Cost of Connies

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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Wow! That was a bargain even 8 years ago!
OUr 18 year old.mare made £1,750.00 as a 2 year old through Clifden some 16 years ago 😁
 
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Just getting this one bumped again as I have a query…

What sort of price would you expect to pay for a 5yr old mare, currently a Broodmare and had a foal this year, backed last year but hasn’t done anything much really since. Class 1, being sold on weaning the foal (so early spring as a late foal) overheight - 15.1/2 ish, is a carrier for HWSD (N/HWSD). I suspect the HWSD carrier bit will impact value or maybe not? Interested in her as a ridden horse for myself/daughter eventually! Nice temperament mare. Sold from the field. Glencarrig lines 😬

I’ve no idea re budget for Connie’s! I suspect she’ll be out of mine based on my limited research! x
 
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I’m trying to think how much mine will be worth but I think the prices are just nuts.
He is a dun 5 year old, pretty and the sporty type. Very nicely bred. But he’s had an intermittent education due to having colic surgery so is green. The colic surgery doesn’t affect him at all as it wasn’t really colic surgery - just open up, have a look, find no problems then close up - but he does have a small cosmetic only hernia.

I was thinking £8-9k?
 
Patterdale said:
I’m trying to think how much mine will be worth but I think the prices are just nuts.
He is a dun 5 year old, pretty and the sporty type. Very nicely bred. But he’s had an intermittent education due to having colic surgery so is green. The colic surgery doesn’t affect him at all as it wasn’t really colic surgery - just open up, have a look, find no problems then close up - but he does have a small cosmetic only hernia.

I was thinking £8-9k?
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He sounds beautiful 🤩 Thank you x
 
I will approach the owner but suspect she’ll be out of budget, are they considerably cheaper if they’ve not been backed? Or does it not make a lot of difference? Seen another 3yo that hasn’t done anything but again 15hh ish so over height (want 15.2 ish ideally). Owner was planning on keeping and backing in spring then selling but they may sell before.

I’d definitely consider something that hasn’t don’t much if from nice breeding but it’s a bit of a minefield as they are an expensive breed now, also wary of being caught out but unscrupulous sellers. Can anyone recommend anyone in the UK?
 
Bobthecob15 said:
Just getting this one bumped again as I have a query…

What sort of price would you expect to pay for a 5yr old mare, currently a Broodmare and had a foal this year, backed last year but hasn’t done anything much really since. Class 1, being sold on weaning the foal (so early spring as a late foal) overheight - 15.1/2 ish, is a carrier for HWSD (N/HWSD). I suspect the HWSD carrier bit will impact value or maybe not? Interested in her as a ridden horse for myself/daughter eventually! Nice temperament mare. Sold from the field. Glencarrig lines 😬

I’ve no idea re budget for Connie’s! I suspect she’ll be out of mine based on my limited research! x
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Being a carrier will certainly reduce her broodmare value, and the fact that she hasn’t been rebacked yet will reduce her value as a ridden horse. Depends on her quality and stamp, I’d say 4-5k as is
 
millikins said:
There is a very smart gelding on NFED, just backed for £6,500. Prices seem to be coming down for professional sellers so TheMule's estimate of 4-5K sounds reasonable.
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Wow he is absolutely beautiful that is a good price for him too 🥰
 
Bought my lad as an only slightly handled uncut yearling 22 years ago from a very well known breeder who had brought him over from Ireland at weaning to run on as a stallion. She sold him when it was obvious he would go overhight, he’s 15.2hh he was £1000 plus the gelding fee.
 
If she is nicely bred - sounds like she is with glencarrig lines - then I would say between 6- 8K. It is quite possible for an overheight to be graded class 1 as they are often graded at 3 and connie's sometimes grow until 8. I would see the fact that she has had a foal as a benefit. It means she hasn't been over worked too early. This is a common problem especially with ponies coming from Ireland. The HWSD status might affect her broodmare value slightly as realistically you should only breed her to a stallion with N/N status. As riding pony carrier status makes absolutely no difference. Carriers are never symptomatic.
 
Patterdale said:
I’m trying to think how much mine will be worth but I think the prices are just nuts.
He is a dun 5 year old, pretty and the sporty type. Very nicely bred. But he’s had an intermittent education due to having colic surgery so is green. The colic surgery doesn’t affect him at all as it wasn’t really colic surgery - just open up, have a look, find no problems then close up - but he does have a small cosmetic only hernia.

