The Welsh mountain pony's original home was in the hills and valleys of Wales, even before the Romans arrived. They lived in harsh conditions, with severe winters and sparse vegetation. The ponies' refuge was most often an isolated valley or a bare group of trees. However, the Welsh pony not only survived, but thrived.
Led by stallions, mares and their foals roamed semi-wild, climbing mountains, jumping ravines, and traversing rough terrain. This type of existence ensured the survival of the breed only through the most resilient stock. As a result, a pony with a remarkably solid constitution, tremendous endurance, and a high degree of natural intelligence developed.
Even Henry VIII's (1509-1547) decree that all horses under 15 hands (1 hand = 10.16 cm) should be destroyed did not wipe out the Welsh mountain ponies. Hiding in abandoned areas where their pursuers were reluctant or unable to go, they continued to live and reproduce, preserving the breed for humanity. Hiding in abandoned areas where their persecutors were reluctant or unable to go, they continued to live and reproduce, preserving for humanity a distinctive breed of pony that today inspires enthusiasm among breeders and pony lovers around the world.
There is no doubt that Welsh ponies carry traces of Arab blood. It is likely that their "Arab-like" appearance has existed since the Roman occupation. Arabian-type horses accompanied the Romans on their African campaigns and were left behind in the United Kingdom when they withdrew in 410 AD.
In addition, from this point onwards, there may have been some discreet infusion of thoroughbred, Oriental, and Hackney blood. However, the Welsh pony has retained its own dominant physical characteristics over the years, which shows that the Welsh pony can be crossed well with many other breeds, and this is an important consideration for some breeders.
Due to the differences between the various sections (or variants), the Welsh pony is a very versatile breed. All variants are easy to handle and have moderate feeding and maintenance requirements. They have a balanced temperament and are energetic in their movements. All variants have a long lifespan, good fertility, and excellent working ability.
In addition to their use in sports, their popularity is also due to the fact that they are a key breed in the production of riding ponies. Both breeders of fine light horses and smaller ponies have successfully crossed Welsh ponies. Welsh ponies have an unusually high capacity to pass on their best traits through carefully selected crossbreeding. This often results in the production of exceptionally good animals. Welsh ponies are very popular and widespread in Europe, but also in America and Australia. (The number of Welsh mares registered in the stud book is approximately 8,000 worldwide.)
Based on the nature and size of the dam's stud book, there are five different sections in the stud book:
"A" type - Welsh mountain pony: the smallest Welsh ponies (max. 121 cm).
"B" type - Welsh riding pony: a section bred with a focus on riding characteristics and finer bone structure. Maximum height 137.2 cm.
Type C - Cob Welsh pony: stronger-boned horses with cob blood in their ancestry. Maximum height 137.2 cm.
"D" variant - Welsh cob pony: horses with strong bone structure and active movement. Minimum height 137 cm, no upper limit.
And the fifth section is the Welsh half-breed, a stock selected for sporting performance, with a minimum of 12.5% Welsh blood in its pedigree.
