Well baby coblet would appear to be backed...

zigzag said:
What a sweet little boy... I see you are a popular member, loads of posts etc, aren't you lucky to get such nice comments... If a newbie posted this, my god they be slated
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Have to say, being a newbie myself, and already having been "attacked" by the pack, unfortunately there is a lot of truth in this statement. Such a shame that's the case - you would think members would want to welcome and promote the forum, and not earn it the bad reputation it has. It's obviously not what you post but who you are. Personally, I'm not easy to bully and find some of the smart a55d comments amusing, but others might not stick around, which is is a shame as there are lots of genuine people and much knowledge here.

However that's a whole other thread. OP, your boy is gorgeous, looks like he's taking it all in his stride, and even if your methods re breaking don't match my own or that of others, he looks like a very well loved family member and I'm sure you are very proud of him.
 
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I think you've obviously done some really good work with him to produce such a calm little chap, and he's lovely.
However, he looks very much like my cob at the same age, and for that reason I'd just ask you to consider not riding him until he does a bit more growing (rather than set a date on it). Because my Joe went from looking just like your cute coblet to this when he was mature:

fellbridge020.jpg


He was also put to sleep at 18 because of various joint problems, that the vet felt were caused by his early working life. He was backed around the same age as yours, and hacked out gently once a week. I've seen the photos and heard all about it from his previous owners.
But please don't think I'm "slating" you for doing something that is common practice, I'm just asking you to consider taking a step back until he fills out. I don't know where people get this idea that cobs mature earlier than other horses, they don't.
 
ChristmasSparkles said:
Not called out at all. Welcome to opinion.
Equally, not all fact.
He's 3 in less than 8 weeks exactly to date now, and this month is the first time he's been 'ridden' properly on his own, which from one end of our village to the other is exactly 9 minutes walking, which he has done a total of 2 times in two weeks and two times walking up the driveway and back at home.
Other 'riding', has been a grand total of about 4 sit ons with a leader/me on him for about 15metres each time [If memory calls, twice in January and once in Feb].
Rest of 'work', is all groundwork.
Always start them at around 3, be happy that they're quiet plodding about and seen a bit of the world, then do sweet sod all till later in the year. Summer possibly hack him out again once or twice a week, and then come late third year/early 4th, start schooling.

So hardly being ridden since he turned 2...but to each their own opinion. :)
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HUGE difference between 'riding' and sitting on for 9 mins bareback for a toddle down the road! This is a very happy/chilled looking coblet who looks well developed and certainly taking it all in his stride.........:D I do wonder how many of those who have criticised would be lunging their 3 year olds (which essentially coblet is) in tight 15 or 10 metre circles and not calling that 'work'??? :rolleyes:
Coblet is superstar :D and CS :D:D:D crack on girl
 
Well, I wouldn't.
And I'm responding not so much to the fact that he's had a little 9 minute sit-on, but to the fact that Op plans to take him out for hacks once or twice a week in the summer.
What's the rush?


Hetsmum said:
HUGE difference between 'riding' and sitting on for 9 mins bareback for a toddle down the road! This is a very happy/chilled looking coblet who looks well developed and certainly taking it all in his stride.........:D I do wonder how many of those who have criticised would be lunging their 3 year olds (which essentially coblet is) in tight 15 or 10 metre circles and not calling that 'work'??? :rolleyes:
Coblet is superstar :D and CS :D:D:D crack on girl
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Tinypony said:
Well, I wouldn't.
And I'm responding not so much to the fact that he's had a little 9 minute sit-on, but to the fact that Op plans to take him out for hacks once or twice a week in the summer.
What's the rush?
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Seeing as OP has stated that she won't be doing any schooling with him until he is 4 then I don't suppose she is going to 'hammer' him on a hack! I envisage he will be going out for about half hour twice a week which will help with his education. I backed my horse just before his 3rd birthday and during the summer we did half hour hacks and 10/15 mins school work just learning bending, transitions......lots of walk but some trot work. He had the winter off and started in March again 2 months before his 4th birthday. Horse is now 20 years old and is still winning numerous veteran classes. Never comes out stiff and certainly never had any issues with regard to being started early.
TP I do see where you are coming from and I agree that I would certainly not advocate 'working' a baby, but I do believe there is a difference between having a plod around and admiring the scenery for a few mins a week and hard hacking..........:)
 
Its really sad that folk have a need to spoil the happiness in this thread.