I was thinking £8-9k?
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I am still keeping an eye on prices and this does seem to be about right, with him being dun you'd probably get that even with a hernia (it wouldn't bother me for example as I wouldn't be showing, I'm looking more for an eventing type). Am I right in thinking though that he had a few behaviour issues that needed working through though? That might affect his price. He sounds lovely though :)

Bobthecob15 said:
Just getting this one bumped again as I have a query…

What sort of price would you expect to pay for a 5yr old mare, currently a Broodmare and had a foal this year, backed last year but hasn’t done anything much really since. Class 1, being sold on weaning the foal (so early spring as a late foal) overheight - 15.1/2 ish, is a carrier for HWSD (N/HWSD). I suspect the HWSD carrier bit will impact value or maybe not? Interested in her as a ridden horse for myself/daughter eventually! Nice temperament mare. Sold from the field. Glencarrig lines 😬

I’ve no idea re budget for Connie’s! I suspect she’ll be out of mine based on my limited research! x
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I would say about 6k but if she does have good lines then maybe a little more. Good time of year to buy really, prices seem to slowly be coming down.
 
Chippers1 said:
I am still keeping an eye on prices and this does seem to be about right, with him being dun you'd probably get that even with a hernia (it wouldn't bother me for example as I wouldn't be showing, I'm looking more for an eventing type). Am I right in thinking though that he had a few behaviour issues that needed working through though? That might affect his price. He sounds lovely though :)


I would say about 6k but if she does have good lines then maybe a little more. Good time of year to buy really, prices seem to slowly be coming down.
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Ok well she wants £8500 for her 😬 I mean it’s not wildly off what I thought but it seems a bit high considering she’s sold from the field but what do I know?!

She did say when she was broken that she was very easy and laid back but she didn’t show a huge aptitude for jumping…she would do it but it wasn’t obvious she was a natural. How much can you tell though at age 4? We’d want something that jumps really as my daughter is super keen. Is it something that comes with maturity?

Interesting to know if there are any particular Connie lines that are more known for their jumping ability?
 
Most connie's have a decent jump. It would be interesting to see her loose jumped, that will tell you if she has natural ability,and usually translates to under saddle,once they have established themselves on the flat.
Sparrow lines and silver shadow lines are excellent for jumping, but their aren't many connie's who can't jump if correctly produced.
 
First Frost said:
Most connie's have a decent jump. It would be interesting to see her loose jumped, that will tell you if she has natural ability,and usually translates to under saddle,once they have established themselves on the flat.
Sparrow lines and silver shadow lines are excellent for jumping, but their aren't many connie's who can't jump if correctly produced.
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Thank you, I’ll perhaps ask for some videos of her being backed etc and see if they have any. The lady that owns her is elderly and sent her away to be produced. I do have the info on the producer so could perhaps also ask her if she doesn’t mind too. She’s by Glencarrig Knignt out of a mare by Currachmore Cashel…my knowledge of Connie’s isn’t great but looks like very good show ring breeding but she’s over height.

Thanks for the tips re jumpers! I’d heard of Silver Shadow but hadn’t heard of Sparrow x
 
Bobthecob15 said:
Thank you, I’ll perhaps ask for some videos of her being backed etc and see if they have any. The lady that owns her is elderly and sent her away to be produced. I do have the info on the producer so could perhaps also ask her if she doesn’t mind too. She’s by Glencarrig Knignt out of a mare by Currachmore Cashel…my knowledge of Connie’s isn’t great but looks like very good show ring breeding but she’s over height.

Thanks for the tips re jumpers! I’d heard of Silver Shadow but hadn’t heard of Sparrow x
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Lovely breeding!
 
Marigold4 said:
Lovely breeding!
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I know I think that’s why her price is what it is! To be honest she’s not in a hurry to sell her anyway as she’s keeping her where she is until the foal is weaned in spring, so I don’t think she’d be moving much on price and to me it’s a bit much unless I’m missing something? It’s the top end of my budget to be honest!
 
Connemara are posh when I was growing up in Ireland they were always the type of horse that people priced higher compared to other pony’s/ horses. They went for like 10 thousand if they have a competition record , safe for teenagers to ride when I was a child ( I am in my mid twenties.) so I not surprised they are costing that much.
 
midnight Legend said:
Connemara are posh when I was growing up in Ireland they were always the type of horse that people priced higher compared to other pony’s/ horses. They went for like 10 thousand if they have a competition record , safe for teenagers to ride when I was a child ( I am in my mid twenties.) so I not surprised they are costing that much.
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They are absolutely beautiful 🤩

5 day clifden sale starts this week, going to have to sit on my hands I think as I’ve no idea really what I’d be looking at 😂 I’d want them all!

