Welsh Cob Horse

The hardy Welsh Cob is a Welsh horse breed with stamina, intelligence and versatility. Around for centuries, today the Welsh Cob is popular in both the UK and the US, with Welsh Pony and Cob societies present in both countries.

The Welsh Cob is a member of the four-strong Welsh Pony and Cob group of breeds. It is the tallest of the group; and is known for its hardy nature and gentle temperament. Also included in the Welsh Pony and Cob group of breeds are the Welsh Mountain Pony (Section A), the Welsh Pony of riding type (Section B), and the Welsh pony of Cob type (Section C) – each of which can be used for a different purpose.

As the tallest of the group, the Welsh Cob is suitable for adult horse riding, and is the Section D member of the group.

Vital Stats

HEIGHT:	13.2hh or taller
BEST FOR:	Leisure riding, harness driving and more
ORIGIN:	Wales

Welsh Cob History

Welsh ponies have roamed the countryside of Wales for centuries (with some evidence putting their origins as far back as 1600 BC), living in rural areas such as mountains and moorland. This rural lifestyle resulted in a hardy Welsh horse breed, and while the majority of Welsh ponies are no longer semi-feral, a group of wild ponies still lives in the mountains of Snowdonia.

The Welsh Cob as a type of pony dates back to the Middle Ages, when they were used for work in agriculture; over the years, they have been mixed with horse breeds including Arab, Thoroughbred, and Hackney.

Welsh Cobs and ponies survived an order from Henry VIII to destroy all horses under a certain height (15 hands for stallions and 13 hands for mares) in a bid to improve horse breeds, and over time they became a staple in their homeland of Wales, where they were put to good use. For farming families, they were ploughmen, drivers and riding ponies; they were also put to work in the coal mines; and were used as a mode of transport for everyone from doctors to businessmen.

The Welsh Pony and Cob Society was founded as a breeder’s association in 1901, followed by the first stud book in 1902. The association introduced varying sections for Welsh ponies and horses, divided by height and weight. Originally limited to Section A type ponies, the sections were adjusted over the years before being finalised in 1949. Today, the Welsh Pony and Cob Society includes: Section A (the Welsh Mountain Pony), Section B (the Welsh Pony of riding type), Section C (the Welsh Pony of Cob Type), and Section D (the Welsh Cob).

Welsh ponies and cobs can also be found in the US, where the American Welsh Pony and Cob Society was founded in 1906.

SIZE

Welsh Cob Size

The Welsh Cob is the tallest of the four types of horse in the Welsh Pony and Cob Society, with a minimum height of 13.2hh.

APPEARANCE

Welsh Cob Appearance

The Welsh Cob, as with the other ponies in the Welsh Pony and Cob Society, can be any solid colour with the exception of tobiano and leopard-spotted. Common colours include black, chestnut and bay; grey is also common in Welsh ponies, however less so in the Section D Welsh Cob. Palomino Welsh Cobs also exist, as do buckskin Welsh Cobs.

Tall and stocky, the Welsh Cob may be the tallest of the four Sections, however it still displays shorter legs and a pony-like head.

DIET & NUTRITION

Welsh Cob Diet and Nutrition

The Welsh Cob is a hardy equine, and as with other Welsh ponies they will enjoy a pasture situation. It can also be beneficial to keep an eye on their sugar and carbohydrate intake to avoid issues such as laminitis.

UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS

Unique Characteristics of a Welsh Cob

Its hardiness is one of the Welsh Cob’s defining characteristics: after years of semi-feral rural living, this Welsh breed is well used to living outdoors. Its size sets the Welsh Cob aside from its fellow Welsh ponies, as it is both taller and stockier.

Welsh ponies are also known to be friendly and trustworthy, with great stamina and soundness.

This Welsh horse breed displays a bold movement with a powerful trot; they are also fast trotters. In fact, ponies were often selected by business and tradesmen based on how quickly they could trot the 35 mile uphill route from Cardiff to Dowlais, favouring those who could do it in less than three hours without a break.

TEMPERAMENT & BEHAVIOUR

Welsh Cob Temperament and Behaviour

Welsh ponies are known to be an even-tempered breed. They are intelligent, friendly, trustworthy and spirited, making them popular for a range of uses such as riding (for both adults and children), work, and competition.

HEALTH ISSUES

Welsh Cob Common Health Issues

With a hardy disposition, the Welsh Cob – like its fellow Welsh ponies – is not prone to a large number of equine conditions or illnesses. They can be susceptible to laminitis, so sugar and carbohydrate intake should be monitored and not overdone.

