Should have, don't really want

[Little Dolphins]

First horse considerings! Looking around, trying out, it's dawning on me that I don't want a thumpy cob. I'm feeling that i need something lighter, though I'm a novice handler person. I realise that safety, nature, etc is key, and have been thinking good safe realiable cob. But, I wonder, what would you reckon I could look for as an alternative type? I'm tall, 5ft 8 and I weigh 11-12 stone,depending on the number of penguins I've eaten (no, not the arctic sort!).
Horse's age and experience and nature makes a big difference I know, and that's down to the individual equine. That being a given , could anyone give a general suggestion, based on their experience?

Thanks everso!

[Mehitabel]

if you don't want a cob, don't get one. a well trained lighter horse is just as safe and reliable, and teenage (5 - 8 years in horse terms) cobs often go through major kevin years.

i would say go for something a bit older - over 10 - that has seen life and done everything you want. a Tb would take you with no trouble, there's also irish draght or crosses - the TB x ID is a typical eventing sort, so athletic enough for anyone.
i thin kyour best bet would be to trawl through the sales sites and magazine classifieds and see what type of horse takes your fancy physically.

[esse]

"Good, safe, reliable" are not words that have to precede only "cob". There are plenty of non-cobs who are good safe and reliable, and plenty of cobs who are none of these things. My late mare was pure bred Arab and practically a patent safety device from when she was first broken - I had her from a yearling.

A friend had a lovely ID cross - a most elegant horse but with plenty of substance, though not cobby. She was quiet, willing and very easy indeed.

Native crosses can result in bigger, good looking horses with plenty of scope and with common sense.

It's important you have a horse that you like and take pride in - there are quiet, safe horses of all physical types out there so don't believe anyone who tells you that you "must" have a cob. Mehitabel gives good advice - go out there and start looking at the many, many types there are around, and look for a "been there, done that" horse of whatever type takes your fancy.

[eventerbabe]

totally agree with esse, cobs, IMO, are not always ideal first horses. they can be moody, bargy, late developers and if not handled confidently and consistantly then they will get out of hand.

IDxTB's are nice. and my dressage instructor recently bought a hannovarian who is very elegant. or a tb with a bit of something like welsh in them are nice. as mehitabel says, scour the ads and see what takes your fancy :)

[Gill]

A nice medium weight Native cross would fit the bill. My first horse was Welsh/tb/Arab, only 14.3 but a horse rather than a pony. She did everything for all the family.

[Trewsers]

Agree with others - go for something a bit older - something that will not be going through teenage tantrums!!!:D OH bought a TB gelding for his first horse and its proved (after the initial settling in period:p ) to be a fantastic choice. Joe is 14 and a real gent, although he's not a plod, he's clever and learns fast - and teaches us a lot too!!!:D

[old_mare]

the term "cob" seems to be applied pretty broadly these days, to carry connotations that aren't necessarily true (ie that the horse will be as safe as houses).
You're tall, so you might find it hard to get a native that's big enough - could consider a connemara x tb that's nice and sane, for example

[esse]

You're tall, so you might find it hard to get a native that's big enough

Sorry, but I believe that's a furphy.
What does "big enough" mean? "Big enough" for what?

The larger breeds of native pony are plenty big enough to take almost any weight you care to throw at them, and their build takes up a taller person's length of leg with consumate ease.

A person who would look and feel desperately underhorsed on a 14.2 show pony or small hack type will look and feel totally different on, for example, a 14.2 Welsh Cob, Fjord, Highland or similar type.

[nicolaj]

IDxTB are quite nice, and maybe Connemara (sp?) xTB can also be nice.

the term "cob" seems to be applied pretty broadly these days, to carry connotations that aren't necessarily true

Would agree, a Cob is a type, bit like a mongrel! I've got a coloured 'cob' who is is no way heavyweight. Think one of his parents was a traditional feathered coloured, and the other was something totally different, he doesn't have the chunky face, bit more dished, long legs bit of something about him,without the short choppy cob strides.

