Naming and Defining a Breed – The Irish Cob

My name is Evelyn Flynn, formerly Evelyn Murphy, and this is a personal account of my introduction to an extraordinary, unnamed horse breed in the early 1980s that led me to spend over ten years seeking to have the breed officially recognised in Ireland.

From 1981 I operated a horse trekking stables in North County Dublin in Ireland, and because most riders who came to the stables to go trekking were inexperienced and often nervous adults, I needed safe, hardy, kind and resilient horses that were cob sized (14hh to 15.3hh). So, I asked the stables horse supplier Larry O’Connor (aka ‘Smithfield Larry’) if he could provide horses that would meet this criterion. One day Larry called me and said he would drop off a cob to try out that he believed would suit the criterion for my trekking stables. I will always remember that day when Larry’s lorry drove into the yard. He pulled down the ramp of his lorry to reveal a very hairy-legged dark bay chuck of a cob gelding that looked at me with a kind expression. I said ‘But these cobs would not be the choice of riding stables’ and Larry replied ‘Well riding schools have discovered that there is no better or safer horse for their job’.

So, although I was smitten with the hairy legged cob that came into my yard that day, I was uncertain about how he would be received by my trekking clientele because he was an unrecorded and unrecognised breed that didn’t even have a breed name. However, I soon had an order in with Larry for more!

Unfortunately, due to a steep rise in commercial stables insurance, the trekking stables were forced to close in 1986. However, I continued my involvement with horses through the rest of the 1980s and into the 1990s by ‘dabbling’ a bit in horse breeding and trading, and my choice of horse choice was, of course, the unnamed Traditional Cob breed in Ireland by Irish Travellers that was to smite me (and eventually the world) forever.

Ireland is the country of origin of the breed

Because of the nomadic lifestyle of Irish Travellers and their prolific Traditional Cobs, the Irish countryside and cities were full of Ireland's unrecorded nomadic Traditional Cobs. As a result, the horse fairs in Ireland were filled with Traditional Cobs, which were predominately piebald and therefore referred to by Irish Travellers as the Piebald. So, because of my fascination with this unique and captivating unnamed breed, from the late 1980s to the early 1990’s I spent my time at horse fairs in Ireland (particularly the monthly Smithfield Horse Fair in Dublin and the annual Ballinasloe Horse Fair in Galway) and also at Irish Traveller camps where I studied the breed and took notes.

It is because of my conversations with Irish Travellers from the late 1980s to the early 1990s that I learned that although the Traditional Cob was bred in Ireland and the United Kingdom by Irish Travellers and Romani People, the breed is from Ireland (and that Ireland is, therefore, the country of origin of the breed) and that all the Traditional Cobs in the United Kingdom (or in any other countries outside Ireland) were therefore either Traditional Cobs from Ireland or the descendants of Traditional Cobs from Ireland. Some of the legendary Traditional Cob stallions from Ireland are: The Lion King, The Road Sweeper, The Paddy Horse, The Coal Horse, The Sham, Shampoo Boy, The Lob-Eared Horse (The Lob), Old Henry, The Checkity Horse and Sonny Mays.

Naming and defining the breed (mid-1990s)

From the beginning of the 1990s, non-traveller horse traders from the United Kingdom and Holland started coming to Ireland and filling their trucks, lorries and trailers with Traditional Cobs that they bought either at Irish horse fairs or directly from Irish Travellers. Because there was no studbook or register for Ireland’s unnamed Traditional Cob (and because Europe did not yet have an equine passport system) lorry loads of Ireland’s Traditional Cobs were therefore exported from Ireland every week with no record of them ever having been in Ireland (or even having ever exited).

