What does ‘typical Welshie’ mean to you?

[ILuvCowparsely]

I’m seeing the phrase ‘typical Welsh / Welshie’ more and more these days on ads selling welsh ponies. I know what it means to me (cheeky, possibly spooky/sharp, opinionated & food oriented!) but would be interested to know other people’s thoughts!

Or do you think it’s just a phrase being used as an excuse for a pony’s undesirable behaviour, regardless of the breed?

No Welshie slander from me, they’re some of the best ponies & cobs I’ve ever ridden

more or less what you wrote

cheeky
opinionated
naughty
intelligent
quick learning
bossy
This is my welshie:

Yet she can be loving - trusting and def food orientated when she is in that mood.

 

[WelshHoarder]

I see your daffodils and raise you with... SHEEP.

Yes my section D mare, born and bred in Wales, lived in Wales all her life, and has liveried at 2 working sheep farms is afraid of sheep. But not when they are close by you understand. She can see what the sneaky gits are up to when they are close, it's the ones in the distance she has a huge mistrust for. You just never know what the fluffy buggers are plotting from far away.....

Such things require immediate response of growing from 15hh to 18hh in a millisecond, and the occasional Welsh roar/snort. That puts the little baaaas*ards in their place.....

Oh yes, sheep! We had some arrive for winter grazing in the field next door just after Christmas - the reaction was absolutely hilarious

 

[Baywonder]

Hmmm......typical welshie.

Bolshy, opinionated, brave, loyal and hairy!

My old boy was the best - and I still miss him. Every. Single. Day.

 

[SEL]

My very first horse was half Welsh C and he was the kindest most placid unflappable horse on the planet. That is until you asked him to go through a puddle In 10 years I never ever won that battle, not even with hose practice. Didn’t matter how deep, how shallow, how large, running, static or just in his way he refused point blank to go through water. Given just how incredibly mature and safe he was from day one I always forgave him.

Also a Welsh C. I persuaded him through half of the flood to the little island in the middle of the track. Where we stood for 45 minutes because he had decided halfway was too far through the crocodile infested waters and he couldn't possibly go forwards, backwards or sideways. I thought I'd wait him out because his tea was at home. Fail. In the end I had to get off and lead him through the puddle because it was getting dark. I only had short boots on so wasn't impressed.

 

[meleeka]

Hmmm......typical welshie.

Bolshy, opinionated, brave, loyal and hairy!

My old boy was the best - and I still miss him. Every. Single. Day.

This. I have an A and a B, both very different characters, but both could be described as this (although neither are very hairy!)

 

[Poppy+MrDarcy]

Slightly crazy all Welsh and welsh x I've had have been crazy

 

[millitiger]

I must have the most un-welshie Welsh D going...
He is the happiest pony, gets on with everyone, NEVER spooky, easy to handle, the list goes on!
He is the bravest horse I have ever met, my ONLY niggle is he picks things up and does them too quickly, so I have to ask him to slow down and process things a lot.

 

[Nari]

Sharp as a tack, sensitive, if you're the right person they'll give you their heart and soul. As much as them being the right pony you have to be the right person.

 

[saalsk]

They are great ! Proud owner of a B, and he is proper bonkers, but loads of fun too.

Brain too big - if you don't keep them occupied they come up with their own activities.

Looked out of window to see arab standing by gate, waiting for breakfast. Next to him was a huge (arab is 16HH, this one's head was several hands higher) bay head and neck. I don't have anything bigger than the arab, just a 13HH welsh. Who had walked his front feet up the bars of the iron gate, til he was on rung 4, and could get a better look to see if I was in the barn getting food ready.

Heard arab squeek, and saw him shoot past the window, as if he had been stung on the backside by a bee. Checked him, he was fine. Was looking out of window a few days later, and saw welsh grazing near arabs back legs. Spent a moment watching this domestic bliss. Then the welsh grabbed the back leg strap (elasticated) of arabs rug, pulled and let go. Arab shot off at speed, with a shriek, like he had been stung by a ..... wait a minute !!

