Tell me about Cleveland Bays

Red-1 said:
I saw a 14 year old grey on Horsequest that was really nice...
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I think I know the one you mean. He's just that bit too old sadly. While Arch has foot problems and had to retire, he's the picture of health otherwise and I can see him being a field ornament for a good few years. I can manage one non ridden horse but can't risk being stuck with 2 in 6 or 7 years' time. It's obviously always a risk but a younger one should be less likely to be a problem.
 
palo1 said:
That is interesting. I have a Maesmynach mare and know quite a number of others and would say their temperament is fantastic - forward but sensible. Not bred to be plods but don't generally seem to have that infamous Welsh 'hysteria'! My mare, though young, is extremely level headed and a quick learner.
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I also have a Maesmynach who is now 7 years old. I've found the same as you and his attitude towards life and work is fantastic and really trainable!
 
palo1 said:
That is interesting. I have a Maesmynach mare and know quite a number of others and would say their temperament is fantastic - forward but sensible. Not bred to be plods but don't generally seem to have that infamous Welsh 'hysteria'! My mare, though young, is extremely level headed and a quick learner.
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The ones I know I think are very Welsh, nowhere did I define by what I meant as very Welsh ;)
I wasnt thinking hysteria, just full on Welsh which people either love or dont. One I knew of (I visited the stud years ago, among other Welsh studs and spent a very enjoyable day there) was huge and one of those as being discussed on another thread-just never stopped being full of energy-not for the faintheated at 17h and I know someone else who won't buy from any other Welsh stud. Of course when anything is crossed noone attributes bad things to the cross bit (ie I would more attribute hysteria to a WB than a Welsh but then I dont much care for WBs) that doesnt have a stereotype attached to it.
 
I know two Maesmynachs - one definitely has the hysteria, but only to handle. As soon as you're on him he's the most brilliant horse going, but his 'needs' are numerous. He has to be first out in the morning or he'll climb the door. He has to be tied up with 4 different forms of tie as he can open them all and get himself into mischief. 4 just slows him down enough to give you time to intervene! He has to be the first to be seen by the farrier / dentist / vet etc or he gets himself in such a state he can't be dealt with. He won't eat if there's anything vaguely out of the norm going on. He's ridiculously clingy to other horses - he has put himself in my horse's stable twice at camp, once by untying himself and jumping the wheelbarrow I had across the door while mucking out and once, when he was tied up by the door by pushing the wheelbarrow out of the way and pirouetting himself through the door. At camp, if I go to ride at a different time from my friend she has to take him out of the stable and hack him around the site while I have a lesson. When we qualified for the BRC champs, we had to drive to Hartpury separately and avoid each other all day so he wouldn't know my boy was there. (He's worse with M than any other horse but can't share transport with any others for the same reason). It worked until the last minute when we had to be mounted for the presentation so I then had to bring him home on the trailer while my firend followed with an empty lorry! He's also gone through the jockey door of a trailer twice to get to his friends.

The other isn't hysterical but incredibly wilfull.
 
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The OH had a CBx back when as someone referenced before, the fashion of the KWPNs as a performance horse as he used to show jump, horse competed very successfully around 130cm

An absolute marmite horse though, he was spooky out hacking however he had spent his younger years competing but once he had been out hacking on the forest for a while he got better but OH did have some scary rides in that time before he grew sensible, this could be down to the horse not seeing much life outside of competitions though - same could be said for any horse.

He tolerated people and you couldn't ever be complacent round him if he wasn't 'yours' but the difference in him once he knew you was definitely there. Our vet once made a comment on them and said they were definitely one person horses, which was the case for him. I was accepted after a year :D, but as I say once he accepted you, he'd do anything for you.

I'd have another in a heartbeat.
 
I have known more Clevelands than I could shake a stick at. I have never met one as bad as people are making out on this thread. Never seen an unsound one unless due to an accident, no navicular. I have ridden many purebred mares and stallions but only one gelding, plus a smaller amount of part breds( mainly tb crosses). I have known one who liked to stand on her back legs but she grew out of it by the time she was three and was an absolute dream to back. These 'typical' threads bashing chestnut mares, TBs etc really get my goat. I love many breeds including TBs( have worked on racing yards and run a TB stud), arabs, clevelands and though there are breeds that I wouldn't want I wouldn't bash the whole breed due to the four or five I knew.

OP I'm sorry to grump on your thread.
 
Blanche said:
These 'typical' threads bashing chestnut mares, TBs etc really get my goat. I love many breeds including TBs( have worked on racing yards and run a TB stud), arabs, clevelands and though there are breeds that I wouldn't want I wouldn't bash the whole breed due to the four or five I knew.
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as the owner of 2 chestnut mares, one being welsh, and a tb I understand where you're coming from.
All horses are individuals.

but I do think there are trends across breed populations - e.g. my welsh is *very welsh* , i don't think that's a bad thing btw, it's just that people either find that interesting to work with or infuriating. I think it's wise to at least acknowledge that.

