Why oh why didnt i buy a cob??

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FrankieBoy

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This time last year, I was in the process of buying my first horse... After having the odd loan etc, I had a rough idea of what I needed.
Im fairly chunky, and probably quite heavy and wanted something to do genral riding club activities with. Nothing to a very high standard, but a bit more than a happy hack...
I ended up buying a 17.3 westphalian warmblood that naps, bucks, rears, kicks and on the odd occasion, Bites.
Ive had him a year now, and despite his nightmareish vices love him to pieces and therefore could never sell him. But one broken ankle, a broken leg, and a broken nose later... im starting to wonder what on earth i was thinking.
My friends all bugger off to shows and im left at the yard thinking 'maybe next year ill be taking him to shows' and the prospect of jumping a clear round at 2 ft seems a long way in the distance.
I see the young girls at my yard, with their beautiful all rounder cobs, doing everything I wanted to do... and I think.
Why on earth didnt I do that =[
...Do i sound rediculous?
 
Did you know he did all this when you bought him or were you duped?

If you knew what he was like and aren't experienced enough to cope then i'd say more fool you.

If you were duped then you really couldnt help it...


you just have to ask yourself exactly in how much danger you want to put yourself. Horse ownership is meant to be fun and it's such a shame when people buy a horse and cannot do what they want to do.

Broken bones don't sound like much fun
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You've just maybe over-horsed yourself a little.
You have to remember that we are supposed to do this expensive hobby for pleasure and at the moment you don't seem to be having much fun.
I bought a large warmblood once that wrecked my confidence but didn't want to admit that he wasnt for me so I kept him for too long.
It wasn't until he bronked me off and stamped on me that I admitted defeat and sold him to a suitable home that was aware of his nature. He was simply taking the pee out of me as he got to know I was nervous of him. He got on fine in his new home and it was the best thing I did selling him. He is happy and I now have a Welsh x TB that has restored my confidence again and are now back out jumping BSJA which I never thought I would do.
Don't keep him for the wrong reasons, life is too short!
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Bl**dy hell did they give him away? Sorry thats not very helpful is it. But what do you do on him? Sounds like you've very much overhorsed yourself? I think you would be better selling him probably at a loss and telling anyone interested what he does they may take him on as a project! How old is he? Then get yourself a sane cob (even some of them can be very naughty) so always take someone experienced or your instuctor with you to view. Don't keep him for your own and other peoples safety he needs to be taught manners.
 
No, I had no idea...
Its all a bit of a mystery to me.
I bought him as a very novice ride, and was actually wondering if perhaps he was not enough for me. It would certainly seem that, that is not the case.
I had him vetted, and bloods were taken so i know he wasnt sedated etc. & he was good as gold every time i rode him. But when i got him home, it was a totally different story. His back/teeth/saddle etc have all been checked... and I have regular lessons to try and keep me on track.
I love him so much and the potential is there its just such a nightmare trying to realise it.
The broken bones are definately not fun =[
Ive given myself another year to try and get somewhere, and I think if not I'll put him out on loan to someone with the experience (if anyone will have him) and perhaps look at buying something a little more 'ready'
Its sad to say, but if i could turn back the clock and never have gone to see him, I think i probably would. But I love him so much, and Hes given me as much joy as he has heartache.
Its such a tricky situation.
I just wondered if perhaps other people have been in this siuation, and what they did for the best?
Sorry for the rambleings
x
 
Oh yes. I am certainly over horsed...
Its all a bit of a nightmare.
The thought of saying goobye to him brakes my heart, But it would seem that keeping him - Brakes my bones
aha.
Oh. You have to laugh.
 
Maybe they lunged the hell out of him before you rode him each time?

I wouldnt give it another year, sorry. Re loaning him , would YOU loan a horse that did that?? How would you feel if he really hurt someone???
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he may be stunning, you may love him but sometimes we have to let go of things we love. You may be able to find him a home with someone experienced who is able to give him the experience and time. They may even agree to stay in contact with you and allow you to go and see him.

Personally i would cut my losses and find hima good home and buy something safe and fun. But that's just me.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Maybe they lunged the hell out of him before you rode him each time?

I wouldnt give it another year, sorry. Re loaning him , would YOU loan a horse that did that?? How would you feel if he really hurt someone???
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he may be stunning, you may love him but sometimes we have to let go of things we love. You may be able to find him a home with someone experienced who is able to give him the experience and time. They may even agree to stay in contact with you and allow you to go and see him.

Personally i would cut my losses and find hima good home and buy something safe and fun. But that's just me.

