The Norman Cob Horse, sometimes called the “Cob Normand,” is a light-draft breed of horse that originates from the Normandy region of France. By size and weight accounts, the breed is what one would consider to be an average horse. It’s conformation standards, however, are anything but standard. On first glimpse, it would be easy to mistake a Norman Cob for a Thoroughbred.
There are three subsets that can be found within this breed.
- Horses that are used under the saddle.
- Horses that are used with the harness.
- Horses that are bred specifically for meat production.
Many Norman Cobs are used for recreational riding purposes. They also excel in competitive driving competitions and can compete in several different riding disciplines.
That versatility meant that whenever there was a need, a Norman Cob could be called upon to get the job done. Numerous agricultural jobs were completed by this breed over the years. The French postal service used these horses to pull their mail carriages. Until competitive rules for driving were changed in 1997, this breed dominated the discipline.
As with all light-draft breeds throughout the world, the 1940s brought cheap mechanization to rural areas and that threatened equine populations. The Norman Cob didn’t see the same population threats, however, because it was a foundation breed for the Selle Francias, which is the national saddle horse of France.
An examination of the breed in the 1980s showed genetic drift and inbreeding could threaten the population, so steps were taken to increase diversity. Most Norman Cob Horses are found in Orne, Calvados, and Manche today.
\nDouble trouble: hunting this morning on Norma the Norman cob followed by a lovely sunny hack on my 4yo The Chosen One #heaveninDevon pic.twitter.com/CtEnKvOjqr
— Alice Collins (@msAliceCollins) February 18, 2017
What Is the Origin of the Norman Cob Horse?
The Normandy region of France has been known for its ability to breed horses over several centuries. Two other strong breeds have come from this region: the French Trotter and the Percheron.
The Norman Cob gets its name because of its resemblance to other Cob horses in Europe. Even though it is a light draft horse breed, it is almost exclusively used to produce sporting horses. At the same time, the breed has been mostly kept out of the meat production aspect of French society, which has also helped to maintain the breed’s standards over the years.
Instead of being bred to a heavier weight for more food, the Norman Cob has kept its conformation standards from the very beginning.
The story of the Norman Cob Horse begins around the around the 5th century BC. Horses called “bidets” were brought to Normandy by the Celts. As the Romans ventured north and entered the region around the 1st century AD, they began to crossbreed the bidets with their larger mares. This practice continued after the fall of the Roman Empire, helping to refine the breed over several centuries.
By the 10th century, Europe was craving the horses that came out of Normandy. They had a reputation for being strong, heavy, and able to drive over long distances. They could pull artillery by day and provide a leisurely ride at night.
When Louis XIV came to power, he had the Norman Cob crossed with Arabian and Barb horses and that is the foundation for this breed. Additional bloodlines from Danish, Mecklenburger, and Gelderland horses were added as well. By 1840, the Norman Cob had become a refined breed with trotting capabilities thanks to another addition, this time from Norfolk Trotters.
Napoleon founded the national stud for the breed in 1806 and it would work to produce cavalry horses and animals that would be used specifically for draft work. Up until 1950, the Norman Cob was thought to be one of the best carriage horses one could own. Although population numbers have slowly declined, a new stud book has been in place since 1992 to refine the breed and about 500 new foals are born every year.
\nThe Norman Cob is a light draft horse that originated in the province of Normandy, northern France pic.twitter.com/rnCkij7uqI
— Photos For All (@photopics87) January 31, 2016
The Characteristics of a Norman Cob Horse
A Norman Cob will usually stand about 15.2 hands high, with some stallions reaching a height of 16.3 hands or greater. The larger horses of the breed can reach 2,000 pounds, though some mares may only weigh about 1,200 pounds. There is such a wide variety of sizing within the breed because of the subtypes that were created in the early 19th century.
The smaller, lighter horses tend to come from the bloodlines of the cavalry horses that were bred, while the heavier horses are descendants of the drafting horses.
Many of the conformation requirements of the Norman Cob Horse are similar to what is expected with a Thoroughbred. The head must be well-proportioned, with nostrils that are wide. The ears are smaller than average, with a profile that can be slightly convex, though straight tends to be preferred.
The neck of the Norman Cob should be arched, muscular, and noticeably thick. Shoulders should be broad and angled, supported by a chest that is deep and pronounced withers. The body is sturdy and compact, lending to an appearance that is a little stocky. Legs are shorter than average as well, but quite muscular, and supported by a thick bone structure.
Several coat colors can be found with the Norman Cob Horse, though bay, chestnut, and black pangare are the most common that are registered. The latter color is more of a brown, not a black color. White markings are permitted, but there is a desire to minimize the trait.
As a whole, the breed is usually calm in temperament and willing. Most Norman Cobs have a large personality, however, and that can lead to miscommunication between the owner and the horse. They are energetic and athletic, so they mature quickly, but they are also very adaptable to changing conditions.
Until 1996, it was a tradition of the breed to have the tail docked. The practice has become illegal in France, but older members of the breed may still show this amputation. During the days of harness riding, tail docking was thought to be necessary to prevent the tail from catching the vehicle or the harness. Now braiding or wrapping the tail is considered acceptable.
The Norman Cob Horse is a breed that works well for mounted hunts. Their calm temperament is a good option for beginners learning to ride or those with health conditions that could make a fall from a horse a serious event. Although they are not used for driving events as often today, they excel in vaulting events.
Because of its influence and history, the Norman Cob is here to stay. It is an elegant, supportive breed that remains popular in France and throughout Europe.
