History

The history of the welsh mountain pony

The original home of the Welsh Mountain pony was in the hills and valleys of Wales, where he was before the Romans. His lot was not an easy one. Winters were severe. Vegetation was sparse. Shelter, most often, was an isolated valley or a clump of bare trees.

Yet the Welsh Mountain pony managed not only to survive but to flourish. Led by proud stallions, herd of mares and their

foals roamed in semi-wild state, climbing mountains, leaping ravines, and running over rough terrain. This sort of existence insured perpetuation of the breed through only the most hardy of stock. Hence, the development of a pony with a remarkable soundness of body, a tremendous endurance, and a high degree of native intelligence.

Even an edict of Henry VIII that all horses under 15 hands should be destroyed did not eliminate the Welsh Mountain Pony. Hiding in desolate areas where his persecutors were reluctant or unable to go, he continued to live and reproduce, preserving for mankind a distinctive strain of pony that today has generated enthusiasm among breeders and pony lovers all over the world.

Down through the years, the Welsh Mountain pony has served many masters. There is evidence to support the belief that he pulled chariots in vast sport arenas. He has worked in coal mines, on ranches, and on postmen's routes. He has been pampered by royalty and served on the farms of the poor.

That the Welsh Mountain pony carries a trace of Arabian blood seems beyond doubt. However, he has maintained his own dominant physical characteristics over the years.

The Welsh pony and Cob Society was founded in Wales in 1901 and their first stud book was published in 1902. This is when registration started.

Another important milestone in the development of the native Welsh Mountain pony was the passing of the Commons Act in 1908 to regulate the turning upon Commons of entire animals.

These developments were very important for the Welsh Mountain pony as the Common Lands of Wales were so extensive and comprised so many tracts that improvement by selection other than nature's was a farce as long as the pasturage was free to any and all in this modern area.

Sadly enough the roaring twenties and thirties had a bad influence on the development of the Welsh Mountain pony. After two World Wars and an economical depression things started to look really bad for the Welsh Mountain pony.

Luckily the showing world took off in the sixties and this provided the future of the native Welsh Mountain pony as we know him today. Due to the everchanging world the Welsh Mountain pony constantly had to overcome problems. But the breed is still preserved and with the help of individual enthusiastics and the foundation of several Hill Improvement Societies the future of the Welsh Mountain Pony will be a bright one!