Native ponies existed in Wales before 1600 BC, and a Welsh-type cob was known as early as the Middle Ages.

Throughout their history, the Welsh breeds have had many uses, including as a cavalry horse, a pit pony, and as a working animal on farms.

Welsh ponies were primarily developed in Wales, and their ancestors existed in the British Isles prior to the arrival of the Roman Empire.

[2] Bands of ponies roamed in a semi-feral state, climbing mountains, leaping ravines, and running over rough moorland terrain.

They developed into a hardy breed due to the harsh climate, limited shelter, and sparse food sources of their native country.

[1] The characteristics of the breed as known today are thought to have been established by the late 15th century, after the Crusaders returned to England, with Arab stallions from the Middle East.

[4] On the upland farms of Wales, Welsh ponies and cobs would often have to do everything from ploughing a field to carrying a farmer to market or driving a family to services on Sunday.

Other breeds have also been added, including the Thoroughbred, Hackney,[1] Norfolk Roadster, and the Yorkshire Coach Horse.

Tradesmen, doctors, and other businessmen often selected ponies by trotting them the 35 uphill miles from Cardiff to Dowlais.

Until the mid 20th century, the British War Office considered the Welsh Cob so valuable that they paid premiums to the best stallions.

[8] The population continued to grow: in 1957, when annual studbooks began to be published, 2881 ponies had been registered; by 2009, the number was more than 34,000.

The Morgan horse is one such breed, being in part descended from Welsh Cobs left behind by British forces after the end of the American Revolutionary War.

[10] All sections of Welsh ponies and Cobs have small heads with large eyes, sloped shoulders, short backs and strong hindquarters.

However, British equine colour terminology commonly refers to the buckskin colour, which is caused by the same cream dilution gene that produces palomino, as "dun", but the true dun gene is extremely rare in the Welsh breed due to it being bred out of most lines.

[13] They are reputed to be trustworthy, of a good disposition with even temperaments and friendly characters, but spirited and with great endurance,[3] and are known for their stamina, soundness, and high level of intelligence.

They are known for elegant movement and athletic ability while still retaining the substance and hardiness of the foundation stock, the Section A Welsh Mountain pony.

[17] Section B ponies also generally have a slightly lighter build, as a result of Thoroughbred and Hackney blood.

[18] The Welsh Pony of Cob Type (Section C) may not exceed 13.2 hands (54 inches, 137 cm) high.

Other breeds also influenced the Section C, including the Norfolk Trotter, the Hackney and Yorkshire Coach Horse.

[6] The Welsh Pony of Cob Type is shown in jumping events and in harness,[20] notably in competitive driving.

Grey colouring is rarer in the Section D Cob than other types of Welsh ponies, but bold white markings are common.

[3] The British War Office used the Welsh Cob to pull heavy guns and equipment through terrain where motorised vehicles could not, and also used them for mounted infantry.