views on Connemaras, please.

Foresters are fab little dressage ponies and you could always go for the slightly sleeker 'sportshorse' type (for want of a better phrase as they do exist). Too smart for their own good sometimes though!

Nice to see a RDA rider on the board too - I'm a volunteer :)
 
Any of the large breeds would be suitable as long as the temperament was right, and all the breeds have quieter and sharper lines in them so important to look at this. Connies can be much wider than they look, certainly wider than some fells and highlands. Foresters may be a little narrower but some lines can be sharp. Best to look around and take note of the breeds and bloodlines that are maybe doing well in the native breed performance competitions. Most if not all of the breed societies will run points schemes throughout the year, these include all competitions not just showing. Some of the show ones will be quite bright - that's why the win!
 
khalswitz said:
I would imagine a haffie would be too wide for the op?? They are usually as wide or wider than highlands!
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Yes, tried a Haflinger at the first RDA group I went to but too wide in the wrong place. I did manage fine on the Highland and really liked her but then finished with the bloke who owned her so that was that (hasten to add this was before I got married! Just in case OH joins the forum).

I also did my riding and road safety on a Fell who I found VERY comfortable and same with the Section D I mentioned, but then others which LOOK narrower have been more painful,it all depends whereabouts on my legs the width hits.

I would prefer a British Native really, hopefully in the future enter the dressage classes for natives and do endurance/trec/pleasure rides alongside the RDA competitions. Or if I get REALLY ambitious M&M and Working Hunter classes for natives depending on how well my balance copes with jumping higher fences (bearing in mind that I can fall over just standing!)
 
oldie48 said:
With regard to keeping greys clean, we used to clip our grey out completely, then the dirt rolled off with a wet sponge. the dun we had was brilliant as basically she was mud coloured!
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That's why I like the duns-----stable stain coloured to start with! Only kidding, I adore them and the roans, maybe it is because they have a more old-fashioned look, I seem to remember a lot more duns and roans around when I was a kiddie.
 
Faracat said:
If you buy a Connie, make sure it has good hooves. Connies can suffer from HWSS (hoof wall separation syndrome) a genetic problem that causes the hoof wall to crumble and break away.
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Thank you for telling me that, it is useful to know. I knew that Fells can suffer from a form of auto-immune problem but I didn't know that about Connie hooves. Is there a test for it at vetting stage?
 
I think that a genetic link has been identified for HWSS, there's plenty of info on the net if you are worried. In any case the disease can present itself very early on (as early as 3 months), it's highly unlikely you'd find a sound (ridden) connie with this affliction. I've had 2 Connemaras - a stallion and now have a filly, imo they are amazing. Having said that I think a lot of native breeds are pretty amazing too :)
 
Connie for me all the way. My first horse I learnt properly on was a connie mare, she was beautiful to look at, calm, not mareish at all, and was a giving loving pony. I love Connie's personally.
 
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