Info and tips on Welsh section D's

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ChestnutConvert

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I'm thinking of buying my own horse in the near distant future and have been trawling through breeds working out what's best for me. After years of riding TB types and warmbloods i'd like something a bit saner, lower to the ground and versatile and have been lookng at Welsh Section D's of around 14.2.
Does anyone have any advice on these, what they are like to own, what you do with them, where to look for one??
Or any horses/large ponies that are similar in what they can do and temperament.
 
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The ones I know aren't all that sane!
My friend has a 13 yr old, welsh D and he is spooky and flighty. He's not done a huge amount but he has a nice, bold jump, hacks and has done a couple of pleasure rides.
The Welsh Ds I've known have had to be constantly reminded of their manners as they are known to be bolshy. It is a breed that I like, and they are versatile but you need to have a firm hand with them. :)

Here's another thread purely on their temperaments:
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=213756
 
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I don't really mind having to do that, i'm used to bargy horses but at least they won't be towering over me too much!
I think they will give me fun all round though, hack, dressage, fun rides maybe some showing that's the hope anyway.
 
I had a welsh D who was trueley the quietest horse of all time. You could have put your granny on him.

However, some can be very flighty, and as mishaspey said, need to be reminded of manners. I think a lot of people put them under the 'cob' category, which they are not at all! They very much seem to have there own mind, and if they want to do something, they will.

:) welshxarab is a nice cross, as is welshxtb. Also Connemaras, I've not had much to do with them, but I've heard they are quite a sane breed in general?
 
One friend had one that used to take clients out on hacks.
Again, as long as they're fit, they'll enjoy the fun rides. I can't imagine you'd have any problems showing/dressage either.
I agree regarding size, its not so far to fall either :D They are definitely fun...
 
Sane is not the word I'd use! Mine is very stubborn and needs to be reminded of his manners alot!

I wouldn't focus on breed as you are narrowing down your search. You are much better off going for a horse that fulfills your 'want list' in regards to mannerisms rather than breed in my book.
 
LaurenM said:
Sane is not the word I'd use! Mine is very stubborn and needs to be reminded of his manners alot!

I wouldn't focus on breed as you are narrowing down your search. You are much better off going for a horse that fulfills your 'want list' in regards to mannerisms rather than breed in my book.
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Good point i just don't know where to start really, i suppose knowing height and sex is good then go from there really. Seems to be a lot out there now, patience as well i'll have to use that!
 
Honest - non biased view on my Welsh Cob....I love him to bits, but some points to consider.....:D

My boy is stunning to look at, black, chunky, plenty of bone, big neck and round bum, leg in each corner type, about 15 hands............but his nickname is 'the Mule..!!'

I have had him since a yearling.... and he can be very stubborn if he doesn't want to do something and will spook if hacking on his own and can sometimes nap if on his own and confronted with something he doesn't like the look of....hacking in company he is better with although has a tendency to get a bit excited and can be a tad strong.....watch those necks and chests..!!

He jumps for fun...Schooling he is great at and trys hard, dressage he does well at, showing is his thing as he has a lot of presence......and thinks its so exciting cantering round in a group.....he deffo knows when he has done well and or won his class...! Little show off....!!

He is very loyal....deffo a one person horse and gets grumpy with people he doesn't know, and a bit naughty/angry if he gets to many different people riding him....

Field wise he is high up in the herd...id say in the top 2 Alpha horses, he doesn't take any cr*p from the others and they will all move out the way of the gate when I turn him out/bring in.

From the floor he can be strong to handle if he gets the wind up his tail and can be bargy...its there sheer size and body mass they can get pretty big in weight and muscle....that makes them stronger then a large horse...it is deffo a natural tendensy ( E.G I could never leave the stable door ajar...or open with a chain across) but if you establish the ground rules from the start you should be ok......not one for the faint hearted or owners that want the softly softly approach....if i was like this with him he would honestly walk all over me.....and a 600kg Welsh built like a brick... is to dangerous to walk all over you!!

I do have to give him reminder from time to time if he over steps the line, but seen as he is 7 now he isn't as bad as he used to be when he was younger etc....

