The Norman Cob is a breed of light draft horse that originated in Normandy in northern France. It has a range of heights and weights due to selective breeding for a wide range of uses and is known for its lively, long-striding trot. Colors accepted by the breed registry include chestnut, bay and seal brown. Norman Cobs are popular for recreational and competitive driving, and are also used for several riding disciplines. In its homeland, the Norman Cob was originally used widely for agriculture, but the advent of mechanization threatened all French draft breeds, and many breeders turned their production towards the meat market. Norman Cob breeders instead crossed their horses with Thoroughbreds to contribute to the Selle Français breed, now France's national saddle horse. This allowed the Norman Cob to remain a light draft horse through the decades, while other draft breeds were growing heavier and slower due to selection for meat. Genetic studies in the 1980s 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.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Cob

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1732:

James Oglethorpe was granted a royal charter for the Province of Georgia between the Savannah and Altamaha rivers. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Oglethorpe

1815:

The Congress of Vienna ended, redrawing the political map of Europe after the defeat of Napoleon. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congress_of_Vienna

1863:

American Civil War: In the largest cavalry engagement in U.S. history, Union and Confederate forces fought to a draw in the Battle of Brandy Station. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Brandy_Station

1928:

Australian aviator Charles Kingsford Smith and his crew landed their Southern Cross aircraft in Brisbane, completing the first ever trans-Pacific flight from the United States mainland to Australia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Kingsford_Smith

1973:

Secretariat won the Belmont Stakes by 31 lengths, achieving the first American Triple Crown victory in a quarter-century, and lowering the track and world record times for 1½ mile distance races to 2:24. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secretariat_(horse)

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

caisson: 1. (military) A two-wheeled, horse-drawn military vehicle used to carry ammunition. 2. (engineering) A watertight retaining structure used in the construction of bridges. 3. (architecture) A sunken panel used as decoration for a ceiling or a vault; a coffer. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/caisson

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

This rule I propose, Always have an ace in the hole. Always try to arrive at Having an ace some place private. Always have an ace in the hole.   --Cole Porter https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Cole_Porter