The History & Origins of The Welsh Ponies
History and Origin
The Welsh Pony, also known as the Welsh Mountain Pony, is a breed of petite horse that originated in the mountainous region of Wales, United Kingdom. The first and original Welsh Mountain Pony is thought to have descended from the Celtic ponies. Their ancestors lived in the British Isles even before the settlement of the Roman Empire.
Welsh ponies have survived for a thousand years and faced many hardships from both humans and nature. However, they developed into a hardy breed because of harsh weather conditions, isolated shelter and sparse vegetation. This made them grow into tough and adaptable animals.
The ponies first arrived in the United States in the late 1880s. The number of Welsh ponies dropped during the depression years, but their popularity rose dramatically during the 1950s. In 1901, the Welsh Pony and Cob Society of America were established as a breed registry. According to statistics, over 45,000 Welsh Ponies and cobs have been registered to date.
Characteristics of The Welsh Pony
The physical traits of a Welsh Pony consist of a small head with large eyes, small ears, short and straight backs, sloped shoulders, arched necks and strong hindquarters. The most common coat colours are black, grey, brown and chestnut. They weigh up to 625 pounds (0.28 t), and their height ranges from 11 hands (for smaller ponies) to 16 hands (for taller ponies).
Welsh Ponies are characterised by their friendly disposition, adaptability and high level of intelligence. They are also skilled and are easy to train. They may be small, but they possess incredible strength.
Uses of The Welsh Pony
The Welsh Pony has been put to several uses. Many years ago, they were used on postal routes and in coal mines. The British Government used them to pull heavy machinery and equipment through the valley. As coal mining became important to the economy of the British Isles, they were used to work in mines. Welsh Ponies are now used by people to help them travel to different places. They are popularly used in the United Kingdom for trail riding or trekking.