Welsh D, are they prone to certain issues?

[xTrooperx]

As titles really, looking at getting a youngster to bring on, as future prospect.
Is there certainly faults, or behavioural issues I should look out for, are they prone to any health conditions.
I understand they are quite stubborn and full of character.
Any personal experience would be lovely to hear.
I’ve had ex racers but with age and mobility, getting on/off and dealing with a 16.2 leaping side ways is becoming less appealing so figured a native would be a lovely change, whilst being cheaper to feed and hopefully more hardy therefore less accident prone.

 

[nettle]

Quite a lot of them are deranged, think DRAMA! DRAMA! OMG THE DRAMA!
They are athletic and forward (usually)
They tend to be very very intelligent, often more so than their owners.
There are some sane ones.
Generally have very good feet.

 

[Patterdale]

Personality disorders

 

[Muddywellies]

You either love them and understand them, or hate them. There seems to be no middle ground with them. Their trust had to he truly earned but once you have it, they will walk over hot coals for you. They are quite stressy and in my experience, this can lead to ulcers. Also they are good doers so lush grass is a no-no. And despite being a native, mine isn't happy out in the cold and wet, much preferring a warm stable and haynet. They will turn their hoof to anything and are great fun, tho not suitable for novices. Oh, and they need feeding very carefully. One sniff of alfalfa sends mine doolally.

 

[ester]

The leaping sideways can be faster than and come with less warning than a TB

There are a lot of different types though, mine wasn't particularly athletic and not forward, and only occasionally very welsh. Good with a novice but would probably take the pee if they were the only rider.

Conformationally prone to straight hocks and quite a few seem to get annular ligaments in older age. Saddle room can be a bit limited (again depending on type) and often prone to being bum high.

 

[NinjaPony]

You have to watch the weight very carefully. Otherwise they are marmite, I’ve never met so many drama queens in a fairly small but surprisingly strong package. 11hh of drama Welsh is more than enough for me! They are very different to TBs in both type and temperament.

 

[SilverLinings]

The one I owned was so agile that he once landed facing the fence he'd just jumped, having dropped his shoulder and ditched me in the process. This was done in a PC exam for maximum dramatic effect and audience reaction He was an amazing horse though and a fantastic jumper who would jump anything, even if he wasn't asked to. He was as brave as a lion and didn't shy, but there was no way you could stay on if he wanted you off (fortunately he grew out of this). I couldn't physically cope with one now though, I wouldn't stick the sudden moves (often sideways!) that are common in the breed. I would be very tempted if I found one of the rare quieter ones though.

ETA I have also owned an ex-flat racer who was a bit of a drama queen, and I'd choose a TB over a Welsh D if I needed to know I could stay on. IME the welsh Ds are more devious and less likely to agree that ultimately the rider is in charge! They are also more fun, but I haven't known many that I'd call a relaxing ride. When I needed something easier and smaller to ride I switched to Connemaras and Connemara x TBs which has worked for me.

 

[Jenko109]

We have an elderly old fashioned type in the field.

He is a beautiful soul and still moves lovely at 29.

He is a very affectionate horse and I would not describe him in the way that most people would describe a Welsh D. Fire breathing dragon he is not.

I'm not sure if they make them like him anymore....

 

[sbloom]

Conformationally prone to straight hocks and quite a few seem to get annular ligaments in older age. Saddle room can be a bit limited (again depending on type) and often prone to being bum high.

I would argue all of that is, in many horses, more or less improvable. And the "unimproved" issues in the body, as with other horses that move in a compensatory way, may well contribute to the reactivity/sense of humour they can be known for.

 

[Crazy_cat_lady]

Mine was of the hysterical variety.

Would jerk to a standstill and snort at mud on the road or different coloured surface, but walk past fly tipping with just a bit of swerving

Jumping was super careful and had decent scope but would spot in an instance if the jump had changed. Hated fillers. Ended up losing my bottle Jumping as you never knew if he was going or not, so I'd ride defensively, but of course that reiterated to him that he should be scared of it

Trimming was not easy as he would prat about at the hair on the floor, the noise of the scissors, or the scissors brushing his leg...

He wasn't allowed to be tied on the yard, as he would almost look for something to frighten him, gradually rock further and further back, snorting, before pulling back and snapping the string, frightening himself

Summing him up - we once finished a lesson where he worked perfectly sweetly, was walking him off on a long rein when he shot sideways because some dry sand had appeared through the wet stuff....