Why do folk do it, I've been done over by the HHO mafia as well when I shared my first ride on my new horse. CS wasn't asking for your opinion about what she was doing, she was sharing her happiness over her horse.
 
FfionWinnie said:
Its really sad that folk have a need to spoil the happiness in this thread.

Why do folk do it, I've been done over by the HHO mafia as well when I shared my first ride on my new horse. CS wasn't asking for your opinion about what she was doing, she was sharing her happiness over her horse.
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Ok, so you can't question a popular member, but its ok to have a go at a new member, and you know damn well if a newbie had posted this, hell would have been left loose.
 
zigzag said:
Ok, so you can't question a popular member, but its ok to have a go at a new member, and you know damn well if a newbie had posted this, hell would have been left loose.
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The only difference comparing CS to a new member we know nothing about is that we know from her previous posts she isn't over doing it or trotting him for miles on the roads. Yes a new member may be questioned if a post with no context was put up but I don't feel I would personally rain on their parade in these exact circumstances. I was not a new member when I was ripped to shreds incidentally.

I don't think it makes it right to ruin CS's post just because a new member might get a slating tho is it, two wrongs don't make a right.
 
I don't see anything wrong with people posting their opinions.

There's recently been a huge post about whether people agree with racing 2yro horses but people aren't allowed to comment about someone hacking their 2yro cob?

It's not the same, however both posts include working immature horses, so I don't think anyone should be surprised that this post will get some reaction from people who don't agree with riding 2yros.

I wouldn't expect to be able to post a 'happy' update of me riding my horse in rolkur and not expect people to comment on it- that's the thing with posting on a public forum.
 
Hetsmum said:
HUGE difference between 'riding' and sitting on for 9 mins bareback for a toddle down the road! This is a very happy/chilled looking coblet who looks well developed and certainly taking it all in his stride.........:D I do wonder how many of those who have criticised would be lunging their 3 year olds (which essentially coblet is) in tight 15 or 10 metre circles and not calling that 'work'??? :rolleyes:
Coblet is superstar :D and CS :D:D:D crack on girl
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Looking "well developed" has nothing to do with skeletal maturity and how long it takes growth plates to close (I disagree anyway and think he looks quite immature).

And no, I don't lunge any 3yro on a 10m or 15m circle- mine are long reined in straight lines and sat on in the autumn of their 3yro year a few times and then put back in the field until they are 4.
 
Baby Coblet is so gorgeous. I envy the bond between you. As long as he is willing and you are both safe I cant see anything wrong with what you are doing. Just wish we could do things like that round here. Too many boy racers about. Enjoy your pony.
 
Hacking a 2yo in a headcollar, bareback along main roads is stupid. Add the fact that you are too tall for him doesn't make a pretty picture.

That photo deserves pride of place on dragon driving.
 
There are opinions and then there is being just rude.

Can't quote as I'm on my phone but caterpillar's comment about 'pride of place in dragon driving' is a bit out of order.

That boy will grow and fill out, so what if her legs are long? I'm not commenting on his age/or whether it not CS should be riding, I'm saying that plenty of tall people ride smaller ponies, that doesn't mean it worthy of DD.
 
This forum does make me smile at times.

A picture of a rider bareback in a headcollar on a just backed cob is fine, the next thread is likely to be bemoaning the riders out hacking on well schooled horses that will be slated because they aren't wearing hi vis and how irresponsible they are. :D

On a serious note I'd check your insurance cover op, you may well find that being bareback in just a headcollar means that your cover is void if anything were to happen, especially if you are going on main roads and with youngsters, however chilled they appear, there is always a risk.
 
It's not the sitting on the rising 3yo that offends me so much as the fact he's been getting sat on , lunged in a side reins get-up and loose jumped in the school since at least early Feb 2012 (so that would've made him a yearling...)! So glad something has finally been said.

I wish people would just let babies be babies.
 
caterpillar said:
Hacking a 2yo in a headcollar, bareback along main roads is stupid. .
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Without getting into the age of said pony......I have to agree ...sorry OP.

