Blue Cross celebrates cobs with #giveacobajob week
Pet charity Blue Cross is celebrating the joys of owning a cob with #giveacobajob week from 14 – 20 November 2016. Throughout the week the charity will be showcasing some spectacular rehomed Blue Cross cobs, together with similar cobs that are ready to find new homes. You can join the cob party by posting pictures of your own cob using the hashtag #giveacobajob or by contacting Blue Cross horse rehoming centres direct to find out how you can give a deserving Blue Cross cob a home.
Cobs are a type rather than a breed of horse. Usually any size from 12hh up to 16hh they are sturdily built and come in any colour. They are hardy animals, designed for the UK’s temperate climate with good coats and a capacity to survive on poorer grazing. Cobs are renowned for their versatility. Commonly assumed to be sedate and sensible, a fit cob can equally be forward going, fast, fiery and fun. They will take most disciplines in their stride and are often capable jumpers.
Blue Cross has been inundated with cobs of all ages and sizes in recent years. Many have been rescued from lives of neglect and suffering and now deserve one-to-one care and attention from loving new owners.
Jenna Martyn, Rehoming Manager at Blue Cross Burford said: “We hope this week will tempt horse lovers to give a charity cob a chance if they are looking for a new horse. So often under all that hair is a superstar in the making so please take a look at our rehoming page and #giveacobajob.”
Some of the cobs Blue Cross has helped include:
A neglected cob who now jumps for joy
Bertie was severely malnourished, riddled with lice and suffering from a highly contagious respiratory infection when he was admitted to Blue Cross. He was rehomed to Kerry Alexander as a yearling and has flourished to become a superb all round riding horse. Kerry said: “Bert is a very talented pony and a natural at dressage. We have lessons with Polly Williamson who adores Bert and can’t get over how correct his jump is. He has become the darling of the VWH riding club. When I’m out competing, people can’t help but smile at us – either looking at his fab feathers, or wondering what we are doing at such an event. We soon show them what this little cob can do!”
A lively cob who has become riding school superstar
Tarron a handsome black 14.2hh gelding came to Blue Cross when his owner lost her confidence with him. He had started bucking when ridden and was suffering badly from sweet itch and harvest mites. He was rehomed to Deen City Farm in Surrey ten years ago where he has become a firm favourite, being used for everything from lead rein, to RDA. He is also carving out an impressive competition career. Joanna Henbrey, Riding School Manager at Deen City farm reported: “He has been part of our winning team at the Team London Dressage Championships at Hickstead on numerous occasions. This year he did his first jumping competition taking part in the BHS Riding Schools Championships, where he qualified for the finals and came fifth nationally. More recently he has been part of our successful quadrille team and has helped us qualify for the national finals.”
A twinkle-toed cob who has turned into dressage diva
Honeydew, a striking 14.3hh piebald mare was rescued from a life of neglect and cruelty. She is now excelling in dressage in her new home with Sally-Ann Hammill. She won a prestigious dressage class at Sunshine Tour Championships at Hickstead this year with an impressive score of 74.35%. Sally-Ann said: “I am totally delighted to have the loan of this loyal and talented little mare and am looking forward to moving up the dressage levels with her and going showing next year.”
To find out how you can #giveacobajob please visit www.bluecross.org.uk.
Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.