Due to the feathering on its legs, the Welsh Cob should also be groomed regularly to avoid skin conditions flaring up.

GROOMING

Welsh Cob Grooming

The Welsh Cob is a low maintenance horse breed, and typically requires a standard equine grooming regime. Care should be taken to keep the feathering on their legs clean to avoid any common skin conditions.

LIFESPAN

What is the Lifespan of a Welsh Cob?

The typical lifespan of a Welsh Cob is up to 35 years.

Shire Horse Size

One of the Shire horse’s defining characteristics is its large size. The Shire horse is one of the tallest horse breeds in the world, with horses generally ranging from 16 to 17 hands tall, although it is not uncommon for the biggest Shire horses to reach 18 hands or more in height.

In fact, it is thought that the largest horse ever documented was a Shire horse: a gelding named Sampson, who was foaled in 1846 and measured a whopping 21.25 hands tall (and 1,524kg heavy!).

Shire Horse Appearance

Shire horses are usually black, brown, bay or grey in colour; and are recognisable due to their large size. They display feathering on the legs; a muscular build; large hooves; and a slightly Roman nose.

The Shire Horse Society stipulates that Shire horses must not be chestnut in colour, while Shire horse stallions should not be roan either; and should not have large white patches on their body.

Shire horses are often compared to Clydesdales, and it is true that Shires and Clydesdales share a number of physical characteristics; as well as both being draught horses. However, the Shire horse is generally larger; more muscular; and with fewer white markings on their body.

Shire Horse Diet and Nutrition

Shire horses are happy to eat a regular equine diet of quality hay, grain, vegetables and fruits. Due to their larger size, they may require higher quantities of horse food to stay healthy and maintain their energy levels, which can make them more expensive to keep.

Unique Characteristics of a Shire Horse

Perhaps the most unique and defining characteristic of a Shire horse is its size: they are known for being the tallest horses in the world. They are also incredibly strong: at a 1924 British exhibition, a pair of Shire horses is said to have pulled a starting load of 50 tonnes!

It is this ability to pull their weight (and then some!) that made them the chosen breed to deliver carts of ale from breweries to public houses in the 19th and early 20th century. While this is no longer a common use of the Shire horse, a number of modern day brewers do still use the breed to pull carts of beer for both practical and promotional purposes.

Shire horses are also recognisable for the feathering on their legs, their large hooves; and their Roman nose.

Shire Horse Temperament and Behaviour

Shire horses are known for their easygoing, calm and patient nature. They are docile and hard working, due to their origins as a draught horse; and are not known for behavioural issues as a breed.

Bred to work in a range of environments, including busy cities, the Shire horse does not spook easily, which means they offer a smooth ride. This is a calm, dependable and manageable horse breed which is great for riders of all levels.

Shire Horse Common Health Issues

While they are a generally healthy breed, there are a few health issues to watch out for with Shire horses.

Shire horses can be susceptible to chronic progressive lymphedema: a chronic progressive skin condition in some breeds of draught horse, which causes swelling of the lower legs. There is currently no cure, however management can help to slow the onset.

Shire horses may also be prone to polysaccharide storage myopathy, another condition which affects some draught horse breeds. Symptoms include sweating, sore muscles, muscle tremors and lameness.

Their heavy feathering also means they are at risk of feather mites and mud fever, so regular cleaning of this area is important to keep your Shire horse in top condition.

Shire Horse Shire Horse Grooming

Shire horses typically require a standard equine grooming routine, although you may need some assistance in the form of a ladder to help in your efforts due to their sheer height!

The feathering on a Shire horse’s legs also needs extra care and attention, as it can easily get dirty and become irritated or infected. Regular brushing and cleaning should do the trick; make sure to fully dry the feathering off after a bath to avoid the growth of bacteria and fungi.

What is the Lifespan of a Shire Horse?

The typical lifespan of a healthy Shire horse is between 25 – 30 years.

Why Choose a Welsh Cob?

With their even temperament, intelligence, stamina, and hardiness, the Welsh Cob is a good choice for a range of purposes. Its height makes it a good option for both adult and children’s riding (its fellow Section A and B ponies are better suited to children), as does its gentle and steady nature.

In the past, Welsh Cobs were used for a wide variety of jobs such as coal mining, as war horses, as farm horses, and for transport. Today, Welsh Cobs are often chosen for hunting and show jumping, as well as in harness driving. They are a popular choice for leisure riding, and are also used in dressage, endurance riding, and plenty more.