BREED INFORMATION
WELSH SECTION B PONY
THE WELSH PONY
Not exceeding 137.2 cm (13.2 hands)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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/
You can also find out more about the breed and current news here in France, on the association site - https://www.poneywelsh.fr/