The Irish Farmer Cob

The Irish Farmer Cob

The Cob

The Cob is a heavy-boned, stocky type of horse that is from 14.2 to 15.2 hands and that has light heel feathering. Historically, the Cob was predominantly solid-coloured, because historically coloured horses were not held in high regard. Because the elegant Connemara Pony and Irish Draught Horse (two Irish native breeds) contributed to the breeding of the Cob, and because the Connemara Pony and Irish Draught Horse are both performance (sport) breeds, the Cob is an athletic cob with straight hocks, and with the dimensions and proportions attributed to the riding cob, including a good riding cob shoulder and chest. The Cob is usually associated with hunting, and with ridden cob showing classes in Ireland and in Great Britain.

The Irish Farmer Cob

From before World War I, Irish farmers in Ireland (aka the Republic of Ireland) bred the Cob as a medium-boned to heavy-boned stocky type of horse from 14.2 to 16.2 hands. This is because Irish farmers in Ireland bred the cob (the Irish Farmer Cob) to be a working cob (for field/agricultural work and carriage work) as well as a riding cob (including for hunting). The Irish Farmer Cob was also used in Irish Cities as a workhorse.

Spanish influence 

It is said that a number of Spanish Armada ships wrecked along Ireland’s west coast were carrying Andalusian Horses that escaped and bred with the native ponies and horses to produce the elegant and athletic, predominantly grey, Connemara Pony and Irish Draught Horse that contributed to the breeding of the Cob, and also therefore to the breeding of the Irish Farmer Cob. Historical records show that during the 1588 Spanish Armada, multiple ships wrecked along Ireland's west coast, particularly during the "Great Gale" of September 1588. Notable examples include three ships—La Juliana, La Lavia, and Santa Maria de Visón—that were wrecked at Streedagh Beach in County Sligo, resulting in over 1,000 deaths. Other wrecks occurred in counties Clare and Donegal. The Irish Farmer Cob was used in Irish Cities as a workhorse.