Breed characteristics and such

Trewsers

Trewsers

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Oct 13, 2004
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Mrc's thread got me thinking about different breeds - I have little experience outside of my own herd and horses I've been lucky enough to take lessons on. So, I know as always this has been asked before but in your opinions are horses really like their supposed breed types? Of course, I know they are all individual characters but really on the whole, do you think they are pretty true to type?
According to my Horse and Pony encyclopedia Connies are good all rounders and make excellent first horses. Not for me - Storm was about as difficult as it comes - and she was ridden ans observed by a few very good experienced riders, (which made me feel a tad better because at first I blamed myself and lack of technique!). So I don't think you can generalise entirely.
So, over you and your different breeds - are they / aren't they?????
 
I always read a tb wasnt a good first horse. That's what I bought though. Been there, seen it, done it forward thinking type, with enough there for me to learn from.

I do hear typical cob in relation to mine. Though if she breaks something I use that!
 
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Based on tonight I'd say the welsh cobs reputation for being too hot headed for their own good is a fair one! Though normally I'd say they're a breed that doesn't deserve the opinion so many people hold of them being over-sensitive, quirky & sharp - my experience of nearly all the ones I've known is that they are drama queens but ultimately safe rides once they trust.

Irish Draughts often seem to be seen as safe plods & ideal first horses but lacking ability to do much. I love the breed to bits but I have to say I've known a fair few sharp ones & some that may be good with a novice that they can totally dominate but need very diplomatic handling if they're to be ridden by a proper rider. Honest as the day is long & will give you their heart & soul, but you'd best remember you're a partner not a boss!
 
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I don’t have enough experience to be able to make a judgement but I’ll be very interested in the replies.

This is what I’ve observed so far ... :D

We have one TB on our yard and she is a stress head, so everyone says ‘typical TB’.

YO used to breed and show welsh cobs and they were all the fiery type - well, I don’t know whether fiery is the right word, they were all full of character and opinion, but not in a malicious way. They were all the big boned variety though - YO hated the way the breed was going, getting lighter and lighter boned, after all they’re supposed to be working horses, capable of pulling a plough as well as carrying the farmer to market.

Traditional cobs I find a bit scary, they always seem so strong and independent, not really so people needy as some breeds. Having said that we’ve some sweet ones in our yard and a couple of mini cobs that are excellent children’s ponies, but still they always seem to be very self contained. That’s probably a good thing in many people’s eyes, but I’m used to my communicative Arab.

We don’t know what breed Jack is, so he doesn’t give me any clues, and I think Raf is a real mixture of typical and non typical Arab. He is a bit of a drama queen, he’s sensitive and he’s very people oriented, but he’s not hot headed and forward going as a rule, he can be quite a plod most of the time.

And that’s about the extent of my knowledge :p

ETA - I forgot about the Fell pony, he just wanted to work and he would turn his hoof to anything, as long as he was doing something. Not really a child’s pony, unless for a very confident and capable child because he was so forward going and quite strong. He had a bit of a bad start in life and really didn’t like people when he came but when he got to know you he was very kind. I don’t know whether that’s typical of the breed or not?
 
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carthorse said:
Based on tonight I'd say the welsh cobs reputation for being too hot headed for their own good is a fair one! Though normally I'd say they're a breed that doesn't deserve the opinion so many people hold of them being over-sensitive, quirky & sharp - my experience of nearly all the ones I've known is that they are drama queens but ultimately safe rides once they trust.

Irish Draughts often seem to be seen as safe plods & ideal first horses but lacking ability to do much. I love the breed to bits but I have to say I've known a fair few sharp ones & some that may be good with a novice that they can totally dominate but need very diplomatic handling if they're to be ridden by a proper rider. Honest as the day is long & will give you their heart & soul, but you'd best remember you're a partner not a boss!
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Mine is a drama queen but people say she hasn't any Welsh in her.
Others use the word complicated. But I find her simple because you know where you stand. If she doesn't like something that won't change. Trust me I've at first tried then met part way! Strong views and you know about them.

Surely the breed characteristics will also depend on gender and if they have been bred with something else?
 
