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The tack room

Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

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Original poster

those looking for quiet cobs?

25 replies

miggy · 27/02/2013 22:25

Do you actually want something really quiet and a bit of a struggle to get into canter, or are you really looking for something responsive and forward gong but bombproof?
Just seeking opinions as have dilemna with a pony and not sure if there is a market or not.
I bought a highland youngster a few years ago as had always wanted one, she is a sweetie and really bombproof but just not forward going enough for me. I have kept her because dd is really really nervous and if she ever wanted to ride again, D would be the pony for her, but realistically she wont. Also feel that she is the kind of pony I ought to want, not getting any younger, dont bounce and not the bravest. But again realistically I prefer something more forward going.
So do you think there are people that would like something that quiet, or is there such a thing as too quiet? She walks out well and trots when asked but always ready to go back to walk, canter is possible but requires much encouragement with flapping whip and legs and a bit of "yee ha" shouting, certainly she is never going to take off with anyone .
Nothing wrong with her, am more genned up on highlands now and energy conservation seems to be a bit of a theme .
Just wondering if I should try and sell her as a broodmare or if there were people that are not that bothered about going fast, ever!!

OP posts:

Pixel · 27/02/2013 22:52

Me. I'm not bothered about going fast ever. If I win the lottery I'll have her off you like a shot!

SaggyOldClothCatpuss · 27/02/2013 23:31

I'd take her like a shot if I had the money!
She's just the kind of plod I'd love. I fell off and was I mired quite badly a few years ago. Haven't had any confidence since. I love highlands too.
I'm sure somebody like me will snap her up. I'd imagine the RDA would love her.

WillowKnicks · 28/02/2013 08:58

Me too, exactly what I want...I'm not bothered about cantering anymore & neither are quite a few of my ermm...more mature friends.

I think she would be ideal for a LOT of people out there, maybe market her as a quiet, safe, ladies hack...I bet you'd get your hand snapped off for her!

Callisto · 28/02/2013 09:21

I wouldn't, I need a bit of spark. Plus getting a canter easily is basic training - a horse should just do it when asked. But then I'm not into cobs anyway so I wouldn't be your target market.

Sorry, that wasn't terribly helpful really.

Original poster

miggy · 28/02/2013 10:16

Thanks, that is really helpful. Good to know there are people not looking for speed :)
Her full sister a year older was sold to an RDA group she does have that kind of temperament.
I actually did a fun mounted games weekend on her as she is the only one I can get on and off from gound easily and got asked if I had drugged her :).Just trundled up and down at her own speed oblivious to other horses going bananas.
I wish she had just a tiny bit more spark and she would be perfect!

OP posts:

Mitchy1nge · 28/02/2013 11:45

my daughter (actually two of my daughters) would LOVE something like that

we are a bit back to front, I like a few thrills and they are nervy and like to feel safe

not that I like not feeling safe, just have a different threshold

KissingKittyKat · 28/02/2013 11:45

OP your horse sounds exactly like the pony I have on part share.

My share pony is owned by a family and the kids learned to ride on her, but now the kids are very good riders and love jumping so they have a new, whizzy pony now as they do a lot of competitions.

However the family kept my share pony as she is a beloved pet to them and they currently have three sharers for her - that is how popular she is! The sharers are all people who are returning to riding / a bit nervous etc.

I do sometimes wish she was a bit more forward going, as I would like to work on my canter in the school and it's hard as she only does a few strides then goes back to trot, but on the whole I am not too bothered about going fast!

In my experience their are always people looking to loan or share these kinds of safe, sensible horses, so if you didn't want to sell her you should be able to find a loan or share home.

Good luck

NotGoodNotBad · 28/02/2013 12:46

I like the quiet, slow ones, but I must admit I find it frustrating to ride a horse that doesn't want to canter. Too much like hard work!