He is fairly safe to ride and a lot of fun....however not a novice ride as can be quirky and deffo not a first horse type due to the way he can be strong on the floor.....

Hope this helps and good Luck with your choice.....

XX
 
Consider connemaras too. They re great similiar to welsh Ds, good native types!! Hardy and tough, I have owned a Welsh D who took me upto novice level eventing as well as carriage driving, he was the ultimate horse but not easy, tense, spooky and sharp at times!! The connemara I have currently is 3 1/2 sane but not boring and incredibly sweet and easy to do, not too sharp but intelligent!!! A good native is worth its weight in gold!!
 
My girl is registered partbred.... she is stunning.... beautiful.... sturdy.... excellent manners.... stubborn.... opinionated... mule like.... (but I wouldn't be without)

When she is good she is very very good but when she is bad she can be a complete horror :o
 
native eventer said:
Consider connemaras too. They re great similiar to welsh Ds, good native types!! Hardy and tough, I have owned a Welsh D who took me upto novice level eventing as well as carriage driving, he was the ultimate horse but not easy, tense, spooky and sharp at times!! The connemara I have currently is 3 1/2 sane but not boring and incredibly sweet and easy to do, not too sharp but intelligent!!! A good native is worth its weight in gold!!
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Oooooh yeah - i forgot very intelligent....be prepared to have questions asked..!!...lol...on a positive to that they are very trainable and quick learners.......but bad if you let them learn a bad habit...:-(... x
 
I have had several WC and a WCXTB and they are not an easy breed!!!!

They are often far too smart for their owners, fast thinkers, stubborn as hell! cheeky, down right cocky at times. While they may not be big in height their strength is incredible.
There is no way to make a WC do something he/she decides he definitely isn't doing.

HOWEVER I do love them, once they trust and respect you they are loyal and loving.

Many people do not realise how difficult they can be. Especially age 6 !!!!!!! a true nightmare :D

AS others have said they do need keeping in place (as much for their mental security as anything), daft things that you would probably allow another sort to do, ie my young WB will get away with stepping slightly into my space, but you allow a WC to do it and before you know it he has you backing out of his space. Very clever tactics they have:):rolleyes:

Keep the boundaries fixed so they know where they stand and if they respect the leadership you have a partnership like no other.

If leadership is lacking they will often panic and become a handful very quickly, trying to become leader themselves

Like I said though get the right partnership and you will find something extremely special:D
 
I have a Sec D partbred who is THE MOST amazing horse, he'll be 2 years old this year and defys logic of youngsters!! I've never met a youngster that is so easy to deal with and so switched on, I'm sure he's just saving it all for when I break him in (if he's with me that long, unfortunately I can't keep him as he was only ever bought as a companion) If I didn't have 2 other horses, I'd be seriously tempted to jack in my ambition to do dressage to a high level and keep him!!! He is SUCH a pleasure. He's cheeky don't get me wrong, I wouldn't say he was going to be a dope on a rope, but so trustworthy and safe!!! He has totally changed my ideas of welshies!!!!.............
 
Sorry to hijack post a little but Soulful, you say especially at 6!

Is this a common thing? My girlie has always been a typical welsh d in the intelligent, give her an inch, takes a mile kind of attitude, but last year (she turned 6 in June) she was an angel for the first half of the year, the second half she was threatened with pedigree chum more than once or twice!

But to OP as many people have said the majority I've met as lovely when they're good, can be quite a handful when throwing a tantrum! My mare has verged on dangerous when in a bad mood several times!! But I think she's one of few who are that bad. I'm biased obviously but I blame it on her mother rejecting her as a foal!
 
Not all Ds are hot headed or stubborn. Some are polite forward rides with manners to burn who will do anything you ask. I owned such a horse. She showed at county level, did WHP, dressage, evented and did a couple of pleasure rides. They are one of the most versatile breeds about.
 
'she was threatened with pedigree chum more than once or twice!'

My mare was threatened with the same and still is sometimes.

