Pony . Exception is the Welsh Cob (See Profile Under “Horses”).
Approximate Height
See Description Below For Each Section
Color Variations
All Solid
Blood Temperature
Warm
Uses
Under-Saddle
Characteristics
Hardy & Athletic
Welsh Pony Breed Descriptions - The Welsh Pony and Cob Society, UK
Section "A" - The Welsh Mountain Pony
Bred in the mountains and wild regions of Wales for many generations, their acknowledged beauty does not mean they are merely a 'pretty toy' — centuries of 'survival of the fittest' has ensured the sound constitution, iron hard limbs and great intelligence which combined with the legendary Welsh temperament, makes the ideal child's pony of today. They can be seen ridden and driven all over the world — equally at home in the cold of Canada and Sweden or the heat of Africa and Australia.
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 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 quick, free and straight from the shoulder, knees and hocks well flexed with straight and powerful leverage well under the body.
The height should not exceed 12 hh. (121.9 cms).
Detailed Description
General Character
Hardy, spirited and pony-like
Colour
Any colour, except piebald and skewbald
Head
Small, clean-cut, well set on and tapering to the muzzle
Eyes
Bold
Ears
Well-placed, small and pointed, well up on the head, proportionately close
Nostrils
Prominent and open
Jaws and Throat
Clean and finely-cut, with ample room at the angle of the jaw
Neck
Lengthy, well-carried and moderately lean in the case of mares, but inclined to be cresty in the case of mature stallions
Shoulders
Long and sloping well back. Withers moderately fine, but not "knifey". The humerus upright so that the foreleg is not set in under the body
Forelegs
Set square and true, and not tied in at the elbows. Long, strong forearm, well developed knee, short flat bone below knee, pasterns of proportionate slope and length, feet well-shaped and round, hoofs dense.
Back and Loins
Muscular, strong and well coupled
Girth
Deep
Ribs
Well sprung
Hind Quarters
Hocks to be large, flat and clean with points prominent, to turn neither inwards nor outwards. The hind legs not to be too bent. The hock not to be set behind a line from the point of the quarter to the fetlock joint. Pasterns of proportionate slope and length. Feet well-shaped, hoofs dense.
Action
Action must be quick, free and straight from the shoulder, knees and hocks well flexed with straight and powerful leverage well under the body.
Section "B" - The Welsh Pony
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 retaining the true Welsh 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 height should not exceed 13.2 hh. (137.2 cms).
Detailed Description
The general description of ponies in Section A of the Stud Book is applicable to those in Section B, but more particularly the Section B pony shall be described as a riding pony, with quality, riding action, adequate bone and substance, hardiness and constitution and with pony character.
Section "C" - The Welsh Pony of Cob Type
The Welsh Pony of Cob Type, Section C, is the 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, surefooted 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.
The height should not exceed 13.2 h.h. (137.2 cms).
Detailed Description
General Character
Strong, hardy and active, with pony character and as much substance as possible
Colour
Any colour, except piebald and skewbald
Head
Full of quality and pony character. A coarse head and Roman nose are most objectionable
Eyes
Bold, prominent and set widely apart
Ears
Neat and well set
Neck
Lengthy and well carried. Moderately lean in the case of mares, but inclined to be cresty in the case of mature stallions
Shoulders
Strong but well laid back
Forelegs
Set square and not tied in at the elbows. Long, strong forearms. Knees well developed with an abundance of bone below them. Pasterns of proportionate slope and length. Feet well-shaped. Hoofs dense. When in the rough, a moderate quantity of silky feather is not objected to but coarse, wiry hair is a definite objection.
Middlepiece
Back and loins, muscular, strong and well-coupled. Deep through the heart and well-ribbed up.
Hind Quarters
Lengthy and strong. Ragged or drooping quarters are objectionable. Tail well-set on.
Hind Legs
Second thighs, strong and muscular. Hocks, large, flat and clean, with points prominent, turning neither inward nor outwards. The hind legs must not be too bent and the hock not set behind a line falling from the point of the quarter to the fetlock joint. Pasterns of proportionate slope and length. Feet well-shaped. Hoofs dense.
Action
Free, true and forcible. The knee should be bent and the whole foreleg should be extended straight from the shoulder and as far forward as possible in the trot. Hocks flexed under the body with straight and powerful leverage.
Section "D" - The Welsh Cob
**See The Welsh Cob Profile Under “British Horses”
References: - The Welsh Pony and Cob Society, UK - The Encyclopedia of Horses & Ponies. Tamsin Pickeral.
Welsh Pony Breeders
If you would like to exchange website links and be included in this list please contact us. Please include your website address, business or website name and 1-2 sentence website description when submitting a site for inclusion.
Aberaeron Stud is a small stud based in Aberaeron, West Wales, specialising in Welsh Cobs & Part-Bred Performance horses. Aberaeron horses have excelled at showing, showjumping, cross country, dressage and eventing.
