Welsh Ponies and Cobs 8 1 



than ever before, partly, no doubt, on account of this newly-opened 

 market, but mainly owing to better knowledge of the principles 

 of breeding. The passing of the Commons Act, 1908, which 

 provided for the elimination of undesirable stallions, has had a 

 marked effect already in improving these ponies, and the en- 

 couragement given by the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries in 

 awarding premiums to suitable stallions must ultimately result 

 in the production of a most useful and marketable pony. 



Pony Improvement Societies have already been formed in 

 several districts, notably at Church Stretton, which is the pioneet 

 in this movement. The annual " drive" and " round up" of the 

 ponies from the hill, and the annual show, are events worth seeing 

 Other societies have been already formed at Gower in Glamorgan- 

 shire, Gwynfe and Brynamman in Carmarthenshire, and Eppynt 

 in Breconshire. 



To see these ponies in the improved state one cannot do better 

 than pay a visit to Church Stretton ; while Llanwrtyd Wells show, 

 Newbridge-on-Wye fair, or places like Lampeter and Tregaron 

 during the third week in April, when they are collected and taken 

 back to the hills from their winter quarters, will give an excellent 

 idea of the unimproved type. 



2. THE LOWLAND PONY 



This is altogether a larger and better class of pony than the 

 one just described. It has been bred with much more care and 

 on better soil, and thus possesses more bone and substance, while 

 its constitution, stamina, and endurance have not suffered in the 

 least. 



The sires selected for mating with the mares of this class are 

 those of the small-cob type of from 13 hands 2 in, to 14 hands 2 in. 

 high. This mating results in the production of a pony of about 

 12 hands 3 in., which one so frequently comes across in the counties 

 of mid Wales, particularly in Cardiganshire. The celebrated cob 

 stallion, Eiddwen Flyer, has played a more important part in the 

 moulding of this type of pony than any other sire. 



Most of the mares entered in this section of the Stud Book 

 are found, when we examine their pedigrees, to be sired by either 

 Eiddwen Flyer or his descendants, and this is considered the blue 

 blood of Welsh ponydom. 



They have all the characteristics that a Welsh pony should 



possess, viz. small head, prominent fiery eyes, restlessness, activity, 



intelligence, small ears, width between the eyes, and tapering 

 Vol. III. 39 