It was more luck that judgement that you, the pony or anyone else wasn't hurt.....

If someone had spotted one our travelling friends doing the same.....there would have been uproar and we all know it......
 
What a lovely looking youngster. But that is what he is - a baby.

He should be playing in the field with his friends not ridden up and down main roads in a headcollar.

Please let him be a horse until the summer. Riding a 2 year old, no matter how long for, is, in my opinion, very irresponsible.
 
He's a gorgeous chilled-out looking baby coblet. A little education to amuse his mind and get him out and about is absolutely fine, but no proper "work" before his growthplates have finished their stuff, and watch your turnout for liability purposes (see below).

There's a fascinating article online about growthplates in horses - the ends of the pedal bone have finished growing when the foal is born, and then gradually each leg bone going up the leg, and then the rest of the bones. The very last bones to mature are the vertebrae in the withers/saddle area and they don't mature, according to this article, until the horse is FIVE.

http://www.equinestudies.org/ranger_2008/ranger_piece_2008_pdf1.pdf

Which makes you wonder about all these Burghley Young Event Horse classes full of 4 year olds jumping and dressaging, and well as the 2 year old racehorses and the 2 year old trotting cobs and the warmblood performance horses, etc.

Re insurance. The Highway Code Rule 52 says never ride a horse on the public highway without a saddle and bridle. If you do and there's an accident, that rule could probably be used against you.

https://www.gov.uk/rules-about-animals-47-to-58/horse-riders-49-to-55
 
TomH said:
What a lovely looking youngster. But that is what he is - a baby.

He should be playing in the field with his friends not ridden up and down main roads in a headcollar.

Please let him be a horse until the summer. Riding a 2 year old, no matter how long for, is, in my opinion, very irresponsible.
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Exactly
 
I'm sorry but I have to agree with the others, had this been CS's first post, she would have been jumped on.

It is stupid to be riding a newley backed 2YO on the roads. The headcollar makes no difference, he should not be ridden on the roads at all. He looks immature to me, so not sure he should be sat on at all, whilst he looks relaxed in the vids, it could have easily gone the other way.

Put yourself and your Horse in danger if you want too CS, but not fair on the residents or other road users had something gone wrong. If you really feel the need to back your Horse now, then please do it in a safe area.
 
FWIW: I am the opposite end of the scale and im sure i would get slated if i was to stick up my own ideas.. i dont actually back/break my horses until they are 5.. one was 6 by the time it happened. I think different people have different ideas/opinions/choices.

Personally, i had no issue waiting until mine were 5+ because i was in no rush but others may think ive left it too long etc.

The cob looks happy enough though.
 
Bandwagon anyone.... :rolleyes:

Coblet is young, would most have left him until next year - yes.

Would most of use ride him out with a head collar - no - BUT you have all seen the lengths that CS has gone to to bombproof this cob. It doesnt mean there is no risk but CS has put in months and months of work leading and proofing - so I wouldn't say she is being as unreasonable as some of you have suggested.

Stop comparing this to Dd, that just doesn't make sense IMO, those babies have been trotted hard, often pulled wagons, some barely fed.... This is not the case with Sparks.. Clearly, so if you are suggesting that the pic compares because she is sat on a cob bareback then fair enough. There the comparison ends.

Yes, I agree, new poster would have been crucified. But CS isn't a new poster and you and I have watched what she has been doing with Sparks for the last year and said nothing. It must be a slow news day? CS isn't a new poster, thats the point. Don't forget how well meaning, kind hearted she is and don't forget that she lost Big Lad recently.

This ^^^^ doesn't mean you would disagree. But if you do, why only now? All of this has been shown before on video and not a peep.
 
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Very well behaved horse.

As another user has stated, the highway code says horses ridden on the road should have bridle and saddle on, and if an accident were to happen, you would be liable as you have no taken the necessary precautions, including recommended hi viz.

He also looks immature and although he may be happy to carry you about, it isn't necessarily doing him any good. He has probably got more growing to do seeing as he's not even 3 yet, let him finish maturing. It would be a shame for him to experience problems in the future which may be caused by rushing his education on board.

