NEVER SAY NEVER! NATURE IS THE BEST HEALER - Freyja Stud
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NEVER SAY NEVER! NATURE IS THE BEST HEALER Born out in the veld in July 1994 and unable to stand, we put the foal on the back of a bakkie and the mare followed. She was put in a stable and after examining the foal we saw that her front legs were absolutely rigid; folded underneath her. No amount of pressure was going to straighten them without injuring her. She could not feed from the mare, she could not stand; she was, to put it bluntly, a “dead loss”. The following day, Monday, the vet would come and put her down. On Monday morning after looking at her again, I decided to give her a chance as I noticed a very slight improvement on the right leg. The foal was bottle fed every 2 hours after milking out the mare; and after her feed I would massage the backs of the legs, rubbing and working on the tendons and putting slight pressure on the legs to try to stretch the tendons in order to straighten the legs. Time, time and more time was all that was needed, along with a little help from Mother Nature, At no time was any surgery done or corrective trimming of her feet. The first time she had her feet rasped only was at 4 months. The photos tell the rest of this amazing story of courage and determination. At birth the front legs were both folded underneath the foal. How the mare actually foaled is a mystery. 3 days old, unable to stand. The front legs were starting to straighten with physiotherapy every 2 hours, after having her bottle (The mare was being milked). The hind legs were too weak and the tendons too slack to support her Journal 2006 63
6 days, balancing on her own for the first time
9 days, her first feed from her dam 11 days, hind legs heavily bandaged for support
and to protect her skin under her fetlock joints.
She manages to move around in her own fashion
30 days, getting stronger. The dark mark on her 6 weeks old, the hind pasterns still very slack, the
knee was the aftermath of joint-ill front legs still going “east and west”, but improving
64 Journal 2006
12 weeks, nearly straight. We are winning 6 months. Straight from the front ....
.... and straight from the side. 5 years old with her first foal
and more recently
Journal 2006 65
LLANDILO BELLAMY
Die dag toe ek Bellamy gekoop het is
vir my gesê sy sou nooit 'n kinder
perd wees nie. Dit het nie saak
gemaak nie want ek het haar vir
myself gekoop as 'n tuig perd.
Almal wat die lieflike merrie ken sal
getuig van haar uitsonderlike
beweging en pragtige bouvorm. 'n
Maand voor die nasionale skou kry
sy ysters en 'n week voor die tyd
word sy vir die eerste keer ingespan.
Vir die res van die jaar word sy gery.
Chrismie Venter riding Bellamy
Tara-Lea van Zyl is nou haar (Photo by Elpita Foto)
permanente ruitertjie en laas jaar het hulle twee die Vrystaat verteenwoordig in die
skolespan. Vanjaar het Tara -Lea haar soos 'n pro gery en hul is bekroon as die Kampioen
SA Kinderponie. Bellamy het ook haar merrie enkeltuig bo 5 jaar en driegang
kampioenskappe met welslae verdedig en sy was ook nou 2 jaar agtereenvolgend die
opperste driegang kampioen. In die handklas merrie bo 10 jaar het sy haar klas gewen en
was ook reserwe plaasponie. So 'n ponie wat in elke afdeling van die skou haar stempel
afdruk kan met reg 'n veertjie in haar toom kry vir veelsydigheid.
Ek bring hulde aan die merrie vir alles wat jy vir my gedoen het en wat jy vir my beteken.
Sy het ook nou gekwalifiseer vir 'n “Legion of Merit” toekenning.
The best Welsh by far.
Marietjie Venter 2006
Marietjie Venter driving Bellamy (Photo by Elpita Foto)
66 Journal 2006
EQUINE DELINQUENT If you buy a car or even a kitchen gadget, you get a book of instructions; if anything goes wrong you have it serviced or repaired. Yet valuable and sensitive ponies are daily being bought without the knowledge or ability to care for them and school them, and when they go wrong they blame the pony. Sooner express doubts about people's sense of humour than their ability to ride. We say complacently that we are a nation of horse lovers. Yet I state categorically that literally hundreds of ponies are ruined by the time they are five years old! The standard of our riding ponies grows even higher – thanks to the skill and devotion of the breeders. But alas, they cannot easily be serviced and repaired, once ignorant, stupid and vain people have damaged them. “My little girl can ride anything”, a fond parent once told me, forgetting that those who do ride well may not have the experience or the temperament to train a young animal. Above all, time is needed, and the older the child the less time he or she will have for the slow, regular, patient education of a young animal. Their own education will take up more and more of their time, and in the holidays most children want to career about on their ponies, which is natural – but disastrous to any young pony. There is no excuse for ignorance today when many books and magazines deal so completely with every aspect of horsemanship. While it is not possible to obtain the results of a master merely by reading, it is inconceivable that anyone could do the irretrievable damage as is so often seen, if only they had read but one good book. Many ponies are full of “quality”, which means they are well-bred and therefore more sensitive, more highly strung, than the native breeds. Their reactions are quicker, and their temperaments more nervous. Moreover they are, rightly, expensive. But I have never known one to be born vicious; in fact no young animal is vicious by nature. But wrong treatment turns them into juvenile delinquents and I have seen cases similar to a nervous breakdown. Horses and ponies in their wild state defend themselves by running away. Their instinct is to flee rather than to fight, and they swing away from strange objects. We humans ask such an animal to give its confidence; to be bold, calm and courageous against its natural instincts. Partnership requires fitness, suppleness of mind and body on the part of both, and above all trust, understanding and sympathy. Where then do things go wrong? Of greed, vanity and meanness I despair, but the ignorant, if they are willing, can learn. A pony should be “broken in” at about three years, not sooner – though alas they frequently are. This is an unfortunate term often referred to as if it were a sort of operation, like castration! A pony should in fact be “backed” – i.e. gradually accustomed to bridle and saddle and finally to the rider. It is not then ready to go hunting or to take part in a jumping or gymkhana competition. When you first send a child to school to learn to read, write and Journal 2006 73