Didn't have a nasty bone in his body, just super hysterical and many a day wanted to scream at him why can't you just be normal!! It was super infuriating at times when you just wanted to get on with things without all the histrionics

Was very much about routine, if you were early or late to catch him in, forget it, off he'd go showing off that high stepping D trot! He once refused to be caught for nearly a whole week before suddenly appearing at the gate screaming about being forgotten. Spent one memorable Xmas day in tbe cold for about 2 hours trying to catch him. Ended up better in a consistent routine of in at night, out in the day.

Never bucked reared kicked etc, but teleportation was a regular occurance

 

[paddy555]

I’ve had ex racers but with age and mobility, getting on/off and dealing with a 16.2 leaping side ways is becoming less appealing so figured a native would be a lovely change,

TB's come with a brain and a certain amount of sense. My sec D leapt sideways for a pastime up 4 foot banks by the side of the road. I would rather have a scatty TB than a totally illogical Sec D. They are also good at 180 degree turns flat out in the opposite direction.

Mine was a good jumper, sadly that didn't include having me on his back whilst he did it. Field boundaries however no problem at all.

It will be a change, whether it will be a lovely one is a matter of opinion.

his performance under saddle was only surpassed by his performance on the ground. Brand new stable door with VERY thick planking. No problem, weight and strength and he broke it vertically. ie split one strong new plank from top to bottom.
Loading, sometimes he did, sometimes it was a long ride home. What horse, if it had a brain, would choose to be ridden for 15 miles home when there is a nice lorry with a lovely haynet?



There are lots of nice breeds of horses you could choose from. If you can ride TB's and want to downsize what about an arab? Intelligence and a brain, look nice, closer to the ground and they have far more sense and logic.

I have to say mine did look nice. Absolutely beautiful horse. He was sold into a showing yard before coming to me. He wrecked the lorry and upset the grooms so they returned him.
Think long and hard, very very hard Be very very grateful for the advice on this thread.

 

[Sandstone1]

They are not everyones cup of tea thats for sure, but get the right one that you gel with and they are fantastic. They need to trust you and they have a sense humour . They wont be bullied and can be sensitive. They can go from plod to Welsh dragon in a heartbeat. I love them!

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

I have only ever had two, both mares. I will just say they did not remain with me for very long.

 

[ester]

I would argue all of that is, in many horses, more or less improvable. And the "unimproved" issues in the body, as with other horses that move in a compensatory way, may well contribute to the reactivity/sense of humour they can be known for.

I've not seen anyone suggest how you change hindleg angulation? (pasterns steep too, though worse in some types than others). If looking to purchase I'd just be looking for something more on the moderate side confo wise hence I mentioned it.

 

[Mosh]

We have an elderly old fashioned type in the field.

He is a beautiful soul and still moves lovely at 29.

He is a very affectionate horse and I would not describe him in the way that most people would describe a Welsh D. Fire breathing dragon he is not.

I'm not sure if they make them like him anymore....

I have a 30 year old who is the kindest soul. She literally wouldn't hurt a fly. She has never needed too. One look and every horse/human/dog/cat knows what she means.

She wasn't and isn't overly hysterical but God could she deck me if she felt like it. Never bucked, reared but she could spin and I wouldn't even know what happened. She would deposit you nicely on a soft bit though.

Her age is just starting to catch up with her now but apart from a few instances of colic and age related cushings has been brilliant.

They don't make them like they used too.

 

[equinerebel]

Illogical is a perfect description of them! I joke that mine has one brain cell, but truthfully she’s very smart and thinks way too much about the tiny things.

She’s just illogical and can be hysterical.

 

[maya2008]

In my experience they are either so sane you could put your grandma on them…or completely nuts, worse than a TB.

 

[slimjim86]

I love them when they have been diluted a bit with something else lol

 

[Tiddlypom]

I’ve had a full D and two Tb/sec D’s.

It’s quite surprising that I’m still here to be able to relate that . Welsh panic button coupled with Tb athleticism.

 

[Dixiegirl]

I had a beautiful Welsh D for 12 years, one day dressage queen, next day full day hunting, fantastic hack, people on the old yard always asked to borrow her, I started her myself, no tantrums or diva moments,

 

[blitznbobs]

I grew up with sec ds they definitely have ‘fatitude’ as it is known in our house and a tendency to ems / cushings

 

[palo1]

I adore mine and find her temperament very compatible with my enjoyment of sharp, forward horses. Our other ridden horses are half Arab and whilst hugely different in action, I have found my D to be great fun in the same way. I think it helps to be quite switched on when riding them, as well as clear and fair. Mine has very elastic paces and scope over a fence more than I am ever likely to require. She is very sweet tempered but has her own ideas and opinions and is at her best when physically and mentally well occupied. She learns stuff very, very quickly which I like but also see as a double edged sword! I think she is very beautiful too. I don't think, generally, they suit a new/novice/ anxious rider tbh but a good one is a fantastic friend and will be able to do most things very well.

