The Breed

The Traditional Cob

Although 'cob' is a generic term used to describe a short-legged type of horse or pony with a compact powerful stocky build and large joints, the Traditional Cob is a distinctive breed of cob originally bred and kept by the nomadic Traveller / Gypsy community of Ireland and Britain (now referred to as Ireland and the UK) to pull their Traveller barrel top / Gypsy wagons.

What makes the Traditional Cob a distinctive breed of cob is its ample leg feathering and abundance of flowing mane and tail. However, because the Traditional Cob breed can be from medium to very heavy-boned, have varying frames and conformation, and can be any colour and size, there are different Traditional Cob breed types the breed name Traditional Cob is also therefore a generic term covering all Traditional Cob breed types (Irish Cob, Gypsy Cob, Mini Gypsy Cob and Stepping Cob) and this fact is born out in an article written by Horse & Hound. Although Gypsy Cob has also been used as a generic term covering all Traditional Cob breed types in recent years the Gypsy Cob has been defined as a Traditional Cob breed type.

Outside of Ireland and the UK Traditional Cobs also have other names such as Tinker (or Irish Tinker) and Gypsy Vanner etc.

Irish Cob

The Irish Cob is a Traditional Cob breed type native to Ireland The Irish Cob evolved because Traditional Cobs were mostly bred bigger (taller and leggier) and usually hairier in Ireland than in the UK. Because the Irish Cob was bred to be a bigger (taller and leggier) Traditional Cob usually with a good riding type shoulder and handsome straight head, it is the bigger (taller & leggier) and athletically built and versatile dual-purpose (ride and drive) up to 170cms Irish Cob originally from Ireland (and therefore with Irish ancestral pedigree) that from the mid-1990s made the Traditional Cob breed so popular as a leisure horse not just in Ireland and the UK but also in countries such as Germany, Holland, France, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Czech Republic, Spain, Italy and also in the USA and Australia, etc.

In addition, to be being ridden and shown worldwide in their full 'traditional splendour' of abundant leg feathering and long thick flowing mane and tail clipped out and hogged the Irish Cob remains a common sight on the hunting fields of Ireland and the UK as well as in cob showing classes both in Ireland and the UK. Some of the most renowned Irish-bred Traditional Cob stallions that contributed to Irish and UK Traditional Cob breeding are The Lion King, The Road Sweeper, The Old Coal Horse, The Lob and The Henry Horse.

Although the Traditional Gypsy Cob was officially recognised in the UK in 2012, the Traditional Gypsy Cob is the same Traditional Cob breed type as the Irish Cob which was officially recognised in Ireland in 1998. The Traditional Gypsy Cob and the Irish Cob, therefore, share similar Irish ancestral pedigree.

Gypsy Cob

Although Gypsy Cob has been used as a generic term covering all Traditional Cob breed types (therefore including the Irish Cob), in recent times the Gypsy Cob has been defined as a distinctive Traditional Cob breed type. The 'modern' Gypsy Cob (which usually has UK ancestral pedigree) can be smaller, shorter-legged, stockier, and stouter-bodied than the Irish Cob and can have a broader front (chest and shoulders) than the Irish Cob and can have a 'sweeter' head and smaller ears than the Irish Cob. The 'modern' Gypsy Cob can also have rounder flatter withers that are set further back than the Irish Cob thereby giving the 'modern' Gypsy Cob not just a shorter back than the Irish Cob but a back that can have a stepper upward angle to the croup than the Irish Cob. The 'modern' Gypsy Cob croup can also be shorter than the croup of the Irish Cob and can have a steeper slope to the tail than the Irish Cob.

Mini Gypsy Cob

The Mini Gypsy Cob is a Gypsy Cob under 124cms.

Borderline Cob / Gypsy Cob

A borderline Irish Cob / Gypsy Cob is 'on the border' between being an Irish Cob and a Gypsy Cob in appearance. A borderline Irish Cob / Gypsy Cob could therefore be registered as either an Irish Cob or a Gypsy Cob.

Stepping Cob

Because the Stepping Cob is a Traditional Cob with natural elevated knee and hock action the Stepping Cob (which usually has UK ancestral pedigree) is a Traditional Cob breed type.

Part Bred Traditional Cob

A Part Bred Traditional Cob is at least 25% Traditional Cob.