Welsh section Ds

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harrysmum

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Am thinking that I might look at one of these for my new horse. I love the breed and admire their ability, however I am well aware that some can be quite sharp and this is not something that I want. Horses are individuals and it's not really wise to generalise,BUT, does anyone have a sane, sensible one, or know of particular bloodlines which are usually sensible? I am wanting to do mainly dressage and hacking. Thanks folk.
 
I personally don't get the whole 'welsh D' thing, I think they are great but need to be worked but every horse I have ever had any involvement with is better when in hard work
 
My friend has just bought a sane, sensible gelding, he was advertised as suitable for a novice but I don't know his breeding . Mine on the other hand is the opposite.
 
Mine can be a loony. He's very bolshy, stubborn, headstrong... BUT I have been learning on him from scratch for the last 18m and I wouldn't have him any other way. On the flip side, he's gorgeous (obviously ;) ) loving, honest and he looks after me.

Tbh I like a bit of character. If I had a dope on a rope I wouldn't be anywhere near where I am now.

Ax
 
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My 5 year old section d mare is very sane very sensible . Look at cwmesgair stud. Also Horeb stud. My mare had a foal last year and was a fabulous mum. She was broken to ride earlier this year and has been a joy to deal with. She's done some dressage and came 4th out of 21 on her first outing. So I think her future is bright and we are going to,have a lot of fun. Wouldn't change her for the world.
 
We have two. Mine is safe and reliable, although needs to be kept in work to keep him this way(!) My OH's, although perhaps a little sharper, has been an absolute saint in helping my OH learn to ride. (He's a ride and drive horse). Both are really sensitive and kind so I assume this is a bit of a breed feature. They're both very clever too. They love to work and pick things up really quickly. An added bonus is that, being natives, they'll happily live out 24/7 too!
 
I've got one and she's probably the easiest horse you could own, very easy to ride great brakes and able to do everything asked of her. I hack out alone on her for miles with no problems and she has even given me the confidence to jump again after 30 years! Her only fault if you can call it that is she gets fat just looking at grass and will jump out of her field into the next if that looks greener. Love her to bits.
 
Mine is a Welsh D x KWPN so not exactly typical, but she isn't sharp at all. She can be spooky but so far (touching all the wood in the vicinity) I've always managed to sit to any sideways leaping. She's very clever, picks thing up quickly and tries her heart out. She's robust too but I'm not going to tempt fate by saying anything more!
 
Mines not sharp, she can be spooky but currently on oestress and has turned seriously dopey, maybe the move to 24/7 turnout too this week. Mine is loving and sensitive, spooky but can turn her hoof to most things. Perfect pony!
 
Mine was that laid back that I kept him entire in hope he would develop some 'presence' in the show ring. At 4 he was still a dope on a rope. He's now gelded and still a chilled lad. He is however very intelligent and will take the mick if you let him...
 
Mines been my horse of a life time. He is has a wonderful temperament and has done everything I've asked of him a little spooky at times but nothing terrible. Fab with everything you need traffic, bikes, barky dogs etc. will spook at paper bags! but he led my youngster past a garden yesterday that had lambs running around! They are all different but so wonderful and have great characters. super for hacking and most do a lovely dressage test but can take a while to get the canter right. They make a very versatile riding horse. Good luck finding yours.
 
I adore them. The ones I know are safe, versatile and fun. I have had one on loan a couple of years . To me he is a pony in a horse's body. He can be challenging at times but so can any breed!
 
I have two for my sins (although soon to be just 1 :( ).

Genie is opinionated and stubborn, but when she is on-side she will give you the world. I came off her once jumping and she came to a stop with her foot on my back. She did everything she could to avoid putting weight on that foot and lifted it off and put it down next to me. Saved me from a really nasty injury.

Fanfare came to me having done pretty much nothing other than hack. She has been through a hell of a culture shock and has turned into a really nice 'person'. She's still nervy about some things and doesn't like having underneath her chin touched as she had been burnt there when someone tried to singe off the cat hairs! However she will now let me do whatever in that area, it's just under 'sufferance'! She can be sharper than Genie and is VERY responsive to leg and voice but has a lovely trainable attitude towards life. She took to jumping like a duck to water and had an amazing time!
 
Its not the breed its the early handling if handled all their lives sympathetically they are wonderful if wound up like fire breathing dragons guess what you get a long term dragon
I love them have raised lots from foals from lots of different lines all have been beautiful, loyal and kind best friends to their new owners
 
I would never have another.....many have been inbred so much that never mind being a screw loose they are an entire toolbox loose....I would rather have a TB as I feel they are more predictable than a welsh D.

If you really are set on one look at Thorneyside lines, or if you want a sportier type look at Maesmynach stud.
 
