Cob Horse Guide: Breeds, Characteristics, Health & Nutrition

Cobs are small draft-type horses known for their hardiness and versatility as recreational riding mounts. However, the cob isn’t a distinct breed. The term refers to a common body type in several popular horse breeds.

These hardy horses are popular in the UK, where they’re defined as short-legged horses capable of carrying substantial weight. Their size and body type are ideal for riders of all ages who prefer shorter equine partners.

All cobs share physical and temperamental characteristics that contribute to their enduring popularity. However, this breed type is also susceptible to specific health issues associated with their metabolism and conformation.

This guide will discuss the history, characteristics, health problems, and nutritional needs of cob-type horse breeds. Keep reading to learn more about feeding and caring for your cob.

Cob Horse History

Cob-type horses have a long history in the UK and Ireland. Today, many of the most popular cob breeds originate from the British Isles, where they developed the characteristics that make them tough, versatile equine partners.

Origin

A study of horse bones in England from the Middle Ages suggest most English Medieval horses stood under 15 hands tall. The same study found increased robustness in the metatarsal bones of horses beginning in the high medieval period. ^[1]

The post-medieval period saw the largest and most robust bone specimens, revealing breeding trends towards heavier-boned horses. These findings suggest that most horses in post-Medieval England likely had a cob type. ^[1]

DNA studies revealed genetic links between British cob and draft breeds, including the Clydesdale. These results suggest cob horses descend from native ponies crossed with draft horses to produce a more muscular, robust build. ^[2]

Historic Use

Medieval farmers used cob-type horses for draft work, riding, and driving. They remained the primary all-around working animals in the UK until the Industrial Revolution increased demand for larger draft horses that could pull heavier loads. ^[3]

Cobs eventually shifted to pulling carts and carriages. The Romanichal Travelers of Great Britain bred cobs to pull their caravans. Romani cobs are the ancestors of the modern Gypsy Vanner, also known as the Irish Cob.

The early 20th century saw cobs surge in popularity as riding and showing horses. Modern cob breeds gradually became more refined than their working ancestors, but their versatility remained.

Cob Horse Breeds

The Gypsy Vanner is one of the most popular cob breeds worldwide. Welsh Ponies can also have a cob type, the Welsh Cob or Welsh Section D.

Cob types are also found in some horses and ponies from the following breeds:

• Dales Pony
• Fell Pony
• Halflinger
• Fjord
• Norman Cob

Some cobs have unknown breeding and are classified as cob types based on physical characteristics alone.

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Cob Horse Characteristics

Cobs have unique characteristics that distinguish them from other ponies and horses. Although not a breed, cobs can compete in exclusive classes that evaluate horses based on established standards for the cob type.

Conformation

The British Show Horse Association’s (BSHA) official height range for showing cobs is 14.2 to 15.1 hands. However, some horses and ponies outside this height range can have cob types. Cobs standing over 15.1 can participate in BHSA maxi cob classes.

Most cobs are larger than ponies but still relatively compact. They have short legs with generous bone and a stocky build that makes them strong for their size. While well-defined withers are desirable, many cobs have very little wither definition.

Other conformational cob traits include short backs, deep bodies, and broad chests. The ideal show cob has an attractive head, a proportional neck, and powerful hindquarters. They are often described as, “having the head of a duchess and the backside of a cook.”

Colours

Cobs come in many different colours depending on the breed. Welsh Cobs are commonly grey, bay, black, or chestnut. Pinto patterns are common in Gypsy Vanners, and pinto cobs with unknown ancestry are often called coloured cobs.

Most cobs have naturally thick, long manes and tails. Several cob breeds have leg feathering. Some show cobs compete with hogged manes, known as roached manes in North America.

Temperament

Many cob breeds have reputations for a calm temperament and laid-back personality that suits riders of all levels. Character can vary between individuals and breeds, but most cobs are kind and well-mannered.

Disciplines

Their reliable temperaments make cobs popular therapy and beginner horses. Their small size is less intimidating to nervous riders and is convenient for equine therapy techniques. Unlike light breeds of the same size, cobs are strong enough to carry adult riders.

Many owners use their cobs as recreational trail and pleasure mounts. Thanks to their bravery and hardiness, fox hunting is a popular discipline for this breed type on both sides of the Atlantic.

Some cobs compete in BSHA showing classes. Cobs are divided into lightweight, heavyweight, and maxi cob divisions depending on their size and carrying capacity. They typically have a smooth gait ideal for hunter and equitation disciplines in North America.

