welsh ponies were first exported to the united states in the 1880s, and large numbers were exported between 1884 and 1910. they adapted easily to the terrain and climate variations they encountered in [[canada]] and the united states. an american association, also named the welsh pony and cob society, formed in 1906, and by 1913 a total of 574 ponies had been registered. during the [[great depression]], interest in the breed declined, but made a comeback in the 1950s. 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. all welsh ponies and cobs in the united states descend from ponies registered in the uk stud-book.