Connemara temperament and weight carrier

Mule

Mule

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Hi everyone, I'm interested in some info about connemaras. I've a few questions for people who know a bit about them.
  • What weight should a 14.2 Connie carry. What would be the maximum weight?
  • Are the chunkier types hardier than the sporty ones.
  • Are they generally calm/sensible or flighty.
  • Are the chunkier ones very broad to ride.
  • Are they good doers.
Thanks in advance 😊
 
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Not sure on the weight front. Mine is a sportier 15hh and I'm 9st and wouldnt want to put much more than 10st on him.

He's a dope on a rope to handle and safe as houses to ride (now, he was much sharper when a youngster!!) but is v v clever and needs to be kept entertained otherwise he switches off, but equally needs to be kept on the straight and narrow otherwise he gets stressy and tense - so there is a fine line!

He's sporty type but still in a wide saddle and struggle for fit as he has massive shoulders.

Other connies I know are generally not for beginners, due to their intelligence. Although I have met a few that were seriously sharp.
 
Depends on saddle length they can carry, how fit they are, what kind of work they are doing, rider leg length, just like anything else. I like to stay at 10% of my horse's weight but would go up to 12%. Others will say 15%.
I keep this in mind whatever the breed/type.
We had an angelic sporty type connie, although my daughter did say when she saw him let off steam in the field as a 3 year old "I'm not getting on that!" He was spectacularly airborne.
He behaved beautifully throughout his training and did everything with a smile on his face.
Most natives are good doers, unless there's an underlying problem.
 
If you do look for a Connie there is something to be careful about. They suffer from an inherited genetic disease called Hoof Wall Seperation Syndrome. Reputable breeders genetic test for this and you can check both sire and dam are double negative. (One can be a carrier as long as the other is double neg but you must not breed from the resultant offspring as it too may be a carrier) So if you are looking at Connies to buy make sure they have sire and dam listed and you can check the HWSS status. You do get a lot of horses listed as a Connie - but on a white passport. That means the breeding is actually unknown.
 
Shay said:
If you do look for a Connie there is something to be careful about. They suffer from an inherited genetic disease called Hoof Wall Seperation Syndrome. Reputable breeders genetic test for this and you can check both sire and dam are double negative. (One can be a carrier as long as the other is double neg but you must not breed from the resultant offspring as it too may be a carrier) So if you are looking at Connies to buy make sure they have sire and dam listed and you can check the HWSS status. You do get a lot of horses listed as a Connie - but on a white passport. That means the breeding is actually unknown.
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Thanks, that's important to know.
 
Mine is a 15hh sporty type. Wouldn’t want much more than 10stone 7 ish on him.

I’m not sure I’d describe him as sharp now, though he used to be (very), but he’s a very hot horse and incredibly intelligent.

Good doer in winter if not hunting, hunting it’s hard to keep weight on. Currently a porker now it’s summer.

Can do absolutely anything with him really, he is a true all rounder and will event, hack, hunt, go to the beach, go on holiday, let you ride him bareback to the field in a headcollar etc.
 
We had a Templebready Fear Bui mare,super temperament, would turn her hoof to anything but she was quite a buzzy forward going type. Never nasty or difficult just liked to get on with the job in hand. she was smaller (14hh) than you would want and not that chunky or wide but I used to ride her when I was 10st approx. TBH they do vary hugely in size and there seems to be more over height around these days. I love connies and connie crosses, which we've also had. They were all good doers, would happily live out all year round but we clipped or they got too hot and sweaty and all had super feet.
 
I adore my Connie. But she’s certainly like marmite. She’s the sharpest pony ive ever sat on. She thrives on work, the more I work her the more she wants to be worked and she does her upmost to please. She’s bold as brass cross country, and certainly has the bravery for the pair of us at times, she gets me out of trouble when I make a f*** up. However she’s likely to be terrified by the fence judge sat next to the fence rather than the fence itself!

But it took a long time to get this relationship with her. She’s had a tough life, she’s been shipped through Irish markets, been used as a broodmare as she’s class 1 graded - and my feeling is that she’s been battered and beaten along the way. With her scars physically and mentally. She won’t let a stranger catch her in the field.

Weight wise she’s always been a pretty poor dooer , but I’ve always worked her pretty hard. Though she did manage to get lami last summer despite running light 🤦🏻‍♀️ So now I have to watch her like a hawk, even though she was far from your typical lami type. However she’s tough as nails. Even tho her xrays showed the lami, she was only ever just not quite right. Certainly never showed the real pain she must have of been in.
 