It is for this reason, that I decided to create a studbook for Ireland’s Traditional Cob. However, because a studbook is a breed standard with a breed name and with at least one qualified judge that can judge animals to conform to that breed standard, it meant that for me to create a studbook for Ireland’s Traditional Cob I would have to write the breed standard and therefore be the one qualified judge required to judge animals to conform to that breed standard. So, I studied the breed intensively in the early 1990s until I was satisfied that I could define the characteristics of this unique breed and document them in a breed standard. Having documented the characteristics of the breed in a breed standard (breed description) I then had an artist draw their impression of the breed from my breed description, and based on the artist’s impression I was satisfied that I had captured the essence of the breed in a breed standard. Now it was time to give a name to Ireland’s Traditional Cob. So, because Ireland is the country of origin of the breed, I gave Ireland’s Traditional Cob an Irish breed name ‘Irish Cob’, and my breed description was therefore the Irish Cob Breed Standard.

So, now that Ireland’s Traditional Cob had a breed name linking it to Ireland (the country of origin of the breed) a breed standard, and at least one qualified Irish Cob judge (the author of the breed standard) the Irish Cob Studbook was created as it now had everything it needed to be founded (to start being populated with animals that conform to the breed standard). However, although I could have founded the Irish Cob Studbook on my own as an independent registry, because Ireland’s unnamed and unrecorded Traditional Cob had become one of the most sought-after horse breeds in Europe from the early 1990s, my aim was to have the Irish Cob officially recognised in Ireland as a national treasure and a valuable part of Ireland’s heritage and culture. However, the only way this could be done was to have the Irish Cob Studbook (and therefore the Irish Cob Breed Standard) officially recognised.

In June 1996 I therefore made a call to the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (DAFF) in Ireland and I got to speak with Mr Brian Walsh. I told Mr Walsh about all the years of work and research I had done to write the Irish Cob Breed Standard and create the Irish Cob Studbook and I explained to him why it was important to have the Irish Cob Studbook officially recognised in Ireland. Mr Walsh then explained that because passports are issued in respect of official (approved) studbooks, I would need to establish a body that could apply for registration as Keeper of the Irish Cob Studbook. So, because I wrote the Irish Cob Breed Standard and created the Irish Cob Studbook (and I, therefore, had the Irish Cob Studbook), it meant that if the body I established was registered with the Department as Keeper of the Irish Cob Studbook, that the body would be approved to maintain the Irish Cob Studbook as an official studbook on my behalf.

Mr Walsh suggested that I put my proposal in writing to the Department, which I did in a letter dated 28^th June 1996. On 18^th July 1996 Mr Walsh therefore issued a letter to me in which he stated ‘I wish to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 28^th June 1996 concerning your proposal to establish a body and to apply to this Department for registration as Keeper of the Irish Cob Studbook’. However, because I wrote the Irish Cob breed standard and created the Irish Cob Studbook, the body I proposed to establish would need my permission to use the Irish Cob Breed Standard to be approved to maintain the Irish Cob Studbook as an official studbook on my behalf.

Because I had never before heard about horse passports, my idea to seek to have the Irish Cob Studbook made an official studbook was even more important for the breed than I had previously realised.

Official breed naming day (18^th July 1996)

What I achieved on the 18^th of July 1996 was to have an officially documented ‘naming day’ for Ireland's Traditional Cob, as well as an officially documented ‘recognition day’ for the Irish Cob Studbook (and therefore for the Irish Cob Breed Standard).

The Irish Cob Profile (August 1996)

Even though I created the Irish Cob Studbook (which therefore had the required breed standard and at least one qualified judge that could apply it) and the Irish Cob Studbook was therefore ready to be founded (populated with animals that conform to the breed standard), I expected that the Department would need me to provide a profile (a compilation of documents) with all of the information required to allow the Irish Cob Studbook to be an officially recognised studbook.

So, after I received the letter the Department issued to me on 18^th July 1996, I called the Department and asked Mr Walsh what the Department needed me to provide to allow the Irish Cob Studbook to be officially recognised. Mr Walsh told me that I would need to provide a full profile of the breed that would include the following:

• An explanation of the breed and why an officially recognised studbook for the breed is needed.
• The breed standard.
• An estimate of the numbers of the breed in Ireland, so that the Department can establish if there are a sufficient number for a breeding programme to be established.
• Studbook Foundation breeding stock Inspection procedures.

