Welsh Pony

The head of the Mountain Pony should be small, with neat pointed ears, big bold eyes and a wide forehead. The jaw should be clean cut, tapering to a small muzzle; the silhouette may be concave or "dished" but never convex or too straight. The neck should be of a good length and well carried with shoulders sloping back to a clearly defined wither. The limbs must be set square with good flat bone and round dense hooves. The tail set high and gaily carried.

Action must be straight both in front and behind, quick and free with hocks well flexed.

The general description of the Welsh Mountain Pony can be applied to the Welsh Pony, with greater emphasis being placed on riding pony qualities whilst still retaining the true Welsh type of quality with substance.

For generations these ponies were the hill farmers’ main means of transport, herding sheep and wild ponies over rough and mountainous country. They had to be hardy, balanced and fast to survive, which ensured that only the best were bred from these qualities, combined with a natural jumping ability, and the temperament of their Welsh Mountain Pony forebears make the Welsh Pony second to none in whatever field his young rider may choose. Today they hold their own among our top class riding ponies both in performance competitions and in the show ring.

The Welsh Pony of Cob Type is a stronger counterpart of the Welsh Pony, but with Cob blood.

Their true worth as a dual-purpose animal has been fully realised in recent years, and their numbers have increased accordingly.

Active, sure-footed and hardy they are ideal for so many purposes both for adults and children.

Like all the Welsh Breeds they are natural jumpers, and they also excel in harness - there are in fact few things that they cannot be used for.

Aptly described as "the best ride and drive animal in the World", the Welsh Cob has been evolved throughout many centuries for his courage, tractability and Powers of endurance.

The general character is the embodiment of strength, hardiness and agility. The head shows great quality with pony character. Bold prominent eyes, a broad forehead and neat well set ears. The body must be deep on strong limbs with good "hard wearing" joints and an abundance of flat bone. Action must be straight, free and forceful, the knees should be bent and then the whole foreleg extended from the shoulders and as far forward as possible in all paces, with the hocks well flexed with powerful leverage.

The Welsh Cob is a good hunter and a most competent performer in all-competitive sports, in recent years they have had great success in the international driving world. Their abilities in all spheres are now fully recognised throughout the world.

Although the animals entered in all four sections of the Stud Book vary in size and substance, all show evidence of their common ancestor, The Mountain Pony. The best inherit the strong constitution, good bone, courage, activity and equable temperament that have led to their worldwide renown. It is therefore not surprising that they are in such demand for crossing with other breeds.

A pony, horse or cob - either male or female - will be accepted for entry in the Welsh Part-Bred Register provided it is not less than 25% of registered Welsh blood within two generations, calculated from either sire or dam, or cumulative from both.

The Stud Book was closed to Foundation Stock in the foaling season of 1980 with the exceptions of Section C and D.

The eligibility and upgrading of Foundation Stock is described in detail in the Society’s ‘Regulations for the Registration and entry of Stock in the Welsh Stud Book of Australia and Appendix Thereto’, which is available from the Secretary.

Foundation Stock mares and fillies are eligible to be shown in classes with purebreds, except where classes are specifically provided for Foundation Stock.

To trim a pony correctly the two edges of the ears should be held together, and any long hairs that protrude must be trimmed off, but it is all too easy to snip the ear by mistake, therefore it should be done very carefully indeed, otherwise the pony will never forget it, and be head shy for the rest of its life.

Some people trim out the inside of the ears as well, but these hairs are the only safeguard a pony has to protect the ears from flies, rain and cold, therefore it is far better to leave this natural protection. The long hairs under the jaw should be trimmed, but so as to give as natural line as possible. Shorten slightly the long thin hairs round the muzzle.

The mane and tail should be left to look as natural as possible. If the mane is too long and thick, it should be lightened by careful pulling from underneath, but the natural line should not be altered. One long thin plait is usually put at the top of the mane, the reason being to show off the line of the throat.

The length of the tail should extend to the fetlock, but the hairs at the top of the tail must lie flat, and if too thick and bushy, must be pulled from underneath. A tail bandage will work wonders, if the hairs at the top of the tail are well dampened before it is put on.

Do not damp the bandage or put it on too tight so as to stop the circulation or rub the dock. When taking off a tail bandage, UNDO it and do not pull it off.

All Mountain Ponies should have some silky ‘feather’ at the back of the fetlock. If your pony has too much, it can be judiciously thinned for showing, with the aid of scissors and comb, but is far from easy to do correctly, and if badly done spoils the whole effect of the pony, so get an expert to teach you how to do it.

A Welsh Pony shown as a Mountain Pony.

(1) Welsh Ponies or Cob Type (Section C)

(2) Welsh Cobs (Section D)

Cobs and Ponies of Cob Type should be shown unplaited, the mane pulled but to retain a natural line. The tail to come just below the hocks but not too thick and heavy.

The Welsh breeds are the most beautiful and aristocratic of the entire native ponies and their influence on horses and ponies of other types has been considerable and of great benefit. This influence is so widespread that it is not difficult to trace the presence of Welsh blood in many animals successful in equestrian events of all sorts throughout the world.

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