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echo above....however you need to make sure he goes to the right home with those issues,good home??well how do you know??He is a bloody big lad and to go anywhere with those issues,were will he end up,people will pay peanuts for him unfortunately
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Is sending him away for schooling not an option???Sounds like he needs to meet his match,as in somebody that can deal with his attitude
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,taking the piss springs to mind and he knows how big he is x
 
[ QUOTE ]
No, I had no idea...
Its all a bit of a mystery to me.
I bought him as a very novice ride, and was actually wondering if perhaps he was not enough for me. It would certainly seem that, that is not the case.
I had him vetted, and bloods were taken so i know he wasnt sedated etc. & he was good as gold every time i rode him. But when i got him home, it was a totally different story.

[/ QUOTE ]

When they take bloods apparently they are just put aside not checked unless there is a problem. I was told this in a previous post I did about 5 stage vetting. So they wouldn't have checked for this unless you specifically told them to.
 
Gosh Frankie sounds like you've got yourself quite a handful there.

I sympathise with you and understand to a certain extent how you must be feeling. I took on a 16.2 ex racehorse a few years back having tried him out and fell in love with him. He was owned by a young girl who had gone from a 14h PC pony to him and she was terrified of him after being dumped a few times and completely losing her nerve. When I found him he was out on loan to a 15 year old who ragged him senseless and judging from his condition didn't feed him much, he was a skeleton on legs
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I've got videos of the first day I got him to our yard and he was pitiful, but within a few months of feeding him properly and schooling him with the help of an experienced instructor he started to make huge progress and he was one of the most stunning horses I've ever seen once his condition improved. My instructor described him as an aristrocrat he was so handsome. He had horrendous vices however, napping, bucking, rearing (one time standing up so far he fell over backwards and landed on top of me) only when ridden though, in the stable and in hand he was the sweetest thing you could ever wish for. I persevered with him for 2 years and I adored him despite his many faults and being told I was barmy taking him on and I truly believe to this day if I'd had more time we could have got there eventually because in the 2 years I did have him he came on leaps and bounds to what he was when I first got him. The only reason I parted with him eventually was because of family illness and I had no choice so I know exactly what you mean about loving them so much you don't want to part with them.

However in your case you've got to ask yourself if you believe you're capable of persevering with a horse who has the problems it has and if you're prepared to deal with them. If the answer is yes you believe you can and work with the horse through them so you can enjoy a happy partnership eventually then good luck, but upsetting as it is and very hard if the answer is no then the best course is what others have advised and find him a home where he can be managed and get an all rounder cob type.

Forgive me a bit here because I'm new to the forum but have you had any lessons with a qualified instructor with him?
 
hmm firstly im sorry to hear what youve experienced and agree with others, sell the horse. secondly, i felt compelled to stick my neck out here, do not fall for the "im gonna buy a safe easy cob". cobs are great, they are brilliant allrounders but dont get duped into the false stereotypical image of cobs being easy to handle and train, theyre large,muscly and very strong and in the wrong hands will run rings around you/people. they are highly intelligent and know which buttons to push. saying that, if you find and bond with the right one, they want to purely please their owner/friend and can give a lifetime of pleasure, safety and trust. just be aware when looking please x
 
thewonderhorse.... I could not have put that better myself!!

I have just sold my very spooky tb because I kept falling off, and gone back to riding my 14.1 welshie
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Now he is safe to ride,( most of the time) but, he can run off at the site of cows, motorbikes and sometimes people jogging!
But when he's being good he's very very good
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When he's bad he's horrid!

Had him 4 years and would never part with him.
I would sell your horse and buy something that you can stay on!
 
I would find a good trainer let them sit on him and see how he reacts for them as he might be taking the P--s and like other people have said your over horsed we have all been there and you have obviously fallen in love with this boy you could let him go to a producer to sell on and then they could find you a more sutable horse .
 
Good grief- the horse is obviously totally unsuitable for you. I doubt he's happy with the situation either- sell him before he puts you in hospital again and get something enjoyable!
 
horses are meant to be a pleasure, i bought a horse last year, he was a nightmare, after a few months i sold him on to a wonderful home, he wasn't for me, and i had to let my head rule my heart, if he would have stayed with me i don't think we would have clicked, and this is not fair to the horse either. the lady i sold mine to, texted me last night with a picture telling me how much she loves him,and you know he looked a lot happier
 
Being brutally honest, it is unlikely your horse is going to improve significantly in your care unless you are prepared to invest quite heavily in professional training and a complete change of management and routine so that your horse is fully occupied with work. I would also be considering a veterinary work up, it may have been sound and well when you bought it, but what you are describing could also be attributed to pain and this needs to be eliminated.

There is a market for more challenging horses and you should consider whether your horse might be happier in a home where there is confident consistent handling and firm boundaries. Ask yourself this; if your horse naps, bucks, rears and kicks, do you truly believe he is relaxed and contented with you?