Heavier cobs may not have the agility for jumping, but lighter types can do well at the lower levels of show jumping and dressage.

Health Overview

Some cob conformation and movement traits can predispose horses with this type to specific lameness issues. These horses are also susceptible to metabolic and muscle conditions commonly found in the British ponies and draft breeds they descend from.

Genetic Diseases

Polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM) is a genetic muscle disorder that is prevalent in draft breeds related to cob horses. Researchers have identified the GYS1 gene mutation responsible for PSSM type 1 in cob breeds. ^[4]

Cobs with PSSM have abnormal glycogen storage in the muscles, low mitochondrial numbers and altered energy metabolism which can cause muscle pain, weakness, cramping, and tying up. Strategic exercise and dietary management can help minimize clinical signs. ^[4]

Other risks for genetic diseases depend on your cob’s ancestry. Cob breeds related to Fell and Dales ponies, including Gypsy Vanners, can inherit foal immunodeficiency syndrome (FIS). Cobs need one copy of the FIS mutation from each parent to develop the disease. ^[5]

FIS causes fatal anemia and a compromised immune system. Affected foals cannot produce antibodies and often die from infections by four months of age. Foals appear clinically normal for the first few weeks due to acquired immunity from their dam’s colostrum. ^[5]

Many cob types are predisposed to equine metabolic syndrome, which is a genetic trait.

Health Problems

Some cob breeds are predisposed to chronic progressive lymphedema (CPL). This disease is common in draft breeds and is characterized by a build-up of lymph fluid in the horse’s lower limbs. ^[6]

Good management can slow the progression of CPL, but the condition often leads to lameness, secondary infections, and severe disability as the swelling worsens. ^[6]

Minor skin irritations are also common on the lower legs of cob horses with heavy feathering. This extra hair can trap debris and moisture against the fetlock and pastern, increasing the risk of pastern dermatitis. ^[7]

Cob-type horses have a higher incidence of ringbone and sidebone, two conditions that can lead to lead to lameness and discomfort. Ringbone refers to osteoarthritis within the pastern or coffin joint. Sidebone is characterized by the ossification of the cartilage wings projecting from the coffin bone. ^[8]

Researchers have linked both of these disorders in horses to conformation and concussive forces, which refers to the impact exerted on the horse’s limbs movement. Cob horses have short, upright pasterns and rounded action, increasing concussive forces on the coffin and pastern joints. ^[8]

Care and Management

Proper management is essential for keeping cob horses sound and healthy. All cobs need quality basic care that supports their physical and mental well-being.

Work with your veterinarian, farrier, trainer, and other members of your equine care team to implement a preventative wellness program for your cob that includes:

• Veterinary Exams: Schedule a routine check-up with your veterinarian at least once or twice yearly to monitor for signs of health issues.
• Vaccinations: Administer vaccines recommended by your veterinarian to protect your cob against common diseases.
• Deworming: Follow an appropriate deworming program to manage internal parasites in your cob.
• Dental Care: Schedule annual dental check-ups and teeth floating to keep your cob’s teeth balanced. Senior cobs need more frequent exams.
• Farrier Care: Routine trimming from a qualified farrier balances your cob’s hoof and pastern angles and helps reduce concussive forces. Some cobs with existing ringbone or sidebone may benefit from corrective shoeing.

Cobs are hardy horses that thrive living outside as long as they can access safe, secure shelter. Maximizing free exercise and turnout time is essential for promoting healthy circulation in cobs with PSSM or CPL.

Healthy, unclipped cobs grow thick winter coats and often don’t need blankets in cold climates. Daily grooming routines can help keep your cob’s thick hair in good condition and his skin healthy.

Nutrition Program

Cob horses require a nutrition program tailored to their unique body type and needs. The ideal feeding program is a forage-based diet with balanced vitamins and minerals targeted to your horse’s individual requirements, activity level, and health status.

Weight Maintenance

Cobs horses are notoriously easy keepers, meaning they can maintain or gain weight easily. Their efficient metabolism allowed their ancestors to maintain stocky, muscular builds on sparse vegetation.

However, overfeeding and high-starch diets can lead to obesity in these breeds. Cobs require careful management of their diet to avoid gaining excess weight and associated health problems.

Equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) is highly prevalent in native British pony and cob breeds, increasing the risk of obesity and laminitis. Research shows that exercise and maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the risk of laminitis in cobs. ^[9]

To determine if your cob is at a healthy weight, conduct regular body condition scoring (BCS) A cob should have a BCS of 5 out of 9 on the Henneke scale for optimal health.