The Irish Cob Profile (August 1996) was written and compiled by me and contained everything the Department needed to allow the Irish Cob Studbook to be officially recognised. I, therefore, sent the Irish Cob Profile to the Department as my application for official recognition of the Irish Cob Studbook. 

In my application (The Irish Cob Profile), I also said that the name of the body I proposed to establish to apply for registration as Keeper of the Irish Cob Studbook (as an official studbook on my behalf) would be The Irish Cob Society (ICS).

Because I created the Irish Cob Studbook 100% privately (therefore without any state funds or assistance), I intended that the administration relating to Irish Cob Studbook registrations and the issuing of Irish Cob passports would be my responsibility and therefore carried out at my home in my private administration office, which would then be a private official studbook administration and passport issuing department that could be referenced by ICS (the body I proposed to establish).

Official recognition of the Irish Cob Studbook

On 21^st November 1996 the Department issued me a letter which stated ‘I wish to acknowledge receipt of your application for registration as Keeper of the Irish Cob Studbook’. Because I named my proposed body The Irish Cob Society (ICS) in The Irish Cob Profile (my application for official recognition of the Irish Cob Studbook), the letter issued by the Department on 21^st November 1996 therefore refers to my application for registration of ICS as Keeper of the Irish Cob Studbook as an official studbook on my behalf.

THE IRISH COB BREED STANDARD (REVISION)

As the author of the Irish Cob Breed Standard, I was aware that, as a new breed standard, it would need testing and perhaps revision (which only I could do as the author/owner).

Height Sections

Because I found out from the Department that the Irish Horse Board (IHB) was distributing funds to set up marketing and promotion companies I sent the application seeking official recognition of the Irish Cob Studbook to IHB, and on 28^th February 1997, a letter was issued to me by IHB in which it was mentioned that the Irish Horse Register maintained by IHB has height sections. So, because I did not want anything in the Irish Cob Breed Standard that might cause confusion and/or delay to the Irish Cob Studbook official recognition process, I removed the height sections from the Irish Cob Breed Standard. I can, however, re-instate the height sections in the Irish Cob breed standard should it be regarded by breeders as a desirable thing to do.

Movement

Because I found that many Irish Cobs do not have ‘step’ (an exaggerated knee action) but can otherwise be excellent examples of the breed (conform to the breed standard), I realised that having ‘step’ should not be a breed standard requirement for basic or Elite Irish Cob Studbook registration purposes. So, I altered the breed standard to require normal movement (appear sound and free from obvious hereditary defects) for basic or Elite Irish Cob Studbook registration, so where ‘step’ was found it would therefore be a bonus (extra points awarded at inspection).

Updated for inspector training and non-discrimination 

Although the Irish Cob Breed Standard in The Irish Cob Profile (August 1996) has stood the test of time and has not needed revision as regards the characteristics of the breed, after my Society - The Irish Cob Society (ICS) - was approved in July 1998 to maintain the Irish Cob Studbook I found it necessary to revise the Irish Cob Breed Standard (1996) in a manner that would be clearer for trainee Irish Cob Inspectors and my Irish Cob Breed Standard (Revision) was therefore used by me to train Irish Cob inspectors in Ireland and abroad. 

Because I discovered at Irish Cob Studbook inspections abroad, that wall eyes are liked by many breeders I did not refer to wall eyes in the Irish Cob Breed Standard (Updated). And, because I also discovered at Irish Cob Studbook inspections abroad, that curly manes and leg feathering are also liked by many breeders I did not refer to straight ‘silky’ leg hair, or to straight mane and tail hair, in the Irish Cob Breed Standard (Revision). For safety and insurance reasons at Irish Cob Studbook inspections/shows, I also found it necessary to add ‘Temperament’ as a breed requirement. However, none of the alterations I made in the Irish Cob Breed Standard (Updated) affect the characteristics of the breed set down in the Irish Cob Breed Standard (1996). The Irish Cob Breed Standard (Updated) is just more liberal in as much as it caters for all breeders' likes. The Irish Cob Breed Standard (Updated) is, therefore, non-discriminatory (as it should be).