A change could be the best thing for both of you, it isn't a defeat, it isn't giving up, it is finding a solution.
 
Can I suggest, as you are only in Essex, that you contact http://www.australianstockhorses.co.uk/
with a view to getting him sorted and selling him. This is the website for Jason Webb, who helped my friend with a very similar horse to this. You might have to wait a bit for a space, he's very busy, but that is because he's very good.
I say sell him because, even if a good trainer can help with him, it sounds as if you need something a bit more suited to your experience. The horse might "revert" in inexperienced hands.
Echo what everyone says about cobs. Don't go for a cob just because it's a cob, they can be nightmares as well. Get a horse that does what you need it to do, and check it out thoroughly before buying.
Good luck!
 
Forget it with him, sorry but from what you have said he is TOTALLY unsuitable, sell him or give him away and get yourself something safe!! He is costing you good money each week for nothing but misery, be tough, you will be over him in a flash if you got the right horse.
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Absolutely 100% agree with thewonderhorse!

I have a welsh cob (had 2 til Friday
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) and neither were easy rides for a novice. When I first got George 6 years ago, he would nap, rear, buck, spin, TRY to gallop off, barge, escape etc. Never bit and didn't have stable vices and I did see potential in him. He'd been treated badly and I knew that it was all insecurity. I felt Ihad the experience and time to give to him to get him better to ride. My mare helped his confidence no end, and through having a constant home (which he had never had), and being consistent with him - I don't take prisoners sadly for him! - I have been able to get there with him. He now has the odd cheeky nappy moment, but everything else has just disappeared.

Cobs aren't sturdy and safe plods. I think the misconception partly stems from the fact that they are used a lot by riding schools who need to cater for a range of heights and weights, and riding school horses tend to be ploddier than most. Not totally sure on that, though. Cobs are cheeky, fun, mostly willing, heavy, stubborn sometimes, know they are stronger than us....

I really would say to sell this horse. Having said that, I lost my mare on Friday (PTS) after 11/12 years and know how heartbreaking saying goodbye is. At least you'd have the option to keep in touch. I think your other option is professional schooling.
 
I am so sorry you have had such a terrible time with your horse.

In my opinion, I think the time has come for you to find something that you CAN just go out and have safe fun on. Its no good being sentimental over a horse that puts you in hospital, your health and safety is worth more, and there is every chance that your horse might just click with a different rider.

Dont be fooled into thinking all cobs are safe easy going horses, they are INCREDIBLY strong physically and need firm handling.

Owning a horse is supposed to be a pleasurable experience ( most of the time! ) so I hope you can find the right new home for your present horse, and find a new horse that you can really enjoy.

Good luck.
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Sounds like a horrid situiation to be in to be honest but you have to remember at the end of the day that riding is your hobby and your release - it's supposed to be fun not torture! There was a woman on the yard I used to ride on who owned a 17.3hh ID who was a nightmare, he napped and bucked like a b*gg*r. She battled with him for quite a few years (fortunately he was good in the stable). In the end she had to have him put down as he got a tumour, it was only after this when she bought a new horse - a lovely sensible, fun all rounder (incidently a cob) that she started to realise how much fun she had been missing out on. She would suddenly come back from hacks smiling and saying - god this is what it's supposed to be like, I get home from work, go for a ride and chill out and enjoy myself! Although she totally loved her first horse and tried so hard with him it was a total revelation to get the second horse after years of struggling with the first. I'd say don't leave it too long and remember your horse is supposed to be your hobby!
 
I would have to agree with the previous posts and say you should sell him. He is awfully large and, as they say, the bigger the horse, the bigger the problems. Do you really need something as big as that? Take an instructor who knows you along to purchase anything in future. Someone on the ground who can give an objective view is worth their weight in gold. Stick to what you set out to buy - don't get waylaid by an eye catching horse that is unsuitable for you. It might be big and flashy, but can you cope with it everyday? Don't continue as you are, all you will do is wreck your confidence and the horse will just get worse, the more he realises he can get away with it. It will be hard, but for the best in the long run. I would be wary of loaning, could your conscience be at rest if he did something to the person loaning him?
 
Gosh, what a catalogue of injuries! If I was in your position I would definitely sell him, no matter how much you love him, because he isn't a "first horse" by any stretch of the imagination.

I speak from experience, unfortunately, as I was sold a highly strung WB by my then instuctor. He was far too much horse for me and I sold him within a year because my confidence was plummeting. If I hadn't sold him I wouldn't have been able to buy my wonderful Highland. She is perfect for me and we have so much fun together going to shows, hacking out, having lessons, going to pony camp etc. I would have missed out on all that if I'd kept my WB.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do but please don't feel that you have failed if you decide to sell. I honestly don't believe that he is the right horse for you at this time and selling him will free you up to find a horse that you can have fun with.
 
