doing the job you want and living the lifestyle you will want it to live and thats half your battle.

 

[PSD]

Cobs are fab, but they aren’t my “thing” if I was to be buying (I’ve just recently bought). I absolutely love them and they are not all by any means safe, one on my yard has a hunting cob and he’s an absolute balloon ?

I’d go for a native type - like I did! I’m a bit smaller than you but weight wise I’m similar. I’ve just bought a section c, granted he’s a stocky version of the breed and very deep bodied so I don’t look out of place on him.

I don’t envy you trying to find one at the moment though

 

[MuddyMonster]

Id recommend buying for temperament if you want an easy, stress free horse life first & foremost.

What you say you want temperament wise in your first post, could be any number of breeds, part breeds or Heinz 57 IMHO.

 

[PSD]

Id recommend buying for temperament if you want an easy, stress free horse life first & foremost.

What you say you want temperament wise in your first post, could be any number of breeds, part breeds or Heinz 57 IMHO.

I agree with this. This was my main factor when searching, breed was irrelevant really

 

[Griffin]

I love a cob and they don't have to have course hair, just feed them a good diet and clip off their feathers and they can look very smart with soft shiny coats.

However, it's a common misconception that cobs are safe, like any horse they have their individual personalities and speed settings. Some of the sharpest and quickest horses I have ridden are cobs, I have also ridden some incredibly calm TBs.

As other posters have said, look at temperament first and then everything else.

 

[ycbm]

There seems to be a real shortage of the riding club type. More TBs, cobs, and competition types. When I was younger, there were loads of half breds. Wish I could locate one now! Half Clydie, shire, ID...

I found my last one on Dragon Driving pulling a trap! He is only 3 though.

That type of breeding seemed to die when the prejudice against coloured horses and gypsy cobs stopped and people started buying them in big quantities. They were originally bred and sold very cheaply and they took the market out from under the people breeding for the average riding club member.

I know two people breeding them but they are all sold as foals.

I think Joe might be worth a lot of money next year if he goes on like he is now. Heaven knows what his breeding is but he's a right old fashioned all rounder sort. No plans to sell though, he looks like he'll be too much fun to train up.

PP these days I think you'll need to forget about breeding and buy on current temperament and performance. It will be difficult enough to find that, without limiting your search by breed.
.

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

I saw 7 year old Suffolk for sale on Facebook recently. Not sure he's broken to saddle yet but if you want calm and capable, you wont get better.

 

[ImmyS]

How about an Irish Draught?

Finn is solid, but pretty light on his feet and no extra hair to speak of! I think he’ll turn is hoof to anything in a couple of years.

 

[shortstuff99]

Kirsten Mayne in Cambridge has a nice one in at the moment. Won't make a top level dressage horse but should make a nice alrounder. She might be worth a ring.

 

[poiuytrewq]

? Ok then. Sounds like it is a solid hacking horse

Yes to be fair it does that. The project Hunter eventer and sarcoids bits overtook my reading ?

 

[littleshetland]

PRE or Lusitano? They're not hairy at all (apart from `mane and tail, but they're controllable) and have lovely temperaments. Don't forget...'Handsome is as handsome does' !

 

[PSD]

Not sure what your budget is, but maybe something like this?

https://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/...horses-livestock/horses-ponies/for-sale/lewes

6k for a horse with sarcoids!?

 

[Cloball]

There's a fjord in West Wales I really want but don't have the budget for. Looks 'flashy' but safe.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I certainly wouldn't pay £6k for a gelding with sarcoids between his back legs! However temperament wise, he sounds fine. OP, I would look for temperament rather than breeding.

 

[oldie48]

I'd go for something already doing the job you want regardless of breed. The best horses I've had for hacking were a TB and a WB/TB.

 

[ycbm]

I certainly wouldn't pay £6k for a gelding with sarcoids between his back legs! However temperament wise, he sounds fine. OP, I would look for temperament rather than breeding.

I might if I needed a12k horse, couldn't afford one, and it was one without them. Not sure that horse is one.
.

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

I can’t vouch for them but there are some nice if green types on NB Equine on Facebook. Another is Kilnhanger and I know a few people really pleased with the horses they’ve had from there.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I might if I needed a12k horse, couldn't afford one, and it was one without them. Not sure that horse is one.
.

I cannot imagine ever being in the position of needing a £12k horse as an all rounder for hacking, beach rides and general horsey fun which is what OP told us that she wants her next horse for. I would be reluctant to buy a gelding with sarcoids between the back legs for any purpose tbh.

 

[southerncomfort]

I am of course extremely biased but I'd like to chuck Fell and Dales ponies in to the mix!

Intelligent and really good fun. Real easy keepers too.

I think any of our native ponies would suit you.

 

[Not_so_brave_anymore]

I know this isn't particularly helpful, but I've also often found cobs to be powerful, strong and not at all ploddy!

I'm a big fan of bigger natives: Highlands, dales, and oversized new forest, but like you've said, they can all also be sharp/tricky. Same for ID and connemaras.

But I'm also very wary of "over horsing" myself with anything else, because it's far outside my comfort zone and frame of reference. So basically, I have no answers I just understand your problem ??