THE IRISH COB SOCIETY (ICS)

Once the application for official recognition of the Irish Cob Studbook (The Irish Cob Profile) had been examined by the Department, they issued a letter to me on 31^st March 1998 (which implicitly officially recognised the Irish Cob Studbook and therefore the Irish Cob Breed Standard) the Department said that they would approve my Society (ICS) if I set rules for my Society (ICS) as required by the Department, which I did.

Founding the Irish Cob Studbook (1998)

Because I set rules for my Society (ICS) as required by the Department, the Department could therefore officially recognise the Irish Cob Society (ICS) and in a letter issued by the Department to me on 16^th July 1996 the Department official Mr Patrick Cosgrave documented the Departments' official recognition of my Society (ICS) and advised me that he was to ‘grant approval to the Irish Cob Society for the purpose of maintaining the Irish Cob Studbook’. So, now that the Irish Cob Studbook was officially recognised, and ICS (which had my permission to use the Irish Cob Breed Standard I wrote and the Irish Cob Studbook I therefore created) was officially approved to maintain the Irish Cob Studbook (therefore on my behalf), the Irish Cob Studbook was ready to be officially founded (to have Foundation animals that conform to Irish Cob Breed Standard recorded in it as an officially recognised studbook).

Studbook of origin of the breed (mother studbook)

In a letter also issued by the Department on 16^th July 1998, the Commission of the European Union was notified by Mr Cosgrave that The Irish Cob Society (ICS) was regarded as the body which maintains the studbook of the origin of the breed (the mother Irish Cob Studbook). It was not until the 28^th of April 2002 that I incorporated ICS in the Companies Registration Office (CRO) in Ireland as a Limited Company and that for the first time ICS had other members besides me.

First official Irish Cob inspector

Because I wrote the Irish Cob Breed Standard and created the mother Irish Cob Studbook I was officially approved by the Department as the first inspector and inspector trainer for the mother Irish Cob Studbook and also therefore to approve the creation of the daughter Irish Cob Studbooks in other EU Member States.

Daughter Irish Cob Studbooks

Before I could approve the creation of daughter Irish Cob Studbooks (to seek recognition as an officially recognised studbooks) I had to be satisfied that the proposed daughter Irish Cob Studbooks would:

• Follow the principles established by the mother Irish Cob Studbook in Ireland.
• Have at least one qualified (Grade 1) inspector who understands the Irish Cob breed and ensures it is adhered to.
• Have an office and personal with the knowledge and administration skills required to maintain a daughter Irish Cob Studbook and to issue Irish Cob passports.

The first daughter Irish Cob Studbook I approved (and which would therefore have to seek official recognition) was Irish Cob Society Nederland. After ICS Nederland was approved, I entrusted ICS Nederland with the task of assessing bodies in other EU Member States on my behalf, and therefore with a view to me approving them to create their own daughter Irish Cob Studbooks (which would seek recognition as official studbooks in their own countries).

FOLLOW-UP NAMES

After Ireland’s Traditional Cob was officially documented on 18^th July 1996 in Ireland with the name Irish Cob, other countries then gave Ireland’s Traditional Cob other (‘follow up’) names – including Tinker, Gypsy Cob, Traditional Gypsy Cob, Gypsy Vanner Horse and Gypsy. However, because Ireland is the country of origin of the breed, it is right that Ireland named the breed first.

Confusion over the country of origin of the breed

Although Ireland is the country of origin of the breed, some breed enthusiasts outside Ireland (particularly in the USA) think Ireland is in the United Kingdom because Ireland is in the British Isles (which has to be admitted is confusing). However, the fact is that Ireland, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, are two completely separate sovereign states in the British Isles.

