Connemaras...thoughts?

V

vikalina83

Member
Joined
10 November 2010
Messages
18
Visit site
I am going back for a second viewing of a 15 yr old 14.2hh Connemara tomorrow... any thoughts on what this breed is like as a first horse? She is well schooled and seems calm enough, but I don't have any experience of connies so thought I'd ask the experts!:)
 
Connemaras are often the most wonderful little horses, but like any other breed, there are individuals which can be the exact opposite. At 15 years of age I'd expect a "been there; done that" sort of pony, but only trying this pony out will tell you what you want to know.
 
Thank you, yes she rides beautifully.. I am just so used to big chunky cobs that she looks so dainty in comparison! I've heard that they are hardy live out types though... is this true?
 
Take a good look at the feet and if they are peeling at the bottom leave it there. Some Connemaras have a genetic defect, Hoof Separation Syndrome I think it's called.

My friend's Connie is a fabulous pony, so is the one I recommended another friend to buy for his daughter's first pony. (Though it took her a little while to realise that she had to be the leader, not the pony!) Most of them seem to really jump!
 
Connemaras and Connemara x TBs are the most fantastic animals ever! I've never had a bad Connie or known any (although there must be the odd one out there that isn't what it says on the tin)
 
Have a large stubborn streak but generally not nasty types, get them on side and they will try any thing for you. Very cleaver, mine needs regular work or he becomes destructive but he is a lot younger than yours. Mine changes depending on the rider, loves looking after kids and doing lead rein stuff, doesnt like any one thats a bit full of them selves and cant back it up and will step it up to a real competition pony if you ask him properly.

Be prepared for them to test boundaries, set the rules firm but fair early on and you will have a well mannered easy to handle pony (we stood watching the fireworks tonight :D). They also have a sense of humor so life is never dull!
 
Second dafthoss. Mine is only a couple of years younger than the one you're out to try. She's extremely loyal and would bend over backwards to help me out. She's the most loving animal I've ever come across. She's got a cracking pop on her, HOWEVER her stubborn streak is the width of the atlantic ocean. If she doesn't want to do something then you really will not EVER make her do it. She's had her fair share of unhappy homes, and she's caused a lot of trouble, but she's an angel now and I honestly would not trade her for the world. Had her 6 years now. She's conny x tb.
 
dafthoss said:
Have a large stubborn streak but generally not nasty types, get them on side and they will try any thing for you. Very cleaver, mine needs regular work or he becomes destructive but he is a lot younger than yours. Mine changes depending on the rider, loves looking after kids and doing lead rein stuff, doesnt like any one thats a bit full of them selves and cant back it up and will step it up to a real competition pony if you ask him properly.

Be prepared for them to test boundaries, set the rules firm but fair early on and you will have a well mannered easy to handle pony (we stood watching the fireworks tonight :D). They also have a sense of humor so life is never dull!
Click to expand...

This. Mine is very opinionated - he doesn't like schooling and will not do a dressage test - he finds it boring and so make's up his own entertainment. He is however the most fablous little hunter, jumps everything off any stride will lead over anything and I trust him 100%. He hacks out now as well (was an arse on the road for a few years) but now he's trained me to ride as he wants me to ride, which involves me letting him have his head and putting it exactly where he wants it, schooling a maximum of once a week and letting him jump from entirely his own rhythm without interupting he's fabulous. Can you tell who decides what we do - it's taken me five years to learn to ride him and he is certainly a law unto his own and until you know how to ride him it can be a slightly hair raising experience. :rolleyes:

He is however, thoroughly genuine, will try his heart out for me and has never ever stopped XC or Hunting, regardless of how stupid a request I make :eek: As a pony that's bl**dy good fun and 100% trustworthy I wouldn't want anything else. I have however, got another youngster I'm bringing on to do Dressage - one that actually tries to help me out a bit in the Dressage ring - one that actually enjoys shooling and one that's no-where near as bold XC! ;)

His passport states his "use" as hunting - and whoever filled it in - was certainly right!
 
From reading that article it seems as though the hoof wall separation would be apparent in a horse from a youngster?

I had a super connie, that I tragically lost last year aged 12, he was one in a million, he would literally go anywhere I asked him and I've never felt safer on a horse. I had him from a 5 year old. I've now got a super connie x tb, who is 15, he has sadly just been diagnosed with cushings but I'm hoping he is going to make a good recovery now we've started on prascend as he is another super example of how loyal and kind connies are. Both of my boys have had a sense of humour and an opinion though and both of them chewed anything left lying around, and the mare my old boy was out of was exactly the same, they used to joke that she wasn't happy unless she had something to chew on!

I'd definitely have another connie. I've owned lots of different pony types and native breeds but there is something about connies, they have an extra bit of something special. :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top