add, it would be a strange parent who, after a few weeks of school, sent its child out into the world believing it to be, if not fully educated, capable of finishing its education there. Yet they do this to ponies and when things go wrong, the animal, the breeder or the breaker are blamed – never themselves. Young muscles must accustom themselves to carry weight and to carry out new movements, and the young mind must try to learn many alien things. As a pony cannot understand speech, it must be taught a simple language – the “aids”. A good teacher makes use of the horse's prodigious memory – a memory which, alas, also records mistakes which cannot easily be erased, if ever! So first get the pony's confidence; accustom it above all to your voice to which it will quickly respond. Teach one thing at a time, at first in the same place so that place and movement are associated. Remember that every movement you wish your pony to make must first pass through the brain before the limbs can respond. A confusing mixture of thuds and jerks is the first step in upsetting and “disappointing” a pony. Be clear in your mind what you want to do, then “explain” it to the pony, and never be rough. Above all, never start one of those unedifying hand-to-hand struggles so often seen (and lost!) and take care that your pupil's attention is not distracted. In other words do your schooling at home. If anything goes wrong, as it surely will, stop. Get off. Cool down. Then ask yourself, “What did I do wrong?” Probably you asked your pony to do something he did not fully understand, or something of which he was not yet capable physically of undertaking. Never punish. If you cannot control yourself, you will never succeed. The use of force, if carried to its logical conclusion, would necessitate a tractor and chains to get a pony to move forward. More trouble than anything else is caused by overbitting. Not only is the young pony's mouth sensitive, but it is normal for a young and therefore unbalanced animal to lean on the bit and to carry its weight on its forehead. A rubber snaffle or a thick egg-butt snaffle is all that is needed, and rough hands, even with these bits, can make mouths (and tempers) sore and bruised. Here I would remark that ponies which have won a lot “in hand” and therefore frequently led on one side (often when fresh and therefore hard to hold) have one-sided mouths when the time comes to ride them. Great care should therefore be taken when leading youngsters. Your pony must first learn to go freely forward and to accept the bit. If you attempt to obtain what is hoped will be a good head carriage or “flexion”, nagging its mouth and niggling its sides with your heels and legs will only destroy his forward impulsion and so get him “behind the bit”, “nappy”, rearing and all the other evasions that are so difficult to cure. Add spurs and whips to harsh hands and bits and your “vicious” pony is well on its way. Loss of balance by the rider can also inflict much punishment on a sensitive mouth. If you cannot maintain your balance without reins whilst on the lunge rein in a circle at trot and 74 Journal 2006
canter, then you cannot hope to school a young pony. “What, ride without reins?” people say. Why not, unless you need them to hold on by. Many who claim to “ride anything” show up deplorably when put to this simple test. The rider must not expect the pony to do all the learning. For example, many young riders have no idea what a pony does with its legs at various paces. They are unable to rise on either “diagonal” and to give the aids when the pony's legs are in the most favourable position to obey. They blame the pony instead of themselves when the pony fails to respond correctly, when in fact it is not possible for him to have done so. Get a book or a good instructor to show you. Then go down on all fours and practice until you are sure you have got it right. When training a youngster you will not be able to avoid plenty of unsolicited advice. This is generally in inverse ratio to the knowledge of the adviser, particularly about bits and sticks. Note carefully the behaviour of animals owned, trained and ridden by anyone who suggests all kinds of short-cuts. Only, if these animals are consistently kind, confident and willing, and the advice sounds common sense, may it be worth consideration. Above all do not over school and so sicken and sour your ponies, especially when they are young and immature, both in mind and muscle. Do not over-feed – at least not with corn – if you are then unable to cope with the result. Good grass or hay and horse cubes instead of corn are best for ponies especially if being trained by inexperienced persons, but do not on the other hand keep them short of food and water or they naturally turn sour and nappy. Avoid over excitement and when you do venture into the world, take the trouble to give your pony slow steady work first and do not ask too much of his manners to begin with. Watch the tact and skill with which small jockeys on feather-weight saddles and short stirrups handle lively two-year-olds, fit and full of corn. Most riders in such circumstances would be on the floor! Early lessons in jumping are another reason for over-excitement and disappointment, causing refusals and the consequent battles. This should never be. The young pony, reared in a flat paddock or field has never heard of jumping; it is not a natural thing for it to do. When it sees an obstruction, its sensible inclination is to go round it. Remember too, that the horse's eyesight is not like ours. It focuses differently, does not see depth and must lower its head to see a jump correctly. Most ponies are ruined at this stage. What you should do is to place a pole on the ground. At some stage of ordinary schooling, walk the pony over the pole one or twice. If necessary dismount and let it follow you over. That is all. Reward it. Later do this at the trot. Very gradually increase the height to about 18 inches, not more, and later increase the width by the use of two poles. Let the pony jump out of a trot. Never overface it; never let it become upset and never touch its mouth. Do not go on jumping it until it is sick and bored. Most people declare that they do not touch the animal's mouth when jumping. Let them try jumping once or twice with the reins attached to the bit by a piece of thread and they will Journal 2006 75
soon discover how often this statement is not true. Once a pony fears pain, particularly to
its mouth, it may start to run out, or refuse, or even to rear. Better by far to hang onto the
neckstrap or the mane than to jab the animal's mouth, and to vary this with a few lessons on
the lunge rein rather than destroy confidence for a lifetime.
Let me give you cases of which I know personally. One is a 4-year-old brood mare which
had been so hit and spurred and held in tightly on the curb rein that she refused to go more
than a few yards from her stable and reared up until she even screwed off her hind shoes.
Another beautiful show pony, bred by a famous breeder, was bought for a boy who, to
cover his own defects as a rider – and also to show off – keeps her so tightly on the curb rein
that she is in a frenzy. Yet another, a delightful pony by a well-known pony sire, was ridden
before it was three years old by a heavy man using a bit with a three-inch cheek and two-
inch port. No wonder the pony became wild, unsafe and “nappy”. Yet later he could be
ridden on a thread from his noseband thanks to the intelligence and patience of a new
owner and her twelve-year-old daughter with whom he is now happy, willing – and more
successful.
In short, in ninety-nine cases out of hundred, equine juvenile delinquents are made by man
and are not born so. It is the owners not the ponies that are to blame. And because they have
such long memories a pony is even harder to get right than a child. As with children, the
only hope is to earn their affection and above all confidence and respect, and this can only
be done by real knowledge of the subject; firmness, kindness and patience.
EMK
This article first appeared in The “Ponies of Britain” Magazine Volume III, 1960, the
Editor being the late Glenda Spooner, and is reproduced with permission from her
literary executor, Mrs Vivien McIrvine MBE
INVITATION TO THE BALL
In the first Journal of the S.A.W.P.& C Society, Ds Schalk Du Toit started 'the ball rolling'
by being open about his earlier breeding experiences and the prevalence he had of
producing bi-lateral cryptorchids, also known as 'monorchids', in horse terminology as
'rigs' and in Afrikaans as a 'klophings'. He went so far as to identify the “Light” family
coming down from the import “Criban Sara” as being, in Section A's, as the main producer.
