BREED INFORMATION
WELSH SECTION B PONY
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THE WELSH PONY
Not exceeding 137.2 cm (13.2 hands)​
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The general description below 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.
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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 ~ Lengthy and fine. Not ragged or goose-rumped. Tail well set on and carried gaily.
Hind Legs ~ 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 ~ Quick, free and straight from the shoulder and hocks well flexed with straight and powerful leverage and well under the body.
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History
Descending from the hardy Welsh Mountain Pony, with the influence of Arabian and Thoroughbred blood still apparent today, the Welsh Pony Section B was initially bred for it’s carrying capabilities. Taller in height than the Section A, (up to 12.2hh, subsequently increasing to an upper height limit of 13.2hh), but still retaining strength of limb and hardiness, they were the ideal mount of hill shepherds. In 1930, the Stud Book description was altered and the breed began to evolve towards the type which is seen today. Following the opening of the Foundation Register, the Section B saw a post-war boom in registrations, where animals with no known breeding would be inspected by appointed judges who would then pass any animal which resembled the ideal type of pony.
The breed description as an extension of the Section A means the Section B pony must still have adequate bone and substance, but with emphasis on ‘Riding Type’, and up to 13.2hh. The Foundation Register built the base of the breed we see today, as many of these mares accepted as ‘FS’ had Arabian, Thoroughbred or Riding Pony Blood in them, which crossed so well with the Welsh Mountain Pony to create a strong and capable mount, as well as impressive show pony.
Uses
Today, the Welsh Section B can be seen in many disciplines, including showing (in hand and under saddle), jumping, dressage, eventing and cross country, and even driving. They are found in many countries around the world, and are popular in Europe, the USA and Australia. The Section B should be considered as the ideal family pony for multi-disciplines, as they are so adept at many activities, and are ideal from first ridden classes to eventing.
As a breeding animal, consider the Section B as the ideal sire or dam. Crossed with other breeds, they can produce Riding Ponies and Hunter Ponies, but also useful Sports Ponies as well, with the influence of their Arabian, Thoroughbred but also hardy Welsh blood with it’s strong characteristics coming through.
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The Welsh Pony (Section B) has been placed on the ‘At Risk’ register of the RBST Watchlist for 2024, along with other UK native breeds such as the Shire, Dartmoor, following an analysis of the breed population figures, carried out by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.
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WELSH PONY OF COB TYPE / WELSH SECTION C
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Not exceeding 137.2 cm (13.2 hands)
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Detailed Description of Sections C (also applicable to Section D of the Stud Book)
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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.
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History
The Section C developed as a lighter and smaller counterpart of the Welsh Cob Section D, that retained the strong characteristics of the Welsh Cob but in a smaller, more 'pony-like' package. The section really grew to prominence with the crossing of Welsh Mountain Ponies and Welsh Cobs after the War, and they became popular as an intermediate pony between the slightly smaller and more slender Welsh Section B and the often quite tall, and stocky Welsh Cob. Today, the Welsh Section C is an ideal stepping stone for those looking to move from smaller ponies into larger and more powerful cobs and horses - owning a Welsh Section C will give the impression of owning a Welsh Cob in a smaller package, but with no less of the Welsh Spirit!
Uses
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. They are the ideal pony for those looking for a manageable sized animal that is suitable for the whole family. Suited to jumping, driving and showing, as well as for enjoyment outside of the competition ring, the Welsh Section C is a very versatile pony indeed.
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WELSH COB / WELSH SECTION D
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The height should exceed 137.2 cm (13.2 hands)
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Description - as above for the Welsh Section C , but obviously in proportion to the size.
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History
​From references in early Welsh literature, it appears that the Welsh Cob had been established and was recognised as a breed by the 15th Century. They were the used as draft horse and family transport, because of their strength and endurance capabilities throughout the ensuing centuries up to the advent of motor cars and tractors. From the inception of the Welsh Pony & Cob Society Stud Book in 1901, the description of the Welsh Cob has changed little, although the upper and lower height limits have varied, from a minimum of 14.2hh to a maximum of 15.2hh and by 1950 this had been refined to a minimum height of 13.2hh and no upper height limit. More recently, as the demand for horses as draft animals and as transport declined, the Welsh Cob's aptitude as a family equine has been realised - quiet enough for the younger members of the family to ride, but equally capable of carrying an adult and being used for a variety of performance tasks.
Uses
​Aptly described as the 'best ride and drive animal in the World', the Welsh Cob has become famous for its courage, tractability and endurance. The Breed Characteristics of a deep body, strong limbs and straight, free and powerful action mean that the Welsh Cob is a very versatile animal and is popular as a hunter, in harness and in performance spheres equally. In recent years, Welsh Cobs have had great success in the international driving world, and indeed their full potential has now been recognised all over the world.
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The above information has been supplied from the WELSH PONY & COB SOCIETY , UK
More information about the breeds can be found on their website https://www.wpcs.uk.com/
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You can also find out more about the breed and current news here in France, on the association site - https://www.poneywelsh.fr/
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