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The tack room

Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

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Original poster

Ridiculous feelings against coloured cobs! I know iabu.

32 replies

TwoPinkShoes · 16/02/2012 13:06

We sold DD's lovely, lovely welsh mountain pony a month ago as he was getting on a bit and not so keen anymore on hunting/jumping. Actually, I fib. he LOVED hunting and jumping, but he was getting tired and unwell with it. He's gone to a wonderful local home where he'll be petted all through retirement.

A family member has been searching for a pony for DD - something younger, a bit livelier, one that will grow with DD in ability and love pony club camps and rallies and hunting next winter.

Family member (a trainer) has found a pony for DD to try after rejecting quite a few before we met them... BUT, he's a coloured cob and I am a bit . I just don't like them! I don't like coloured horses full stop really. But in other ways, he is perfect: a reluctant sale due to redundancy, only 7, beautifully trained and handled, a known quantity, loves pony clubs and hunting.

He does have an absolutely AWFUL name as well though - really terrible (which even if we changed it for day to day would still be announced at every show, etc), and he is on the absolute upper limit of what I am willing to pay for a child's pony.

We are obviously going to see him on Sunday and DD can have a good ride. But I am really not sure. And that is silly to have that prejudice I know, but when this much money (and it is a lot) and effort and love is involved, I want to feel 100% committed myself as, although DD is fabulous and getting good at pony care, it's still a huge commitment as a parent .

Can anyone either sympathise, tell me lovely stories about coloured cobs, or give me a gentle slap....

OP posts:

maturenanny · 16/02/2012 13:58

hi there

coloured cobs are fab!! i sadly lost my beloved 14.1hh traditional piebald cob at only 7 yrs old, I would kill to find another one like him. character to die for, was so soft and loved people, he was steady, realible, funny, and the perfect pony, especially as I am such a nervous rider. He looked after me, I broke him in at 4yrs old and he never put a hoof wrong. on show days he used to wear stockings after having his feathers dried and straighhtened (i kid you not!).

i love coloureds, my friend has shown them for years and been very succesfull and found the coloured world a lot more sociable. her old pony now 17yrs old is a coloured cob and everyone from a kids to adults loves him! for a beginner he is as quiet as a mouse, if you can ride - then he really will test you!

he has won in hand, hunter trials, been to the RIHS 4 yrs in a row, hacks out alone or in company, is a good doer, loves x country, will hunt - there isnt anything he doesnt do, apart from the cows in the field across the rd!

i dont know what I can say but coloureds are fab!
good luck
x

Callisto · 16/02/2012 14:25

I'm with you Two Pink Shoes. Can't stand coloured horses, especially fat, clumsy looking, cobs. And what is with those 'Gypsy Vanner' things with all that hair? That was never a breed when I were a lass... .

Seriously though, it is a buyers market atm. If he is upper limit financially keep looking until you find something that is a decent price and in a coat colour you can live with. I feel your pain though, having sworn not to get a grey pony, DD's new one is a grey pony...

maturenanny · 16/02/2012 14:31

Wish I could upload a photo - my little mans hair was amazing!!! I kept alock when he was put to sleep and it will shortly be made into a bracelet for me to keep.

just because they are fat doesnt mean they are clumsy, the afor mentioned 17yr old above is a little lardy but trust me he is far from clumsy and is as intelligant as they come! he does dressage and gets constantly placed, in fact he does better than some "highly schooled thoroughbred" dressage horses we have on the yard! there is more to it than looks - what is it they say, looks can be deceptive, dont judge a book by its cover.......I rest my case.

incidentally - the "dressage" horses would jump six miles in the air if you said boo!!

elephantpoo · 16/02/2012 15:21

My lovely boy (pics in my profile) is a welsh cob x and he's choc dun and white. He is chunky and has a bit of feather (not too much)
Last year I got fed up with muddy feathers, and trimmed him up.......he looked amazing. He also has the sweetest personality, and is so eager to please. I'm not advocating trimming for all cobby types, but it may help make cobs more acceptable to you.

elephantpoo · 16/02/2012 15:25

BTW......please share the name Can't think what could be so bad!!

Original poster

TwoPinkShoes · 16/02/2012 15:33

Thank you for your kind words. I know I am mostly being silly - and after all, it's not my pony, but potentially my DD's! We shall see on Sunday - I guess that will make things clear one way or another.

I really, really cannot share the name just in case anyone I know irl comes across this... But it is truly dire. Honestly, horrendous. I won't be able to stop cringing when it's announced at shows.

But a sweet nature and a lovely personality will have to make up for it if we do get him

Thinking about it, having a safe ride is much more important than looks for a child's pony. I know that really.

Will look at photos as soon as I'm on a proper computer and not my phone. But thank you.

Mmmm. Will post on Sunday

OP posts:

FannyPriceless · 16/02/2012 16:46

I agree that trimming feathers can totally change the look - for the better in my opinion, but I realise others may beat me over the head for this!

Safe, steady, kind are the important things here, surely? I would love a cob. My only objection to coloured cobs is the prospect of washing the white parts!

I hope Sunday goes well. Though I do agree with Callisto that it is a buyers' market so this one had better be worth the money they are asking!