I have to go along with him on this statement, as the first Welsh foal I bred from a mare I
bought in foal, turned out to be a rig. The mare concerned was a “Badgemore Brightlight”
grand-daughter. Brightlight was widely used all his life at stud, even though he was not
entire
In Section B's “Foresyte Valiant Cymro” incredibly beautiful though he was, was also not
entire. Go back into the Welsh Pedigrees in Wales – “Tregoyd Starlight” was not entire,
76 Journal 2006
but his full brother “Bolgoed Squire” was not affected. One cannot (and I certainly AM NOT) victimising certain stallions, families or breeders. We have an inherent problem within the Welsh Sections, but with a little intelligence, knowledge of the past, and some skill as a breeder, we can carry on, but be honest and open when a problem arises. The old saying goes: “Don't throw out the baby with the bathwater”. My experience of over 40 years of breeding pedigree dogs, where we are lucky to have the multiples at birth, shorter gestation periods and quicker maturity, often puts me in a better stead to breed other forms of livestock. Bull Terriers (not my breed) offer us a lesson. The Late Raymond Oppenheimer (cousin of Sir Ernest) was probably one of the most influential breeders in the United Kingdom in developing the Bull Terrier to its height. His success weapon? – A stud dog called “Bar Sinister” who was unshown due to being a monorchid. He was the prototype all the breeders strove to achieve. Had he not been widely used, the Bully of today would never have happened. This all comes out in Oppenheimer's book “After Bar Sinister”. It is also a documental fact that it is a 'female' carried problem i.e. the daughters of a rig are the ones that perpetuate the problem, not the sons, who are for some reason unknown invariably entire and do not reproduce the problem. We as the current breeders sit with a legacy that we cannot easily bury. The earlier breeders were not subjected to having their breeding stallions veterinary inspected and approved. To be quite honest I think they blithely went on producing ponies. Some had it and some did not. This rig saga is a constant can of worms. “Bukkenberg Bowdler” was 'Gelded' by the Late Mr Streicher and his staff and sold as a gelding. It transpired only the one visible testicle was removed. As luck would have it, the other one appeared about a year later, and lo & behold he was then issued with a stallion certificate!! There was also the case of “Cheeky Mr G.P.” and how he ever got his certificate of entirety!!! In Dexter cattle there is the problem of Bulldog calves. With DNA testing they can now tell who carries the gene, but you can still breed from a carrier, just don't mate it to another carrier. Could our ball game hopefully be as simple?? Yes do not breed from a rig, but have them professionally gelded, and make sure the vet extracts the problem. It will cost more, but for safety reasons one must be responsible. Graham Thompson 2006 Journal 2006 77
SOUTH AFRICA 1974 - A JUDGE'S PERSPECTIVE The standard of the Welsh Ponies that I saw during my trip to South Africa last March was much higher than I had expected, both in the Studs that I visited and at the Championship Show held at Bloemfontein. The ponies were much truer to type and had more substance than I had imagined would be the case. The National Championships At the Show at Bloemfontein the two classes that impressed me most were the class for colts under four years and the class for mares over four years. I thought that both the Senior and Junior Champion Mares and Stallions were very true examples of the Welsh Mountain Pony. Both classes were a great credit to the Breed in South Africa, there was very little tailend and I thought that they showed that Welsh Mountain Pony breeding in South Africa was proceeding along the right lines. Apart from the winners of both classes which were outstanding, I thought that three ponies were particularly worth watching for the future: Monnow Paperboy, Torbry Paddy and Bukkenburg Tiny. It will be interesting to see the Torbry Paddy (Twyford Jock x Torbry Button). Photo by San Michele Photographic Studio, Colesberg. foals sired by Paperboy and Paddy, and Tiny should mature into a lovely mare provided that she is not allowed to get too fat. Of all the young stock bred in South Africa the one that impressed me most was Spasido Sparkling Amber by Torbry Twilight. I thought that she was a charming filly and a great credit to her sire. Most of the ponies that I judged were really hardy ponies with plenty of depth, well sprung ribs and good over their quarters with good limbs. I felt that some of them could have better shoulders and show more quality about their heads. 78 Journal 2006
The thing that worried me most was the way all South African bred ponies over the age of
two years used their hocks. This is where the impulsion in a pony's movement comes from
and most of the ponies that I judged had very little. This results in them being unbalanced
and not moving freely from the shoulder. I feel certain that a lot of this bad movement
behind is due to ponies being given too much work in harness before their bodies and limbs
are mature enough to stand it. I hope that all breeders will resist the temptation to do too
much work in harness with their ponies before they are ready for it. I am sure that it can
only be for the good of the breed in the long run,
Stud visits
Last March I paid a very short visit to S.A. and Rhodesia to judge at the Welsh
Championship Show at Bloemfontein and the Ponies of Rhodesia Show at Salisbury. The
very limited time at my disposal meant that I could only scratch the surface of the two
fascinating countries. Thanks to the superb organisation and untiring efforts on my behalf
of the President of the SA Welsh Pony Soc. Dr Jan Hofmeyr and his wife Susan, who is also
the Secretary, I was able to visit not only the Kruger National Park but also most of the
leading pony studs in SA. Two I unfortunately had to miss out were those of Mr Bobby Torr
and Mr du Plessis.
The Foresyte Stud belonging
to Miss Ida Illingworth,
specialises in Sec B ponies
and of the many typical ones
that I saw there, the one that
to my mind stood head and
shoulders above the rest was
Foresyte Valiant Cymro, a
son of the renowned Valiant.
We could well do with a pony
of his quality and movement
in this country. With Mrs
Mackay-Niven I saw Coed
Coch Prydus whose first
African home had been
Kenya. One of his daughters
Foresyte Valiant Cymro (Valiant x Coed Coch Pala) Aberdare Prydus Satellite
Photo by Rosemary Philipson-Stow belonging to Dr Hofmeyr
was champion under saddle at Bloemfontein. At Mr Streicher's Bukkenburg Stud I saw
descendents of the famous black ponies that Mrs Pennell scoured England and Wales for
some years ago. Mr Streicher now owns several of the ponies recently imported by Mr
Fouché. In the Cape I was the guest of Mrs Lasbrey who was one of the original importers
of Welsh Mountain Ponies to SA and all Welsh breeders there owe her a great debt. The line
of ponies that she has bred descended from Coed Coch Seryddwr and Criban Sara was
responsible for many of the prize winners at the Bloemfontein Show and her Badgemore
ponies have been the foundation of many Welsh Mountain Pony Studs in the Republic.