Bodshi said:
I don’t have enough experience to be able to make a judgement but I’ll be very interested in the replies.

This is what I’ve observed so far ... :D

We have one TB on our yard and she is a stress head, so everyone says ‘typical TB’.

YO used to breed and show welsh cobs and they were all the fiery type - well, I don’t know whether fiery is the right word, they were all full of character and opinion, but not in a malicious way. They were all the big boned variety though - YO hated the way the breed was going, getting lighter and lighter boned, after all they’re supposed to be working horses, capable of pulling a plough as well as carrying the farmer to market.

Traditional cobs I find a bit scary, they always seem so strong and independent, not really so people needy as some breeds. Having said that we’ve some sweet ones in our yard and a couple of mini cobs that are excellent children’s ponies, but still they always seem to be very self contained. That’s probably a good thing in many people’s eyes, but I’m used to my communicative Arab.

We don’t know what breed Jack is, so he doesn’t give me any clues, and I think Raf is a real mixture of typical and non typical Arab. He is a bit of a drama queen, he’s sensitive and he’s very people oriented, but he’s not hot headed and forward going as a rule, he can be quite a plod most of the time.

And that’s about the extent of my knowledge :p

ETA - I forgot about the Fell pony, he just wanted to work and he would turn his hoof to anything, as long as he was doing something. Not really a child’s pony, unless for a very confident and capable child because he was so forward going and quite strong. He had a bit of a bad start in life and really didn’t like people when he came but when he got to know you he was very kind. I don’t know whether that’s typical of the breed or not?
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Do you mean the gypsy type cobs when you say traditional? I have come across quite a few in the past - and I think it all depends on where they were bred and how they are started. I was a bit scared of some of them at first and then I met two riding school ones that really changed my mind. However, (and this is really silly on my part I know) I don't like it when I can't see their faces - welll their eyes really! When their manes are so long. I know that is probably daft but I like to be able to see their eyes - hahahaa to judge their mood!!!
 
We have quite a few different breeds at the yard

The two connies are the same perfect allrounders fun and loving absolutely crackers.

The highland is strong when he goes he goes and the young rider can’t stop him he is wilful.

The wb is big and powerful the small owner struggles to contain him however he is a lovely horse and never actually does anything wrong he just takes a lot of riding. Her share a man rides him like a dream

The dale is naughty a full on character a complete dope one minute and tanking full pelt the next. We all love him.

Two tb at the yard one mare she was dangerous at one point and is what you would call atypical Tb sharp and spirited but very loving to her owner

Then my lad super laid back amazing to take to comps but to hack on his own or in company or when he does lose his it tb style
 
Ziggy is a "typical Connie" - just a lovely person but can be fast hacking out. A great pony for someone who isn't a worrier.

Mattie forgets he is an Arab racehorse most of the time, but when he remembers he can really put on a show, with his tail en trompette and all!
 
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Jess is typical of stock breeds in many ways, strong, will go all day, intelligent, willing, sharp and sensible at the same time. She's a bit hotter than most but that's probably her tb 1/4.

Bo was pretty typical for an Anglo Arab, the tb started the sillyness and the Arab had the endurance to keep it up all day :rolleyes:
 
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Jane&Ziggy said:
Ziggy is a "typical Connie" - just a lovely person but can be fast hacking out. A great pony for someone who isn't a worrier.

Mattie forgets he is an Arab racehorse most of the time, but when he remembers he can really put on a show, with his tail en trompette and all!
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Ah the tail! Wonderful:D
 
So what breed characteristics are head tossers :D
That swirl that looks like they could fall over when do it at speed but they don't.
 
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newforest said:
So what breed characteristics are head tossers :D
That swirl that looks like they could fall over when do it at speed but they don't.
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I don’t think that’s breed specific, I reckon that’s an opinionated mare thing. Belle does it usually when she’s in a grump about something.
 
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Kite_Rider said:
I don’t think that’s breed specific, I reckon that’s an opinionated mare thing. Belle does it usually when she’s in a grump about something.
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Mine does it if the herd want her to move and she doesn't want to move.
She does it at one spot on the way home. Not sure on the why, doesn't do it on the way home anywhere else.
 
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