Sample Diet

The following sample diet is intended for a mature 1000 lb (450 kg) cob horse at maintenance (not exercising).

Forage should be the foundation of your cob’s feeding program. Forage typically provides enough energy and protein for most cob horses in light work, but hay and pasture are deficient in essential nutrients required in the equine diet.

Including a vitamin and mineral supplement in your forage-based feeding program will ensure your horse’s diet meets all their nutritional needs. Avoid grain-based feeds and ration balancers that add excess energy to the diet, and instead choose a concentrated vitamin and mineral with no added sugars.

Mad Barn’s Omneity® is a comprehensive vitamin and mineral supplement that provides key nutrients needed to balance your cob horse’s diet. This low-feeding rate supplement will not add excess calories to your horse’s diet and is designed to support hoof health, coat quality, joint health and more.

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Forage

Horses evolved as grazing animals, naturally adapted to consume a diet primarily consisting of grasses and forage throughout the day. Providing your cob horse with adequate forage enables them to express natural grazing behaviours and supports digestive function.

The amount of forage your cob needs depends on his body weight, which can be significantly heavier than lighter breeds of the same height. Most horses in light work consume about 2% of their body weight in forage daily. This equates to 20 lb (9 kg) of forage per day for a 1000 lb (450 kg) cob horse.

Mid-maturity, low-starch grass hays are typically recommended for easy keepers to maximize forage intake without adding excess calories or sugar to the diet.

Hydrolyzable carbohydrate (HC) refers to the components of non-structural carbohydrates (NSC), namely ESC + starch, which are digested in the small intestine and contribute to the insulin response. Horses prone to metabolic syndrome should be fed diets that contain less than 10% HC to support metabolic health.

A hay analysis is the best way to determine if your hay is appropriate for your horse and develop an accurate feeding program. Submit a forage sample for analysis, and our equine nutritionists can help you formulate a balanced diet based on your hay.

Overweight cobs may need forage restriction to promote safe and gradual weight loss. Feeding hay in a slow feeder provides extended access to forage while reducing hay intake. These cobs may also need to wear grazing muzzles or get dry lot turnout to restrict pasture intake.

Feeding Recommendations

Most cobs should avoid high-energy grains or commercial concentrates in their diet. These feeds often have high levels of HC, which can trigger excessive insulin production in cob-type horses and contribute to the development of equine metabolic syndrome. ^[9]

If your cob needs additional energy sources in their diet, choose fibre-based forage alternatives such as hay pellets or soaked beet pulp. You can also replace grains with fat supplements, which provide concentrated calories for horses that need a low-sugar diet, but very high fat diets should be avoided. ^[10]

Fat sources rich in omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial for supporting the homeostatic regulation of inflammation in horses. Omega-3’s also support skin and coat condition, immune function, and joint health. ^[11]

All cobs need free access to water and salt. Free-choice salt encourages hydration in cobs, but most horses won’t consume enough sodium from a salt lick alone. Add loose salt to the daily ration to ensure your cob gets adequate sodium.

Nutritional Supplements

Selecting the right forage and preventing nutrient deficiencies is the first priority when developing a feeding program for your cob-type horse. Once you have addressed any nutritional imbalances, you can consider adding supplements to target individual needs and goals.

• W-3 Oil is an essential fatty acid ideal for cob horses that need additional sources of healthy fats in their diet. This oil provides a palatable source of DHA and high levels of vitamin E to support skin, muscle, immune, and joint health.
• MSM is a natural supplement commonly used to support the body’s own homeostatic mechanisms to moderate inflammation.
• Acetyl-L-Carnitine: This antioxidant supplement can be an alternative to a high fat diet. It assists by redirecting glucose away from formation of glycogen and into energy pathways. ALCar also supports production of mitochondria.
• Visceral+® is a comprehensive gut support formula with probiotics, prebiotics, yeast, herbs and phospholipids. Show cobs with stressful competition careers may benefit from ongoing support to maintain stomach and hindgut health.
• Jiaogulan is an herbal supplement commonly used to support hoof health in horses with metabolic problems. This herb supports circulation, muscle function, respiratory health, and joints in cobs.

For a personalized approach to your cob horse’s nutrition, submit their diet online for a free evaluation. You’ll receive expert guidance from our professional equine nutritionists on formulating a balanced diet.