Tell me about Connemaras

Honey Pony

Honey Pony

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Hi am thinking (read probably bought) a Connie. She is by Fenrose Murphy. She will be my first Connie. She is 4 and just broken, she seems very quiet. Can anyone tell me more about Connies in general and her bloodlines?
 
Connemaras; lovely ponies - more like small horses really, most can really move and jump and are generally very kind and trainable. We have one over-height (he's 15.1hh) that is used for film and demo work, for nervous riders to "pose" on for films, does any job and is totally reliable no matter what is going on around him. He jousts, does dressage to Medium, jumps a course of fences, has hunted and jumped through fire. Best little horsies ever.
 
I'm pretty new to a Connie, had him 9months was same as ur 4and backed. Hes like a little horse, jumps amazing, nice mover, brave, nothing fazes him. I totally fallen with the breed.
 
They are a fabulous breed, very hardy, good doers, in general, and are total machines across country and show jumping. Can be tough enough to ride initially, but you dont have to worry about that. Their strength and stamina are amazing, and in general, their temprement is fantastic. Had a few temple breadys over the years, they really are super, you will have great fun. they can be strong, but not in a bad way, unless you are a total beginner. I couldnt reccommend them highly enough!!!
Best of luck with your new purchase!!
 
My connie was a nightmare & put me off them for life but I think I got a dodgy model! (Did love him to pieces though :o)
Something that is very true, is that you need to bond with them and get them "on your side" - otherwise you'll get nowhere as they are incredibly stubborn if they don't want to do something. It seems a lot of connies have issues when it comes to water (mine certainly did) but not all of them are like that. They are incredibly intelligent - this can work both ways! If they are in the mood, they will do anything for you and do it brilliantly. If not, they will do everything in their power to get out of doing what you're asking them, and will do it cleverly - and they can have fantastic tantrums! ;) Connies generally have an amazing jump (mine jumped 5 bar gates from stand still on an almost daily basis as I went to catch him), are agile (mine wasn't!) , gorgeous and a lot of fun. My connie was very much a "give an inch, take a mile" type so had to be very careful with that, he took advantage wherever he could. Extremely good doers, put on weight just looking at food.
Connies do tend to have brilliant ground manners though - couldn't fault his, he was always an angel to handle and stood for hours to be pampered!
 
In general hardy, talented jumpers, loyal but can take a while to get them on your side.

Mine can be stubborn and opinionated, but is the best jumper I have owned and is a fab little hunter, and still going strong at 17yrs.
 
They are VERY intelligent. Way too clever for a horse, as such I'm not sure they make the best first horses particularly for kids. But if you can handle that, then you can't do better.
 
I have one, had him since he was 51/2, my first horse/pony he has taught me so much, we have a fabulous bond, he does everything I ask him to do, loves to be worked, hates time off, and loves a routine !


He rides very much like a horse even though hes only 14.1, everyone tells me he would be dangerous if he was any bigger lol

Id have one again !
 
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I have (in my opinion :p) the best connemara in the world. We've been together 13 years, and have gone from being a baby horse and rider to a 2* event combination.

Sure, we'll never be winning after dressage (hell, top 5 is a massive achievement) because he can't 'do' flashy - but is workmanlike and obedient. He knows what the tiniest shift in my body means, and how to react, but more importantly for me, he gives every last ounce of effort.

The horse on the right is 15 hands. The horse on the left is an advanced eventer who just happens to be a connemara.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/AyQglTmCcAAbULW.jpg:large
Willy tackling a 2* course.
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/s720x720/547362_361561053904494_1228340477_n.jpg

One of the issues I have had is getting a saddle that fits us both (since technically I'm too tall) I've just gotten a CWD (model SEMI-DEEP 2G CONTACT SADDLE according to the website) which is great for a pony!
 
I have a Connie x ID she is very nice but sooo laaaaazy at times. Nice mover when she gets going though.

It's funny because generally when I see pictures of pure Connemaras they are jumping HUGE heights (DGevening backing this theory up right there!). I tell my mare this but she ignores me. Pfffft.
 
I also have a Connie, even though he is an over-grown one at 15hh. Only owned him a few months, and I bought him from a fellow HHO-er.
He is the most loving, cheeky, fast and fun pony I have ever ridden, but he learns quickly and has fantastic personality. :D
 
I have a 14.1hh 5yo Connemara Gelding.
I definitely had my work cut out when he first arrived though. He is highly intelligent, requires someone to appeal to his better nature and far too wise to go trusting any strangers. I had to be careful in not to make any mistakes and to be firm but kind in the first few months. I also never thought his stubborn, nervous and anti-everything attitude would change.

But to say I am now obsessed with him is an understatement. Once he could make sense of things and I helped him to see new things can be quite good fun, he has become a very loving, loyal and trusty pony. I couldn’t imagine having any other breed and he has one clingy mum and a home for life thanks to being such great pony.

Below is a picture of his second time in a school (we usually ride in a field). But he is just a dream. Not for the fainthearted, but a total dream!

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I love my lad, will go anywhere and do anything, far braver than I and brilliant on the road. Wouldn't say that many are children's ponies as they are far too intelligent but great for the competant rider.
Here's my boy...
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my daughter loves hers!! daughter is a tiny 11 yr old and pony is a slightly chubby 16yr old but daughter says she feels so safe on her, only had her since the beginning of summer.:) Someone has obviously put a lot of time into this mare at some point as she is so well mannered.:)
 
I have just bought a connie x ID/TB. Had never really come across Connies before but was offered her as a swap for my exmoor so jumped at the chance.
Went to the studs field to choose (she breeds pure connie's and connie crosses) and they all had amazing temperaments and were so pretty. Was spoilt for choice but fell in love with my girlie.
I'm not usually a fan of mares but have had mine home for 3 days and am already falling in love with her. She loves people and even though she has had next to no handling, she is rediculously easy to do! Already have her tied up, picking out feet and leading around the ménage. She learns so quickly as well! And has such lovely paces. If she carries on as good as she currently is during the backing process I would definitely have another!!
 
Thanks for all the info and the piccys. I haven't worked out how to do pictures yet! She will hopefully be my last pony as she is four and i am 53, and i want to do a bit of everything, so hopefully she will fit the bill.
 
I love mine to bits. He's not hugely trainable hates Dressage and schooling with a passion and will not help you out on the flat at all. He is the most difficult horse to ride on the flat I've ever sat on, a thought shared by others that have had a go and he very much has an opinion on everything. But he's taught me so so much and he'll never be sold.

However, get him on the XC course or out hunting and you couldn't wish for a better horse. I trust him implicitely and he helps me out no end. He's never had a fault XC and is the one everyone wants to follow out hunting. He's brave, he's bold and he's genuine.

On the ground he's a saint and he'd hack out all day, everyday without a quibble.
 
Honey Pony said:
Thanks for all the info and the piccys. I haven't worked out how to do pictures yet! She will hopefully be my last pony as she is four and i am 53, and i want to do a bit of everything, so hopefully she will fit the bill.
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It's a good age for your new one to settle in for a home for life :) Hope you have as much fun and enjoyment as I do with mine.
 
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