A girl at our yard was going to sell her pony as he is not forward going enough for pony club (not as quiet as yours but can be hard work). RI suggested changing his feed and he now has that bit more oomph - might be worth a try.

Original poster

miggy · 28/02/2013 13:02

Mitchyinge-similar role reversal here, dd very very risk aversive!

Notgoognotbad-have tried sadly, competition mix, oats, red cell and topspec turbo boost

OP posts:

Mirage · 28/02/2013 13:11

Me.I'm not bothered about going fast,all I'd want is to be able to keep up with the dds out on hacks.There are loads of people who would love a non whizzy pony.How many hands is she?

Naranji · 28/02/2013 13:15

We have had ponies like this and they drive me mental. So not for me, sorry. I am rusty but for a start I need to keep up with my dds on hacks! Plus although I don't jump, I like to have a lovely easy balanced canter over the fields :-)

pipsy76 · 28/02/2013 17:17

I was looking for safe and forward as that's a fun combination. I think plenty of people like slow and safe though!

horsemadmom · 28/02/2013 19:03

How big and where are you? Just what I am looking for. PM if you prefer.

BehindLockNumberNine · 28/02/2013 20:23

Me, am not fussed about cantering, would love a gentle plod to walk and trot around the countryside on.

I fear that at 6ft 1 and 17 stone I am too big for her however

VivaLeBeaver · 28/02/2013 20:29

I bet a pony trekking centre would love her.

chocolatecakeystuff · 01/03/2013 00:56

She sounds perfect for my dd... and a few others I knoe. Definatly a market for her xx

superfluouscurves · 01/03/2013 07:42

I'd buy her like a shot! My dd would love her too.

Seriously - if you come to the point of selling - please pm me!! Happy to pay a really decent price for something totally bombproof as can't avoid a bit of road-work here before I reach hacking area.

saintmerryweather · 01/03/2013 21:32

canter is the best pace, does she not even canter on hacks?

Original poster

miggy · 01/03/2013 22:23

Smw-yes she will, if she feels like it! So good going, open field etc. but if she doesn't feel like it, will happily just trot even while other horse canters off.
Have done an endurance ride of 18km, my son rode her and she did canter then when asked and kept up well with my mare, it's not that she can't, just that her natural inclination is to conserve energy.
I struggle with canter in the school although we could go and get a decent mark in a walk and trot test. I have her schooled professionally every few weeks and the slip of a girl gets and maintains canter no problem, but she has legs of steel .
It's just her personality really and much as I love her, I feel like I'm constantly wanting her to be something she isn't and hence my musing as to whether there were people that would enjoy what she has to offer.

OP posts:

saintmerryweather · 01/03/2013 23:08

i absolutely love highlands, id love a beautiful safe horse as long as as i could canter ocasionally... id rather kick a horse on than hold it back

Kormachameleon · 01/03/2013 23:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TataClaire · 02/03/2013 23:03

Swap ya for my cob, he's too keen for me!

Fredstheteds · 03/03/2013 22:05

Swap you for a very forward going highland. They broke the mould when they made him....... Dunedin pony bloodlines, fab but wow it shifts! Can be evil too but bless him so lovely!

Variety for suspect like my mums hipo yours finds schooling boring?

You would have no problems selling her, I am often asked as I am a enthusiasts area rep. I have four of them and a trad. Fab ponies!

Original poster

miggy · 03/03/2013 22:12

Lucky you Fred's, they have such lovely paces, when dolly monster is going forwards she really takes you.
She only goes in the school once a fortnight or so when miss iron thighs rides her. I hack her out about five times a week, alone or in company.

OP posts:

higgle · 05/03/2013 16:41

I'm sure if you put your highland on The Highland Pony Society sales page you would have a lot of interest, they have a wanted page too where there are lots of requests for nice steady mounts for nervous people. I love highlands, and have owned two. The first was a bit of a complex character but the second really was dream pony. Too poor and too busy to help you out now, sadly.

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