Do know what you mean there are a lot of 'thumpy' cobs out there!

(would put up a picture, but the ones I have are too large and don't know how to make them smaller!)

I also know of none 'cob' horses who are bargy and bolshy as well, any horse can be if not handled correctly.

Think as others have already said, get out there and try out loads of different horses, but most of all you have to like the look of it as well as it doing what you want.

Good luck in your search!

[amandal]

My ID/conn mare is my first horse although I shared a cob last year. His behaviour was erm interesting/challenging, my mare's a darling to handle and is improving my riding no end, although I have come off her more than any other horse I've ever ridden - I used to think I was "sticky" but not on her !:o

[eventerbabe]

cobs, in particular, are late developers and hence can often be harder to get started when they are younger. they often aren't mentally mature til 8 or 9 years old. i got my cob when he was 3 and he didn't settle until at least 9 years old! whereas my welsh cob was much easier to school and bring on.

getting back on topic, you'd easily be ok on a welsh cob or highland type. i'm almost 5foot7 and don't look out of place on a 13.3hh welsh cob. you certainly couldn't describe a welsh cob as being really thick set like the sort of cob i guess you are thinking about.

[Pink's lady]

If your anything like me (and you're the same height), you'll be wanting something 16hh or bigger. Unless you like the smaller horses.;)

Actually, not wanting a cob will make your search much easier. EVERYONE nowadays wants a weight-carrying cob, so they're hard to come by and expensive.:rolleyes:

Hve a look around and look out for the 'quiet and gentle' or 'kind' horses. You don't want a younster, so something over 8 would be best. Something with a bit of experience and schooling. Just about any breed would suit.

[*Sez*]

We bought our cob thinking he would be nice and safe for my novice parents. He was fab when we viewed him and brought him home, but in the last few months, Kevin has reared his ugly head! My dad is finding him a real handful and had to be gently convinved that whipping the schooling whip through the air was NOT to way forwards! I have taken to pinching Jake's neck as high as I can when he messes around and it seems to be working. I tried to get my dad to do the same, but he complained that he finds it difficult to pinch in his gloves :rolleyes: (which, of course, he can't possibly take off!).

Have you thought about a ISH? My friend has a 16.2 ISH, and he's a wonderful first horse.

[Stella2]

I was recently horse shopping and I went to try a cob. I had to acknowledge then that they are not really my cup of tea. By cob, I mean the type with the shorter leg length and the characteristic shorter stride.

I am also a novice rider. A competent novice when I'm riding a horse I know, a potentially nervious novice on one that I don't know. I have two mares. One I bought in May 2004 after a bad riding accident in which I hit a wall, braking my elbow and forearm (on what was sold to me as a bombproof cob - though he wasn't a true cob with the short legs - he had a liking for gnashing off)! I sold the horse I had the accident on, but my instructor advised me that I needed my own horse if I was going to continue riding (she was refering specifically to what she knew of me) and I knew I needed another, but I was a nervious wreck with strange horses. Trying potential horses was horrible :eek: Anyway, I bought Flora a 6 year old ID x, very kind and sweet and she helped me to enjoy riding again :) Unfortunately, she has had various health problems and is now turned away :( So a month ago I bought Softee, a 10 year old RID mare. She is more athletic than Flora, but she also has a lovely temperment.

In my experience, safe doesn't just equal cob and based on my Flora, the safe ones don't have to be older either! Horses are so individual, I'd say be very careful, but listen to your instincts and consider each horse as an individual.

Good luck :)

[Kanuma]

i agree with the native cross, or perhaps even a native! welsh cobs can be any height, but mainly under 15.2hh they do how ever have a tendacy to be drama queens.
a native will take up your leg no problem, my 14hh connemara has had my 6ft brother on him and he didnt look too tall! (stupid brother, why cant i be slightly taller!!)

