Moving onto Connemaras

[mickygem]

Hi, so as the title says, we've moved onto Connemaras from the Welsh breeds due to my child refusing to stop growing!!

As newbies to this beautiful breed I would very much appreciate your thoughts on this boy, in brief he is just turned six, not officially measured yet but he's no wither and is dead on 14h, on the stick, pedigree attached with lots of pics (apologies ) backed late last year so has a bit of maturing all round to do but so far very sweet temperament and so willing to learn. My son (age 12) will hopefully be doing a bit of everything with him as this breed is so versatile but definitely would like to carry on in BSPS (workers & Ridden). No lumps or bumps, just a lovely clean green pony but seeing as my Connie eye is not yet tuned, I'd really like some feedback with many thanks in advance for info re conformation and this breed line.

Many Thanks, Gem

 

[Marigold4]

I have two connies and adore the breed. He looks like a great example and I'm sure your son will have a lot of fun wnd success with this pony. One thing I would say is that some connies, but not all, connies can get a bit anxious. If that happens to be the case with yours, work through it with empathy and time. They are often not "kick along" ponies, but if treated with respect and understanding are talented, big hearted, loyal and affectionate.

 

[LaurenBobby]

Beautiful pony, I absolutely love connies! MY boy is ISH with no recorded breeding, but I think, and a few people have said that he has some connie in him Hope youre stocked up on the shampoo

 

[Yeomans]

I have a 9 year old Connie that I bought as a 6 year old and he was 14.1h when I bought him but has grown to 14.2h so yours may grow a bit more. I too always had Section D's but a friend recommended a Connie and I went and saw him and bought him within an hour. He has the most lovely temperament but can be sharp and tends to pick up on my feelings. He does a bit of everything and is always eager, so I would recommend a Connie and hope that you have many years of good fortune.

 

[Wheels]

He is an absolutely cracking looking pony!

nice, old fashioned type which is what I like and what I have. Mine is 6 too and he really is a go anywhere and do anything type of pony. He is the pony I wish I had had as a young person but could never afford.

I am sure your son will have a lot of fun with him either whatever he decides to do.

 

[only_me]

He's a lovely type, will do well in showing I'd imagine as well as do whatever else you want to do!

Abbeyleix Fionn was in my last ponies breeding, he had a cracker of a jump but was tricky as a young pony. Once those issues were sorted he was fab, but did take a lot of perseverance! Never found connies to be that anxious/nervy, found the opposite actually lol

 

[poiuytrewq]

Gorgeous. We had a x once he was amazing

 

[sportsmansB]

Connies can be a bit like mini sport horses - some are spooky, and they can be a bit stubborn. Just make sure that as much as you can you make every 'first' experience a good one. They are too smart to keep repeating things which don't go well for them (!) - so start off small, concrete the experience, then move up. Even if he has done more before, it will pay to take your time. I know that could be said for any horse / pony, but I personally have found it definitely applies to these guys.

 

[Green Bean]

Connies are a lovely breed. Just a bit concerned over the height and your son. i don't think you will get much time with the Connie if he is only 14hh. I would have thought you should be looking for something over 15hh so that your son can develop a long term partnership rather than a year or two.

 

[conniegirl]

He is lovely, however for me he lacks a bit of bone. I'd be tempted to see how he looks plaited and shown as a hunter pony.

Connies are a lovely breed. Just a bit concerned over the height and your son. i don't think you will get much time with the Connie if he is only 14hh. I would have thought you should be looking for something over 15hh so that your son can develop a long term partnership rather than a year or two.

if the child went onto something over 15hh he would not be able to go showing for a few years as over 15hh puts him out of the pony classes but most of the horse classes have a minimum age on them. Connies also take up the leg quite well, I had a 14hh connie and my 6ft2 brother rode him quite comfortably.

 

[be positive]

Connies are a lovely breed. Just a bit concerned over the height and your son. i don't think you will get much time with the Connie if he is only 14hh. I would have thought you should be looking for something over 15hh so that your son can develop a long term partnership rather than a year or two.

An overheight native is not much use for showing, most have to be under 14.2 , the average 12 year old will not have the need to be on a pony over 14.2 and from the photos he should be able to ride it for some time, I don't like the idea of buying what they may need in the future there is no point to over horse them in order to prevent having to sell and buy again, plenty of children give up if riding is too tough, many change direction with their riding so keep things uncomplicated and let them enjoy being a child on a suitably sized pony while they can.

 

[tda]

I've known some very quirky ones, but a good native pony in a decent amount of work will be better behaved 😁
I wouldn't worry too much about the height, they take up the leg really well.
He looks nice btw, proper pony 😍

 

[Pinkvboots]

Really nice pony I think it's an ideal size for a 12 year old, my friend has just loaned a 14h show pony for her 12 year old daughter, I am 5"6 and I would ride a 14h pony.

 

[oldie48]

Super pony! We've had a couple bought as 5 yr olds and they both put on muscle and substance over time, not necessarily height though. Both were inteliigent, fairly sharp but kind and super talented jumpers. Flatwork was more challenging as both pones and daughter were novices but it really paid dividends having some professional help right from the start so they didn't get any bad habits. Your son (or you) may be able to do the work but we found both of ours adept at finding evasions although they weren't "naughty" or nasty, just clever. As said, they do take up the leg, especially when they are muscled up a bit more. My daughter was 5'9" on a 14.2 when she moved on to horses aged 15, sad day but she'd had an absolute ball for 5 years! Good luck with your pony, he is very smart.

