Cost of Connies

IrishMilo said:
Connies have always been popular, fashionable and the more expensive M&M. I've tried multiple times but don't gel with them. I have always found them stubborn and stuffy compared to Welshes and prone to issues like PSD and arthritis.
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To be fair, almost everything will feel stuffy in comparison with a Welsh D trotting out!
And very few other breeds have beautiful heads coupled with real presence and power, but the Welsh studbook does have health issues running through it too, and a lot of modern riders find Welsh a bit high-couraged.
If you admire Connemara natives but blench at the prices, probably worth looking at New Forest - a lot of physical similarity.
 
Exasperated said:
To be fair, almost everything will feel stuffy in comparison with a Welsh D trotting out!
And very few other breeds have beautiful heads coupled with real presence and power, but the Welsh studbook does have health issues running through it too, and a lot of modern riders find Welsh a bit high-couraged.
If you admire Connemara natives but blench at the prices, probably worth looking at New Forest - a lot of physical similarity.
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I do like NFs, never had one so never say never! I currently have a BRP (TB X Arab X Welsh)... now there's a combo!
 
pistolpete said:
I think what we perceive as stubborn is their really strong survival instinct and a desire to keep themselves safe. Can be very helpful at times!
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I actually totally agree with you (my last comment was tongue in cheek…). My boy has stopped before especially if we get to really boggy ground. If you’ve ridden on the New Forest you’ll understand why - they have a very strong sense of self preservation and know bogs can be lethal. The bogs in the forest can be indistinguishable from the surrounding ground; and deep, you wouldn’t want to ride into one. So I agree - to stop and refuse to move isn’t really stubborn they are usually trying to look after you and let you know something is amiss. Also, I do think stubbornness can be related to pain.
 
mustardsmum said:
I actually totally agree with you (my last comment was tongue in cheek…). My boy has stopped before especially if we get to really boggy ground. If you’ve ridden on the New Forest you’ll understand why - they have a very strong sense of self preservation and know bogs can be lethal. The bogs in the forest can be indistinguishable from the surrounding ground; and deep, you wouldn’t want to ride into one. So I agree - to stop and refuse to move isn’t really stubborn they are usually trying to look after you and let you know something is amiss. Also, I do think stubbornness can be related to pain.
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So pleased your pony is smart and listened to! I am lucky enough to have ridden on the forest it’s magical but can be dangerous too. My old warm blood would have had us in a bog in no time! Luckily I had a local guide!
 
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Gosh, that does seem expensive, OP. I bought my overheight class 1 dun mare as a 6 year old in 2016. Lightly shown in workers and beautifully, sensitively schooled. £6000. Even allowing for inflation, that's a big mark up to the price you quoted.
My girl's been an amazing family horse. Both kids have flown the nest now and I'm loving the hacking.
 
Exasperated said:
To be fair, almost everything will feel stuffy in comparison with a Welsh D trotting out!
And very few other breeds have beautiful heads coupled with real presence and power, but the Welsh studbook does have health issues running through it too, and a lot of modern riders find Welsh a bit high-couraged.
If you admire Connemara natives but blench at the prices, probably worth looking at New Forest - a lot of physical similarity.
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I love connies but ended up with new forests due to the price difference. However new forests are not so much the poor man's connemara any more the prices for those have gone up a lot since I got Homey in 2002. I had to pay what I considered a small fortune for Bertie. I was expecting to get a NF for around 5k but was completely shocked at how much the prices had gone up.

Small connies are rare nowadays and as an older small adult a smaller pony like Bertie is probably more suitable for me than the more powerful full 14.2 up connies. Hardly see the 13.2-14h connies now.

I did think about connies because the prices of new forests were almost the same but in the end got another bay forester.

I didn't think connemaras had a reputation for being stubborn. I thought they were more forward going and athletic and sharper off the leg. New Forests do have a reputation for being opionated and clever I don't think perhaps they are quite as easy a ride as a connemara.
 
There are a lot of generalisations being made. We have 2 Connie mares at home and they are chalk and cheese!
One is quite sharp and definitely not a mug's companion. Great if she's in regular work but bringing her back after even just a few days off can be 'interesting'.
The other is an absolute angel! Does absolutely everything you ask of her calmly and sensibly and always has a smile on her face.