Mine is greedy, bargy, flighty, spooky, very argumentative, bossy,extremely strong, everything is on her terms, extremely over enthusiastic (ie when she see's she's going in a horse box starts jogging on the spot and used to be unholdable and gallop around the car park then be caught and run up the ramp, we did a whole ridden show in various forms of canter because she couldn't contain her excitement and stay in trot or walk, now she understands how to jump a course she likes to charge round at a pace physically too fast to get over the jumps at, letting her off at the field gate is dangerous as she can't wait long enough to get the rope off then bucks in your face before charging around the field in celebration)

However, she also has a super jump, loves to hack, fantastic movement, is good looking, does all RC activities, loves to either put her face in your chest for a real cuddle for ages or her nostril on your face so you are smelling each others breath, extremely playful, always greets me with a whinny, extremely sensitive to my mood ridden and on the ground.

overall, I think they need boundaries on the ground and are over enthusiastic show offs who think they are god's gift to the horse world and I love them :)

as above, I have a very hot headed one and there are lots who aren't.
 
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I've a 20 month old welsh cob filly. She's very sweet and affectionate but also a hell of a handful.
They are my favourite breed, and in my opinion the most versatile breed around.

They definitely aren't for the faint hearted. I've a gypsey cob also who would be best described as a dope on a rope, but if I handled Lily the same way, I'd be laid in a hospital bed for sure.
I cannot stress strongly enough like others on the need for firm boundaries, a welsh cob will run right over you if they think for even one second that they are the boss x
 
I adore them, learned to ride properly on my old one. BUT he was opinionated, extremely strong, double bit and bridle, and he would still take off with me, intelligent and extremely loyal. They are not, in my opinion, horses for novices (I know you aren't a novice) However get a talented one and they can jump the moon and will give their all to win, they also excel at lower level dressage, just never interested us. My lad was a real competitor who died a little in side if we got beaten. Great hunters as well, he would go all day and could clear a 5 bar gate, usually whether or not I wanted to. They tend to be very honest horses, what you see is what you get. You certainly know what they are thinking, good or bad. Trust can be an issue at first, I would say they are one person horses, so maybe why you don't see so many in riding schools etc. (Though I maybe wrong at it maybe only the riding schools I have been to)

We have 2 on our yard,both the YO's, 1 a youngster who is stunning and seems to be turning into a really sweet horse, he will be backed and ridden away then sold I think. And a veteran, who stole my heart the minute I saw him. He is 26 (I think) and such a character, but in his younger days was a fantastic eventer. I would have him in a minute. I will never forget the day I was at the yard on my own, he was laying down in the field and looked like he could not get up, the yo had said he sometimes had trouble getting up but she also said he like the attention and sometimes puts it on, so I pretended to leave, hid behind a lorry and watched as he jumped up and cantered off! Little beggar! But that is what they are like :p:D

I hope you find the right one for you, if you do you will have a friend for life. We have a Connie as well on the yard, seems a nice lad. Very pretty.
FDC
 
Using the words 'sane' and 'SecD' in the same sentence is an oxymoron. The two are mutually exclusive.

Having said that hey are my favourite breed. They have an awesome intelligence, a wicked sense of humour and will happily be your best friend. They are the Border Collies of the horse world.

We have two nutters and a youngster who is incredibly laid back and sensible and soaks up learning like a sponge. She is a real joy to own, as are the other two. One, the mare is spooky but very controllable and easy to ride. The other is, errr, special. Very special. Opinionated to an unbelievable degree and we have always believed he would be a very dangerous horse in the wrong hands. We only survive because we humour him.. get into a fight and he wouldn't back down, at 16:1 that would not be good!

If you have patience, confidence and a calm personality and experience then go for it, you will never regret it.
 
I have a welsh sec D x cob, she's as bold as anything I've ever met but she's also the sweetest and most gentle horse I know. She's quite fine though but I really like this crossing, I'm not sure on her cob side but her welsh side has a few good names in it!

I'm always told her love of jumping comes from her welsh side!
 
Hi,

I had one pure Welsh Section D and i now own a Welsh Section D cross Hackney.

They are the best, very hardy, mine does a bit of everything dressage, jumping, cross country and hacking, I would say better out hacking on his own as he tends to play up more with other horses.

