Norman Cob — Specs and Facts (2026)

About the Norman Cob

The Norman Cob or Cob Normand is a breed of light draught horse that originated in the region of Normandy in northern France. It is of medium size, 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 draught breeds. The breed is known for its lively, long-striding trot. Common colours 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. It is popular for recreational and competitive driving, representing France internationally in the latter, and is also used for several riding disciplines.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

More horse breeds from France

Angevin horse France Photo: Eugène Gayot · Public domain

Anglo-Norman horse France Photo: Wikimedia Commons contributor · Public domain

AQPS France Photo: Tsaag Valren · CC BY-SA 4.0

Auvergne horse France Photo: Stephanemartin · CC BY-SA 3.0

Auxois France Height 1.67 cmWeight 900 kg Photo: Cjp24 crop by Peli · CC BY 3.0

Barraquand horse France Height 1.45 cm Photo: Michael Barbereau WMFr · CC BY-SA 4.0

Berrichon horse France Height 1.58 cm Photo: Wikimedia Commons contributor · Public domain

Bidet breton France Photo: Revue Sport universel illustré · Public domain

Other cob breeds

Boulonnais France Height 1.5 cmWeight 650 kg Photo: Amélie Tsaag Valren · CC BY-SA 4.0

Brennou horse France Photo: Eugène Gayot · Public domain

Breton horse France Height 1.55 cmWeight 750 kg Photo: Goulwena MOEL · CC BY-SA 3.0

Camargue horse France Height 1.4 cmWeight 425 kg Photo: Peter Broster · CC BY 3.0

Carrossier noir du Cotentin France Height 1.5 cm Photo: L. Moll & Eug. Gayot · Public domain

Castillonnais France Photo: Tylwyth Eldar · CC BY-SA 4.0

Cauchois horse France Photo: Théodore Géricault · Public domain

Charentais horse France Photo: Rélier Léonard · Public domain

Photo credits17 photographs on this page

Norman Cob — Larayevire · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
Angevin horse — Eugène Gayot · Public domain · file page
Anglo-Norman horse — Wikimedia Commons contributor · Public domain · file page
AQPS — Tsaag Valren · CC BY-SA 4.0 · file page
Auvergne horse — Stephanemartin · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
Auxois — Cjp24 crop by Peli · CC BY 3.0 · file page
Barraquand horse — Michael Barbereau WMFr · CC BY-SA 4.0 · file page
Berrichon horse — Wikimedia Commons contributor · Public domain · file page
Bidet breton — Revue Sport universel illustré · Public domain · file page
Boulonnais — Amélie Tsaag Valren · CC BY-SA 4.0 · file page
Brennou horse — Eugène Gayot · Public domain · file page
Breton horse — Goulwena MOEL · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
Camargue horse — Peter Broster · CC BY 3.0 · file page
Carrossier noir du Cotentin — L. Moll & Eug. Gayot · Public domain · file page
Castillonnais — Tylwyth Eldar · CC BY-SA 4.0 · file page
Cauchois horse — Théodore Géricault · Public domain · file page
Charentais horse — Rélier Léonard · Public domain · file page

Photographs come from Wikimedia Commons under the licence each one names. How Animalso credits photographs.