Welsh in my experience are usually dramatic and those with knee action are s much less comfortable ride than the average Connemara. I have both and would take a Connemara over a Welsh D all day for competition purposes.
There are so many pure Connemaras in Eventing and WHP as they are the most athletic Native Breed we have
My eldest daughter did have a NF for a few years in her youth and he was an absolutely cracking hunter and jumper. He had his own opinions on matters - but tbh he was usually right 🤣

Both of our Connies are game and willing jumpers and I wouldn't describe either of them as.stubborn or stuffy.
 
minesadouble said:
There are a lot of generalisations being made. We have 2 Connie mares at home and they are chalk and cheese!
One is quite sharp and definitely not a mug's companion. Great if she's in regular work but bringing her back after even just a few days off can be 'interesting'.
The other is an absolute angel! Does absolutely everything you ask of her calmly and sensibly and always has a smile on her face.

Welsh in my experience are usually dramatic and those with knee action are s much less comfortable ride than the average Connemara. I have both and would take a Connemara over a Welsh D all day for competition purposes.
There are so many pure Connemaras in Eventing and WHP as they are the most athletic Native Breed we have
My eldest daughter did have a NF for a few years in her youth and he was an absolutely cracking hunter and jumper. He had his own opinions on matters - but tbh he was usually right 🤣

Both of our Connies are game and willing jumpers and I wouldn't describe either of them as.stubborn or stuffy.
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I like all the ones I’ve come across so far. Definitely not dull!
 
SO1 said:
Small connies are rare nowadays and as an older small adult a smaller pony like Bertie is probably more suitable for me than the more powerful full 14.2 up connies. Hardly see the 13.2-14h connies now.
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Showing types have to be! Anything over 14.2 isn't correct breed standard. I see plenty out and about, connie classes always full to bursting locally, with the over-height ones "relegated" to working hunter 😂
 
pistolpete said:
Im so lucky one of my share horses is a smashing 15.2 over height Connie. Love riding him. Hes great fun and still very fit even though he’s 22.
There’s a five year old for sale on my friends yard and I casually asked the price. Couldn’t buy him if I wanted to but was gob smacked how expensive they are. He’s done about what you’d expect of a five year old. Maybe a bit too much jumping for my liking but he’s a nicely put together little chap about 15 hands
£14250! I’m guessing this is going price? Glad I’m not in the market for one.
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There's one round here, sounds similar, was advertised at 16k in the autumn, AFAIA she's still got him.

Connies do seem to be the most expensive native ponies by a fair way but I think these prices are ridiculous, they've missed the boat completely.
 
HayleyUK said:
I know a green 7/8yo, very sensible - I’d describe it as a bit dull and boring. Had done a season of RC showing with a child after being backed very late.
Wasn’t particularly talented or interested in jumping.

£17k and it sold.
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Blimey! 🤪
 
IrishMilo said:
I do like NFs, never had one so never say never! I currently have a BRP (TB X Arab X Welsh)... now there's a combo!
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Peglo said:
Oh I have one too. With 1/8th ID in there as well (the only sensible bit? 😂 ) she’s got brains but can be so silly 😂
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There are probably more about than you might think.
I bred a filly foal in 1991. She was by an Anglo Arab out of a TB xWelsh Cob mare
and
she was chestnut.
I had her for all her life until she was PTS at 27
 
Connie prices are mad now. I don’t want another one because no connie would ever live up to my much missed and practically perfect Connie but even if I wanted to I couldn’t. When I bought him 13 years ago it was £8.5k for a 10 year old with excellent breeding, who had been around WH tracks at HOYS, RIHS etc and was bombproof, perfectly mannered with no vices. Now…. I dread to think the cost.
 
NinjaPony said:
I don’t want another one because no connie would ever live up to my much missed and practically perfect Connie but even if I wanted to I couldn’t.
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This is how I feel...in some ways I would absolutely love another 15 hander but then I realise that what I want is Finn reincarnated!
Still a huge admirer of the breed but a steady hacking cob is all I need right now and I certainly couldn't afford another Connie.
 
We tried a lovely 7 year old Connie mare earlier in the year who was initially for loan but the owners decided to sell and we couldn't stretch to the 14k they wanted.

A family on our yard paid 10k for a newly backed 5 year old gelding last year because they were advised to get a Connie as a first pony but he unfortunately seems to be one of the neurotic ones and they have struggled with him a bit .
 
I love connies and I am keeping an eye out for possibly getting another and I am baffled by the prices! I can't afford anything that is 'made' so have been looking at 4 year olds and the prices are still bonkers.
My connie cost £2500, 8 years ago and he is the best :) I wish they were still similarly priced!
 
Chippers1 said:
I love connies and I am keeping an eye out for possibly getting another and I am baffled by the prices! I can't afford anything that is 'made' so have been looking at 4 year olds and the prices are still bonkers.
My connie cost £2500, 8 years ago and he is the best :) I wish they were still similarly priced!
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Be lucky to get a foal for that now!
 
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