Welsh Pony Types

Section A

• Section A ponies are also called Welsh mountain ponies. Said to have started in the Wells mountain region, these ponies have been around since prehistoric times and began as the Celtic pony. Welsh mountain ponies are identified by their small heads and short legs. In the United Kingdom, they cannot exceed 12 hands. The United States allows them to be slightly larger, at 12.2 hands. Section A ponies are the best choices for children.

Section B

• Also called Welsh ponies of the riding type or the modern Welsh, section B ponies also have a small head but are more muscular than their section A counterparts. The United States allows section B ponies to reach 14.2 hands, but the United Kingdom only allows for these ponies up to 13.2 hands. Modern Welsh ponies are used for both riding and driving and were once used primarily as transport horses for country farmers.

Section C

• Section C ponies are referred to as Welsh ponies of the cob type. They are muscular ponies with deep girths and long necks. Both the United States and the United Kingdom limits section C ponies to 13.2 hands. Both section C and section D ponies had the cob breed, a small compact horse, introduced into their bloodlines in approximately the 15th century. This addition made these ponies stronger than the section A or B types. Section C ponies are good for riding and are strong jumpers.

Section D

• Called the Welsh cob, section D ponies are the largest of the Welsh pony types. Welsh cobs are the larger versions of Section C ponies and are not allowed to be shorter than 13.2 hands. Although many organizations do not put a maximum height restriction on these horses, some require them to be no larger than 14.2 hands. Welsh cobs are best used for hunting, driving and competitive sports. They also may sometimes be listed as horses rather than ponies because of their size.