Putting the record straight

Ireland’s Traditional Cob was named the Irish Cob by Ireland because Ireland is the country of origin of the breed.

Ireland’s Traditional Cob was named the Gypsy Cob by the United Kingdom. However, the Gypsy Cob that evolved in the United Kingdom from the Irish Cob from Ireland can be different to the Irish Cob.

GYPSY COB BREED CHARACTERISTICS

Evelyn Flynn (Author)

The Gypsy Cob that evolved in the United Kingdom from the Traditional Cob of Ireland (Irish Cob) can be different to the Irish Cob in the following ways:

Height

Although the Irish Cob can be small (under 14.2 hh) the Irish Cob is usually from 14.2 hh up to 15.3 hh. However, the Gypsy Cob is usually under 14.2 hh.

Overall Appearance

The Gypsy Cob can be shorter-legged, stockier, and stouter-bodied than the Irish Cob.

The Gypsy Cob not only can have a broader and more substantial chest and shoulders than the Irish Cob, but the Gypsy Cob can also have rounder flatter withers that can be set further back than the Irish Cob.

• The Gypsy Cob can also not only have a shorter back than the Irish Cob, but the Gypsy Cob can also have a back that can have a steeper slope upward from the withers to the croup than the Irish Cob.
• The Gypsy Cob croup can be shorter than the croup of the Irish Cob and can have a steeper slope to the tail than the Irish Cob.
• The Gypsy Cob can also have a 'sweeter' and more 'ponyish' head (often described as a 'Bambi head') and smaller ears than the Irish Cob.

NOTE: To be read in conjunction with the Irish Cob Breed Standard

SOME OF IRELAND’S LEGENDARY STALLIONS

This is a picture of The Lion King was taken in Ireland before he was exported to Britain (the UK)

The Lion King (the legendary 15.2 hands piebald Traditional Cob stallion from Ireland that needs no introduction) was bought at Ballinasloe Horse Fair in Ireland by Fred Walker (R.I.P) and transported overseas from Ireland to the United Kingdom. In 2004 Fred sold The Lion King to Black Forest Shires & Gypsy Horses farm in the USA. Other legendary stallions bought by Fred in Ireland and transported overseas from Ireland to Great Britain (the UK) are The Paddy Horse, The Sham and The Lob (aka The Lob Eared Horse). However, because of Fred's love for the smaller and stockier traditional cob, the Gypsy Cob that evolved in the United Kingdom from the Traditional Cob of Ireland (the Irish Cob) can be different to the Irish Cob.

This picture of Danny Boy (son of The Lion King) was taken in Ireland

This picture is of The Old Coal Horse was taken in Ireland during the 1970s

This picture is of The Lob (aka The Lob Eared Horse) was taken in Ireland

This is a picture of Bob the Blagdon from Ireland

This picture is of Bullseye. Bullseye was born in the UK and he is the son of Bob the Blagdon from Ireland

THE IRISH COB IN 1970s IRELAND

Before the 1980s Ireland’s Traditional Cob (Irish Cob) was only associated with a nomadic (traveller) lifestyle and not with riding establishments. Proof of this was evident in my favourite childhood RTE TV series ‘The Wanderly Wagon’ made in the 1970s. So, I thought I would include with my story of my relationship with Ireland’s Traditional Cob from the early 1980s a couple of videos of ‘The Wanderly Wagon’. Way back in the 1970s Ireland’s mystical Traditional Cob was linked with old Ireland and its legends and culture.

Wanderly Wagon & The Magic Drawing Finger, Ireland 1977

Wanderly Wagon – The Druid of Lea

IRISH TRAVELLERS

Although Ireland’s Traditional Cob (Irish Cob) was officially recognised in Ireland in 1996, it was not until 2017 that Irish Travellers were officially recognised in Ireland as a distinct ethnic minority with a unique and valuable heritage, language, culture and identity. 

A short history of Irish Travellers