CHAPTER V 



THE COB. 



ABOUT 14 or 15 hands, certainly not above 15.2, is the 

 right height for a cob, anything beyond or below this 

 height ought not to come under this category. When 

 selecting a cob for roadster purposes, it is advisable to try and 

 find one having fairly high, good all round action. Many horses 

 have good foreleg action, but very httle behind, which is equally 

 or even more important. 



For saddle purposes, high action is not wanted if comfort 

 to the rider be stuched. A shghtly flat side is also better for 

 saddle purposes, whereas in a roadster cob the ribs should be 

 well sprung. Short legs, a short arched neck, with nicely 

 sloping shoulders, broad and flat knees, rounded cannons, 

 moderately long, obhque pasterns, with neat, well placed, andwefl 

 directed feet, are essentials. Of no less importance is a light 

 forehand. 



The knees ought to be broad, neatly shaped, flat at the 

 front, and free from scars or other blemish. The head should 

 be carried obliquely, finely modelled, not the heavy headed 

 brute so often seen — and a mouth that responds immediately 

 when asked, A deep chest, and clean hocks, covered by thin 

 skin, are requisite. The cannons should be seen as skin, bone 

 and tendon, without any packing, and free from pufliness about 

 the joints. 



105 



