Welsh D

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jess2353

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Heard alot of people on various posts say that welsh d's are a pain & are bolshy, rude & just plain aukward but I've never came across someone with an older welsh D with the same problems ...... Is there behaviour an age thing ?

my section d is just rising 4 & is well an truly a nightmare :p
 
I don't think Welsh D's (or cobs in general who often get the same label) are naturally bolshy, bargy, rude or anything else. I think they're intelligent & opinionated. But because they are often viewed as nice big ponies, or with cobs, nice novice horses, they often don't receive the same early experienced handling that other breeds do. Combine that with intelligence, & the fact they have an opinion & they soon learn to use their strength to push people about. All the ones I've known that were handled well from day one haven't been anymore inclined to be rude than other breeds.
 
Hi, I have a Sec D (first one) he's 10 now and I would describe him as a bit 'neurotic' but not deliberately nasty, for example: large farm machinery passing within inches..so loud my hair is starting to curl and he's absolutely fine, then trying to cross different colour tarmac and he's like a terrified wild beast, I'd say he's a bit daft but doesn't have an 'agenda' :)
 
They have to have very clear boundaries on the ground. My boy was standing at a stud till not too long before I got him. As a result he has lovely manners as he had to as he was a stallion. He always politely turns around and waits for me when doing the gate, doesn't barge or pull away and steps back when I open his door for his food. I was lucky that all this was in place prior to getting him so I have the easy job of just keeping on top of it. But this does prove that a young age should not mean they can get away with what they like- mine was only 4 when I got him. As said above, they are incredibly intelligent so if you give them an inch, they take a mile!!!

Edited to add that I agree on the neurotic thing, mine has combines going past no problems but has a big issue with this tiny black sign he has been past a million times before!! I even overheard someone say 'theres that crazy pony' at a xc the other day- he wasn't doing anything dangerous but just displaying that unique welsh personality!
 
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mine is good on the ground mostly, just has like you say an opinion on what she does & doesn't want to do. Like leading from the field to her stable get passed the gate & she'll just stop. Same when your out walking out on the roads(in hand) as she's only recently been broken, but even trotting her is a nightmare. no matter if you use voice,squeeze,kick,or raise your voice nothing seems to work, only smacking her with the reins works.... Which proberlly comes from her being broken to harness, she pulled a cart for 5 months before I got her.
 
Mine is 5yo now and my friend bred him so we've had him from a baby - he learnt fairly quickly how he had to behave! He is a HUGE WUSS though and spooks at anything! :rolleyes:
 
Snap so does mine, took mine for a walk earlier and she was spooking at everything even her own reflection plus seemed like she didn't like the cricket noises :p
 
I bought my Sect D as a 5 year old who had been hunted by an 8 year old child! This basicaly meant that he had been allowed to do as he pleased and follow the pack and when I asked him to do what I wanted he was not impressed. He was pushy in hand and just tried to do whatever he wanted. I have had him 5 years now and he is a pleasure to handle from the ground, he moves around me doing gates without being asked and I only have to touch his hind quarters and he moves over. He is a nervous boy though but as others have said not with large traffic but with really silly things like leaves blowing and he is terrified of cats even though he doesn't look at mine at all. He really is a lovely intelligent, affectionate boy as long as you can put up with the quirks! And not that I am biased but he is the most handsome horse.:D
 
I have one and he is very Jekyll and Hyde in terms of temperament. One day I can get him out and he will be a total poppet, the next day he will be a giant pain in the butt. They are so intelligent and on the ball - you really can not let anything slip with them in terms of education.

I think they are fantastic and I love their cheeky personalities, but I do think they are an acquired taste in terms of personality.
 
From what you say op, it sounds like yours is just lacking confidence & hasn't a clue what the aids mean, nothing to do with being Welsh or opinionated.
 
My D is a lovely boy. Loves a cuddle and fuss. He's 5 and ive had him for 2 years. He's not done a lot so is still green and will have a little snort and look at things but as so as I say "its ok son" will walk on. He is the boss of the field and quite cheeky but overall a legend. I love them!
 
umm I dunno she's pretty damn clever and has certainly mastered already how she can avoid work, but to some degree I can see what your saying that's why she has an expirenced training riding her as from Friday :)

as she's pulled in the cart he only ever used voice commands with her which worked a treat, & she'll go off my voice commands on the lunge line, soon as you get on her back you might aswel be talking a foreign language :p

she's mastered her brakes and steering and she'll walk on to voice command but like I said getting her to trot is like asking her to jump a 10ft fence
 
my friends D is 28 yrs old and jumped to grade B and will drag you all over the place on the ground if he can and bucks like crazy when ridden. hes a nightmare!!:D
 
^^ living up to his breed then yeah :) alot of people buy them though for there quirky behaviour.
when I brought mine they had her on oats & all she ever did was buck & rear everywhere. much calmer now though :D
 
Have 2 at the moment a mare and a gelding , mare is 17 yrs and a lovely poppit , dream to handle , very quiet when ridden, Gelding is 8 yrs likes to boss the mare around, he has impeccable manners, can be spooky but does,nt have a bad bone in his body, they are both a joy...............now our sec b chestnut well shes another story altogether lol:D
 
yeah hes a nightmare always smashing fences like a tank to go wherever he wants ,hes old and clever and shes got to shut him in the stable with the top door shut if the hunt comes near cos he knows he can jump out of the field /yard /stable and go for a day out:D
 
I have a Sec. D who is now 9. I have owned him just over five years and he is now lovely to handle (however, it has taken five years!!!).