Journal 2006 79The presentation of the classes at Bloemfontein was something of an eye-opener to my
English eyes. Certainly the judges are not permitted to hide their lights under any bushels!
I had as my junior judge Miss Searle from Cape Town and she was a great help to me. Mr
Bobby Torr showed both the Senior Ch Stallion Twyford Jock and the Senior Ch Mare
Badgemore Fairylight. These are two very good ponies and by any standards; several of
their progeny were also amongst the prize winners. Jock and Fairylight also appeared
under saddle and in harness; they were driven as a pair in one class!
The South African breeders expect
their ponies to work for their living
and most of the entries in the in-hand
classes also took part in the saddle
and harness classes. The Junior
Champion Stallion was the recently
imported Revel Vada belonging to Dr
Hofmeyr, this is a pony with a
beautiful head. The Champion Filly
was Spasido Sparkling Amber (out of
Badgemore Jolly Honeybee - ed)
belonging to Mr du Plessis. This filly
was only six months old but I thought
her quite outstanding and a great
credit to her young sire, Torbry
Badgemore Fairylight (Coed Coch x Seryddwr x Criban Sara)
here being driven by Geoff Torr
Twilight by Revel Society. Space
does not permit me to mention any
more individual winners by name but two classes are I think, worthy of mention. That for
colts under four years old where there was not much to choose between the first six or
seven ponies and that for mares four years old and over. This class was a pleasure to judge,
the standard of the mares was so high and by the enthusiasm of their owners. I was most
impressed by the overall standard of the ponies in all classes. I also judged the Harness
classes with one of the Hackney judges, quite the most spectacular of these being the class
for the span of eight ponies won by Mr Streicher's very well matched blacks.
Myburgh Streicher's team of eight Welsh Mountain Ponies
80 Journal 2006My time in Rhodesia did allow me to visit the Victoria Falls with Mrs Goode and they lived
up to all my expectations. In Salisbury I judged Welsh Ponies, Riding Pony breeding
classes and Ridden Ponies. Once again I was most impressed by the standard of the ponies
that came before me and also by the very high standard of riding reached by the children
showing the ponies, right down the line. A pleasant contrast to the children showing ponies
in this country today. Welsh ponies have had a great influence on riding ponies in Rhodesia
notably Coed Coch Pybidd Moel who belongs to Mrs Goode and the late Coed Coch
Moelwyn. He belonged to Mrs Von der Hyde and was responsible for the Champion
Novice Riding Pony and several of the winners in the In-hand classes.
I have not attempted to describe the incredible scenery in Southern Africa; it has been done
in this Journal (that of the Mother Society in Wales – ed) before, by more able pens than
mine. I would however like to express my very, very grateful thanks to all the people in
both SA and Rhodesia who helped to make my short trip such an unforgettable experience
for me. Apart from anything else it has inspired me with a great determination to pay a
return visit before long.
Rosemary Philipson-Stow, November 1974
Part of this report also appeared in the 1975 Journal of the WPCS in the UK
JUDGING WISE
The Breed's The Thing, Or Whither The Welsh?
People who aspire to judge or reproduce any breed or animal have a great responsibility, in
their hands lies the future of that breed, for good or ill; if one did not give credit to the
'powers that be', and breeders, for some intelligence and genuine concern for the future of
the Welsh breeds, one might be tempted to think that there were intentions to eradicate the
original types, in exchange for other of inferior conformation, quality and constitution; or
that there has arisen a situation in which the blind appear to be leading the blind. It may
well be that it would be comparatively easy to change a breed; one or two stallions, used
extensively, could do it, for good or ill. One might almost suppose that this is what seems to
be happening in Sections A and B. This article is written solely out of concern and alarm at
the direction in which the breeds appear to be going. Past generations of dedicated
breeders have left us with an invaluable heritage, which we adulterate to our cost; what
type of heritage will present day breeders leave for future generations? The old, proven
bloodlines are dying out, new breeders coming in to the breeds have little or no knowledge
of the old types. Fashions are created and avidly followed, regardless of the danger to the
breed, proliferating a motley of types which do nothing to enhance the breed.
In recent years Section A fashion has been for frog-eyed, calf headed, wide, long, or thick
eared, short necked, upright, loaded shouldered (therefore short stepping), poor quartered,
low-tailed ponies, lacking in that essential 'dash' and 'fire' so characteristic of the old Welsh
Mountain ponies, and that 'look of the Welsh hills' so apparent in many of the old
Journal 2006 81photographs. Similarly, Section B fashion has suffered from short necks, upright shoulders (where is the length of rein?) stilted movement, (trained to flip out the toe from the elbow in front, while the hocks trail behind, 'in the next field') inadequate bone and lack of true Welsh character. (Where are the small, close-set ears, or the big bold eyes, set correctly, or the characteristic, charming Welsh heads?). This type of pony is not 'quality' enough to compete on equal terms with the really beautiful Show ponies of mixed blood, and not 'native' enough for the Mountain and Moorland classes, it therefore falls between two stools. Presumably these types are being bred because they are thought to be an improvement on the old types, or because they are 'fashionable'. It may be that fashion and high prices are not conducive to good breeding; any breed of animal should be reproduced as it is meant to be, according to its Breed Society, not as people wish it to be in order to raise money at the expense of the Breed. Should 'stuffy', poor-actioned types or stick- legged riding ponies be the type required, the Welsh can be crossed with other breeds. The Working Hunter pony and Mountain and Moorland pony classes at the Shows should do much to promote the true 'hardy' Welsh types again, but let not Judges be tempted to put up 'non-native' types in these latter classes, otherwise breeders will again be discouraged from producing the true Welsh types, with good conformation and native vigour. With regards to the present day fashionable Section A ponies, I am indebted to Mrs J Houghton of the Sinton Stud, for relating to me the following comments made to her by the late Mr Dick Richards, whom she visited a few weeks before he died. He said “There is a great danger in those exaggerated dished calf heads, they go with small point quarters, round bone and lack of hardiness, they are not Welsh”. New breeders may wish to study the Breed Standards as laid down by the Welsh Pony and Cob Society, to see how the animals they are producing compare to the ideal. (The Breed Standards can be found on pages 18 - 19 – ed) It is easy enough to reproduce animals in a breed, the 'trick' is to try to produce them as true to the ideal breed type as possible, to be ambassadors for their breed. Let us think not what the Welsh breeds can do for us, but rather what we can do for the Welsh breeds. Breeding should, ideally be practised only with the best types, choosing breeding stock with great care, especially the stallions, which can produce so many animals, for good or ill; variations will, of course occur, but they should all be characteristically Welsh. Sometimes a more spectacular animal will dominate the show ring, a prolific prizewinner, which never produces any offspring of note, whereas another animal, not nearly so spectacular itself, will produce many good, typical, prizewinning offspring. The former animal is very often a 'sport', an occasional animal thrown up by its ancestry, unable to reproduce animals with its own spectacularity; it is not known how to reproduce a similar animal at will, its sire and dam may never again produce another such 'star'. The latter animal usually the product of strong bloodlines of sound, typical animals is a good breeding animal able to produce good stock and an invaluable member of any herd; therefore, prizes in the show ring are not always an indication of an animal's true worth. The Dictionary definition of a Judge is 'One who can decide upon the merit of anything; one competent to give an opinion' The direction in which any breed goes lies in the hands of those people appointed to judge it as well as the breeders. The Judges have, perhaps, the greater responsibility for the future of their breeds; the types they put up in the show ring will be eagerly sought after, and bred from. It follows therefore, that Breed Judges should 82 Journal 2006