Does anyone know any good breeders or sellers to look up? Probably looking at a 3 or 4 year old ideally X
 
Glencarrrig Knight is wonderful! One of my previous ponies (some might remember baby dun) is of the same lines. My boy was 3rd at the 3 year old loose jumping in Clifden. He is 12 now and has become a fantastic allround pony with a fabulous temperament.

Kevin Reilly seems to have a good reputation in Ireland. Personally I would only buy unbroken from Ireland.
Emerald Irish in nottinghamshire import lovely ponies but they are expensive.
Chloe Cashmore in warwickshire is a useful contact.
 
First Frost said:
Glencarrrig Knight is wonderful! One of my previous ponies (some might remember baby dun) is of the same lines. My boy was 3rd at the 3 year old loose jumping in Clifden. He is 12 now and has become a fantastic allround pony with a fabulous temperament.
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I know I love the sound of his babies! Just wish this mare showed promise over jumps as I can’t justify her cost really if she isn’t what we want sadly.

Yes I’ve seen Kevin recommend a lot, I’ve never imported before so it’s a little scary! We don’t really have the facilities to start a horse at the moment I’d probably have to send away so that is a factor too, I was hoping to get something that we could get cracking with in spring next year really hence my interest in the mare.

Thanks all some useful advice x
 
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On a slightly different line of thought...

Would it be mad to get a foal?! Significantly cheaper but one has come up that could stay where he is on youngstock livery, its affordable, he'll have a herd of other babies and over 100 acres to play on and he'll make a good size I think (5 months old and not far off he same height as mum who is 14.2!)...and the most amazing temperament. I've had a warmblood foal before who I kept till age 6 so have done it in the past....!

...but then I think my daughter will need to move up to the next horse in the next 2 years or so so...! Do we keep saving for something more expensive or go for a baby?!
 
Bobthecob15 said:
On a slightly different line of thought...

Would it be mad to get a foal?! Significantly cheaper but one has come up that could stay where he is on youngstock livery, its affordable, he'll have a herd of other babies and over 100 acres to play on and he'll make a good size I think (5 months old and not far off he same height as mum who is 14.2!)...and the most amazing temperament. I've had a warmblood foal before who I kept till age 6 so have done it in the past....!

...but then I think my daughter will need to move up to the next horse in the next 2 years or so so...! Do we keep saving for something more expensive or go for a baby?!
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I think a lot can go wrong with babies (as I'm sure you are aware) and the vet bills may be more than you are saving by buying a foal. And don't forget that you will need to geld the foal and that can have expensive complications. And then add in the cost of youngstock livery. And the foal may not end up being the size or temperament you are looking for. I have bred my own connie x and I have to say it's turning out to be a very long and expensive wait to get her to an age when she can do something. Nothing has gone wrong, it just all adds up and takes time. I'm sure you know all this, but I'm just reminding you! I would say wait for the right adult connie to come up and be prepared to pay a good sum for it. I like the sound of the connie mare you originally suggested. Or go for a different breed that tends to be cheaper?
 
Marigold4 said:
I think a lot can go wrong with babies (as I'm sure you are aware) and the vet bills may be more than you are saving by buying a foal. And don't forget that you will need to geld the foal and that can have expensive complications. And then add in the cost of youngstock livery. And the foal may not end up being the size or temperament you are looking for. I have bred my own connie x and I have to say it's turning out to be a very long and expensive wait to get her to an age when she can do something. Nothing has gone wrong, it just all adds up and takes time. I'm sure you know all this, but I'm just reminding you! I would say wait for the right adult connie to come up and be prepared to pay a good sum for it. I like the sound of the connie mare you originally suggested. Or go for a different breed that tends to be cheaper?
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Yes you are quite right, it's never straightforward! Mine had several episodes of colic which proved to be costly even before she was of riding age...this was 20 years ago though. But things haven't changed, it's still costly and uncertain. I was just thinking outside the box!

Yep she is lovely but after talking to the lady who has her on livery at the moment it sounds like she is more for showing lines, she isn't very athletic and more of a 'chunky' stamp rather than a performance type which is what we are after. But I have a better idea of which stallions to look at now.

Yep will consider other things, we aren't in a rush so will keep saving the pennies and see what comes up x
 
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