Breed Name: Welsh Pony/Cob
Origin: Wales
Physical Description:
Section A – Welsh Mountain Pony
The Section A Welsh Pony is also known as the Welsh Mountain pony. An animal of great beauty and refinement, he has the substance, stamina and soundness of his ancestors. Well known for their friendly personalities and even temperaments, they are extremely intelligent and easily trained. Both the Section A and Section B ponies are characterized by the following traits: a large, bold eye, tiny head, short back, strong quarters, high set on tail, fine hair, hocks that do not turn in, laid back shoulder, straight foreleg and short cannon bone. The Section A pony may not exceed 12.2hh and can be any color except piebald or skewbald.
Section B – Welsh Pony
With all the physical and personality characteristics of the Section A, this section of the Welsh Pony was originally added to meet the demand for a larger riding type pony. Section B ponies do not exceed 14.2hh but have no lower height limit. They are well known for their elegant movement and athletic ability but still retain the substance and hardiness of their foundation, the Section A.
Section C – Welsh Pony of Cob type
The Section C is also known as the Welsh Pony of Cob Type. They may not exceed 13.2hh and may be any color except piebald or skewbald. Both sections of Welsh Cobs are characterized as being strong, hardy and active with pony character and as much substance as possible. They have bold eyes, strong laid back shoulders, dense hooves, a moderate quantity of silky feather, lengthy hindquarters, and powerful hocks.
Section D – Welsh Pony Cob
The Section D (Welsh Cob) exceeds 13.2hh with no upper limit on height. A strong and powerful animal, both the Sections C and D, have gentle natures and are extremely hardy. An ideal mount or driving animal for many adults and children. The Section D has become a popular choice for dressage, combined training and combined driving.
Today Welsh Ponies and Cobs can be found competing in nearly every discipline…Hunters, Driving, Dressage, Combined Training, Combined Driving, English & Western Pleasure and heavy harness.
History:
The original home of the Welsh Mountain Pony was in the hills and valleys of Wales. He was there before the Romans. His lot was not an easy one–winters were severe and vegetation was sparse. Shelter most often was an isolated valley or a clump of bare trees, yet the Welsh Pony managed not only to survive, but to flourish. Down through the years the Welsh Pony and Cob has served many masters. On the upland farms of Wales, Welsh Cobs would often have to do everything from plowing a field to carrying a farmer to market or driving a family to church on Sunday. Welsh Ponies have been pampered by royalty and served on the farms of the poor. That the Welsh Pony carries a trace of Arabian blood seems beyond a doubt; however, he has maintained his own dominant physical characteristics over the years. It has been demonstrated that the Welsh Pony crosses well with many other breeds and this, to breeders, is an important aspect of his unusual versatility.
The Welsh Pony & Cob Society was founded in 1901 in Wales. All Welsh Ponies and Cobs found in the United States are descended entirely from animals registered with The Welsh Pony & Cob Society in the UK. While Welsh Ponies were imported to America as early as the 1880’s, the Welsh Pony and Cob Society of America was not established as a breed registry until 1907. Registered Welsh Ponies and Cobs can be found in every state and also in Canada. To date, over 34,000 Welsh Ponies and Cobs have been registered.
Primary Uses:
The ponies are used for pleasure riding, driving ponies and children’s ponies. They are also compete against each other in horse show competitions in dressage, hunters, eventers, and western pleasure.
Breed Association: Welsh Pony and Cob Society of America
(Information provided by the U.S. Equestrian Federation)
