Welsh section Ds

[nikicb]

I am very interested in getting a section D as something to share with my 13 yr old son. I like dressage and son will continue growing no doubt so would like something reasonably solid, but not necessarily too tall - I'm 5'4" but have reached the age where I'm not all that keen on anything too big. Also we don't have masses of grazing and want something fairly hardy. Have also thought about Haflingers as well, but do like to dabble in local showing as well and not too sure there are many classes for them.

So, enough background. What I really would like to know is when do they stop maturing and filling out. For example, looking at this ad:

http://www.horsemart.co.uk/advert/4_yrs_2_mths_14_2_hh_black_welsh_sec_d_somerset/102386

I would expect him to maybe grow another inch or so and become a little more chunky. Am I correct?

Thanks!

 

[miss_c]

He should fill out quite a bit more!!!

When I bought Genie as a 4 year old she was 14.2hh, now aged 6 she is 15hh.

When I bought her:

Now:

 

[ester]

yup would say at least another inch on a 4yo, though if that confo pic is current he looks more like a 3yo.

A few things about welshies (though mine is 17 now and I swear he gets worse!) mine is generally very laid back to the point of laziness..... however he can still be very sharp if he feels like it and can be spooky so you do need to be confident enough to ride him through it and tell him to grow up

I think they also need some firm handling and ground rules as they have a tendency to be bargey. even after 5 years frank will revert to this in situations where he is uncomfortable such as when the dentist comes. Case in point was at a show today when his field mate left and he rather walked over my sister till I stuck the rope over his nose and gave him a stern talking to

the good ones will do anything though, we jump up to 3ft, dressage to a bit of elementary, hunt and hack lots so they are great fun. mine is 100% traffic proof and will happily ride him down the A38..... however a funny looking leaf is more of an issue

afaik haffys have similar tendencies to barginess etc and can prob be more stubborn.

I dont think all welshies are sharp, fihunts genie is much better than frank and is 12 years younger! but the other native breeds would be less so if that might bother you

hope that helps, I have been peering at the pics on the link but dont think I recognise him

 

[Sparkles]

Ditto, I think the world of my mare. She'll tolerate most riders but is fizzy to an extent and very forwards and sensitive. However is never spooky and schools and jumps like a dream and will try 110% [as long as she's happy doing it lol!]. She jumps everything - gates, hedges, did medium schooling etc and was just my perfect teenagers pony really! I think they're suited for the confident teenager/small adult rider so it may well suit you fine, I'd say go have a look if you/your son have the experience for a youngster

 

[Sparkles]

Here's my little madam:
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos...62218556919_1273367138_30612839_2387883_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos...7_417361041752_708806752_4886623_519764_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v3354/205/6/708806752/n708806752_2474205_7527975.jpg

 

[ester]

I dream of forwards and sensitive sometimes

but yup, Frank has a great fanclub of local grandkids (our field has an over 50's caravan site next to it!) who come and play and have a ride and I trust him completely with anyone else apart from me though

 

[miss_c]

Mine's forwards and sensitive! Also goes like a train and doesn't stop...

 

[ester]

yup they would have wonderful children

 

[trendybraincell]

Another one who'll sing the praises of the Welsh D!!

I got The Welsh Cob rising 3, at which point he was a hairy bog pony type and about 14.1.

He is now 8 a good solid 15hh who is doing quite well at BD, although we dabble in showing sometimes

Sorry I got a bit carried away!

I'd say theres an awful lot more maturing left in that one in the advert, it looks REALLY immature.

Like ester says, they can be fantastic animals, but often need a firm hand.

 

[Moggy in Manolos]

Yes, I reckon he should grow another inch and fill out quite a bit more, he looks nice, I am a massive fan of welsh cobs.

 

[Sparkles]

I dream of forwards and sensitive sometimes

but yup, Frank has a great fanclub of local grandkids (our field has an over 50's caravan site next to it!) who come and play and have a ride and I trust him completely with anyone else apart from me though

Haha I said 'mostly' She's a child fave too...
http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y52/Arko_III/?action=view&current=SV_A0058.flv


Others in 'welsh mode':
http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y52/Arko_III/?action=view&current=SV_A0048.flv

http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y52/Arko_III/?action=view&current=brushfence.flv

http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y52/Arko_III/?action=view&current=DSCN0969.flv

http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y5...urrent=l_24827634c897898e125f045afb065980.jpg


Not too bad considering this was her when I first went to see her:
http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y5...urrent=l_24827634c897898e125f045afb065980.jpg

http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y52/Arko_III/?action=view&current=SP_A1675.jpg




*love* heeeeer dearly though

 

[trendybraincell]

Wow Binky, looking good! What a lovely jump your girly has!

