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>
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