Welsh Cob (Section D)
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The Welsh Cob (Section D) is the largest of the Welsh horse breeds, not less than 13.2 hands high (137 cm), with no upper limit in the breed rules. They are part of the Welsh Breeds (which also includes Welsh mountain pony (Section A), Welsh pony (Section B), and Welsh pony of cob type (Section C)). They are one of the most beautiful of all the British native ponies.
[edit] Breed Characteristics
The Welsh Cob should be no shorter than 13.2 hands. The ponies have a straight profile with large, expressive eyes, long flowing mane and fine hair.They have clean limbs with silky feathering, and have sound feet. Their movement is extravagant and high-stepping. They have a round barrel, compact back, muscular legs and crested necks.
The Welsh Cob is generally more spirited and independent than the Welsh mountain pony (Section A) or Welsh pony (Section B). They are easy keepers, with stamina and endurance.
The ponies come in all colors except piebald and skewbald.
[edit] Breed History
The Mountain Pony is thought to have evolved from the prehistoric Celtic pony. The sparse and inhospitable hills of Wales developed the small and extremely hardy animal. The Section B pony came out of the Welsh mountain pony (Section A).
When the Romans occupied Britain, they brought horses of their own, presumably Arabians, which bred with the native ponies, producing hardy offspring with substance, but very beautiful. It is believed that Julius Caesar founded a stud for the ponies on the shores of Lake Bala.
The characteristics of the breed are thought to have been established by the late 15th century, after Crusaders brought Arabian stallions from the Middle East.
In the 1500s, King Henry VIII ordered that all smaller ponies be caught and destroyed. Luckily, many of the ponies were safe in their homeland of the Welsh Mountains.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, more Arabian blood was added by stallions who were turned out in the Welsh hills. Other breeds have also been added, including Hackney and Thoroughbred.
The Welsh Cob probably first resulted from a crossbreeding between the Welsh mountain pony (Section A) and the horses brought by Romans to Britain. There were also crosses with Spanish horses, which led to the development of the Powys horse, which was also a foundation for this type. Other breeds also influenced the type, including the Norfolk Roadster, the Hackney and Yorkshire Coach Horse.
Influential stallions include:
- Trotting Comet: foaled in 1840 from a long line of trotting horses
- True Briton: foaled in 1930, by a trotting sire and out of an Arabian mare
- Cymro Llwyd: foaled in 1950, by an Arabian stallion and out of a trotting mare
- Alonzo the Brave: foaled in 1866, tracing his ancestry through the Hackney breed to the Darley Arabian
These four sires show the great influence of both trotters and Arabians on the type.
The Welsh breeds were used in mines, for pulling carts, as a means of transport. They were also used as draft animals for farm work.
In 1901, the Welsh Pony and Cob Society was formed, with the stud book published the following year. It wasn't until 1949 when the sections of the stud book (A, B, C, and D) were introduced. All geldings of any Section type are now designated Section E and usually designated, for example, Section E(D).
Today, the type is used mainly in harness for competitive driving. They are often used as hunters as well, and make excellent mounts for adults. Their main use as driving ponies is disputed as many do both ride and drive. It is argued by many that the Welsh Cob is the best ride and drive horse in the world. In England where the breed is very popular, it is probable the main usage is for ridden work just by their overwhelming numbers compared to driving work.
