The Cob Company Archived Newsletter - August 2004 - Safecobs First Anniversary
Hello and welcome to the very first Safecobs Newsletter.
So much has been achieved since the idea was developed from germinal beginnings. I remember the excitement well. All the talking, all the planning, all the detail, and then the practicalities.
This is where most projects stop. That initial burst of enthusiasm can wane and falter so easily, but for me the drive and determination just stayed and grew.
So here we are, happy and confident that there is real need and respect for what we are doing. But this is only the start, there is SO much more we want to do, you would be giddy from hearing about it.
An anniversary also means looking back on friends we have known and trained during the last twelve months, and in case you don't remember, Ronan has the distinction of being the first Safecob to find a new owner last year. I have been talking to Emma, and she now calls him Bentley. He's still wonderful, and everyone loves him. She promised me some up to date pics, so come on Emma, everyone's waiting!
We work with each horse so closely, as we would are own, indeed they actually become our own while they are with us, that they often leave an essence of themselves in the box. The next horse to occupy that stable can seem like an intruder, until he makes his own impression on that space. I will be talking more about auras and energies again. It's actually a really important subject when it comes to successfully matching horse and rider.
We are constantly amazed by the versatility of cobs and cob type horses and ponies. Although they are primarily safe hacks, they are so much more than that.
When we think back to Nutkins for instance, we are reminded just how much they can achieve. I wrote at the time that she would be Le Trec champion, and that now seems to be coming to pass. She has won or been in the first three places in every single Hunter Trial and Cross Country she has entered. It's easy to forget she's only five this year, her fellow competitors can hardly believe it. We will be watching her compete when there's a qualifier near enough to us. We're really looking forward to it.
Lovely little Murphy is a perfect Pony Club Pony. He has given such pleasure and enjoyment beyond hacking, which originally was the plan for him. Of course the flatwork and training was already in place which ensures that these and the other horses will continue to do their jobs.
I have just returned from Germany where I have a friend who has a special interest in Irish Cobs. She is also a trainer and producer of competion horses, but the versatility of these cobs has inspired her so much that she has now established a stud dedicated to the breeding and future production of these horses.
I was able to see even more examples of what they can do, and listen to her stories about their past, their difficulties, and how she overcomes them. It's very moving stuff, and I will be sharing some of that with you soon.
She drives a lot of them as well as rides them, they are all ridden with no shoes, just regular trimming, some of them are currently eventing at Pony Club level. Those that she has had for longer, now do what we would call tricks, and are used in films and outdoor Theatre. One noble gelding, aged twenty two, was doing two performances a day while I was there, and was so experienced at his job, that everyone referred to him as the Professor! Indeed the horses themselves are our best teachers, we spent the whole evening and on into the night discussing that very subject. Would you like to know more?
I plan to return to her stables soon to watch her break these cobs in. She has developed her own unique method, and gives regular demonstrations and exhibitions with these horses and ponies that she finds wild and untouched in Ireland. Amazing. I have to admit, we like to choose the more domesticated version. I can't wait to be shown more of her secrets.
Until next time,
