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The Norman Cob or Cob Normand is a breed of light draft horse that originated in the province of Normandy in northern France. It is a mid-sized horse, with a range of heights and weights, due to selective breeding for a wide range of uses. Its conformation is similar to a robust Thoroughbred, and it more closely resembles a Thoroughbred cross than other French draft breeds. The breed is known for its lively, long-striding trot. Colors accepted by the breed registry include chestnut, bay and seal brown. There are three general subsets within the breed: horses used under saddle, those used in harness, and those destined for meat production. They are popular for recreational and competitive driving, representing France internationally in the latter, and are also used for several riding disciplines. The Normandy region of France is well known for its horse breeding, having also produced the Percheron and French Trotter. Small horses called ''bidets'' were the original horses in the area, and these, crossed with other types, eventually produced the ''Carrossier Normand'', the immediate ancestor of the Norman Cob. Although known as one of the best carriage horse breeds available in the early 20th century, the ''Carrossier Normand'' became extinct after the advent of the automobile, having been used to develop the French Trotter, Anglo-Norman and Norman Cob. In its homeland, the Norman Cob was used widely for agriculture, even more so than the internationally known Percheron, and in 1950, the first studbook was created for the breed. The advent of mechanization threatened all French draft breeds, and while many draft breeders turned their production towards the meat market, Norman Cob breeders instead crossed their horses with Thoroughbreds to contribute to the fledgling Selle Francais breed, now France's national saddle horse. This allowed the Norman Cob to remain relatively the same through the decades, while other draft breeds were growing heavier and slower due to selection for meat. Between the 1970s and 1990s, the studbook went through several changes, and in the 1980s, genetic studies were performed that showed the breed suffered from inbreeding and genetic drift. Breed enthusiasts worked to develop new selection criteria for breeding stock, and population numbers are now relatively stable. Today, Norman Cobs are mainly found in the departments of Manche, Calvados and Orne. ==Characteristics== The Norman Cob is a mid-sized horse,〔 standing between and and weighing . The large variations in height and weight are explained by selection for a variety of uses within the breed. The Norman Cob is elegant and closer in type to a Thoroughbred-cross than other French draft breeds.〔〔 Its conformation is similar to a robust Thoroughbred,〔 with a square overall profile and short back.〔Deschamps and Cernetic, 2004, pp. 10–11〕 Selective breeding has been used to develop a lively trot,〔 with long strides.〔 The head is well-proportioned〔 and similar to that of the Selle Francais,〔 with wide nostrils, small ears and a straight or convex facial profile.〔〔〔 The neck is thick, muscular and arched.〔〔 The mane is sometimes roached.〔 The shoulders are broad and angled, the chest deep〔 and the withers pronounced.〔 The body is compact and stocky, with a short, strong back.〔〔〔Edwards, 2006, p. 109〕 The hindquarters are powerful, although not so much as in heavy draft breeds,〔 and the croup muscular and sloping.〔〔 The legs are short, muscular and strong, with thick bone, but less massive than most draft breeds.〔 The feet are round, wide and solid.〔 Colors accepted by the breed registry include chestnut, bay and seal brown (the latter called black pangaré by the breed registry, although these horses are genetically brown, not black with pangaré markings).〔 Bays with white markings are the most popular.〔 Norman Cobs are known as calm, willing horses with strong personalities.〔〔〔Deschamps and Cernetic, 2004, pp. 7–8〕 The breed's Thoroughbred ancestry gives them energy and athleticism,〔〔 and makes them mature faster than other draft breeds. They show great endurance when ridden,〔 and are relatively hardy, accepting outdoor living and changes in climate.〔 Traditionally the Norman Cob had its tail docked, a practice that continued until January 1996, when the practice became illegal in France. There are three general subsets within the breed: horses used under saddle, those used in harness, and those destined for meat production.〔 Horses may be automatically registered if at least 87.5 percent of their ancestors (seven out of eight) were registered Norman Cobs.〔 Purebred stallions may not be bred more than 70 times per year. Foals produced through artificial insemination and embryo transfer may be registered, but cloned horses may not.〔 In general, breeders look to produce horses with good gaits and an aptitude for driving, while keeping the conformation that makes the Norman Cob one of nine French draft breeds.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Norman Cob」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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