In case you’re at the hunt to shop for a Welsh segment D to experience and compete, then this information is for you.
What’s a Welsh segment D?
The Welsh segment D — or the Welsh cob — is the biggest of the Welsh breeds. The breed has no higher top prohibit however will have to exceed 13.2hh to verify it’s in truth a piece D and no longer a piece C. Whilst there’s no most top requirement, it’s fascinating that the segment D keeps pony personality and true Welsh kind.
The segment D can also be any color, except for piebald and skewbald. Gray colouring is extra uncommon than in different varieties of Welsh ponies, however white markings are not unusual.
A Welsh cob’s motion must be: “Loose, true and forcible. The knee must be bent and the entire foreleg must be prolonged immediately from the shoulder and as a long way ahead as imaginable within the trot. Hocks flexed below the frame with immediately and strong leverage.”
The Welsh Pony and Cob Society (WPCS) supplies the next conformation same old for each the Welsh C and the D:
Basic personality: Sturdy, hardy and energetic, with pony personality and as a lot substance as imaginable
Head: Filled with high quality and pony personality. A rough head and Roman nostril are maximum objectionable
Eyes: Daring, distinguished and set broadly aside
Ears: Neat and properly set
Neck: Long and properly carried. Rather lean in terms of mares, however vulnerable to be cresty in terms of mature stallions
Shoulders: Sturdy however properly laid again
Forelegs: Set sq. and no longer tied in on the elbows. Lengthy, robust forearms. Knees properly evolved with an abundance of bone underneath them. Pasterns of proportionate slope and period. Toes well-shaped. Hooves dense. When within the tough, a reasonable amount of silky feather isn’t objected to however coarse, wiry hair is a certain objection.
Middlepiece: Again and loins, muscular, robust and well-coupled. Deep in the course of the center and well-ribbed up.
Hindquarters: Long and powerful. Ragged or drooping quarters are objectionable. Tail well-set on.
Hind legs: 2nd thighs, robust and muscular. Hocks, huge, flat and blank, with issues distinguished, turning neither inward nor outwards. The hind legs will have to no longer be too bent and the hock no longer set in the back of a line falling from the purpose of the quarter to the fetlock joint. Pasterns of proportionate slope and period. Toes well-shaped. Hooves dense.
The WPCS counsel that the segment D has been aptly described as “the most efficient experience and pressure animal on the planet”.
“The overall personality is the embodiment of energy, hardiness and agility. The Welsh Cob is a superb hunter and a maximum competent performer in all aggressive sports activities. In recent times they have got had nice good fortune within the world using international. Their skills in all spheres at the moment are absolutely recognised all over the sector.”
What can I do with a Welsh segment D?
Welsh segment Ds are a breed that you’re going to in finding in maximum disciplines in the United Kingdom and around the globe. Welsh segment Ds are well-liked appearing animals, with stand-alone categories at main finals similar to Horse of the 12 months Display (HOYS). They compete within the huge breeds class in opposition to different local breeds, or in particular Welsh segment C and D categories.
The breed is well-liked as they may be able to raise maximum adults and taller riders however possess local pony characteristics which means they’re in most cases hardy. They may be able to fare properly in dressage because of their motion, and the extra athletic sorts actually have a presence in operating hunter categories, eventing, display leaping and out looking. Some Welsh segment Ds have additionally competed effectively in using and they may be able to additionally make just right all-rounders and non-competitive rides. The in-hand appearing scene is similarly properly supported, with many breeders showcasing their home-bred inventory at breed presentations, at the county display circuit and past.
In the end, the best activity for each and every pony is dependent upon its kind, personality characteristics and herbal skill in particular spaces.
Is it the proper breed for me?
Aimee Devane is a number one local pony manufacturer who has ridden many a hit Welsh segment Ds. Her first most sensible pony was once the gelding Pentrepiod The Pass judgement on however she has since ridden many stars, together with the past due Aleanto Bon A Parte and Steppers Relight My Fireplace, ridden champion on the Royal Welsh in 2023.
“They’re my favorite breed,” Aimee confirms. “However, I’d no longer say a Welsh cob is the breed for a very simple lifestyles within the sense they may be able to be extra hot-headed and in most cases do want stimulation and consistency to get the most efficient out of them, particularly within the early levels of coaching. This doesn’t imply bad, however you want to have your whits about you. Clearly, upbringing has so much to do with how they take to ridden paintings, and also you do in finding extra laid again examples. In case you in finding the proper pony for you, despite the fact that, they’re superb animals to paintings with and educate.”
What must I search for in a Welsh segment D?
“I really like an old style kind; I’m on the lookout for a real pony of cob kind and my choice for the display ring is for one thing that stands between 14hh and 14.2hh, preferably no larger,” Aimee says. “I’m on the lookout for a pony that has a pleasant period of rein in addition to just right bone, feather and ft. You’ll upload topline, however you can not upload limb, feather or foot.
“I’d search for one thing with an uphill entrance as that is in most cases a trademark of the way they are going to sooner or later experience. A large number of cobs don’t have essentially the most herbal canter, so in the event that they’re extra uphill they’re prone to in finding that tempo more straightforward. They may be able to be later maturers, despite the fact that, and the canter can come as they get more potent. There are a couple of 4 and five-year-olds who’ve a cast temperament and mind, however you’re going to in most cases begin to get the perfect out of a Welsh segment D when it’s six or seven.
“Motion sensible, I really like just a little of knee motion that comes up and out from the shoulder. I really like a pony that covers the bottom; we don’t desire a pony that daisy-cuts. A Welsh cob must arguably be one of the most greatest movers in a hoop of natives, but it surely’s vital that we’re getting the real motion with out dashing or pushing the horse out of its herbal rhythm.”
How a lot must I be expecting to pay?
Like with any horse or pony, the fee is dependent upon a number of components together with the marketplace on the time in addition to the person animal’s temperament, age, high quality, festival report and breeding.
“Welsh cobs are very treasured as they may be able to take a taller rider,” Aimee says. “I’d at all times discover a Welsh segment D more straightforward to promote than a Welsh segment C of equivalent high quality. Plus, a Welsh segment D with shape within the display ring is most likely to be able to cross and reach any other self-discipline, particularly dressage because of their motion.”
“The fee I’d pay for a pony is dependent upon high quality,” Aimee provides. “You’ll in finding unbroken ponies for £1,500, and ponies for £8,000, but it surely does rely on how a lot possible the animal has. For the highest finish I would need one thing particular that has all of it; bone, feather, motion and flare. A center of the street pony that has possible in the proper arms may well be priced at between £5,000 and £6,000. Clearly, after being sponsored and educated the costs build up. Best ridden ponies can cross from anyplace between £10,000 and £15,000, steadily extra.”
I’ve purchased a pony, now what?
It’s time to organise a pre-purchase vetting, one thing this is strongly really useful. It’s vital to let the vet know previous to the vetting what you propose to make use of the horse for therefore they may be able to assess it accordingly. In case you inform the vet that you wish to have the horse for the display ring, they must expectantly let you know of any blemishes or conformational faults which might have an effect on its long run profession, despite the fact that they don’t have an effect on its soundness or efficiency.
“Because of my enjoy I steadily purchase ponies with no vetting, and I additionally purchase them unseen if sourcing from breeders or from distributors I believe,” Aimee says. “Each pony may have a role, too, despite the fact that it’s no longer within the display ring or in festival.”
For more info, you’ll learn H&H’s final information to shopping for a horse.
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Credit score: Peter Nixon Credit score: Steve Dawe Credit score: John Grossick Credit score: Peter Nixon Credit score: Peter Nixon Credit score: Long run 
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