ETA--

Billie1007 said:
Would most of use ride him out with a head collar - no - BUT you have all seen the lengths that CS has gone to to bombproof this cob. It doesnt mean there is no risk but CS has put in months and months of work leading and proofing - so I wouldn't say she is being as unreasonable as some of you have suggested.
The horse may have been bombproofed and prepared, yes, but if anything were to unfortunately happen, then it would not be looked upon kindly by authorities with a horse in the control of just a head collar. It lacks due care and responsibility, IMO.

Yes, I agree, new poster would have been crucified. But CS isn't a new poster and you and I have watched what she has been doing with Sparks for the last year and said nothing. It must be a slow news day? CS isn't a new poster, thats the point. Don't forget how well meaning, kind hearted she is and don't forget that she lost Big Lad recently.
I've not really seen any of CS's posts, apart from the one where she lost her other horse. This did cross my mind in that perhaps CS is missing the riding side of things??

But if you do, why only now? All of this has been shown before on video and not a peep.
Haven't seen it before, hence my reply.
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Billie1007 said:
Bandwagon anyone.... :rolleyes:

Coblet is young, would most have left him until next year - yes.

Would most of use ride him out with a head collar - no - BUT you have all seen the lengths that CS has gone to to bombproof this cob. It doesnt mean there is no risk but CS has put in months and months of work leading and proofing - so I wouldn't say she is being as unreasonable as some of you have suggested.

Stop comparing this to Dd, that just doesn't make sense IMO, those babies have been trotted hard, often pulled wagons, some barely fed.... This is not the case with Sparks.. Clearly, so if you are suggesting that the pic compares because she is sat on a cob bareback then fair enough. There the comparison ends.

Yes, I agree, new poster would have been crucified. But CS isn't a new poster and you and I have watched what she has been doing with Sparks for the last year and said nothing. It must be a slow news day? CS isn't a new poster, thats the point. Don't forget how well meaning, kind hearted she is and don't forget that she lost Big Lad recently.

This ^^^^ doesn't mean you would disagree. But if you do, why only now? All of this has been shown before on video and not a peep.
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^^^^^^^ Thank goodness for common sense! Well said :)
 
I'm not on anyones bandwagon......

CS can do what she wants on private property...she can do coblet Grand National on a daily basis for me...couldn't care less.

Its the stupidity of riding an unbacked unbroken 2 year out on public roads bareback in just a headcollar that I object to....

Anyone one of us could have been driving along and baby coblet end up on our front bonnet...

Oh.....I forgot...baby coblet is such a cool dude that wouldn't possibly happen:confused:

Get a grip.....
 
ChristmasSparkles said:
Think that's us done till winter now!!! Don't think he needs anything more. He has a easy summer lined up getting fat on grass. Lucky git.;)
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Everyone who is critising and for want of a better term b*tching actually read CS' post properly?!! The very title is 'backed' not ''woop baby coblet is broken and ready for our first road race tomorrow!''
I wouldnt ride bareback in a headcollar but worse things go on in the grand scheme of things. CS didn't post this to be told she a horrible owner. if you don't like it or understand the context and dont have anything nice to say then dont say anything at all :p
 
A bandwagon sometimes only starts when one person is brave enough to say what others have thought all along though

Personally i have no strong thoughts either way though am still not planning on getting my 4 year old backed as he physically isnt right. The OP owns this pony and ultimately the decisions are hers to take - this pony looks happy enough and quiet enough but still quite immature in build and its been made clear that this isnt regular or hard work

I do think insurance clauses should possibly be checked though as my insurance definitely says a bridle is a must

Perhaps the OP hasnt been slated so completely BECAUSE she isnt a new member and that some here do know a bit more background and while not in complete agreement they do understand to some extent.
 
Bandwagon? before reading all the replies I knew that this was a stupid thing to do. Even if every reply was patting CS on the back, I still would have said my bit, even if it did go against the grain, I have and will always speak my mind on here.

I haven't seen any of CS's posts, whilst bombproofing is is a great idea for any Horse, you still cannot predict how a Horse is going to react, so saftey measures should be put in place, Especially with a very newley backed 2 YO on the road. At 2 years old there is still plenty to see and learn.

I am very sorry about losing your other Horse CS.
 
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