He is a great all rounder with quirks. Was bargy when I first bought him as he has little manners but I have been working on this every day and he improves more and more.

I personally wouldn't have any other breed :D
 
I never knew welshies til I moved here (UK) as they aren't very common in the US. However, as a reputed ancester line to the Morgan horse, which I grew up with, I was intrigued. I bought one about 6 years ago and boy, she is amazing:

Poor girly was bounced from one home to another over a year - four times til she landed with me. I still own her, but last year she went to a very good friend on loan who adores her to bits. The first year I could have given up on her - she needed manners on the ground, under saddle, and for many other things. She'd not tie, not stand to be mounted, and would barge over or thru any fence, stable door etc. I was found on facebook by a former owner who told me they called her "Devil Horse". Yes, she likes to be a challenge.

She has a huge bold jump (caused huge frustration trying to keep her in to paddocks) and my friend who now has her says this has not changed a bit. Takes on a 5'6" paddock fence now and again and does it in trot, so she tells me! grrrrr . She had been seen by several people where I kept her that she jumped a split rail fence from standstill with a heavyweight rug on. more grrrr.

But so soooo good on a hack - fun and forward (even if she had the tendency to run away from blowing crisp packets). Very trust worthy nannying youngsters while on hacks. Schooling was never going to be her forte as she was a bit of a train - but cut an impressive picture for the dressage ring nevertheless.

and the other welshies I know? Each one is cheekier than the next. Each one is full of fun, mischief, and lovely to the very core.

They absolutely need a firm, loving hand and must be treated with a bit of respect but never allow them to take the upper hand cos once they do - it's allllll over! LOL But it's not just people they are this way with - my mare was a huge sooookie to other horses, always wanted to be their pal. However, if another horse started a fight, my girl was CERTAIN to finish it!
 
I have just bought a welsh d yearling, can honestly say hes the most friendliest little chap and so laid back! doing some very early ground work with him whilst hes still only a baby. Hoping to show him in the summer and as he moves so nicely, a future dressage horse :) he is very flashy - he has 4 white socks and a blaze, he was black but i have a suspicion that he will turn dark bay/bay......:)
 
I have has my welsh D mare since she was 10 months, she is my second welshy. As others have said they are stubborn beyond belief and very opinionated! Can be spooky and bolshy, my be nice pressure halter is my best friend however they are truly fantastic allrounders, totally honest, what you see is what you get, sensational animals good luck in whatever you choose :-D

P7050084.jpg
 
You can't goby breeds.They are individuals.I had a Highland.Quiet, ploddy for beginners right? NOOOO sharp, spooky and opininated.Now have a Welsh D.Bolshy strong nutter right? No actually.An absolute sweetheart both on the ground and to ride.Anyones ride but quite talented too.I do think SOME of it is how they are handled/broken as youngsters too.Can be a little bit sensitive sometimes, especially when he doesn't know you.
 
I've got a 3 yr old Welsh cob filly, I've had her since she was a foal. She is just so feisty, vibrant and full of life, very affectionate and tactile, stunningly beautiful (and knows it!), huge character and sense of humour, she makes me smile every time I see her but she is also very stroppy and stubborn!
But having had a trakehner before, who was very sharp, my welsh D is not like that at all, if she lights up it is momentarily and then she reverts back to her usual self, whereas my trak needed counselling lol!
 
I think with Welshies you just need to know what makes them tick, what triggers their behaviour and how best to handle that without it becoming more of an issue. I think like Arabs, they need confirdent, fair and quiet handling to get the best out of them. They are very intelligent creatures and I would say opinionated, rather than stubborn.
My lad is typical...have to be on top of his manners at all times and he is full of character. He can go from calm and daft to a fire breathing monster in seconds but now I know how to handle this our lives are smoother altogether. He is not really a horse you can idle along on out hacking, you have to keep your wits about you or you will be caught out by a spook.
I think they are a brilliant breed if you like larger than life personalities and are prepared to put some work in to build the relationship and understand them when they have their 'moments'...I would not swop mine for the world and would get another Sec D if I ever found myself horseless.
 
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