be people of determination, courage, strong will, independence and integrity; competent, well versed and knowledgeable, with their 'eye in' for the ideal standard of their breeds, able to judge without fear or favour. Very few animals are able to come near to the ideal and many variations of good and bad points in each animal will have to be assessed before a decision can be made, the top prize winners being those animals which come nearest to the ideal, with no glaring fault. Only in this way can exhibitors know the true merit of their animals; poor or biased judging makes a mockery of any breed; judging the leader and not the led is anathema, unethical and much to be deplored. Judges are appointed to judge the animals, not the leaders. One would do one's friends no service and the breed a great disservice by putting up mediocre animals when there were superior animals in the same class. In breeding classes, one must remember that in all probability the animals will go on to reproduce themselves, and they must be judged as worthy representatives of their breed, therefore the interests of the breed must be paramount to all other considerations. Judging is one person's opinion on the day; although an animal may be led by a well-known person, it does not necessarily follow it is the best animal in the class; it may be the best conditioned, but top show condition should not be mistaken for good conformation. There are many instances of Shows where a well known winner has had to stand down to a less well known animal, perhaps local to a particular show, or shown very little but which, nevertheless, is a better example of the breed. Similarly, sometimes the famous animal may not be at its best on the day, perhaps feeling the effects of too much showing, or perhaps it is being overfed and over trained with consequent lack of presence. It can certainly be put down to a lesser known, better animal which is fresh and full of presence, with better conformation and action. Famous people do not have a 'divine right' to prizes in the show ring, unless they have the best animals; if other exhibitors in the classes feel aggrieved that they are not being judged properly and not being given a 'fair crack of the whip' they will lose respect for the Judges and lose confidence in their ability; eventually they will become disillusioned with the show ring altogether and give up showing their animals. Show Secretaries will terminate Welsh classes if they are not sufficiently supported and the breeds will suffer. Several exhibitors have recently expressed the opinion that they consider themselves to be 'just cannon fodder' in the show ring; that is, they feel that they are very often regarded as 'fill-ups' for the classes, where the prizes go to the few well known people even at the smaller shows. Many exhibitors genuinely wish to know the merits of their animals and are extremely disappointed when, after the first top few are selected, the others are just waved into line anyhow, at the lower level. All exhibitors have paid the same entry fee and should be judged and placed in accordance with their merits, although lack of time is usually the problem when dealing with large classes, in which case more time should be allocated for judging. Many animals are put into the ring far too fat. Obesity hides a multitude of sins but any competent Judge should be able to tell a loaded shoulder, poor quarters or an incorrectly set tail. Animals that have been 'carved out' (that is ponies which have had their faults disguised by 'sweating off' loaded shoulders and 'strapping up' poor quarters and low set tails) should have no place in breed classes; after all it is the skeletal frame which is passed on to succeeding generations and if that is not correct, what is the point of perpetuating faults in the breed for the sake of transient 'pot hunters' who present such animals in breed classes as examples to be bred from? Breed Judges should look for these faults in obese animals and place them accordingly; in no other way will breeds improve. Journal 2006 83
Obesity is also a great danger to youngstock in the show ring. Young animals may have their joints permanently damaged by carrying too much heavy flesh before they have even started on their useful lives. How many young in-hand winners are seen in the show ring later on, in-hand, under saddle or driven? Dedicated breeders who care about their animals will not wish their valuable youngstock to become ruinously obese because, apart from the dangers of laminitis, they wish their breeding stock to breed, and obesity can often lead to barrenness in the female and sterility in the male. Unfortunately in the show ring, these caring breeders are matched against the professionals, who are usually intent on fattening up their animals in order to win prizes, possibly wishing to sell their animals for high prices on the strength of the prizes they have won. Many breeders therefore, find themselves near the bottom of the line because their animal is 'not fat enough' or is “Home bred, Oh!' (Judges words). Breeder's animals are usually well enough 'furnished' and in good condition for their size; they many look 'not fat enough' beside some of the other dangerously gross and obese animals in the ring, which could well be candidates for cattle Fatstock shows (or heart attacks) and which are invariably given the top prizes. Regarding the 'home bred' criticism, it should not be thought necessary to put homebred ponies down the line; some homebred ponies may indeed be superior to some of the animals with famous prefixes which have sometimes been bought at well publicised high prices and which, shown by professionals, usually gain the top prizes; all animals in the class should be judged on their merits, homebred or not. Other examples of Judges putting-off words are 'You should not breed this type, they do not make the money' said of an old-fashioned Section B pony; where are these old-fashioned ponies, now that they are in demand for the Hunter Pony and Mountain and Moorland classes? Another Judge's remark, 'that pony is worth a lot of money' said of a stick-legged Section B stallion as an excuse to put it Champion over a beautiful little old-fashioned Section A mare, (the stallion disappeared without a trace but the mare went on to become a Champion!). Interested watchers at the ringside, who are usually very knowledgeable, are sometimes under the impression that the 'first should be last and the last should be first', so erratic is the judging. Breeders who care about the future of their breeds are in danger of becoming very much discouraged by this erratic judging; they are striving to breed good animals, to the Welsh Standard and honourable judges would do well to encourage, not discourage them. Breeding any stock is an expensive and long-term business and without these dedicated breeders, where would the professionals obtain their animals, and in which direction will the breeds go? In the future, many new young Judges will be appointed, I respectfully suggest that , before taking this eventful step in their lives, they may consider studying the Breed Standard, in order to 'get their eye in' for the truly Welsh types at the beginning of their judging careers. In conclusion, it might be generally supposed that, were breed class judging everything that it honourably should be, one might not have felt compelled to write this article; if breed Judges do not judge the breeds correctly, to the best of their ability, without fear or favour, whither the Welsh? M H Hewitt 1990 This article first appeared in the 1990 Journal of the Welsh Pony and Cob Society in the UK and is reproduced with kind permission of the Editor. 84 Journal 2006
TARA-LEA VAN ZYL
Tara-Lea van Zyl, 8 years old, is a born Welsh Pony Lover. This was her fourth year of
taking part in the National Welsh Ponies Championships at the Bloem Show. Llandilo
Bellamy, a section A mare, and Tara-Lea were a winning team when they won the
championships for purebred first pony and the best rider under 12 - 3 gaited as well as
reserve champion for section A farm pony.
