Evidence suggests that a native pony existed in Wales before 1600 BC. The original Welsh Mountain Pony is thought to have evolved from this prehistoric Celtic pony. Welsh ponies were primarily developed in
Wales, and their ancestors existed in the
British Isles prior to the arrival of the
Roman Empire. Bands of ponies roamed in a
semi-feral state, climbing mountains, leaping ravines, and running over rough
moorland terrain. They developed into a hardy breed due to the harsh climate, limited shelter, and sparse food sources of their native country. At some point in their development, the Welsh breeds had some
Arab blood added, although this did not take away the physical characteristics that make the breed unique. The Welsh Cob existed as a type as early as the
Middle Ages, and mentions of such animals can be found in medieval Welsh literature. During this time, they were known for their speed, jumping ability, and carrying capacity. Before the introduction of large, "cold-blooded"
draught horse breeds, they were used for farm work and
timbering. In 1485 the
Welsh Militia, riding local animals presumed to be ancestors of the modern Welsh Cob, assisted
Henry Tudor in gaining the English throne. On the upland farms of Wales, Welsh ponies and cobs would often have to do everything from
ploughing a field to carrying a farmer to market or driving a family to services on Sunday. When coal mining became important to the economy of the British Isles, many Welsh ponies were
harnessed for use in mines, above and below ground. In the 18th century and 19th century, more Arab blood was added by stallions who were turned out in the Welsh hills. Other breeds have also been added, including the
Thoroughbred,
Hackney, Welsh ponies were first exported to the United States in the 1880s, and large numbers were exported between 1884 and 1910. The population continued to grow: in 1957, when annual studbooks began to be published, 2,881 ponies had been registered; by 2009, the number was more than 34,000.
Foundation lines The stallion Dyoll Starlight was credited with being the foundation sire of the modern breed, and was a combination of Welsh and Arab breeding. From his line came an influential stallion of the Section B type: Tan-y-Bwlch Berwyn. This stallion was sired by a
Barb and out of a mare from the Dyoll Starlight line. Influential stallions on the Section C and D bloodlines include: Trotting Comet, foaled in 1840 from a long line of trotting horses; True Briton, foaled in 1930, by a trotting sire and out of an Arab mare; Cymro Llwyd, foaled in 1850, by an Arab stallion and out of a trotting mare; and Alonzo the Brave, foaled in 1866, tracing his ancestry through the
Hackney breed to the
Darley Arabian. They are crossed with Arab horses to produce riding horses, and with
Thoroughbreds to produce
jumpers, hunters, and
eventers. Welsh mares have also been used to breed
polo ponies that were agile and nimble. == Characteristics ==