How to Trace a Horse Through the Welsh Pony and Cob Society

The Welsh Pony and Cob Society of America promotes the pure breeding of the Welsh pony. The breed is split into four subsections: Section A, also known as the Welsh Mountain Pony; Section B, the Welsh pony; Section C, or pony of cob type; and Section D, the Welsh cob. In order for a pony to qualify for registration as purebred, both the pony's parents must be registered with the society. To qualify for half-bred registration, the pony must have one parent that is already registered. The society keeps complete lists of registered horses, and in many cases also holds DNA information, making it a straightforward task to trace a horse's parentage.

Things You'll Need

  • Computer
  • Registration paperwork (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Collect as much information as you can about the horse you want to trace. If you have the original registration paperwork giving the animal's registered name, the process will be very straightforward. If you do not have this information, try to find out as much as possible about the horse, including the name of the breeder or previous owner and names of the horse's sire and dam.

    • 2

      Visit the Welsh Pony and Cob Society website. Their registration database can be searched upon payment of a membership fee. If you have a registered name or number for either the horse or its parents, its details should be in the database.

    • 3

      Contact your horse's previous owner and trace the breeder. If you do not know your horse's previous owner, ask the society for a list of local breeders, and contact them with your horse's description. Your horse's breeder will be able to give you information about its sire and dam and a registered name.

    • 4

      Place a classified advertisement on the society's website asking for information about your horse. Give as many details as you can, and add at least two clear photographs showing your horse in left and right profile. Many breeders breed horses with certain physical characteristics, and can recognize the progeny of their own stock.

    • 5

      Take a few hairs from your horse's tail and have your veterinarian perform a DNA analysis. The society may be able to match this information against its records. This can be expensive, however, and the society does not hold exhaustive DNA records, so this should be considered a last resort.