OP, I have known some CB/WB crosses that were good amateur horses, kind, not overly generous with the work ethic but easy characters.
The full CBs I've happened upon haven't been as nice IMO, but at least one of them was broken (ringbone) .
 
I've messaged twice and phoned and they've not go back to me so I'm assuming he's sold but thanks for all your input!
 
Blanche said:
I have known more Clevelands than I could shake a stick at. I have never met one as bad as people are making out on this thread. Never seen an unsound one unless due to an accident, no navicular. I have ridden many purebred mares and stallions but only one gelding, plus a smaller amount of part breds( mainly tb crosses). I have known one who liked to stand on her back legs but she grew out of it by the time she was three and was an absolute dream to back. These 'typical' threads bashing chestnut mares, TBs etc really get my goat. I love many breeds including TBs( have worked on racing yards and run a TB stud), arabs, clevelands and though there are breeds that I wouldn't want I wouldn't bash the whole breed due to the four or five I knew.

OP I'm sorry to grump on your thread.
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All horses are indeed individuals but, if I remember rightly, every-one who has posted has talked about individual horses tht they have known. I certainly did, the first one I mentioned was a RS gelding, who was known for tanking off - he lost me after taking his own line through a wood and sweeping me off under a branch, into a patch of nettles and brambles, it was ok, I was young and bounced well in those days. The 2nd was a gelding that was hunted regularly but frequently lost the groom when she was exercising him on non-hunting days, although she certainly wasn't a novice rider and it was the groom's leg that he split. The 3rd was a broodmare who had been sold and was being loaded by her elderly owner, who was the one who was injured. No stereo-typing here.
 
Pearlsasinger said:
All horses are indeed individuals but, if I remember rightly, every-one who has posted has talked about individual horses tht they have known. I certainly did, the first one I mentioned was a RS gelding, who was known for tanking off - he lost me after taking his own line through a wood and sweeping me off under a branch, into a patch of nettles and brambles, it was ok, I was young and bounced well in those days. The 2nd was a gelding that was hunted regularly but frequently lost the groom when she was exercising him on non-hunting days, although she certainly wasn't a novice rider and it was the groom's leg that he split. The 3rd was a broodmare who had been sold and was being loaded by her elderly owner, who was the one who was injured. No stereo-typing here.
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I really don’t know how you all manage it. I have known many, many more than you all and have never had a problem. I have never dealt with a nappy one, never had one take off with me, never had a lame one ( unless through injury as stated before). All these things have happened with other breeds I have known but I would not condemn a whole breed because of it. I knew a woman (6 ft and solid , not fat) who was knocked down by a 13.2 New Forest that she owned. He tap danced on her leg and she very nearly lost it. She was very lame and wore a calliper for the rest of her life. Would I condemn all New Forests, no I wouldn’t because it would be ludicrous to. I’ve been kicked by a Dales, sat on by a Standardbred, flattened by a Welsh D, I could go on but it, to me, is pointless as accidents happen with and to horses. I have seen many many horses with Navicular or lame and some breeds more than others but I wouldn’t condemn whole breeds for it. Very strange indeed.
 
I spoke to a breeder about one once. My friend was mad keen but he was miles away so didnt want a wasted trip. She said a good one will be your horse of a lifetime but they are easily ruined and due to them being so few they can be crossed closely and any negative traits amplified. Maybe theres something in that, who knows. But there are so few and it sounds like more than a handful have the same traits so its not condemning a whole breed, rather discussing common breed characteristics. Welsh owners dont get up in arms when people describe them as hot headed or dramatic, its just accepted that quite a few are like that.

Theres a reason that IDs are so very popular yet no one wants a Cleveland Bay. Similar types of horse that should be appealing to the same market, in fact CBs should be more so as they tend to be a much nicer colour and have nicer heads.
 
I definitely agree with Leo above - mine had a fairly hairy start in life and although 9 years on he is now 99% safe and dependable, I did find it interesting that he had a lot of the same traits as those listed in the thread I mentioned. I have absolutely no doubts that you can get good ones, and now mine is 17 he has settled down and grown into himself (!) a bit more, but would I let a novice ride him? No.

They very much are a horse of a lifetime, and as I mentioned are marmite horses. Mine would let me dress him up and do gymkhana games backwards on him, he lets me take jump off angles that are fairly hairy, and tends to be entirely bemused and tolerant of my antics instead of condemning me (because he has let me do all of these things), but I am well aware that he is tolerant of this because he has the bond with me and has chosen me as 'his'. He is much less forgiving with other people, although still not nasty and would never want to hurt you he would just give you a flat and blunt no and nothing will persuade him otherwise.

Never had an issue with lameness before some niggling arthritis, and as I said he could do a lovely dressage test and also jumped me off at 1.30m so no issues with athleticism. Do I think they are all the same? no. But mine does fit the stereotypes listed in that thread.
 