Winters morning, but not cold, so had bedroom window open. Winter field is only about 10 metres from house, and the horses often stand in the corner very near the house. Laying awake, could hear *swish* *swish* *swish* noises. Looked out of window to see arab standing in corner looking a mix of pained and resigned. Welsh had hold of the velcro strap that closes the neck extension of his rug. Open, close, open, close ....

The best toy I got him was a space hopper - he loves it (not in the winter field, too close to the house windows !). It satisfies his play-need, and his mouth-need.

Will try anything, go anywhere, do anything. Proper 4x4 , live on air, super pets, ideal for a small adult who loves a bonkers pony !

 

[mcgreggor]

Sharp as a tack, sensitive, if you're the right person they'll give you their heart and soul. As much as them being the right pony you have to be the right person.

Absolutely this. I feel they get a bad rep purely due to mismatch with owners, much easier to blame the horse than admit they've overhorsed themselves with something that's generally under 15hh. If anyone has seen the "bolter" mare that seems to be dividing opinions on facebook - I just saw an insecure cob taking off... it's now with a new seller and doing really well but there are so many people following the posts really trying hard to make sure the "bolter" rep follows the mare.

 

[2 Dragons]

My 2 are definitely bolshie, opinionated and loyal. Also slightly crazy
Sec C mare is very brave and sometimes reckless.
Sec D gelding- scared of many things- has been called Mr Health and Safety because he is risk adverse.
They need firm but fair boundaries

 

[blitznbobs]

Friendly, slightly psycho (but in a good way) and prone to insulin resistance

 

[honetpot]

Quad bike on four legs, go anywhere, eat anything, inquisitive, with a low boredom threshold. They thrive on being out and doing things, and they can be a barbie pony to look at, so people want to dress them up,but they really are better off being treated , with long days and little dinners and no pretty clothing.
I have an A that won a lot of showing, including doing well at the RW, it looks the part, but its head is so deformed that its cheeks are almost level with its nose.

 

[Snow Falcon]

Went to see an A-she was so in-bred, appalling behaviour due to "all the gear, no idea" owner who actually admitted that to me. Rode a B who had his own ideas about things but was a good ride once you had the measure of him. Helped a young novice girl with C who was walking all over her and running backwards at her in the field waep speed. He tried with me once-didn't again! Tried a D who was just "hot".

I'll stick to my foresters.

 

[Vermeer]

I have only known a handful of welshies. Three of the more older stamp with less exaggerated features and movement. All three were generally nice natured, safe, sensible horses. One of these is in the field with my horse and is an absolute poppet. I'm very keen on him.

I must have the most un-welshie Welsh D going...
He is the happiest pony, gets on with everyone, NEVER spooky, easy to handle, the list goes on!

^ Agree with these 100%. My little welshie is more of an unfussy, old fashioned type and is pretty unflappable. She is genuinely the easiest pony to have, yes she has had a few meltdowns over the years but in most ways she is very sensible.

 

[HappyHollyDays]

Also a Welsh C. I persuaded him through half of the flood to the little island in the middle of the track. Where we stood for 45 minutes because he had decided halfway was too far through the crocodile infested waters and he couldn't possibly go forwards, backwards or sideways. I thought I'd wait him out because his tea was at home. Fail. In the end I had to get off and lead him through the puddle because it was getting dark. I only had short boots on so wasn't impressed.

You achieved more than I ever did. Never wanting to be defeated once under saddle we sat, pranced, backed up, reared for what seemed like hours at a stream after having hacked for two hours around a Dutch forest to get to a very nice cafe with outside tie up. I eventually gave in and turned around. I’ve never met a more obstinate animal where water was concerned, even my current steed who doesn’t like water will go in eventually. Kelso however was never going to