I want to know everyting about the Cob, can you help?

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Rushuna

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Hi.
I am a 22 year old woman from Norway.
I visited Hickstead a couple a weeks ago, and I completely fell for the Cob. By only judging by the looks, this is the perfect horse for me! The only problem is, I don't know anything about this breed. I was looking at the Showclass, and this is the type of horse I want. I am a dressagerider, and right now I have a norwegian draft horse, wich is very similair in type of horse. The problem is that these tend to be a bit heavy, and dificult to work with.
So: Is there anyting called English Cob?
Are there any books, or organisations I can contact?
And how do you get that fantastic look? They look absolutely amazing!
I have searched the net, but I don't seem to find much information...
I want to know everything!
I hope to gather as much information as possible, as I hope to buy one next summer.
Kind regards
Carina
 
Appart from the welsh Cob, cob isn't a particular breed its a type. Often they have alot of irish draught blood in them but they don't have to. They live on thin air, so get fat very easilly. Also tack can be slightly harder to fit as many cobs are very wide but have low withers and most have very fleshey tounges so apprechiate tounge relief of a mullen or ported mouthpiece. At the moment cobs are commanding a premium in the market as they're very popular. Hope that helps a bit.
 
They don't all live on thin air either! I really struggled to keep weight on mine whereas my tb has a grazing muzzle on to try and keep the weight off! Mine is most definitely not a novice ride either! He is part ID.
 
english cob, no, but irish cob aka gypsy vanner, yes. The vanner isn't something you'd have seen in the hickstead cob classes though.

Most cobs are of irish decent, the vanner and the ID lending heavily to the lines.

Cobs can be quite vague. A lot of people describe a 13hh coloured pony as a cob, but for the correct showing definition it's a 14.2 - 15.1hh heavy set animal.
Even within that range, they can be lightweight or heavyweight, usually distinguished by the amount of bone they have, but can also be described as their weight carrying ability (LW's are up to 15stone, HW's are over 15 stone - although I'm prone to disagree as a 13 stone adult who's useless at riding does more damage than a 16 stone adult who is world class!)

We've often heard cobs described as having "the head of the duchess, the arse of the cook". The 'stupid' looking cob is not desired in the show ring, something with a bit of class is, however they still need to have the build of a cob, so no short riding horses or hunters allowed!!

There is also this huge misconception that cobs are quiet. Their personalities vary as much as their physical description. Some are as stupid as they look and would walk off a cliff if asked, others and it's probably safer to buy an ex racer on speed!!

Problem with cobs is, they're not bred, they're found. A quality cob is usually tethered to the back of a gypsy wagon, much as the public hate to admit gypsies might know a bit about horse care and breeding, and will cost you a small fortune. Some dealers have cracked the art of sourcing cobs from ireland, but again, they'll cost you.

The best bet, when looking for a cob, is to look far and wide. Some cob dealers have little more than the junk that goes for meat money at sales, and really aren't worth what they're trying to get for them under the label of 'cob'. Others really are gems in the rough, and a bit of clipping soon reveals what they're caperble of.

Out of my two top showing cobs, one was imported from ireland and cost a fortune, and the other was rescued from a muddy squalor, suffering worms, thrush, sarcoids and anything else you can think of. He went on to show at county level as well as eventing, hunting and dressage to keep his mind on the ball.

If you're looking for some more help and advice, the British Show Hack Cob and Riding Horse association is in charge of cob showing in the UK, and might be of help.

And to get the look for the show ring? All you need is clippers (decent ones... I spent two days just doing legs onces!). A show cob has no feathers, no mane, a pulled or trimmed tail and no whiskers. It's easy enough once you're used to it!
 
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Problem with cobs is, they're not bred, they're found. A quality cob is usually tethered to the back of a gypsy wagon, much as the public hate to admit gypsies might know a bit about horse care and breeding, and will cost you a small fortune.

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Definatly, one of arlington's best driving horses was bought from gypsys as a 3 year old. He had shire, welsh cob, ID in him but was from a long line so who knows the ratios. They sold him because they knew he wouldn't stand up to road work for years because he had the tinyest feet you can imagine with upright pasterns. But he turned into a fantastic horse, could be a real handful but also great with begginers. Had a very flashy action and did everything, even going to the queen mothers hundredth birthday parade in london but the gypsys were right, he had a degenerative joint conditition at 13 and was retired. Goes to show the travelers often sell horses for a reason and keep the good 'uns
 
My best horse is a 14.3 mid weight cob. She's a knabstrupper pony possibly X welsh cob. Should be midweight but can't keep weight on her very well.