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

All I can add to the above is get him checked for HWSD which us a problem in the Connemara breed. A DNA test will show if his bloodlines have it, could save a lot of heartache later on.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

Gorgeous, wish I was young again, would love a pony like him.

 

[Wheels]

All I can add to the above is get him checked for HWSD which us a problem in the Connemara breed. A DNA test will show if his bloodlines have it, could save a lot of heartache later on.

Would it not already be very apparent in a 6 year old whether he has it or not?

If he is a gelding then obviously even if he is a carrier it's not going to get passed on?

 

[mickygem]

Beautiful pony, I absolutely love connies! MY boy is ISH with no recorded breeding, but I think, and a few people have said that he has some connie in him Hope youre stocked up on the shampoo

HAHA Yes !!! just got back from RI with a bag full of Shapleys, I'm such a sucker lol. Our last pony had no breeding either but he and my son had the most wonderful 3 years doing bsps workers

 

[mickygem]

Gorgeous, wish I was young again, would love a pony like him.

aww Erin, thank you what a lovely comment

 

[Wheels]

Gorgeous, wish I was young again, would love a pony like him.

Lol I'm not young anymore but I do have a pony like this

 

[mickygem]

Would it not already be very apparent in a 6 year old whether he has it or not?

If he is a gelding then obviously even if he is a carrier it's not going to get passed on?

His parents are clear but he has not yet been tested and although he has good strong feet it's mostdefinitely on my list of things to do sooner rather than later

 

[mickygem]

Lol I'm not young anymore but I do have a pony like this

A very good friend of mine is in her late 70's, she had a connie and came over from Ireland last week to meet him ... she's bringing her hat next time hee hee

 

[mickygem]

All I can add to the above is get him checked for HWSD which us a problem in the Connemara breed. A DNA test will show if his bloodlines have it, could save a lot of heartache later on.

Good heads up! and yes on my list of things to do although both parents are clear and the first thing I liked about him was his good strong feet so fingers crossed

 

[mickygem]

Really nice pony I think it's an ideal size for a 12 year old, my friend has just loaned a 14h show pony for her 12 year old daughter, I am 5"6 and I would ride a 14h pony.

Yes we've just gone from 12.2 to 14h a big jump up but I think the picture looks great, just praying he slows his growing down a bit now although i'm small enough to ride him so he may be a keeper hee hee

 

[mickygem]

I have two connies and adore the breed. He looks like a great example and I'm sure your son will have a lot of fun wnd success with this pony. One thing I would say is that some connies, but not all, connies can get a bit anxious. If that happens to be the case with yours, work through it with empathy and time. They are often not "kick along" ponies, but if treated with respect and understanding are talented, big hearted, loyal and affectionate.

Thanks so much for your reply, yes he has the sweetest nature but does look to me for reassurance, i'm a big softy in a yes but you can do this kind of way, I'd rather take time than put him under pressure, it always pays off in the long run ehh

 

[mickygem]

I have a 9 year old Connie that I bought as a 6 year old and he was 14.1h when I bought him but has grown to 14.2h so yours may grow a bit more. I too always had Section D's but a friend recommended a Connie and I went and saw him and bought him within an hour. He has the most lovely temperament but can be sharp and tends to pick up on my feelings. He does a bit of everything and is always eager, so I would recommend a Connie and hope that you have many years of good fortune.

Thanks Yeomans, i'm a bit smitten already, he wasn't even for sale I saw him stood in the field from behind, think I fell for his lovely bottom, then when I got closer he just seemed so lovely. Funny how things work out

 

[mickygem]

He is lovely, however for me he lacks a bit of bone. I'd be tempted to see how he looks plaited and shown as a hunter pony.

Thanks Conniegirl, whilst we were pure plaited workers with our last pony, this chap is so versatile we hope to do a bit of everything (boys like my son like to be entertained ) had the tape on him, he's 19.5 cm bone but agree he has a sporty look but quite old fashioned stamp in some respects, I think as he matures he will look better. we have a dreamboat of a young connie on our yard who has masses of bone but at 4 he's already 14.2 and growing it's hard to get the balance ehh.

 

[windand rain]

he is lovely my experiences of connies is I would not have another but have loved the ones I have owned for their "Personality". they seem to come in two types a least, sporty (divas) and a bit solid and predictable (boring) but their fans seem to love whichever type they own

 

[Ambers Echo]

Dolly is a Connie and is an awesome pony. A fab blend of talent and trainability with the loveliest temperament.
I totally agree with buying the right height for now and not worrying about the future. Jenny has been outgrown quite quickly but I don't in any way regret getting her. She has been perfect for Izzy.

 

[FinnBobs]

He's gorgeous and has some of the same ponies in his breeding as my boy. I love Connemara's! I've had two - one years ago when I was a teen and my current overgrown one. I find they provide just the right amount of challenge for me and once you have built up a partnership they will try really hard for you. I don't think I would want anything other than a Connie or Connie x.