I have a Connie X. Very intelligent, sharp, stubborn, but does like to please. Weight wise, when in work, hard to keep the weight on, when not in work, hard to keep the weight off. Saddle fit is medium, he is a lot narrower to ride than my ISH.
 
oldie48 said:
We had a Templebready Fear Bui mare,super temperament, would turn her hoof to anything but she was quite a buzzy forward going type. Never nasty or difficult just liked to get on with the job in hand. she was smaller (14hh) than you would want and not that chunky or wide but I used to ride her when I was 10st approx. TBH they do vary hugely in size and there seems to be more over height around these days. I love connies and connie crosses, which we've also had. They were all good doers, would happily live out all year round but we clipped or they got too hot and sweaty and all had super feet.
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Interesting! I also have a TFB Connie and he is definitely not buzzy or forward- he’s extremely laidback and relaxed about life most of the time! The only time he gets buzzy is if he’s jumping (he is a smashing jumper and safe as houses, will jump anything!) or in a big group at speed. He’s honestly the best pony I’ve ever had, he just has a ‘can do’ attitude to everything and tries to please you all the time. He’s totally restored my confidence and has had +70% BD scores to boot.

He’s 14.2hh and I ride him at 10 stone but he’s got some issues with his front feet and hock arthritis (he’s 18) so I wouldn’t want much more on him.

He’s a good doer but certainly not as hard to manage as my welsh a is, he needs a bit more feeding in winter when the grass is poor and very little when the grass is good.

I can’t say enough good things really, he just puts a smile on my face and I know he will look after me. I know some Connie that can be super sharp so it definitely does vary within the breed.
 
I have a Connie x and he’s just perfect, in the sense that he’s that perfect balance between being challenging and fun. He is the most loving pony ever but he’s incredibly cheeky. He loves jumping but can get a bit sassy if doing flatwork. Honestly, I love connies
 
Not sure anyone can tell you what weight one should / could carry as there are so many variables.

Mine is a smidge over 15hh, 6 yrs old and chunky, traditional type. He has a wide and flat, strong back. Are the chunkier types hardier than the sporty ones? Not sure about that, he is very robust but will run to the field shelter if it starts raining lol

As with others I can take him anywhere and do anything with him but he is very sensitive, I wouldn't want a novice or harsh rider on him as it could go wrong quite quickly but he is very easy in most ways. He is very forward but you wouldn't call him sharp

He learns quickly too, recently moved up to 1m jumping in comps / 1.10 at home and has just started trot half pass in his flat work.


Love him to bits!
 
NinjaPony said:
Interesting! I also have a TFB Connie and he is definitely not buzzy or forward- he’s extremely laidback and relaxed about life most of the time! The only time he gets buzzy is if he’s jumping (he is a smashing jumper and safe as houses, will jump anything!) or in a big group at speed. He’s honestly the best pony I’ve ever had, he just has a ‘can do’ attitude to everything and tries to please you all the time. He’s totally restored my confidence and has had +70% BD scores to boot.

He’s 14.2hh and I ride him at 10 stone but he’s got some issues with his front feet and hock arthritis (he’s 18) so I wouldn’t want much more on him.

He’s a good doer but certainly not as hard to manage as my welsh a is, he needs a bit more feeding in winter when the grass is poor and very little when the grass is good.

I can’t say enough good things really, he just puts a smile on my face and I know he will look after me. I know some Connie that can be super sharp so it definitely does vary within the breed.
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He sounds like my type.
 
Mine's a 14hh sporty type and actually pretty narrow, even the saddle fitter commented that is was unusual for a connie! He can be quite anxious and nervy but now we've had longer together he's really starting to trust me that life isn't too scary! He's great fun, can be absolutely foot perfect in company and on his own, I only ever ride him in a loose ring French link and can stop him in any situation, XC, hunt rides, everything.
He can be difficult to keep weight on in winter or if the grass drops in summer like last year when we had all that hot weather but tbh I prefer that because of the lami risk with overweight horses (although not ruling it out as he's had a bit of raised pulses over the last few days, not bounding but slightly bigger than normal so keeping an eye out).

I love Connie's and would definitely have another.
 
I have 2 and they are complete opposites! A 14hh short backed chunky one who can only wear a 16” saddle (XX wide) so although she could probably carry weight, her saddle size would restrict the size of rider. She is a stroppy, stressy madame. Very good doer. The other one is 14.3 narrow and long backed. Wears a 17” medium saddle, but I wouldn’t want anyone heavy on her. She is very laid back and a bit gormless, but does have quite the spook in her at times
 
Dolly is a Connie and she is amazing. Bold, brave and scopey. She is 14.1 to make 14.2, not especially stocky and I would not put anyone over 10 stone on her. But she could carry more. I just don't like to ask her to.
 
I've had both types of connemara - one was very laid back and needed a lot of riding -but we did everything together - cross country, show jumping, showing and dressage, all with success, and I have had the type that required brave pants to get on board. I wouldn't buy another one without ensuring it was HWSS/D tested. Miss having one but good ones are hard to find.
 
