Norman Cobs are descended from bidets, small horses that
from Asia. They were brought by the Celts. They lived in Brittany and Normandy
before the start of the Roman Empire. Eventually these horses reached Russia
and were interbred to Mongolian Horses. Romans interbred these horses with
their heavy pack mares. In the 10th century the Norman breeders were known for
their war horses--large, strong with good endurance. In the 16th and 17th
centuries Barb and Arabian blood was introduced. In 1665 the first royal stud
farms were founded. Stallions were selected in 1730. In the 19th century the
Norfolk Roadster was mixed in. English Thoroughbred blood was added along with
English hunter stallions. The horse developed into the Anglo-Norman (in France
called the Normand Cob) and recently Selle Francais horses.
Even though Norman Cob stallions are to be found at the
National studs, especially at Saint Lo, no studbook is kept, although breeding
is documented and in some areas performance testing of young stock is carried
out.
Norman Cobs range from 15.3 hh to 16.3 hh. They are a light
draft horse with a forward moving trot. The trot is the working gait. They have
freedom of movement with a high set tail. Their build is strong and stocky. They
are energetic, docile, lively, and of excellent temperament. Their neck is
crested and their head is heavy. Their coupling is short, have powerful
hindquarters, proportionate hocks, sort cannons and shanks, with prominent
joints. Their barrel is round and deep. They have strong shoulders with a good
slope, and a strong back. Their hooves are medium sized, hard, and sound. Their
legs are short, extremely muscular, lightly feathered at the heel, with good
bone. They are found in chestnut bay or bay and brown. Gray and red roan are
rare but do exist.
About Norman Cob Horses
