Info and tips on Welsh section D's

I was a novice when I bought my Welsh Section D PB and in the beginning, we had lots of issues and I wondered if I would have to sell her on to someone more experienced. But I persevered. She's still very opinionated, but once you put the time, commitment, and patience in to establish a bond with an intelligent, opinionated Welshy, they will do anything for you. We've been on long distance bridle rides, horse holidays, beach rides. She is so loving and affectionate and I wouldn't trade her for anything. She actually looks after me when we're out riding together.

Never a dull moment though! ;)
 
welsh_monster said:
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!
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Oh she is a late developer then :D normally starts the begining of their 6th yr

as for is it common OH YEAH I can set my watch by it. so much so my friend had a mare I chose for her from age 2 she was a little opinionated but quite good really. I put this down to coming from a proper Welsh Stud where they really know how to hanlde them.
She was a doddle to back and ride away etc, went to shows as good as any Welshie. Yes she could sometimes be strong or a bit spooky but never actually naughty or proper stroppy.

I kept saying 'oh just wait till she is 6' my friend did not believe me! Big mistake first show of her 6th year she bronched so much and put my friend on the floor lol
I got many phone calls that year starting 'I'm going to kill her, or how the hell do I deal with this? come and get her I've had enough' It's all your fault':D


Behaviour like this and more continued all yr and stopped almost spot on 1st Jan of her 7th yr. Last year she had a wonderful foal and is an awesome mom she is 9 now and friend just bought her back into work and she was good as gold

I have had several and all have been exactly the same. I also personally know of at least 6 or 7 others who have been just the same. some literally change overnight and others its a bit more gradual

The good news is keep going, be firm but FAIR Welshies HATE unfairness, they don't mind genuine mistakes but be unfair with them and they don't forget, that means always keeping the line in the same place so they know where they stand, If you do that no matter what then once the kevin yr is over they come back to you usually even more trusting and loyal

I have a tremendous amount of love and respect for the breed and would have loved another one but I felt I was not strong enough physically or mentally to deal with another one. I needed something easy as I suffer from RA and past 40 so I got a czech WB he is so lovely but sometimes I do miss the intelligence.

Biggest advice to anyone is ALWAYS KEEP THE LINE IN THE SAME PLACE, OTHERWISE THEY SEE YOU AS UNFAIR AND THEY HATE UNFAIRNESS, IT CONFUSES THEM TO WHO IS THE LEADER SO THEN THEY TRY TO BE. Unfortunately that means having eyes in the back of your head, ie if your standing by them talking to a friend, don't get too distracted if they do something you would normally correct but you miss it cos your talking, they don't forget and step a bit more next time.

Often I hear people say suddenly he is doing 'x' rarely with a Welsh is it suddenly, they have subtly over time got to this point you just missed the signs (we all do it)

Example leading one of my WC he would subtly turn his nose about 4 inches away from you, if you didn't 'check him' next thing he was GONE, if you checked him he would walk like a lamb. If anyone else had to handle him they would say he just took off no warning at all but I knew different :D They were not paying attention!! (even though I had warned them exactly what he would do)

Oh and they have the answer to everything, good and bad

The very best ones have been either handled by proper Welsh Stud owners, or handled by people who are firm and consistent (usually parents)

you ever wonder why traditionally WC even though smallish are always shown by men ? ? :D


When I write about them it makes me miss them !!!!!
 
Oh dear.....now i'm lost! I'm not afraid of having to get a horse's trust etc or of laying down the law but then i guess you have to see and try different breeds when looking, if it was as easy as picking a pretty one or quiet one then we wouldn't have half the problems we do.

I will keep options open, look at allk sorts as long as it is safe enough, and avoid the breeds that aren't for first time owners. Will all be worth it in the end!
 
I had a Welsh cob a few years ago and he was wonderful, once I'd got used to going from a 12.2hh pony to him at just under 15hh!!! He was good at almost everything we tried, jumping, showing (which he just LOVED) M&M and ridden hunter classes. My mum did a bit of dressage with him as well.

He was a soft as you like, a rather sensitive soul really, not at all bolshy, but equally you couldn't push him around. He could be a bit spooky on hacks especially if it was windy. He was forward going and such a fun ride! He was also great around the stable/yard. We had a little old boy farrier do the horses at the time and one time I came back around the corner to check on how he was getting on shoeing Bryn, to find Bryn, dozing leaning on the farrier as he was chatting away doing one of his hooves!!
 
Sarah_horsey said:
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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*cough*

In all seriousness, much as I love the breed and would have another in an instant, you might find a sane Welsh D, but there are quite a few "quirky" ones around ;)

Don't discount connies, highlands, haffys, dales ponies too, they are all able to make 14.2ish and are all versatile.

The welsh D I last rode I did a bit of fun rides, dressage, loads of hacking and schooling with. Didn't jump very much or very big, but that was rider wimpyness and horse injury rather than because the horse couldn't or wouldn't - he'd have loved to! :D

The highland I used to ride is now showing at county level and also does a bit of everything, but the highlands I have known (a grand total of 3) are less versatile than the welshes and dales I know, because they don't seem to be built for jumping or dressage.

Conemaras can be a star of everything and the ones I've known are very well mannered and natured.

I think you're in for a (nice) shock when it comes to pony personnalities, if you are used to "grown up" horses ;)
 
I adore my D, she's an absolutely CRACKING allrounder. She does dressage, XC, SJ, Showing, Working hunter... you name it she'll give it her best shot!

However, she is EXTREMELY clever, will have your whole hand in her mouth (lips only) if she can, very strong to ride, and if she does not want to do something then you can just forget it. Fortunately she knows her manners, as at 15hh and 550kg (not overweight thank you very much!) she is a lot of horse to be bolshy.

I wouldn't be without her, but Sec D's really are not for everyone... you need to have a LOT of patience and be prepared to be firm with them!
 
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