She will show, always placed top 3 in cob/coloured classes, regardless of competition, and would have dressage potential if I enjoyed it enough!! She jumps at riding club and trailblazer level and I will be affiliating her next year. She also loves a bit of XC though she prefers to team chase as she gets a bit lonely, but she will lead the team.

She is THE most honest genuine horse I have ever jumped. She doesn't know she's not built for speed so she wipes the floor with the competition everywhere we go!!!

She doesn't like bad weather but will work in it and is fearless at least on the outside, tho now I know her well I can tell when the inside is shaking. She's not much of a cuddler and hates being touched by strangers, but will swap nuzzles and kisses in secret when no ones looking.

I payed £700 for her and backed her by myself, something I had never done before. She just figured out what I wanted and got the hell on with it. Can't recommend a cob strongly enough. Sure they all differ in personality but they all seem honest at heart.

A cob should be compact, muscular and neat looking in build, but timid or bold, capable or green, quiet or mad, it should be honest.
 
I have a Show Cob and he is full of character, moves beautifully (as long as you know what buttons to press) and I honestly don't think you can beat a really good show cob (I know I'm biased!)
I bought mine from a dealer named Bill Johnson (now sadly deceased) and his name is Becks (as in Posh and Becks!)

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I do tend to agree with the honesty bit. Even if they're a bit less than helpful at times theres usually a genuine (albeit horsey) reason. I used to ride a lovely county level cob who got worried very easily and would become very strong but it was fear rather than anyting malitious and once you knew him you worked out how to "give him a cuddle" just to reasure him. The other thing, many cobs are forgiving as the same horse had a gate slam on his quarters while in full gallop out hunting which apparently was a real horrific injury as the bolt sliced through his quarters but he still will go through a gate while ridden . I think most people would forgive him being stupid at a gate after that! Our old retired coachman says the "bigger the horse, the smaller the brain, the better they are!" read into that what you will! lol
 
Cobs are practically perfect in every way
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I am slightly biased though
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They can be strong willed little bu*gers at times, and can know how to use their weight to their advantage.

BUT most of the time they are perfect gentlemen and will try their hearts out for you.

Go for one from Ireland
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Nice to hear other cob lovers like me
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And how do you get that fantastic look? They look absolutely amazing!


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There are 2 main styles, the full feathered traditional look with long flowing mane, tail and feathers and the fully clipped look, which I think looks the smartest and is how I keep my boy.

Don't know about organisations but you could contact Lyn Russel, she is a dealer specialising in show cobs, my horse came from her yard.

Also - they can do dressage, my boy does, but wouldn't win at a very high level, so if you hope to take on Anky they may not be the best choice!
 
I've recently had the opportunity to bring on a couple of cobs and I have to say I have totally fallen for the 'cob thing'. Having always been under the impression that they were half dead riding school dobbins with too much hair, I have now revised my opinion.

Some of them are half dead riding school dobbins with too much hair...
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but then some of them are fantastic, honest, comfortable, willing, happy and utterly delightful animals, keen to please, quick to learn, forgiving of rider error and desire only to do their jobs to the best of their ability. Still with too much hair mind but that can be clipped off!!

I have noticed that they do seem to have the potential to be strong and they also seem to learn quite quickly to use their weight against you given the opportunity. If you pull on a cob they aren't afraid to pull back LOL. Some of them can be built a bit 'downhill' which can make them a bit heavy in front although others are really upright and powerful. Apart from the Welshies which can be a bit spooky, they seem to generally have more 'sensible' tempraments than the TBs and are less inclined to overreact to unexpected hazards. Some of the cobs we've had in have been reschool jobs - cobs do seem to have quite a potential to get nappy if they are allowed to but they soon give it up once they realise they can't get away with it anymore and they don't seem to throw the big tantrums some of the TB reschool jobs throw when they realise the game is up. Masshosive generalisations I know but this has been my experience.

I love cobs - I think I want one for my next horse
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Cobs are very versatile and a good one can turn a hoof to anything, not all are dopes on ropes mine is a little s*d sometimes, they come in a huge variety of sizes colours etc. Good luck you cant go far wrong with a cob!!
Doing the clipped show look
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Doing the traditional hairy look
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Hi, and thank you so much! I am so grateful for all your answers, and I'm more and more in love with cobs...! Does Lyn Russel have a homepage? I tried looking her up, but I couldn't find anything. Beautiful horses by the way!
 
Thank you so much!
I still have a few questions...
What are the maximum height? I have found several under 15hh, but I would like a 16hh, and if possible, even bigger.
I'm not very good with computers, but in this link,

http://hest.no/blogg/?bid=7638&blid=137756&pagetitle=Dreamhorse%20-%20forum,%20horse%20and%20hound

I have uploaded a few pictures. The horses in these pics seem so big!
And are a cob likely to get old?
And are you allowed to breed them?
 
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