|
|
The Welsh Cob 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 . They are known as one of the most beautiful of all the British native ponies. 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. They are easy keepers, with stamina and endurance. The ponies come in all colors except piebald and skewbald. 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 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. |
