Section A:
The Welsh Mountain Pony

  • Not exceeding 121.9 cm (12.0 hands)
  • Section A of the Stud Book

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, Knees and hocks well flexed with straight and powerful leverage and well under the body.

Section B:
The Welsh Pony

  • Not exceeding 137.2 cm (13.2 hands)
  • Section B of the Stud Book

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 height should not exceed 13.2 h.h. (137.2 cms)
  • 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.

Section D:
The Welsh Cob

The height should exceed 13.2 h.h. (137 cms): no upper limit.

Section D of the Stud Book

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 as far as possible in all paces, with the hocks well flexed, producing 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.

Detailed Description of Sections C and D

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.

The Welsh Part Breed Register

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 Welsh Mountain Pony.

The best inherit the strong constitution, good bone, courage, activity and equable temperament that has led to worldwide renown.

It is therefore not surprising that they are in such demand for crossing with other breeds, and there is a Welsh Part-Bred Register for horses, cobs and ponies whose breeding shows not less than 12.5% of Registered Welsh blood.

The Welsh Part Bred Horse

The Welsh Part Bred Horse is proven as a top class performance and show animal, is over 148cms and has a minimum of 12.5% registered Welsh blood.

What leading breeders and riders think:

“..there is little to approach the Welsh breeds as the basis for competition horse production”
Capt. E Hartley-Edwards

“They have the movement and character to work in all spheres” 
Jennie Loriston-Clarke.

“They have a lot of presence and are very good rides; I’m happy to have horses with Welsh blood” 
Robert Oliver.

“They are a useful foundation, when mated with a TB, to breed and event horse” 
Sam Barr

“I don’t mind a strain of Welsh blood in an event horse, their character and native cleverness are great strengths” 
Rodney Powell