People have very strong opinions about them and I do think it helps to know whether you like them before acquiring one!

 

[SkylarkAscending]

I had a section D years ago who really taught me how to ride and not sit on a horse - Lucinda Green said in an XC clinic that he was “the least genuine horse she had ever seen” I’d love to turn the clock back and own him now, he was the first horse I owned and I probably didn’t do him any favours.

I hack out a section D mare now who is 25 - the owner couldn’t find anyone to ride her as she scared all the teenagers who tried! I have never ever had an issue with her - she tried it on mildly in our first hack, I said firmly but not unkindly “no, I’d like you to do this please” and she did. Compared to the TBs I have, she is incredibly easy.

 

[SEL]

I love them! But these days I'm a bit old to be dealing with the neurotic behaviour.

They are best in a lot of work.

 

[maya2008]

I love them when they have been diluted a bit with something else lol

My son’s pony is this. Looks like a Welsh D, moves like a Welsh D…but came off Dartmoor so there must be something else in the mix. Her neurotic specialness is confined to her fear of snakes…or anything that could possibly look like one (reins, whips, suspicious things on the ground) and she is otherwise the most lovely, most genuine mare you could ever meet. My son adores her and she’s very possessive of him!

 

[PeterNatt]

We had the old fashioned type of Welsh Section D with good bone. 100% safe with anyone on board and 100% in traffic and all situations.

 

[Boulty]

If you don’t want to be teleported sideways at speed (to save you from the monsters) then they may not be for you.

Mine could teleport himself in any direction (vertically upwards is a direction right?!) at a milliseconds notice because a gnat farted or there was a suspicious blade of grass etc. Will admit that his various manoeuvres were always performed in perfect balance and so although much more frequent (at least a couple every ride!) were a damn site easier to sit to than anything the Highland does (because every time he broncs he’s pushing the boundaries of physics!)

I miss him & his antics greatly & I not so secretly desire another some day. (I tried to get something “sensible” as my first youngster… in hindsight that idea was a bit of a failure & I should have just got a baby dragon!)

 

[SilverLinings]

If you don’t want to be teleported sideways at speed (to save you from the monsters) then they may not be for you.

Mine could teleport himself in any direction (vertically upwards is a direction right?!) at a milliseconds notice because a gnat farted or there was a suspicious blade of grass etc. Will admit that his various manoeuvres were always performed in perfect balance and so although much more frequent (at least a couple every ride!) were a damn site easier to sit to than anything the Highland does (because every time he broncs he’s pushing the boundaries of physics!)

I miss him & his antics greatly & I not so secretly desire another some day. (I tried to get something “sensible” as my first youngster… in hindsight that idea was a bit of a failure & I should have just got a baby dragon!)

I'm sure that the daily extreme yoga is why mine stayed in full work until colic got him in his 30s. He wasn't the slenderest/finest of horses but the flexibility was outstanding, and he would do the acrobatics in the field for fun. I wish camera phones had been around then as I would love a video of the display he would put on every time I arrived at the yard (complete with neighing and screaming)

 

[scats]

I’ve had two partbreds. Got one at the moment. She mostly no longer teleports at speed (very occasionally she does it now), but I endured that particular party trick for many, many years!
She has Nebo lines and is extremely dramatic- very noise sensitive and does not take kindly to being told what to do. The best way to deal with her hysterics is give her a moment to think (and adopt the safety seat, just incase!)

My previous one was a D X TB. He broke my left ankle during a fantastic broncking display caused by… another horse walking past

You need a sense of humour for them!

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

Mine is not your typical D in that he’s a pretty chill guy, however you trip that dragon button and yeah he will go full Welsh on you he has a spook on him but he’s back to normal straight afterwards

He’s willing, handy, intelligent, fast learning, easy to keep, comfy to ride and very very adaptable. After my spinal injury I had to retrain him to let me on and off at just about anything that stops me sliding to the ground, not to put his head up until all buckles etc are done and to lower his head/neck for me working on him as I can’t have my hands working above shoulder level for any length of time. Other little tweaks here and there and he took to it at 4/5 yrs old like a duck to water.

I’ve had three crosses over the years, he’s my first full D and honestly I wouldn’t change anything about him.