Irish Cob

Origin: Ireland

Color: Any color, including roan, piebald, and skewbald.

Avg Height: 14.1 to 16.2 hh

Avg Weight: 1120 to 1650 lbs

Build: Solid and compact, its short neck and back give the animal the power to pull heavy loads. An abundance of mane, tail, and feather. Heavy bone, flat knees, and ample hooves give the Irish Cob the foundation to sustain a body that includes a broad chest and heavy hips. The withers are rounded making the horse very suitable for harness.

Temperament: Possesed of a docile and willing nature, usually with a friendly disposition towards humans and other animals.

Main use: Mainly kept and used by the traveling people, aka Gypsies.

Special abilities: These horses are very docile, with generous natures and gentle spirits.

History: The origin of the Irish Cob is rather complicated. The Irish Travelers (Gypsies) were a very small minority group in Ireland. The love affair between Gypsies and their horses is legendary. A vision was born over half a century ago to create a very special horse - a magical looking horse - to pull the colorful caravans the Gypsy calls home. Until recently that vision was shared by few. The Irish Cob was developed from a combination of Shire, Clydesdale, Hunter, Irish Draught, Dales, Connemara pony and the descent probably contains more breeds. There's every reason to assume the Gypsies did buy up horses here and there, who didn't meet the requirements needed for the various breeds. For instance, a piebald Shire. It so happened that the Gypsies, while making their trips or at night, with or without the permission of the owners, took a stallion from a stable or a meadow and brought it up to the mares to serve. The breed didn't matter; only that it be for free. Which is why there is such variety in the Irish Cob's background. Nowadays, the Irish Cob Society has set strict rules and regulations to keep their breed "pure."