Yep, I would agree it's time to realise you've taken on too much. I think with the type of breed this horse is it probably really should never have been sold as a 'novice ride' as I do believe these breed types need to be kept disciplined and in work or they will soon realise they're strength far outweighs that of their rider. You don't say how old he is? If he is young then the chances are, in the right hands someone can succeed in improving this horse. I think horses that nap, rear etc generally start when they don't feel confidence from their rider and then the problem escalates as the rider loses confidence in the horse and so on.

Some, horses/riders are just not a good match and will never click so i think best to send him away for professional training and for them to sell for you and take time looking for something else. I would steer clear of flashier looking horses, go for something maybe a bit older and maybe with some more native blood in. Of course any horse can be a potential g*t but most are willing to please and pleasures to own.

Your next accident could be more serious - I wouldn't want to wait and see what injury I am going to end up with next!
 
I have know some cobs which are crackers, it all depends on the horse.

If you want to stick by your horse, get an instructor or if you can, send him for reschooling and have lots of lessons too. Not saying you need them, but after 27 years of riding, I still need lessons and had them until horse was unsound and I slipped a disc, but thats another story.

You need to get your confidence up and give the horse the best chance too, if you decide not to keep him.

Also, what food is he getting, perhaps look at that side of things too, is he having lots of turn out?

Does the saddle fit, have his teeth been checked? I am sure the answer to this is yes everything is fine and as it should be, but its something to consider.

I have the opposite problem, I am perhaps slightly under horsed, but I do not mind. Wouldn't part with him. He has his occasional 'leg stretches with bucking and twisting' which keep me on my toes.
 
I overhorsed myself with the first horse I got after being out of riding/horses for 10 years- he was handsome, athletic, good as gold in stable with manners to burn...but he was used to eventing regularly, not hacking about in the woods with me...I lost my confidence, he knew it and started taking the p*** - rearing, being bolshie .....I started riding riding more and more to tire him out, he got fitter and fitter and in the end I darent ride him, totally lost my nerve. I sold him back to the dealer I bought him from, or rather traded him in for my current horse, my horse of a lifetime it now turns out but frankly I would have swapped him for a donkey at the time !! he went off to another eventing home and as far as I know is still there. Just cos he's not right for you doesnt mean he's not the ideal horse for someone else...maybe hes more a blokes horse?
 
TB type mare who went 2yrs before we found out what was wrong. I will say that part of that time was taken with her foal (we did not know she was in-foal when buying her). So all the issues were put down to her condition, then obviously she had time out until the filly was weaned. There were various reasons why I did not believe it was her, & it took a blood test to show she was suffering major muscel damage. It still took time after the treatment for her not to keep expecting the pain, but her temperment on the ground was never in question. The mare I have now her issues were confidence issues, once she trusted us she became almost an angel. You need to rule out any physical issues, the assess if this horse is the one for you. He is showing you he is not happy, & it sounds like he is not trusting you to be the leader, so is taking things into his own hands. The longer it goes on the longer it will take to change his mind set. I have to be honest if I had a horse that bit, kicked & was dangerous to be about (not saying this is the case with yours), & everything ruled out, I would put it to sleep. Horses like this are difficult to rehome & end up being passed around.

It has been a year now, plenty of time to have built up some sort of trust between you both. Honestly if there is nothing wrong with him, sell him. You are not doing either of yourselves a favour here. Otherwise invest in some good training which includes you learning to take control of the leadership issues. I wish you all the best with him & hope you get a resolution that suits both of you.
 
I have had horses since my 20's, some good some bad, but now at 38 want a bit of fun and safe hacking horse as my 8 year old hacks out with me.

I have just bought (well nearly!!!) a fabulous chunky section D type 14.2, can take my long leg length well, and took him hacking Sunday for third time (only had him a week!!), went up the local gallops and had such a great time, went to a show yesterday, had one down in jumping but still came out with a big grin on my face!!

He has restored my faith in a horse being good on the road, he is safe as houses but fast also, and I wouldnt swap him for the world now!!

I felt a bit daft going back to a pony but with all the money and time I spend on them, wanted to actually relax and enjoy it again!!

I feel like a big kid!!!! I have had some lovely horses and done well competing but the hassle and pre planning that went with it was not something I missed yesterday!!

Pone got on lorry, didnt fidget and stamp, didnt leap about when tied to box, didnt nap going into ring, didnt nap IN the ring and didnt kick 10 bales out of the lorry when left for 2 minutes on its own.

Pone stood asleep outside the ring, lit up inside it, loaded, ate and I even chilled and had a coffee in the lorry in between classes!!!!

Ponies ROCK!!!!!!

There are good chilled horses too, but for what I need at the moment, this chap is fab!!!!!!!
 
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