Hi guys that’s me and my horse!!

Yes my stirrups are two short and I’ve put two stone on since getting my dressage saddle, but they didn’t buy me or the saddle! 😜 he is sold sorry OP that I didn’t get back to you I thought I’d replied to everyone! Our surface isn’t great and he’s passed his 5*, full two week trail and I’m in fact of to visit him soon. This was w horribly sad sale. I was working two jobs, setting my own business up, and I have a three year old filly who I’ve had since a foal. I wanted him to be enjoyed! I’ve not owned him since he was 5 and bought him directly from his breeder in early 2018.

I’d highly recommend anyone looking for this stamp to contact her. He was extremely honest, trainable and the most loving horse I’ve know.

For the few who questioned my honesty and jumping, anyone I spoke to on the phone I offered to get a teen on my yard to pop him over a course or they were welcome to if close enough by. I had an ISH who broke my back and my confidence (god rest his soul) so I don’t mind the fences but in between fences I’m a nervous wreck and lose whatever riding ability I have. I had to cut the first fence out the video as I pretty much socked him in the gob, slammed him in the back and the poor lad had to make the whole thing work and I’m sure I’d be getting more of a slating for showing that to the world.

I love this breed, they are clever, genuine, funny and just a. It special. I’ve stood at stands at HOYS etc and I think in the 80s everyone knew about them, the IDs had a clever marketing scheme and became renown and CBS got pushed aside!

Any questions about the breed please lmk as I think they are quality but get tarred with the bad brush. If I can’t answer it I will know someone who can :)

Sorry this is a long reply, just there where a few questions and comments I felt needed answering!
 
Still love the breed.

Was talking to a breeder a couple of months ago and have an open invite to visit. I've held off as not in a position to have another horse at the moment (have the space, just don't have the time), and I'm bound to fall madly in love with one I can't (yet!) have.
 
The one I knew was an absolute goof. Not the brightest and also quite bolshy as in it would go through you if it fancied. Also managed to stand on the yard cat too!
 
I’m the total opposite to everyone on this thread, I recommend CB’s to a lot of people. I’ve owned one for ten years and she is by far the best horse I have ever owned. Safe as houses never spooks and def not backwards thinking, a pleasure to deal with and has the nicest temperament of any horse I’ve ever met. She adores people and would much rather spend her day around people than other horses. The only issue is she doesn’t really understand her strength, not in a bad way but she has walked through a stable partition snapping it clean in half when she was on her own one day 😂 She also hated my ex so she’s a keeper 🤣
 
TRh
4Hoofed said:
Hi guys that’s me and my horse!!

Yes my stirrups are two short and I’ve put two stone on since getting my dressage saddle, but they didn’t buy me or the saddle! 😜 he is sold sorry OP that I didn’t get back to you I thought I’d replied to everyone! Our surface isn’t great and he’s passed his 5*, full two week trail and I’m in fact of to visit him soon. This was w horribly sad sale. I was working two jobs, setting my own business up, and I have a three year old filly who I’ve had since a foal. I wanted him to be enjoyed! I’ve not owned him since he was 5 and bought him directly from his breeder in early 2018.

I’d highly recommend anyone looking for this stamp to contact her. He was extremely honest, trainable and the most loving horse I’ve know.

For the few who questioned my honesty and jumping, anyone I spoke to on the phone I offered to get a teen on my yard to pop him over a course or they were welcome to if close enough by. I had an ISH who broke my back and my confidence (god rest his soul) so I don’t mind the fences but in between fences I’m a nervous wreck and lose whatever riding ability I have. I had to cut the first fence out the video as I pretty much socked him in the gob, slammed him in the back and the poor lad had to make the whole thing work and I’m sure I’d be getting more of a slating for showing that to the world.

I love this breed, they are clever, genuine, funny and just a. It special. I’ve stood at stands at HOYS etc and I think in the 80s everyone knew about them, the IDs had a clever marketing scheme and became renown and CBS got pushed aside!

Any questions about the breed please lmk as I think they are quality but get tarred with the bad brush. If I can’t answer it I will know someone who can :)

Sorry this is a long reply, just there where a few questions and comments I felt needed answering!
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Thanks for this - hope he's found a lovely home, it sounds like he has. Good luck with your business.
 
Pipkin said:
I’m the total opposite to everyone on this thread, I recommend CB’s to a lot of people. I’ve owned one for ten years and she is by far the best horse I have ever owned. Safe as houses never spooks and def not backwards thinking, a pleasure to deal with and has the nicest temperament of any horse I’ve ever met. She adores people and would much rather spend her day around people than other horses. The only issue is she doesn’t really understand her strength, not in a bad way but she has walked through a stable partition snapping it clean in half when she was on her own one day 😂 She also hated my ex so she’s a keeper 🤣
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Really. Stay Classy! Skating ones ex is rather pathetic no? All you can do is laugh.
 
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