he's 5 now, owned him for about a year. He's an overweight one, 15.2hh on his tip toes, but is a real pocket rocket and a very quick learner. Lovely nature, never had a mean incident. Cheeky, but full of character and very very sweet. Really fab all rounder, manages to take everything in his stride. Also cheap to keep - no hard feed needed as I said, cheeky but a quick learner and eager to please.. Can you tell I'm smitten? 
really fab breed, as are nearly all natives! xx
. I also exercised one for a year, hacked twice a week, and she was the only horse that had me off in 10 years! She was a little sharp now and again....
I say trade in your fancy warmbloods and have fun on a Connie! They are incredibly strong willed and if you give them an inch, they'll take a mile. I've had to learn to never give inches! Smartest breed I know, althought sometimes they use their powers for evil - tee hee. Enjoy!
He's not in hard work, granted - but it has shown he doesn't need it! xx
on the rare occasion he's been given hard feed due to a mix up on the livery yard, he's lost his head a bit
It's amazing how they can vary, my boy doesn't work hard either and also gets a mineral lick, but is still calmer when fed (as long as it's oat free). He's an odd chap I think.
and the slight problem with that is they seem to be very clever, and can quickly figure out a million different ways to not do what you want them to do (and manage to unscrew a pony proof lid on a horse ball, undo lickits and dunk them in water buckets and untie themselves). Although mine is very fast thinking and has got me out of allsorts of trouble, and once you've taught him something it seems to click (unless its poles 3 years later trotting poles are still scary but bsja fences arent ). So if you want to jump/xc and let them eat, they'll be your best friend, but mine gets bored very easily and will act like he's never been fed in his whole life if you leave him without food for two seconds. I wouldn't say mines the best ambassador for the breed after some of the comments I've had but he's had some nice comments too and the big bonus is he's 110% on the road (the only reason my mum would let me buy him )
He does get very itchy around this time of the year where the last of the winter coat is shedding and it's getting warmer with more flies around. I give him at least 45 mins grooming session a day, which is working, but it a long process. Dunno if that's a trait with Connies, IDs or just happens to be my boy
(we're working on manners though, so he's gotten better at "asking" for a scratch).
) but I had to make the sad decision to sell him when I went away to univeristy. Firstly I needed the money (I mean, no point having a flashy competition horse when I won't have the time or funds to compete) and secondly it would have meant my Grandad looking after him. He had already kicked my Grandad once and he suffers from arthritis in his shoulder so I just couldn't risk it, I'd rather be safe than sorry! So I made the hard decision to downsize and bought my lovely 14.2 Connemara X, Killakeen Sandy! I have since moved back from uni so time is not an issue but I am so glad that I did it, I still visit Diamond regulary and watch him compete but I am so much happier with Sandy!Littlelegs - funny, Charm was very weird about water when we first got her! And Ruby is a bit but with a little encouragement is going more readily now. Definitely not a breed you can bully into doing something though!
Also very food orientated...