He doesn't have a brave bone in his body and has to get all his confidence from me. This is much easier on the ground than on board and he can get quite anxious hacking out or doing anything new.

He tests all the time (particularly with someone new) but you have to be very calm and firm. You can't be confrontational.

I love him to bits.

Apparently, once they get to 10 yrs old they are the equivalent of a normal 5 or 6 yr old and should be more sensible!!!!! Until then, they are like typical 3 or 4 yr olds. They just take a very long time to mature.

Kelly Marks said it is the Welsh Section D's that keep them in business!!!!!

I wouldn't sell him for the world - but if I am really honest, he is probably a bit more horse than I need. Sometimes, I just think I am too old for a Welshy (maybe he keeps me young). He is very entertaining and is known as the yard clown.

Like marmite!
 
I bought mine when she was 7, she's 18 now. She's never been any trouble on the ground, and ditto ridden, though opinionated is definitely the adjective I would use for her. Many a time she's suggested we go one way on a hack, we have a slight disagreement, then she goes my way anyway. I love her so much, I couldn't wish for a more perfect mare. Plus she's very brave, not spooky at all, and will have a go at anything I put in front of her.
 
must admit I love the welshie's, something about them, plus they have faces that melt your heart, mines a real beaut. and after regretting taking her on within the first fee days of having her am very pleased I did now :) :)
 
I think Welshies are great. The ones I've known need to know boundaries and seem to prefer knowing u are the boss.

It's as if they can smell fear, give them an inch and they'll take a mile!:eek:
 
I think it might have been my post you were reading! sorry!!

I must clarify though - I have 2 welsh D x's and have owned a few in the past also. My homebred mare is the only one I've had bolshy issues with, the gelding is superb! perfect manners and a endless willingness to please.

I actively chose to send my IDxTB to a welsh D stallion as I love them as a breed, buckets of intellegence and attitude which I really enjoy working with - alot of character and a beautiful movement. Plus hardy and cheap to run!!
 
They really are fab, I adore them. I think they do tend to have longer than average foalhood, but you know, good things come to those who wait! My first pony was a 14h section D gelding, never once did he throw me off ( did fall a few), never was he bargy, or did he buck or rear. He'd stand for hours to be groomed and plaited, get bandaged up to walk round the paddock, we used to have to stand him next to the fence so I could get on, he never walked off, dismounting was always done a varity of ways, sliding down his rump was a firm favorite! He only ever had a Hackamore bridle and was, a lot of the time ridden bare back. All by me from the grand old age of three! My mom has photo of me a few months before my fourth birthday, sat on Jack, (fully tacked) with a maroon show jacket and maroon velvet, dare I say it, chin strap less hat! (It was the 1970s)! I had him from when he was 14 to 23 god bless him, but apparently he'd been a bugger to break and bring on. He taught me to do everything, and to this day I can remember the feelings of complete and utter happiness I felt holding his head, as he snoozed,in my arms(even if they were being crushed against the stable door or wall!! ) Then along came another, 13h welsh pony sec C, Sammy, exactly the same I think he was a bit older than Jack, but not really sure. Again what a fantastic little guy, ride and drive, we went every where on the cart with him, to the shop, took the dogs for a walk, even used to nip to the pub for some pop and crisps, Sammy would just stand and wait, he was awesome! Neither had any bad habits, nor did they ever suffer laminitus or sweetitch (mind you they were rarely fed, and when they were it would be a hot bran mash! Do people still feed that?!?) And they weren't any more quirky than we were our selves!!!
I replied to a thread on here a couple of days ago about ' buying a first pony by a novice nanny ', Wow ! What hysteria! My advice was get an old welsh pony.... Well some folk nearly had kittens and told me I obviously didnt have any experience as I didnt know what I was on about! Lol, had to have a little laugh to myself at the venom that got spat, unbelievable!!!
Final words, Welsh, Welsh, Welsh!!!
 
I bred my welshie and agree that they are highly intelligent and like to let those with slightly less brain power than them know it! ;)

She is a lovely person and I adore hacking her as she is incredibly bold and doesn't give two hoots if she is alone or in company. She will also stand teetering on the narrowest of verges whilst the milk wagon trundles passed and doesn't care less.

That said, although virtually 100% with me (I have always set clear boundaries) she can try it on with others. She is fine for experienced riders, who set the standard from word go, but with novices, she will 'pretend' to spook so she can canter up the road! I ride her passed same spooky spot on a long rein and don't even get a jog out of it!

It's a generalisation, as I am sure some most be perfect novice rides, bit from my experience I'd say welshies are great second ponies for confident, competent children, or quiet, competent adults!
 
iCandy said:
Post some piccies please! :D
Click to expand...

with pleasure :)

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Mine was a very strong and exacting character to the day he died in his twenties

Bolshy yes, conniving yes, opinionated yes. But in all the years I had him he was faithful and honest when it mattered and he never put me in any danger and I would have trusted him with my life

A true horse of a lifetime
 
Based on mine I agree they are very intelligent, like to push their luck and avoid work. But also very affectionate and kind and look after you. Mine is the boss of the herd but is also the kindest to the smallest horse. He also likes to get to know other horses and also likes dogs!
 
My last share was a Welsh D who was an absolute angel! My previous experiences with Welshies were not great and would have avoided them with a barge pole! But I would certainly consider one now, particularly if they're older as I do think they take longer to mature.
 
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