Photo by Elpita Foto
She loves every moment on Bellamy's back and drawing ponies keeps the smile on her face
and gratefulness in her heart. Thanks to Marietjie Venter, who owns Bellamy, for giving
Tara-Lea this opportunity to nurture her love for Welsh Ponies! God Bless.
Linda van Zyl 2006
Journal 2006 89HYDOWN SPECIAL EDITION
Kimberly Gazet du Chattelier entered “Tuglet” (his nick name) in the Pony Festival at KEP
on 2nd - 4th June 2006. They won the Novice dressage and the Musical Kur and won both
Trophies; the Cyndon Mikado Retirement Victor Ludorum Trophy and the Cyndon
Mikado Musical Kur Trophy. This was awarded for the highest percentage overall out of
the Novice, Elementary and Elementary Medium Musical Kurs, on a percentage of 74.5%.
This is a remarkable achievement for a Section B pony against all other Partbred ponies
and Warmbloods.
On the 7th May they won the Smart Car
Pony Rider's Novice Freestyle Trophy at
the 12th Annual Freestyle Dressage to
Music on a percentage of 76.75%. He is
truly a Special pony to our family and we
are so proud of him.
Hydown Special Edition was bred by Pat
Moore of the Hydown Stud but owned by
Mike and Sue Bernstein, Ya-el Stud. He
is an 8 years old Section B bay roan
Gelding by Pendock Forsight out of the
Dam Hydown Olympic Silver.
Kim is 12 years old, has been riding since she
was in Grade 0 and is a passionate and
dedicated rider. Her dressage instructor is
Caroline Potts and my sister Zilla Pearse who
competes internationally in Dressage and
Eventing in Europe, comes out to help us a
few times a year. Tossy Raynor is her
instructor in Show Jumping.
Kim bought Tuglet as a 5 year old off the stud
farm, and has brought him on to what he is
now. He is the most dependable, willing and
intelligent pony we have ever known, despite
the fact that when we went to look at him on
the farm, Kim asked him to canter, and he ran
and ran, bucked, did two steps of canter and
came to an abrupt halt! Me, being the
neurotic mother that I am, said we'll buy him,
he's not going to bolt off with her!
Kim's dream is take Tuglet higher up in the
dressage classes. This becomes difficult for
Journal 2006 91him as he has such short legs, and looks so small in a 60 X 20 dressage arena, to lengthen
the trot across the diagonal must seem endless! Luckily Kim is very short for her age, but
every now and then, has a growth spurt and has to lengthen her stirrups, we all panic and
say, you can't grow, Tuglet is only 13.1 hands!
Kim and Tuglet are a good team, they have learnt and grown with each other. They both
have a love of competition that never seems to tire, but also really enjoy going bare-back
and the freedom of long out-rides. He is truly a Special Pony and is loved by all who come
in contact with him. We are so lucky to have him in our family.
Tanya Gazet 2006
Photos by Andrew Pampallis
ELJERO SHARICO
Georgina Cross and Eljero Sharico are both 8 yrs old, in
fact their birthdays are only 10 days apart – Georgina
4th August 1997 and "Rico" 14th August 1997. "Rico" is
owned by Pauline Kerr who very kindly loaned him to
us; he is out of Foresyte for Christmas by Eljero Shahar
and since coming into the show ring has truly found his
niche in life .Not only is he very well suited to his job, he
has the kindest nature of any pony I have met. Georgina
and "Rico" got together at the end of last year and since
then have gone from strength to strength.
Georgina on Eljera Sharico
Apart from being Champion
Partbred Young Child's Pony at
Autumn Gold Cup 2006, the
combination this year also won the
THS 1st ridden pony at HOY, the
Working Pony and Working
Hunter at Eaton Farm and the Pre-
novice Performance and Pre-
novice Utility at the Inter Schools.
Sarah Cross 2006 Georgina receiving her prize from Sue Cook
Photo by Prestige Photographers
Journal 2006 93FROSTY STUD
Winston and Marlene Frost were farming on the farm “Fairfield” in the Barclay West
district. They had 3 sons and a daughter who were all interested in horses.
In 1969 the Frost family purchased 3 black partbred Welsh mares for their children. The
first purebred pony Wreken Twilight (Vanog Lookout x Aberdare Candlelight) was
purchased in the early 1970's. After discussions with Mrs Hofmeyer (Secretary of the
WPCS) Frosty Stud was officially born.
The first annual National Championship held in Bloemfontein, attended by Frosty Stud
was in 1972 and since then the stud has never missed a “Nationals”. The first few shows
were attended with ponies loaded on an open bakkie, thereafter the stud advanced to an
open lorry to accommodate more ponies.
After the first Nationals, the stud purchased Badgemore Piper (Section A) (Coed Coch
Seryddwr x Coed Coch Perten) and Llanel Valiant Son (Section B) (Valiant x Badgemore
Greylight) from Pretoria. The stud then decided to continue with Section B ponies and
bought Foresyte Valiant Pili-Pala (Valiant x Coed Coch Pala) her father Valiant was one of
the first 6 stallions in England that started the Section B's. He was also one of the only
ponies registered without a prefix. Most of the stud's progeny involved Pili-Pala Bloodline
hence the good temperament and working ability for which the stud is known.
