In 1195, while he was serving as Uma no kami (Captain of the Right Division of the Bureau of Horses), during the Ise reihei (offering a wand with hemp and paper streamers to a Shinto god at Ise Grand Shrine), Nobukiyo was not able to lead the horses out of the stable, and Kanezane KUJO complained that 'He was able to be involved in important rituals only because he was related to the imperial court.' (from "Gyokuyo" (Diary of Kanezane KUJO) dated September 11, 1195)
また右馬頭在任中の建久6年、伊勢例幣に際し信清の沙汰によって馬寮から馬が進められなかった時、九条兼実は「外戚の威を振りかざして厳重な神事に関わる」といった批判を浴びせたことがあった（『玉葉』建久6年9月11日条）。