I have a 15.2hh connie x tb (very much more a connie stamp), sharp and tense sometimes. Thrives on work, when I could work her properly she was a delight, still very spooky and hot but would give anything a go and very clever. When she was a handful, I just threw harder/more complicated work at her and it would keep her entertained. Never backed down from a challenge. Now she's semi retired due to physical issues (old lady legs), shes more of a nightmare as she's not allowed to do the work her brain needs, so throws in some mean spooks/spins and takes every opportunity to bog off instead. I'm 6ft, 12st 7 and she has never batted an eyelid at me, shes a wide saddle wise.

Michen, that walk is why people wont hack out with me! They cant keep up and I cant put a lid on her power walk without bunny hops and sideways canter 🤦🏻‍♀️

In conclusion... I'd have her again three times over, she's brilliant.
 
PonyIAmNotFood said:
I have a 15.2hh connie x tb (very much more a connie stamp), sharp and tense sometimes. Thrives on work, when I could work her properly she was a delight, still very spooky and hot but would give anything a go and very clever. When she was a handful, I just threw harder/more complicated work at her and it would keep her entertained. Never backed down from a challenge. Now she's semi retired due to physical issues (old lady legs), shes more of a nightmare as she's not allowed to do the work her brain needs, so throws in some mean spooks/spins and takes every opportunity to bog off instead. I'm 6ft, 12st 7 and she has never batted an eyelid at me, shes a wide saddle wise.

Michen, that walk is why people wont hack out with me! They cant keep up and I cant put a lid on her power walk without bunny hops and sideways canter 🤦🏻‍♀️

In conclusion... I'd have her again three times over, she's brilliant.
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Ha, yes the little head toss he does half way through is me suggesting he slows down a little and him telling me his opinion on that! I think so many people try and dull them down with calmers, gadgets etc and the key with these connies is as you say, hard and varied work.
 
Princess ponies in my experience very diva like and like everything just how they like it. Recently have contact with Eastlands ones they seem much more chilled and biddable than the one I owned for a while she was very much the Princess still is and has a willing servant in her owner now. Weight wise I would have thought they would be up to a weight of about 12 stone for an old fashioned chunky one but less for a very light weight sporty one
 
windand rain said:
Princess ponies in my experience very diva like and like everything just how they like it. Recently have contact with Eastlands ones they seem much more chilled and biddable than the one I owned for a while she was very much the Princess still is and has a willing servant in her owner now. Weight wise I would have thought they would be up to a weight of about 12 stone for an old fashioned chunky one but less for a very light weight sporty one
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Hahaha I have a Connie x ID/TB - she's actually called Princess for the reasons outlined in the previous posts.

Love her to bits but you need the patience of a saint to ride her 🙈
 
I have a Connie X. He’s 15hh and carries me at 5ft7 and 10st8 quite happily, although I wouldn’t go much heavier. He’s super to ride - perfect balance between exciting and fun but also sensible. Can be a total twerp on the ground and as a PP has said, likes everything to be just the way he wants it! Wouldn’t swap him for the world though x
 
My old fashioned chunky 14hh Connie was well up for carrying 12st for hours at a time. He was in a standard wide fit Ideal show saddle, and no you didn’t have to dislocate your hips to ride him.

Mine was awesome but it was very much his way or the highway! He could come off the lorry and do a medium level dressage test and score mid 70’s or he would come off and all you would get was rodeo, same with jumping, either you would get double clear round 3ft courses, or you’d be unable to get him over the practice fence and then he’d deck you!

He was a good doer but never a lami risk.
 
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I have a 14hh Connemara x. She is very wide XXW saddle but not heavily built otherwise. I weigh 8st and I wouldn’t put more than 9st on her. She is brilliant, clever, calm, fast and affectionate. Bombproof in traffic and hacks alone. I wouldn’t say she is sharp but if something surprises her she reacts sharply and has had me off a couple of times as a result.

She is a very good doer and I have to restrict her grazing in Spring and Summer.
 
I bough a connie cross last year,sound as a pound,great feet,dentist said she’s got the best mouth he’s seen in years,Chiropracter said she was the soundest horse she’d seen in months. Doing well in our 1st few dressage tests,needs more experience jumping seems capable but not overly bold. So easy to do in every way,very good doer(slightly fat!) fully cliipped in winter,lived out 24/7 with minimal rugging. About 15.1hh & chunky but doesn’t feel wide to ride,built a bit high behind but doesn’t ride downhill at all. Very smart on flat,slightly sassy at times,quick learner,can be buzzy & sharp but never dangerous,real trier,bloody know it all when in season! Best thing I’ve ever bought,restored my faith after 2 disasters with other horses,everyone who knows her adores her.
 
We have had several Connie’s and they do very differ in appearance and attitude. One 14.2hh is competing at BE100 and is an absolute star - quite fine and looks almost Arab like but in xxw saddle, good doer, forward but sane and very very kind. Another is 14.2hh 3 year we got from Ireland this year, much stockier and would carry more weight but also much sharper and very bold! The other is a little dun colt who is again lighter build standing 13.3hh at 2 1/2yrs is as chilled as they come. If you line the three of them up you wouldn’t say they were all the same breed!!
 
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