Welsh Section B
THE WELSH PONY
Not exceeding 137.2 cm (13.2 hands)
Section B of the Stud Book
The general description of ponies in Section "A" of the Stud Book is applicable to those in Section "B", but more particularly the Section "B" pony shall be described as a riding pony, with quality, riding action, adequate bone and substance, hardiness, and constitution and with pony character.
History
Descending from the hardy Welsh Mountain Pony, with the influence of Arabian and Thoroughbred blood still apparent today, the Welsh Pony Section B was initially bred for it’s carrying capabilities. Taller in height than the Section A, (up to 12.2hh, subsequently increasing to an upper height limit of 13.2hh), but still retaining strength of limb and hardiness, they were the ideal mount of hill shepherds. In 1930, the Stud Book description was altered and the breed began to evolve towards the type which is seen today. Following the opening of the Foundation Register, the Section B saw a post-war boom in registrations, where animals with no known breeding would be inspected by appointed judges who would then pass any animal which resembled the ideal type of pony.
The breed description as an extension of the Section A means the Section B pony must still have adequate bone and substance, but with emphasis on ‘Riding Type’, and up to 13.2hh. The Foundation Register built the base of the breed we see today, as many of these mares accepted as ‘FS’ had Arabian, Thoroughbred or Riding Pony Blood in them, which crossed so well with the Welsh Mountain Pony to create a strong and capable mount, as well as impressive show pony.
Uses
Today, the Welsh Section B can be seen in many disciplines, including showing (in hand and under saddle), jumping, dressage, eventing and cross country, and even driving. They are found in many countries around the world, and are popular in Europe, the USA and Australia. The Section B should be considered as the ideal family pony for multi-disciplines, as they are so adept at many activities, and are ideal from first ridden classes to eventing.
As a breeding animal, consider the Section B as the ideal sire or dam. Crossed with other breeds, they can produce Riding Ponies and Hunter Ponies, but also useful Sports Ponies as well, with the influence of their Arabian, Thoroughbred but also hardy Welsh blood with it’s strong characteristics coming through.
Rare Breeds Survival Trust At Risk Register
The Rare Breeds Survival Trust approached The Welsh Pony & Cob Society in 2023 as part of their Native Equine Conservation Project looking into the populations of all Native U.K. breeds. In collaboration, the Society office provided the Trust with registration data for all of the Welsh sections as part of the project and subsequently, the RBST calculations that the Society has been waiting for have identified concerns over the population of Welsh Ponies (Section B) that has led to the Trust taking appropriate action. As a result, the Welsh Pony (Section B) has now been placed on the ‘At Risk’ register of the RBST Watchlist for 2024.
This marker on the ‘At Risk’ section of the Watchlist will see the Section B Welsh Pony breed sitting alongside the likes of the Clydesdale & Shires draught Horses and Fell & Dartmoor ponies in order of conservation priority. This is the first time one of the Welsh breeds has been classified as ‘At Risk’ since the Welsh Mountain ‘Hill Pony’ was so designated 25 years ago following the research submitted by Mrs Elizabeth French reporting on populations of wild and semi-feral ponies kept on hill/common habitats throughout Wales and the Border Counties.
The Welsh Section B breed has, unfortunately, seen a consistent level of decline from 2009 to 2023 and has now dropped to under 400 breeding mares, less than half the number seen in 2009. The EPS (Effective Population Size) reflects this decline which has been reduced to 413 from the 1,061 seen in 2009.
Despite all sections of the Welsh Studbook having seen a decline in the same period, none have seen quite such a marked decline as the Section B’s, which is a worrying trend. For now, the other sections of the Studbook that maintain at a healthier and more populated status, will remain amongst the ‘other native breeds not at risk’ on the RBST watchlist.
More information will be available on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust website (www.rbst.org.uk).