Llanel Valiant Son with Gavin Frost
Journal 2006 97Foresyte Valiant Pili-Pala Frosty Friday as a foal with
Pili-Pala was SA Champion mare, and her first foal born on a Friday,Marlene
FrostyFrost
Friday was SA
Junior Champion stallion at the age of 4 months. Llanel Valiant Son was SA Supreme
Champion Stallion Section B and when 22 years old he was the SA Supreme Champion
Riding pony.
In 1981 the Frost children had outgrown the Section B's and it was decided to continue
with Cobs. Stallions like Sinton Gilbert (Gelert AP Briant x Faelog Flora) and Oak Hatch
Flight (Pentre Eiddwen Comet x Maylord Charm), the first two cob stallions imported
from Wales were used on the B mares.
Frosty Stud has always and will always breed good temperament and versatile ponies.
Sinton Gilbert ridden by Gavin Frost (Photo: Dorothy Schlebusch)
98 Journal 2006Oak Hatch Flight ridden by Gavin Frost (Photo: Dorothy Schlebusch)
Frosty Friday (Sec B) with Gavin Frost, Frosty Dandy (Partbred) with Hylton Frost
and Frosty Nepcorn (Sec D) with Jillian-Joan Frost at the Free State Regionals, 1988
Some of the horse disciplines (other than showing) Frosty Stud has competitively
Journal 2006 99competed against other horse breeds (Arabs, Anglo-Arabs, Thoroughbreds, Warmbloods,
Boerperd and many more) are as follows:-
Gymkhana / Tent Pegging - Frosty Ninja (Provincial level – Griqualand West team)
Polo Cross - Frosty Dandy, Ninja and Lager
Eventing - Frosty Lager
Endurance - Frosty Dandy (competed in the 300 miler (over 480km) in
4 days - 3rd Senior)
- Frosty Nepcorn (completed multiple 100 milers - 12th Senior at Hofmeyer,
SA Champs 200km - 58th Senior of 220 entries and has completed more
than 1000km in competition. 160 & 80km rides completed in one day)
- Frosty 007 (SA Champs 200km)
Traditional Boere Sport - Frosty Lager and Frosty Ninja (The real rough kind)
Open Dressage - Frosty Lager; Southern Gauteng team (Junior)
Open Show Jumping - Frosty Lager 110cm, Frosty Blue Sapphire 90cm and Frosty
Stout 110cm.
From early days till today, the Frosty Stud ponies have always excelled in all working and
driving classes. The following ponies are just but a few to emphasize this statement.
Frosty Lager (Sec D) ridden by Hylton Frost at the Open Show Jumping Show, 2003
Section B (Frosty Friday, Gavin and Brightlight); Section D (Frosty Pegasus, Nepcorn,
Neptune and 007) and Partbreds (Frosty Tubby, Paul, Dandy). And currently the likes of
Frosty Lager and up and coming youngsters like Frosty Spike and Frosty Amstel. Some of
the classes these three have excelled in over the last few years are Three-gaited, Ridden
Pony, Hunter Pony, Working Pony, Farm Pony, Dressage, Breed Classes, Single Harness,
Double Harness, Tandem, Private Drive, Team of 4, Ladies Fine Harness. All of these
100 Journal 2006classes were entered on a junior and senior level
with different riders and drivers.
Currently Frosty Stud is breeding for the future
with Section D ponies; we have 4 Section D
stallions and multiple Section D mares that are
the backbone of the stud.
Frosty Stud won the “exhibitor with the most
points at show” during 2006 SA Championships,
this being the 1st non-Sec A stud to win this trophy
since 1958. This was achieved with only own-
bred Frosty ponies at show.
The Stud is now in its 3rd Frost Generation with 9
Grandchildren and no signs of slacking, due to 2 Frosty Lager (Sec D) ridden by Hylton Frost
bloodlines married into the family; Cindy from at the Hofmeyer Show 2006
Frosty Nepcorn (Sec D) at SA Endurance Champs, 1992, ridden by Hylton Frost
the Ben-Hur Stud and Spookie for the Haelline Stud.
Frosty Stud would like to encourage all pony breeders and exhibitors to participate in the
2007 Nationals in Bloemfontein for the 50 year anniversary.
Frost Family 2006
Journal 2006 101SADDLES AND BACKS
The anatomical background to the problems of saddling
Saddlery must be made to conform to the horse if only because of his primogenital right.
We should have the humility to acknowledge that the best our saddlers can contrive is
infinitely inferior to the workmanship of Nature.
With the pigskin between our knees, the reins taut in our fingers, the winter winds in our
teeth, and ditches, fields and hedges falling away behind us, it is perhaps pardonable to
find ourselves imagining or believing that God made horses to carry us. But when, in the
grey evening, we are back in the stable yard and find the little raw patch under the girth or
the small, puffy lump behind the withers we are at least reminded that saddles are made by
Man. But do not put all the blame on the saddler! Perhaps it would be better to study, in a
little greater detail than usual, this unnatural alliance between saddlery and anatomy, so
that, with a clearer conception of the latter, we may find a better application and adaptation
of the former.
The spine or “vertebral column” may be regarded as the fundamental structure of the body
in the same way that the tent-pole is the basis of the tent. In your horse or pony there are
from 54 to 56 spine bones or “vertebrae'” but we are here only directly concerned with the
18 back, or dorsal bones and, indirectly with the 6 loin or lumbar bones. These dorsal
vertebrae lie between the last bone of the neck and the last rib, the lumbars continuing the
chain as far back as the quarters. If you take a look at the first diagram you will see that each
vertebrae consists of a “body” and a number of bony “processes” or projections which
together form a ring around the
spinal cord. Each forms a joint
with its neighbour in front and
behind. These joints are of the
shallow ball and socket variety,
and are found at either end of
each “body.” In addition, each
vertebrae carries two pairs of
“articular processes”, one pair
articulating with those of its
fellow in front and the other,
naturally enough, behind.
All these vertebrae are firmly
bound together by a number of
tough, fibrous bands called
ligaments which, though
possessing very little elasticity,
yet allow a limited amount of The dorsal vertebrae of the horse. 1 Bodies. 2 Facets on
flexion in all directions. Thus traverse processes for heads of ribs. 3 Articular processes.
the spine of the bucking broncho 4 Mammillary processes. 5 Vertebral spines
102 Journal 2006arches upwards, that
of the laden pack-
horse downwards
and that of your
gymkhana pony, as it
twists and turns in the
“bending race”,
sideways.
