Welsh Pony and Cob Horse: Breed Profile
Welsh Pony and Cob Size
Welsh ponies and cobs weigh between 400 and 700 pounds on average. They are classified into four size groups based on their height.
- The section A pony, or the Welsh mountain pony, is regarded as the foundation of the breed. It stands at just 12 hands (48 inches) high. Many children learn to ride on section A Welsh ponies.
- Section B ponies are between 12 and 13.2 hands (48 and 52.8 inches) high, up to 14.2 hands.
- Section C ponies are regarded as a cob type. They're up to 13.2 hands (52.8 inches) high and have more substantial bone structure than section B Welsh ponies, though they retain the refined look of the smaller ponies.
- Section D ponies are also a cob type, exceed 13.2 hands with no upper height limit.1 Although a sturdy section C can carry an adult, most adults are more likely to ride the section D cob type.
Welsh Pony and Cob Breeding and Uses
Welsh ponies and cobs were bred to be all-purpose horses. They have been used extensively on farms, in the military, for hunting, and commercially in harness. They're also excellent racers and jumpers. Moreover, the breed has influenced numerous light horse and pony breeds, such as the pony of the Americas.
Welsh ponies were originally draft animals used to pull loads. They commonly worked in coal mines and on postal routes, and they hauled military equipment. Nowadays, trekking on Welsh ponies (known as trail riding in North America) is popular in the United Kingdom. They’re also used in dressage and other equine competitions. And their small size makes them popular for children to ride.
Colors and Markings
Welsh ponies and cobs come in many equine colors, most commonly chestnut, bay, gray, and black. They also can be brown, cream, dun, and palomino. Additionally, they can be any roan version (a mix of colored and white hairs) of these solid colors. However, they do not come in piebald, skewbald, or leopard-spotted coat patterns. They can have white face and leg markings.