Mirage · 16/02/2012 16:48

I love them too and if I could spare the time and money for one,after sorting out the dds' ponies,I'd have one like a shot.We were at Pony Club today and there were a few there-lovely,lovely things they were.

I learnt to ride on one,back in the early 70's and I still remember him now Smoky Joe was his name,and he was wonderful.

Just see what you think,it is a buyers market,but I'd never disregard a good horse because of its colour or markings.

Booboostoo · 16/02/2012 21:42

The absolute last thing in the world that would concern me about a child's pony is its colour! Who cares? All that matters is that the pony looks after your DD and they both have fun!

unobtanium · 17/02/2012 10:18

TPS, you know what they say about colour!! Honestly, I would be dispensing the gentle slap you asked for if I had not been just like you ten years ago.

But then I went to a riding centre whilst on hols... I was in a group and they brought out gleaming steed after gleaming steed for my pushy mates, and when it got to me, out came the worthy-looking coloured cob. By some superhuman effort I stopped my face from falling -- his mane was hogged, fgs... and I tell you, in my twenty years of riding I had never, EVER had so much fun. I felt like the luckiest one on the whole ride!

Since that day, all coloured cobs are beautiful to me.

That will happen to you, promise!

As for the name, unless you can pm it to me, I can't possibly comment.

Good luck with your choice, this pony does sound like a treasure.

Abbicob · 17/02/2012 12:44

Cobs rule and if you have a nicely marked coloured cob then it opens up a lot of doors for local shows as you have the coloured classes, cob classes and an other classes you can think of.

If you are not keen on the hair trim it up and hog it

Regards the cost - it is a buyers market but good cobs are like gold dust which will be why it's at the top end.

Good luck

frostyfingers · 17/02/2012 14:55

There's a very old saying along the lines of "handsome is as handsome does" - the nature and behaviour of the pony are the most important thing for you - if it does what it should, and she's happy with it then you may have to ditch your prejudices. Also, a lot of people do like them, and you could well make money from it when selling it on.....

Having said that, it would take a lot to make me buy another grey - we live in a red clay area, and my pony is permanently clay tinged!

SaggyOldClothCatPuss · 17/02/2012 16:19

"a good horse is never a bad colour!"
If its a good horse it's a good horse. Colour isn't everything! says the owner of 3 filthy greys

Original poster

TwoPinkShoes · 19/02/2012 19:53

Thank you all I think I've bought him!!

Well, I have put in an offer for him, without the saddle included as Dd is too small for the saddle he's got.

He was a poppet today. DD had a lovely long hack out, got him to trot, canter etc. He is awfully young and he got confused at one stage as she won't sit up enough cantering to keep him at it (her previous elderly pony understood and almost ignored dd when she did that). But he's awfully gentle and do incredibly friendly. Yes, she was little on him! He's 14 2". But she did not look daft at all - she's a lanky,
skinny, long legged girl and personally I think while she won't get the very best out of him for a couple of years, they'll grow in confidence and ability together in that time and get a real bond.

He's still not my cup of tea in terms of colour but at least he's kept shaved and that'll save dd 15 minutes every morning of pony club as they'll be no mane plaiting and just a brush out of his tail.

And we are changing his name to Sherlock (keeps the first two letters the same as his previous name). Will now wait and see if his owner accepts the offer,

Thank you do much for all the very sensible replies! Much appreciated

OP posts:

frostyfingers · 19/02/2012 21:04

How exciting, photos when you're ready!

Mirage · 19/02/2012 21:09

Hurray!.He sounds gorgeous.

Original poster

TwoPinkShoes · 20/02/2012 11:41

Thank you I have put a photo on my profile. His legs look odd in it (the way I took the photo!!). He also looks enormous. But I surely get bonus points for coordinating the child's coat to the pony, yes??

Haven't heard yet about my offer though....

OP posts:

frostyfingers · 20/02/2012 12:04

He's lovely, love the big ears. Matchy coat is a neat touch and very stylish. Fingers crossed for a positive response from to your offer.

AllPastYears · 20/02/2012 12:31

Oh he's gorgeous . I'm not a big fan of coloureds either but I like him.

Colour's not important. I'm not a big fan of greys either - due to the dirt - but what did I buy? A grey whose favourite activity is rolling in the mud .

Abbicob · 20/02/2012 12:54

Very handsome and you lucky thing a black tail

Original poster

TwoPinkShoes · 20/02/2012 19:50

And he's our's!!!!!!

Owner accepted £500 below the asking price, but am planning on spending
some of that on one of those pony club approved synthetic saddles for DD as soon as hunting is finished and I can get the man to come and fit them both up for it on a Saturday.

One very happy little girl has gone to bed

OP posts:

Mirage · 20/02/2012 20:18

Oh,he is just gorgeous! I love his ears.The black tail is a plus too [not that I've spent hours washing weey grey mares tails,oh no].It sounds as though you've got a bargain with him too.

BehindLockNumberNine · 20/02/2012 20:25

Oh wow, he is absolutely gorgeous... your dd is one lucky girl!!

Booboostoo · 20/02/2012 20:55

Lovely! Hope you have a great time with him!

bonzo77 · 21/02/2012 14:55

he is gorgeous. Congratulations. And not too much white on him. I want an identical one, 14.2 perfect for me! .

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