Here we will have
our first digression
from purely
descriptive anatomy,
for this natural
flexibility of the
spine is of the
greatest importance
to the free action and
The bones of the trunk. 1 The shoulder blade. 2 The breastbone. 3 The dorsal
vertebrae. 4 The lumbar vertebrae. 5 The “false” ribs. 6 The “true” ribs
hardiness of the
saddle horse. The
greater the weight that is placed upon his back, the greater is the strain placed upon these
ligaments. This is further accentuated if the horse is young and immature, or if his muscles
have not been conditioned by the gradual and progressive course of training. The stain is
greater, also, at the gallop than at the walk. Now when any structure of the body is
subjected to excessive and repeated strain, Nature steps in to strengthen it. In this case she
thickens and tightens the ligaments by the addition of supplementary and less elastic
fibres, or even impregnates them with calcarious substances so that they virtually become
transformed into rigid bridges of bone, effectively preventing all flexion between the
affected vertebrae.
So we will now enunciate out first maxim which is as follows:- “If the free action of a horse
is not to be seriously and permanently impaired, do not ask him to carry too much, too fast,
too soon”. Not wishing, however, to become involved in heated controversy appertaining
to the racing of two-year-olds, we will hastily return to less gladiatorial matter.
To our old friends, the dorsal vertebrae are attached the “heads” of the ribs, each head being
applied to two little facets on the bodies of two adjacent vertebrae, and bound thereto by
more ligaments. The eight anterior pairs of ribs are attached directly to the breastbone
below, but the remaining ten pairs, the so-called “false” ribs, are merely lashed to one
another at their lower extremities. When an animal breathes in they move outwards and
forwards, and the process is naturally reversed when he breathes out. Due partly to their
greater curvature and partly to their indirect mode of attachment to the breastbone, the
“false” ribs have a greater range of movement than the “true” ribs and therefore play a
bigger part in the act of breathing. So, in passing, it might be as well to note that the girth
should be placed as far forward on the breastbone as is compatible with a careful avoidance
of interference with the free movement of the elbow; also that it should be tightened only
Journal 2006 103sufficiently to maintain itself in position without chafing.
It will be seen, however, that all the ribs, both “true” and “false”, tend to give added
strength to the dorsal vertebrae by virtue of their scaffolding effect. Behind them the
lumbar vertebrae have no such scaffolding, so that, alone and unaided, they bridge the gap
between the framework of the chest and that of the hindquarters. It can thus be easily
appreciated that this is the most
vulnerable link in the chain, and
it is no mere coincidence that it
is here where the fracture
almost invariably takes place
when a horse breaks its back. So
here we will interpose another
rule of saddle-fitting, which is
that the saddle must never be
fitted in such a way that direct
pressure is brought to bear
behind the last rib.
The shoulder-blades, those flat,
triangular bones, their apexes at
the point of the shoulder, run
diagonally upwards towards the
The skeleton of the back. 1 Posterior angle or the withers. They are attached to the
shoulder blade. 2 Cartilage of prolongation of shoulder chest-wall by muscle only, which
blade. 3 Ribs allows them to pivot like a see-
saw. As the leg goes forwards so the shoulder-blade pivots backwards and slightly
downwards. If the saddle interferes with this movement it will hamper the whole action of
the foreleg. Not only will the skin over the blade become chafed, but, as a result, the horse
will tend to shorten his stride, be more liable to stumble and be more easily tired. So, when
you saddle up, draw a foreleg straight out in front of your horse and feel for the hinder edge
of the blade. If you find it running back under the knee-roll, your saddle is too far forward.
The two longest and most powerful muscles of the horse's body traverse the back region,
filling the angle between the upward-projecting spines of the vertebrae and the upper
surfaces of the ribs. It is this pair of muscles which act as the chief protective buffers
between the saddle and the skeleton. It is, therefore, on these muscles that the saddle
should rest. The bony spines of the vertebrae, however, project up between them to lie
immediately beneath the skin. In some horses, either because these spines are taller or the
back muscles less developed, they form a distinct medial ridge – the so-called razor-back.
In saddle fitting, this is one of the most vulnerable spots of the horse's anatomy, for if the
saddle presses, virtually directly upon these unyielding projections of bone, damage must
inevitably ensue. This applies also to the withers where the spines are tallest of all. So here
we must insist that the saddle be borne only by the muscles protecting the upper surfaces of
the ribs.
Captain Patrick Stephens
This article first appeared in Riding Magazine
104 Journal 2006DOES YOUR SADDLE FIT?
A fitting guide for Native ponies and Cobs
! The saddle should have a tree that fits the shape of the horse's back and shoulders
! The saddle should sit level when viewed from the side and straight when viewed
from the back
! You should be able to put your hand in the front of your saddle and run your hand
down without your fingers getting stuck
! Put your hand in the front of the saddle and feel if the withers have enough room
from where the panel starts either side and if there is enough clearance for the
withers i.e. 1 – 4 fingers clearance under weight
! Now put one hand on the pommel and one hand on the cantle and see if there is a
lot of rock from back to front. A little is OK but, if you press the front and the back
lifts right up, the saddle will bounce when you trot and move from side to side
making the rider feel insecure.
! Check the saddle is not bridging. The panels of the underside should have contact
all over including the centre of the saddle. If the saddle is bridging, you will get
muscle wastage where the back of the saddle sits and either side of the withers.
The horse will get sore.
! Do not strangle your horse with the girth. This will not stop a badly fitting saddle
from moving. It will cause muscle wastage in the girth area which can be painful
even when you put a correctly fitted saddle on the horse with a looser girth. This is
because, as the muscles repair, the sensation returns which can cause pain to the
muscles and the ribs as they are able to move.
! If your horse is very round and soft, try using a wide girth; this may help stability.
! Point straps and rear balance straps help stability, but will not make a badly fitting
saddle fit. To use point and rear balance straps, the saddle must fit well and the tree of
the saddle and the panel have the same shape as the horse's back. Most natives need a
front point strap as traditional girthing means the girth straps are on a diagonal to the
girthing area and this, combined with flat withers, means the saddle shoots up the
neck; the saddle stops where the girth straps become vertical.
SADDLE FITTING FOR WELSH COBS AND PONIES
Here are a list of problems that sometimes arise when fitting Welsh Cobs and ponies, and
things to look out for:-
Welsh Section A
They can be tricky when they have a high wither as they are also often wide. I often find
they have been fitted with a medium to wide fitting saddle that then tips backwards; this is
uncomfortable for the pony and rider. With the very small A's 11.2hh and under, they are
often extra wide with no withers; the biggest problem then is stopping the saddle from
Journal 2006 105You can also read
