The Welsh Cob (Section D) is the largest of the Welsh horse breeds, not less than 13.2 Hands high, with no upper limit in the breed rules. They are part of the Welsh pony breed (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. National motto: Cymru am byth (Welsh: Wales for ever) Waless location within the UK Official languages English(100%), Welsh(20. ... Binomial name Equus caballus Linnaeus, 1758 The Horse (Equus caballus) is a sizeable ungulate mammal, one of the seven modern species of the genus Equus. ... Alternate meanings: Hand (disambiguation) A human left hand The hand (med. ... The Welsh mountain pony is a native breed of the United Kingdom, and is one of the most beautiful of the British native ponies. ... The Welsh pony (Section B)--the Welsh Pony of Riding Type--is part of the Welsh pony breed (which also includes Welsh mountain pony (Section A), Welsh pony of cob type (Section C), and Welsh Cob (Section D)). They are one of the most beautiful of all the British native... The Welsh pony of Cob Type (Section C) is part of the Welsh pony breed (which also includes Welsh mountain pony (Section A), Welsh pony (Section B), and Welsh Cob (Section D)). They are one of the most beautiful of all the British native ponies. ...

Hwylog Diplomat, a Section D Welsh Cob

Breed Characteristics

The Welsh Cob should be no smaller than 13.2 hands. The ponies have a straight profile with large, expressive eyes.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 hindquarters and arched 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 Welsh mountain pony is a native breed of the United Kingdom, and is one of the most beautiful of the British native ponies. ... The Welsh pony (Section B)--the Welsh Pony of Riding Type--is part of the Welsh pony breed (which also includes Welsh mountain pony (Section A), Welsh pony of cob type (Section C), and Welsh Cob (Section D)). They are one of the most beautiful of all the British native...

The ponies come in all colors except piebald and skewbald. A piebald horse A piebald horse is a horse with large white and black patches. ... The Skewbald horse has a coat made up of brown and grey patches, on top of either pink or black skin. ...

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 and Yorkshire Coach Horse. The Welsh mountain pony is a native breed of the United Kingdom, and is one of the most beautiful of the British native ponies. ... The Hackney Horse is a recognized breed that was developed in Great Britain. ...

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 Arabian horse first appeared in the Arabian Peninsula at least 2,500 years B.C.E. They were carefully bred to maintain desirable features (e. ... The Arabian horse first appeared in the Arabian Peninsula at least 2,500 years B.C.E. They were carefully bred to maintain desirable features (e. ... The Hackney Horse is a recognized breed that was developed in Great Britain. ...

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.