 

[Sparkles]

Thankies I love her bless her, got her a bit of a blank canvass but she turned into my perfect teenagers pony. Kept her ridden up till last year but finally decided I'd outgrown her so she's now out on loan to a lovely girl having the time of her life hunter trialing andpony club atm

 

[blackcob]

Just to add to the general consensus, mine went from a slightly weedy 14.2hh four-year-old to a solid 14.3hh (15hh with new shoes on ) by the time she was six. Now aged ten she's a chunky monkey with an arse like a tank.

 

[Deefa]

I Own 3 D's and love them! Would def recommend them lol (Sorry pic overload!)

This was my 15.1 as a four yr old

As a 6yr old

They are also very versitile, mine both do everthing from showing to xc and Team chasing, even dressage and SJ lol!

 

[nikicb]

Thanks so much everyone for your replies, piccies and videos!!
There are a lot of Section D owners on here. They obviously do continue to fill out until quite late so it gives me an idea of what I should expect if I went for a younger one. TBH the age range I will be looking at is probably between 7-10 for son's sake rather than mine. I have plenty of experience of spooky sharp horses and my 34 year old mare (3/4 TB) still hasn't matured mentally!!!
The advert was just one that happened to catch my eye and I wasn't sure whether there were some much lighter weight Ds - I guess if they are when they are older they are not true to type.
Son's old pony (now younger son's pony) is a section A - lovely on the lead rein, but can be a little **** off. So he's quite a good rider and does rugby/judo so not too weedy! He doesn't mind forward going and is a sensitive rider, but section A will spin when he's had enough of being ridden which isn't particularly appreciated.
I used to school a young haffie for a friend, so know what they are like - they have big feet as well and don't always know when they are standing on yours! Ouch!!! But I do like their temperaments as well.
We are just about to have our horses at home, so if a Welsh D proves too much for son we have the capacity to get something else for him (once I have persuaded OH that we NEED 4 horses!!), although I was hoping to use the spare stable for a youngster to bring on myself. Exciting times ahead - I'm sure it will all work out!

 

[cundlegreen]

Thanks so much everyone for your replies, piccies and videos!!
There are a lot of Section D owners on here. They obviously do continue to fill out until quite late so it gives me an idea of what I should expect if I went for a younger one. TBH the age range I will be looking at is probably between 7-10 for son's sake rather than mine. I have plenty of experience of spooky sharp horses and my 34 year old mare (3/4 TB) still hasn't matured mentally!!!
The advert was just one that happened to catch my eye and I wasn't sure whether there were some much lighter weight Ds - I guess if they are when they are older they are not true to type.
Son's old pony (now younger son's pony) is a section A - lovely on the lead rein, but can be a little **** off. So he's quite a good rider and does rugby/judo so not too weedy! He doesn't mind forward going and is a sensitive rider, but section A will spin when he's had enough of being ridden which isn't particularly appreciated.
I used to school a young haffie for a friend, so know what they are like - they have big feet as well and don't always know when they are standing on yours! Ouch!!! But I do like their temperaments as well.

I think it depends on their bloodlines to be honest. Certain bloodlines take a lot longer to mature, but do last well. My stallion has Ebbw Victor in his pedigree,

as does this black mare,

and they have temperaments to die for. Some of the "in hand" cobs are quite a bit sharper and move differently too, with more knee action.

 

[nikicb]

I just want to also say that all these photos people have posted really prove why I would like to get a Sec D - they can turn their hooves to just about anything, they are amazingly versatile! I am so impressed with them all.

 

[GinnieRedwings]

Cundlegreen, Willy is soooo gorgeous!

 

[tabithakat64]

Whilst I love my Welsh, I am going to say unless your son is uber confident with a will of iron I would steer clear on a Welsh D especially a young one as they like to push the boundaries in every way you can imagine, all of the time and can be very quirky and bargey.
They do have many, many plus points, would I choose one for a child coming off a small pony no matter how naughty, not a chance in hell.

 

[MagicMelon]

The Welsh D I had didn't stop maturing physically (and mentally) until he was 8yrs old! They seem to take ages! I would definately recommend them, they are fantastic fun horses with MASSIVE personalities - I regret selling mine

 

[cbmcts]

Having both a D and a haflinger - I would recommend a haffie over a D in your circumstances. The average haflinger can do everything a section d can (just not so fast ) and while full of *ahem* character they are generally easier to handle than a D.

