Welsh Pony and Cob Horse: Breed Profile
Common Health and Behavior Problems
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The Welsh pony and cob, also known as the Welsh mountain pony, are the products of a storied history, having faced challenges from both humans and nature. This has resulted in a group of tough, adaptable animals whose flashy style makes them very popular horses for the show ring. Adults often use them in harness, and their sizes are perfect for young riders. The larger Welsh cobs are a steady ride for older children and adults, as well.
Breed Overview
WEIGHT: 400 to 700 pounds
HEIGHT: 12 hands (48 inches) to 15 hands (60 inches)
BODY TYPE: Sturdy, compact build; delicate features; expressive eyes; deep chest
BEST FOR: Riders and owners of all experience levels, including children
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 35 years
Welsh Pony and Cob History and Origins
Native to Great Britain, Welsh ponies and cobs are believed to have existed in Wales for thousands of years. They likely developed from crossing native ponies with Arabian, thoroughbred, and hackney bloodlines.
They lived throughout the hills and mountains of Wales, where the rugged terrain and harsh climate frequently offered only sparse grasses and moss for food. Generation after generation of exposure to this environment produced horses that are exceptionally hardy, strong, and adaptable. Besides nature's challenges, they even survived King Henry VIII's misguided attempts during the 1500s to improve horse breeding by having horses of small stature destroyed.
The ponies first arrived in the United States in the late 1800s. Although their numbers dropped during the Depression, their popularity began to rise again during the 1950s. And the population continues to expand today.
In 1901, the Welsh Pony and Cob Society formed as a breed registry in Wales. Over the next few decades, four main sections within the breed were added to classify the horses by size.