There are several different kinds of cob, and what they all have in common is that they are relatively small, strong, and sturdy. The ideal cob is both powerful and sensible, which means they are a great choice for adults who are returning to riding, and many novice riders buy a cob as a first horse. Their compact shape and short, strong legs give them a relatively low centre of balance. This adds to their strength, making them suitable for driving as well as riding, which is an advantage for those who want to sell a cob. Cobs are bigger than ponies, standing at over 14.2 hands (58 inches/147 cm) up to 15.1 hands (61 inches/155 centimetres) high.
A cob is really a type of horse, rather than a breed, so there's plenty of choices when looking to buy a cob. Welsh Section D cobs are one of the exceptions, as they are a recognised breed and this is usually mentioned by anyone planning to sell a cob. Cobs come in many colours, though the "little black cob" has always been a popular type, as are grey, chestnut and coloured cobs. Show cobs, as the name suggests, have excellent conformation and have classes dedicated to them at major horse shows, particularly in the UK. For the show ring, they are divided into three classes by height and weight. The largest, known as Maxi cobs, are frequently shown hogged, to emphasise the strong neck with its distinctive crest. Today, cobs also participate in dressage, cross-country and all other mainstream equestrian activities, with great success too. In fact, they're usually very easy to keep, intelligent and willing.
Origin and history of breeding cobs
Since the word "cob" probably derives from a Middle English term for something round, it's not surprising that cobs are rounded too. It's thought they are the descendants of rouncies, one of the riding horse types of the medieval period, the name deriving from the Latin "runcinus". These were the versatile, hardy riding horses that squires and men-at-arms rode, rather than the expensive warhorses of the knights. Today, definitions of cobs vary from country to country, which is why it's important to have as accurate a description as possible in order to sell a cob. The Welsh cob, also known as the Welsh Section D, is a recognised breed with its own international registries. In recent years a breed registry has been set up in the UK and Ireland for gypsy or traditional cobs, which are often coloured (piebald or skewbald). A similar registry exists in the USA, where they are called Gypsy Vanners. These coloured cobs often have full feathers on the legs and flowing manes and tails.
Suitability of cobs
On the whole, their strength and hardiness make many cobs an excellent choice for adult riders, whether novice or experienced. They are usually low-maintenance and easy to keep at grass. However, because they are what is known as "good doers" that thrive on very little food, their grazing should not be too rich and they need regular exercise. They're not all novice rides either, so it's important to know everything about them before purchasing. Some cobs may look deceptively quiet but they can be "turbo-charged"! Coloured cobs with naturally long feathers can need special care, as they sometimes suffer from greasy conditions of the leg requiring regular treatment. Bearing this in mind, a cob can make the best of partners for many happy, healthy years of fun activities, from pleasure riding to competing at high levels.
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