I still love the look and movement of a Welsh, as far as I'm concerned they are the most beautiful athletic horses ever but they do seem to specialise in "silly" - there are exceptions to every rule but every haflinger I've meet has been an easier animal to have around, just be warned that they are extremely clever ponies through and through.

As far as showing is concerned I very rarely see a breed class for them but I do see a fair few showing in the wider coloured (palomino, dun etc) classes and of course they can compete in any of the performance classes.

 

[nikicb]

Thanks, it's good to know someone who has had both for comparison. What I want is something that my son won't grow out of too quickly (weight wise) and he can have a go at most things on, but that I can school (I loooovvvve schooling!!!) and do dressage on. That's why I thought both these breeds are ideal. And obviously there are heinz 57's that would meet these criteria as well. My son used to ride the haffy I schooled as well, even a couple of years ago when he was 11, and even competed her in his first ever dressage test. She was forward going, but not nasty and easy to slow by circling away rather than pulling. She was very green but had a heart of gold - unfortunately owner (RS) wouldn't sell as she would have been ideal.
I think I will keep an open mind and look at both, but will bear everything in mind that people have said. We are in no hurry and will wait till the right one comes along. And as I said before, I have the capacity to get something a bit quieter for him if what we get seems too much at first.

Everybody's help is much appreciated!

 

[welshied]

I have a welsh d 3 year old, got him after my other welsh had to be retired and he used to be a good alrounder use to have his sharp days but nothing really bad.
I would say that one advertised def has a lot of filling out to do.

Its interesting to know how much everyones welshes grew from 3 upwards as i was starting to think mine had nearly stopped growing upwards as he seems to take forever.

He has just turned 3 and is 15hh at his bum so would be interested to know how much more you think he will grow

 

[xena_wales]

As far as showing is concerned I very rarely see a breed class for them but I do see a fair few showing in the wider coloured (palomino, dun etc) classes and of course they can compete in any of the performance classes.

Haffies are chestnut with flaxen tho, not pally??

 

[BrynThePony]

I got my boy as a just broken 4yr old, advertised at 14.3 but was nearer 14.1, bit underweight but with a super temperament. 4 years down the line, he's about 15hh, twice the weight, 3 times the attitude but will have a go at absolutley anything - agree with the others though, give 'em an inch..............

 

[pocket]

You can never go wrong getting a Welsh Cob, they are so versitile and good doers. I bought Flyer as a 2yr old, he stopped growing at around 6 and filled out into a nice chunky beast.

I backed him when he was 3yrs old, he was very naughty but settled into dressage and showing (county level), they can put there hoofs to anything. We dabbled in one day events/hunting and show jumping.

I would always consider getting another one, although I would not get a youngster again as I've been there and done it, would like to have an established beast now as getting too old for babies, good when your young yourself ;0

 

[cbmcts]

Haffies are chestnut with flaxen tho, not pally??

Always it is part of the breed standard but unless you are a devotee of the breed, many look palomino......

 

[cloudandmatrix]

hmmm, i know a section D mare, she is chestnut, and absoloutly drop dead gorgeous, seriously, to die for!!!! however....
she has some SERIOUS attitude, she doesnt get called madam for nothing!! can be very very stubbron, and lazy, then go to pelting in the flick of a switch!! she is also opinionated of what she likes- all jumps are a big nono, and is generally quite a handful i wouldnt recommend them as a kids pony tbh she is in a riding school, so perfect to test your riding but i wouldnt want to own her! having said that, if you click with her, she will do her best for you.
but yeah as a kids pony, i wouldnt.

 

[Brandy]

I think if you find the right one, you will be set. But that in itself may be a hard task. I have had numerous welsh over the years and only one has been anything like a novice ride. Current gelding is referred to affectionately as 'the idiot'

The haflinger may be a better choice if you are to share, unless your son is very competant, quiet and confidant. And not easily phased......

My friend has a section D for sale at the moment, but he is not cheap, but is one of the safest I have ever know (hence the price I think....)

A good section D should fill out as shown in the pics posted by others. I would be concerned about the one you have seen in the ad - the confirmation pic makes me wonder how exactly you would get a welsh pony so lean? Even a young one! There are plently that aren;t such good examples around, which is not to say that they aren;t nice ponies in themselves.