8o Breeds of Horses 



very mixed lot of light-boned, weak-constitutioned animals, such 

 as we only too frequently see at the leading fairs even to-day. 

 Much has been said and written about the advantages and dis- 

 advantages of shows, but as far as Welsh ponies and Cobs are 

 concerned they certainly have been a disadvantage. The Hackney 

 generally gives a much better exhibition of action in the show- 

 yard, but when it comes to road work he is quickly out of com- 

 petition. The Welsh Cob really never shows himself to advantage 

 until he gets on the hard road; here he will complete a forty-mile 

 journey without any sign of fatigue. Weight of shoes does not 

 improve his action so materially; all he wants is to hear the sound 

 of his feet and then for pace and action he will challenge all 

 comers. The outstanding features of Welsh ponies and Cobs are: 

 hardiness, courage, stamina, surefootedness, and freedom from 

 disease. 



The Welsh Pony and Cob Society divides them into four 

 sections : 



1. The Mountain Pony, which does not exceed 12 hands 2 in. high. 



2. The Lowland Pony, „ „ „ 13 „ 2 „ 



3. The Small Cob, „ „ „ 14 „ 2 „ 



4. The Large Cob, which is 14 hands 2 in. high or over. 



1. THE MOUNTAIN PONY 



This is the one which has preserved its original characteristics 

 best. The description given of this animal four hundred years ago 

 applies equally well to-day. It is an admitted fact that into the 

 best specimens of these a certain amount of Arab blood has been 

 infused, and it may be clearly detected in many of those seen at 

 shows. But in the case of the thousands found on the Welsh 

 hills the probability is that no cross has ever been introduced. 

 Their breeding has been entirely unmethodical. Even the intro- 

 duction of a stallion of another strain is an unusual thing, the 

 majority of owners rearing their own stallions and allowing them 

 to run with the mares in much the same way as they do with theii 

 sheep. Such a course of inbreeding pursued for generations pro- 

 duced a race of breedy-looking, small-boned ponies for which there 

 was only a very limited demand. 



For a long period there has been a gradual reduction in the 

 number of Welsh ponies, but now again the tendency is towards an 

 increase. The demand from America has done much to foster this 

 tendency. More attention, also, is now given to their breeding 