Mine isn't sharp, she can be spooky but if she has a rider on board she will do whatever she can to look after the rider even try and overcome her own fears. She is a complete diva though and will sulk if i say hello to any of the other horses before her. She's incredibly loyal and loving and i would choose another in a heartbeat but sadly can't help with breeding
 
I have one :) he his the love of my life ..he is more of a second pony ..as give him an inch and he will take a mile . I wouldn't say his sharp ..but can light up ..and show off at the drop of a hat ;p he is kind ,bold, affectionate , powerful, but graceful..and will turn his hoof to anything !
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I've had my girl 12 years now. Needless to say, i would go out and buy another D without question. Maybe it's the bond we have, but she's affectionate, loyal, brave, intelligent and will try anything. However in true welshie style she can also be a fire-breathing dragon, stubborn and opinionated. Just get them onside and they'll jump the moon for you.
 
Think what needs to be borne in mind that these little ponies were bred to work.............. i.e. they were bred primarily for doing the heavier work that the smaller native types couldn't do; such as hauling the heavier loads in the coal mines and other similar draught work. Similarly with the Fell & Dales ponies who were versatile and invaluable for manual work before the advent of the motor car.

Then when the motor car came in they were made redundant, and had to adapt to being ridden as opposed to be driven, and they then began to be used as riding horses where they might be turned out for six days out of seven, rather than being in full work.

So this needs to be borne in mind with a Welsh D. They were bred for work, and lots of it; and if they're kept in a situation where they're kept busy, with lots happening around them, and a good firm fair/kind hand, and not too much rich turnout, they're lovely little horses that will be a delight.

However, IF on the other hand they're turned out on rich pasture - without being used much, and/or by a novice, then there is every probability they will rapidly get out of hand.

IME they're feisty, busy-body little horses with a huge capacity for enjoying life and have an independent spirit (especially the mares!! :)). They are loyal, kind and generous.

But they do need correct management - as does any native pony - and will thrive on a busy, bustling yard with plenty to do combined with correct feeding and pasture-management and a rider that understands their sometimes complex nature. With the opposite, they won't.
 
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I have ridden 3 Welsh D's in the past 6 years, and each one has been different.7

Katey was the typical cobby, high knee action type, was totally honest jumper, but had one speed - fast. Although knew she was foot sound and knew you were safe, even if going fast, lol. could not fault her.

Then Smartie looked more like a hunter, had lovely floaty paces, proper school master, had little cheeky tiny bucks in Spring time, but looked after me, was calm ALL the time. Brilliant. (apart from jumping, refused all SJ's but dependable out hunting, controlled paces).

And now my current one Tyzer...very skinny pony, not at all got the cobby weight. He can be bit spooky, but is an honest jumper. Safe on hacks, but with spring is starting to throw some bucks in. Feeds off your nerves, more nervous I get, the more on edge he is. But super fun....

One thing I can say about Sec D's...generally they are super fun ponies, and quite honest jumpers....I find they all have their own 'quirk'...but I'd say it's all to do with training, backing, experiences etc...

Go for a good ol' trusty Welshy :) :) can't beat them!!
Just try tem out and find which horse is mopre suitable for what you want to do :)
 
I've loaned two in the past and both were lovely, safe, sane types. They needed quiet handling and riding and didn't appreciate anyone booting them and yanking on their mouths! Can't comment on bloodlines but when I was horse hunting I was considering section Ds :)
 
Mine is just gorgeous.Very quiet, sensible and as non spooky as its possible for any horse to be.Agree with the booting and hauling on the mouth though.Multi talented he jumps, does dressage,hacks out and does a bit of western with his old mum.
 
Thanks for all the replies- as I expected , lots of variation but clearly so many well loved Welshies out there!! I have actually owned one many years ago, he was mainly sensible but could be a bit spooky at times although nothing major!- loved him to bits!! I'm not expecting ( or wanting) a plod but just want to feel safe as I'm not getting any younger- I've always had a soft spot for them but am guessing it could be a bit of a quest finding my Mr/ Mrs right! My boy had Llanarth bloodlines with some Nebo further back ( as do most!) and I was just wondering really if there were any bloodlines more/ less 'fiery' than others from folks experience- totally take on board that how they've been previously handled will have had an influence, as I know they are a sensitive breed.
 
SaffronWelshDragon said:
I've had my girl 12 years now. Needless to say, i would go out and buy another D without question. Maybe it's the bond we have, but she's affectionate, loyal, brave, intelligent and will try anything. However in true welshie style she can also be a fire-breathing dragon, stubborn and opinionated. Just get them onside and they'll jump the moon for you.
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This really, I could rave about mine! Except I have had my baby 9 years lol :)
 
I'm on my fourth - Pantanamlwg, Llanarth and now Thorneyside. Current boy is definitely the most laid back of the lot, but I also love the Llanarth temperaments.

Without exception, all of mine have been less sharp and spooky when fit and in regular work. Two of them were mares and their temperaments never changed when they were in season. I probably wouldn't look at any other breed now.
 
I think welsh D's have a bad rep partly because of welsh D showing classes which are not for the faint hearted. A lot of the show cobs have been bred with particular bloodlines in the hope of making them very showy and sparky for the show ring and this isn't always conducive to being easy under saddle!

We have a welsh D and she can be the most laid back, safe and sane girl in the world OR she can be the spookiest, most sensitive girl in the world! ;)
 
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