[Peace]

Too bad quarter horses/paints aren't all that common over there - one of those might be just perfect!:) They're not real chunky - in fact, some look like TBs but don't get me started:mad:- and are usually sweet and willing but still agile and athletic. I know the occasional NR member across the Atlantic winds up with a QH, so definitely try one if you get a chance.:)

But I agree that probably age, experience and temperament are more important than breed. We have Arabs at my RS who are beginner-safe schoolies.:)

[Little Dolphins]

Great replies everyone, thanks for taking the trouble with my question!
I am impressed by the thoughtful attitude of folks on this board, truly.
Well, equipped with your tips and advice, I will try to accomodate the warnings from others whilst allowing my own instincts to play a part.

I suppose I'm just a bit worried about enquiring after a horse and having the vendor say *** you must be kidding when I say I'm a novice owner! Anyone else suffered from that? Frankly, I'm a bundle of anxiety! But determined to go ahead.:)

[Bay Mare]

I suppose I'm just a bit worried about enquiring after a horse and having the vendor say *** you must be kidding when I say I'm a novice owner! Anyone else suffered from that? Frankly, I'm a bundle of anxiety! But determined to go ahead.:)

LOL, oh yes! The first time I rode Saff (and the second if I'm honest) at the dealers I was convinced that the only horse that they would let me leave the premises with would be a rocking horse :) I turned from a confident rider of riding school horses (including the 'naughtier' ones) into a wimpy wuss who thought that she was going to break this precious little bundle that I was sat on!

I must have passed the test (if you look at the Stubley website you'll see that Patsy is quite definite about who she will let buy her horses!) but I felt like I knew absolutely nothing!

I would 'second' (can't be bothered to count) the ISH (IDxTB) option but do go for a slightly older one as others have said.

I didn't want a cob either and though, I wanted a WB but I couldn't afford a really good one. I hadn't even considered anything ID before but I would again. They can still go through the Kevins ('Saffy' is the female equivalent of 'Kevin', I'm convinced of it!) but they generally tend to be nice horses, nice to handle and nice to ride once they settle down :) They are good weight carriers without being too chunky and are very pretty :) Of course you have to treat each horse as an individual and look at them very carefully before you decide to buy, of course I went out and bought a bloody alpha bossy mare didn't I?

Good luck with your search, be honest with the people that you're buying off about your abilities and get help with assessing the horse if you can.

[toohorsemad]

Didn't really read the thread but I wanted something safe but young as I like to bring on horses but still feel safe and thats exactly what Vic is like! He isn't perfect sure he's a wimp but hey its making me take charge of the situtation and I am learning from him all the time! He's 6 by the way and my RI says he's perfect for me! So every first horse isn't the same its what you want and will have the best fun and will learn without being terrified!

[virtuallyhorses]

You haven't said how\where you will keep this horse (will it be stabled or live out 24x7), what sort of riding (and how often) you are interested in and whether you are looking for a finished product that you don't have to put much time \ thinking into or if you are prepared (enjoy) working with a horse .

These things should also influence your decision. Normally I'd tell you to look for a nice 10yr+ TB. However it is important to remember that there is as much variation within a breed as there is between breeds. Set out a list of your criteria and look for that regardless of breed. If you aren't into chunky types (with you there) simply put that on your list. Manners are not related to horse breed they are dependent on the horse's training and personality.

Also be honest about how much work you can or will put into a horse - personally I love putting hours of groundwork into my horse (and getting to work on other horse's 'problems') however a friend has realised that she just wants to ride. If there is a problem she does not have the patience or mindset to chip away at it but wants it fixed 'now'.

[icnmary]

Just have to say that I agree with Peace. My horse is a Quarter Horse and he's fairly quiet. Most of the problems I've had with him have been my own nerves. It is a shame that they are not more common over there......:(

[Little Dolphins]

From what I can see, they want a pretty penny for them in UK as they are specialism with regard to western riding style. They seem robust and intelligent little horses, though.