Welsh Horses

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Welsh ponies have been through many experiences, yet they have remained strong as always. Read on to find out why.
Proofs reveal that Welsh type of ponies have existed even before 1600 BC. Welsh ponies are said to have originally developed in Wales. Before the Roman Empire arrived, their ancestors lived in the British Isles.

They roamed, climbed mountains in the moorland terrain. Because of the harsh climate, scarce food and shelter, these ponies became hardy. During the 1500s, King Henry VIII wanted to improve the breeds for war horses. He ordered that all stallions under 15 hands and mares under 13 hands to be destructed. Since the ponies are in the inaccessible mountains of Wales, they survived. On the upland farms, Welsh ponies have to plough the field, drive the family to church, etc.

But when coal mining was practiced in England, they were also used as helpers. In 1901, both the English and Welsh breeders created the breed registry which they called Welsh Pony and Cob Society. The first Welsh Stud Book was published in 1902. This stud book was divided into sections by type and height. Originally, there was only one classification, Section A. But as the demand increased, Section B, C and D were added. Sections C and D were finalized in 1949 for the current standards of Cobs. When the Second World War was finished, only 3 members in Section C have recovered. When they were imported to Canada and the United States, they easily adapted to the environmental conditions. In 1906, the United States founded their own registry and they named it the Welsh Pony and Cob Society. By 1913, 574 ponies were registered. But the Great Depression caused these to decline. The numbers soared to 2,881 ponies in 1957.

Welsh ponies all have small heads with large eyes. Their shoulders are sloped, and their hindquarters are strong. The smallest ponies range from 11 hands high while the taller ones are over 16 hands high. They move freely. They are fast, especially at the trot. They come in any colors, except for spotted patterns like pinto or Appaloosa. The most common colors are black, chestnut and bay. They are reliable, high-spirited, enduring and of good disposition.

Today, children and adults ride and drive ponies. They are also used for dressage, and compete as hunters, eventers and in western pleasure horses.