Welsh Cobs - A Short Narration into this fascinating as well as unique breed.

Experts believe that the origins of Welsh cobs existed prior to 1600 BC. The original Welsh Mountain Pony is thought to have evolved from the prehistoric Celtic pony. Welsh ponies were primarily developed in Wales and their ancestors existed prior to the arrival of the Romans. Herds of undomesticated ponies would wander the mountainous and moorland terrains of Wales. In this harsh and sometimes bitter environment with little shelter and fodder, they developed into an exceptionally hardy breed. At some point in their development, the breed had some Arabian blood added, though this did not take away the physical characteristics that make this breed so unique. In 1901, the first registry for the ponies was established in the United Kingdom, and in 1907 a further registry was established in the United States. Interest in the breed declined during the Great Depression, but revived in the 1950s.During its history, the Welsh Pony has had lots of uses, including as a cavalry horse, a pit pony, welsh slate mining and as a working animal on farms.

Origins of the Welsh Cob existed in the middle ages, and are described in medieval Welsh literature. They were quick, first-rate jumpers and could bear heavy loads and because of this were used on the upland farms of Wales, and would do everything from ploughing fields, carrying product to market and transporting the family to and from the local village and chapel services on Sunday. When coal and welsh slate mining grew to become important to the economy of Wales and England, lots of Welsh ponies were harnessed for use in mines, above and below ground.

Today the breed registries for the Welsh pony has four sections, chiefly distinguished by height, but also by slight variations in type as follows: the Welsh mountain pony, the Welsh pony, the Welsh pony of cob type, and the Welsh Cob. The great thing with the breed is that as well as being very hardy, they are recognized for their excellent nature and as a consequence are a popular children's pony. In the present day the breed is used by horse and pony lovers, both for pleasure riding and in show competitions, taking part  in numerous equestrian disciplines. The Welsh Cob crosses well with many other breeds and has influenced the development of many British and American horse and pony breeds.

Wales is home to many welsh pony and cob studs, which tend to be manned by enthusiastic and passionate owners and staff who are fully commited to the preservation and development of the breed. There are many shows where the breeder’s passion is displayed by the turnout of magnificent looking ponies which are in great condition and a credit to the origins of the breed. When in Wales, the delight of seeing these animals wandering the farms and pastures in their natural environment warms the heart and gratitude must go to the enthusiasts who continue to preserve the breed.

Visit http://www.horseandponyshopuk.com and see a web page devoted to a traditional welsh cob stud. http://www.horseandponyshopuk.com/photo_album.

Sterling Silver Jewellery - The Perfect Horsey Gift for Horse and Pony Lovers

When looking for sterling silver jewellery as a gift for the horse and pony lover, one can be overwhelmed by the number of apparent choices that are available. However it is all too simple to fall into the trap of without knowing buying low-grade produce. Authentic sterling silver is an alloy of silver containing 92.5% by mass of silver and 7.5% by weight of other metals, more often than not copper and is authenticated with a hall mark. The genuine produce will definitely be hall marked (except its mass is less than approximately 3 grams). Avoid any product that is not correctly hall marked. Secondly, do not be tempted to purchase the cheapest available. There is an old saying, “You only get what you pay for” and the maxim is very applicable with this produce. Photos can be quite deceiving because the piece can give the impression of being solid but when you look at the reverse, it can quite often be hollowed out, so it is well worth checking the mass.

So the rule when buying sterling silver jewellery as a horse gift for horse and pony lovers, make certain that the quality stands up. Any trustworthy internet store will be completely happy to answer any queries relating to their products. So choose a site that is easily contactable by phone or electronic mail and if you have any issues about the quality of their sterling silver jewellery, then just give them a ring. If they don’t answer your question with confidence then avoid them like the plague.

Whilst looking at the range available as pony gifts for the horse and pony lover, you will be fascinated by the diversity of interesting and unique styles available. The choice of cufflinks and tie pins consists of pieces such as, horse head, foxes head with riding crops, horse and carriage, horse shoe and many others. They come as chain links or solid pieces and make perfect horse gifts. The diverse range included earrings with multiple loops, drop chains and studs. Multiple choices of necklaces, pendants and lockets are also on hand, with a variety of chains to go with them. Bracelets and bangles are also in abundance with many diverse shapes and sizes available. A number were very ornate and with plenty of detail, while others were simple and plain but still very pleasant to the look at. Charm bracelets were also in great quantity, with a decent variety of charms sold either with the bracelet or separately so that they could be purchased a later day for someone who collects charms

To sum up, there is a lovely variety of sterling silver jewellery available from internet shops, and provided that these straightforward rules are followed you can make your horse gift purchase of sterling silver jewellery for the horse and pony lover with total confidence, with the added advantage not leaving relaxation of your own home.

Mike Gaire

Buying Equestrian Gifts For Equestrian Shops For The Horse And Pony Lover

Buying horse gifts for horse lovers from equestrian shops has now been made much simpler with the advent of e-commerce . The variety of different sterling silver jewellery is quite amazing, ranging from simple pieces of costume jewellery to ornate sterling silver jewellery.

Equestrian clothing makes ideal horsey gifts for horse and pony lovers and is available in many different styles both casual and formal which will satisfy most tastes. The more formal is suited to equestrian and dressage events where great importance is attached to dress and appearance. Then there are the casual and fashionable ranges which provide exciting and broad choices for all. Horse and pony lovers like clothing which can be used for all occasions and they also like the subtlety of some of the modern products which are now available from equestrian shops. Another great advantage to this type of equestrian clothing is that it can be worn by everyone which is a great advantage to the online retailer as their market place has a much wider base, providing tremendous opportunities for increased sales. In this age of economic doom, we are all looking for ways to grow sales and this is a great opportunity to enlarge your market place.

Watches and clocks are a great favourite as horse gifts. There is one particular British manufacturer who uses Welsh Slate to make clocks, coasters and fridge magnets. They are printed with pictures and scenes of animals . These make great horse gifts and are well suited for pony lovers. Over the years we have seen a sharp decline in cottage industries and to see an traditional raw material put to use in this way is great for keeping these original industries alive, preserving jobs and local communities.

Acrylic mirrors are also available for the pony lovers. This is a perfect niche product which is available in a range of sizes and various shapes including “rearing”, “trotting”, grazing and pony shapes. These designer mirrors look and reflect in the same way as a normal mirror but with far more benefits. They are safe, shatterproof, unique, lightweight safety mirrors, perfect for home, work, school or nursery, travel, leisure and
much more. They are suitable as horsey gifts for both adults and children.

Frankly the list of products available for this market place is fairly unlimited and with careful marketing, the customer base for this product can be expanded beyond the pony lover . Do not be tempted into buying purely on price. Quality plays an important role and will add value to the product and increase those very important margins.