Pictures Young connemara question - any advice?

[Mumofhorsemadson]

 

[Mumofhorsemadson]

Having looked at my post I wanted to add a couple more things. In the 6 months we have had this pony (hes's 14.2) he has improved loads. When he arrived he was very unsure and only worked on one rein. I have been told that Connies mature late and he will speed up when he's sure and a bit more mature. He is very green but not silly. He is surprisingly lazy for a young horse but when he gets in gear he's great. I am wondering if he will always be a bit lazy and what we can do to get him a bit more excited and sped up.

 

[Mumofhorsemadson]

Hello, apologies if this is not the right forum for this, I have only just joined. I was wondering if someone has any advice for me. I bought a young Connemara for my son 6 months ago. He's a lovely pony, no vice, easy to do and quiet natured. I bought from a breeder in Ireland and saw videos of him jumping and hunting. My son only 13 but a competant rider and has competed up national level and hunted out with adults for some years. He loves this pony who is only just 5 but he finds him slow. We knew this would be project and we have taken on other 'project' style horses before including rehabilitating a pony stallion to pony club pro so we weren't to daunted by a young horse. I choose a connemara as my son loves hunting and jumping 1m+ and we wanted something tough and could live out. The pony can really jump and can clear 1.20m with ease, he loves hunting but he is slow when jumping, he struggles to get up serious speed and maintain it. We ride him 4 times a week and do a variety of road work and schooling work but even after 6 months he struggles to maintain a fast enough canter. Out hunting he's much faster and it's not a problem although there hasn't been any jumping so far this season. Is this particular to young connemaras or is there a schooling exercise I can do to try and help him? Sorry I have got these posts in the wrong order this one is first then I added the extra bit which is now above, just getting to grips with the forum.

 

[gallopingby]

what are you feeding him? Connies are late maturing, if he’s been ridden a lot he may just be lacking energy. Have you thought of turning him away for a few weeks rest? Not all connies are super speedy, it depends on bloodlines. Although there is a growing perception that they are increasingly ‘quirky performance animals’ this is not true for all. They used to be the sensible family workhorse. Sorry but l don’t think you can make a steady pony consistently turbo charged although as matures up to 7/8 years he may pick up stamina.

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

Agree with above. Connemaras do mature late. What had this pony done before you got him? How is their flat schooling?

I would dial back the jumping, 5 is young for any breed to be jumping loads. I would focus on the schooling to provide the pony with the muscle and suppleness to comfortably jump. The power required for speed will come with the schooling.
There’s also the chance that the pony is a bit sour in the school.

Whilst mine wasn’t as young as 5, schooling wise she was very immature. I jumped once a month in a clinic to work on technique and to give her a bit of no pressure fun. The rest of the time it was flat schooling with poles and loads and loads of hacking up and down hills.

 

[Mumofhorsemadson]

Feed wise he's out on grass supplimented with hay and hard food (usually either alpha alpha or performance mix and pony nuts plus some everyday vits). When he came he was pretty thin and under muscled. He has built up muscle and some top line over the summer well. He loves hacking and hunting and will go for miles. I do find him a bit sour in the arena, I sense he just doesn't love poles and schooling and gets bored quite quickly. I don't think he had done much before we got him. I think hard broken and some XC and hunting and up for sale. He is now able to transition fairly smoothly but has little impulsion on the trot and canter, both are very relaxed but not very speedy although are markedly better than a few months ago. I will take on board giving him a break as he has been worked hard over lock down as my son rode a lot after he'd done his school work.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

All horses mature late. There is no such thing as early maturing breeds and late maturing breeds.

Timing and Rate of skeletal maturation in Horses ©2005 By Deb Bennett, Ph.D. All Horses of All Breeds Mature Skeletally at the Same Rate There is no such thing as an 'early maturing' or 'slow maturing' breed of horse. Let me repeat that: no horse on earth, of any breed, at any time, is or has ever been mature before the age of six (plus or minus six months).

 

[HobleytheTB]

It might be worth getting a decent physio to check him over (with vets permission). He may have a few tight spots as he's still young and has done a fair bit of work/ changing shape etc.

 

[TotalMadgeness]

My young connie seemed to be lazy under saddle but eventually he turned out to have stifle joint issues (diagnosed at 6). However he definitely couldn't jump properly and even struggled with polework - so these were big red flags. For yours it might be an idea - once you've ruled out tack fit / teeth and maybe given him a break - to get a vet to check him over? He just might be a wee bit sore somewhere.

 

[stormox]

Once he's been hunted for a season he will probably be a bit faster. A bit of hunter trialling, or team chasing should get him enjoying being ridden.

 

[Mari]

That picture is a blooming big jump for a 5 yr old pony. Definitely needs more time at slower lower level to mature & enjoy learning. You can do plenty of training on hacks. I have a beautiful 14,2 Connemara that was owned by show jumpers from 1 yr old. She was absolutely hammered over jumps & round every competition going since 4 yrs old. Her back & legs have been so badly abused / damaged that she had to be retired at 8 yrs old.

 

[IrishMilo]

What a super jump on the pony and great little rider your son looks to be. My Connie was very sluggish and slow at 4. Once he got fit at five he became a firecracker.

 

[L&M]

I bought a 5 yr old connie for my 12 yr old son several years ago - he too insisted the pony was too slow for him, so we ended up swapping and he hunted my 15hh turbo powered cob instead. He then moved onto a connie x tb so had the jump and temperament of a connie, with the engine of a tb - marriage made in heaven!

However I got the last laugh though as this pony has turned out to be my horse of a lifetime and trust him with my life.

Anyhow, in answer to your post, we had a similar experience with ours as a youngster, he could be (and still is) not the fastest pony in the world, and is still quite lazy unless something motivates him. He will school obediently but without much enthusiasm, he will always jump clear in sj but definitely a kick along situation (although can turn on a sixpence so very handy in a jump off!). It took him him until around 7 before he could cope with cantering around the outside of the school, but would happily canter on a straight line out hunting as long as asked.

However put him in a wh class, take him on a x country course, or on a fun ride or hunting, he turns into a forward going, bouncy fun beast that pulls you into jumps......

So maybe it is just a matter of what finding out what 'motivates' yours ? Or ultimately if your son decides the pony is not for him, I am sure there are plenty of other people he would suit, and he could move onto a faster model.

 

[Michen]

Ha, well I remember saying about my (absolute pocket rocket, sharp as anything, speed demon adrenalin junkie) connemara when he first arrived undermuscled, weak etc that he was too steady and boring. That soon changed!

My other connie, 4 year old, is backwards and lazy in the school (of which I've done very little of). So I forgot the schooling for a bit, have done loads of hacking and autumn hunting and he's so forward and peppy I know it's in him and now can start to apply that a bit in the school. Plus I have a horse whose loving life and keen to work which I think is really important with these clever on ponies, you sort of need to get them on side a bit.

Sounds like he's doing quite a bit for a 5 yo- mine didn't see a fence that size until he was 6, nearly 7.

 

[IrishMilo]

That picture is a blooming big jump for a 5 yr old pony. Definitely needs more time at slower lower level to mature & enjoy learning. You can do plenty of training on hacks. I have a beautiful 14,2 Connemara that was owned by show jumpers from 1 yr old. She was absolutely hammered over jumps & round every competition going since 4 yrs old. Her back & legs have been so badly abused / damaged that she had to be retired at 8 yrs old.

It’s about a metre that the pony is clearing easily. Hardly doing the Puissance...

Mine used to clear a 5ft stable door from a standstill so it’s not exactly an effort.

It’s not for you to tell someone how big or how often someone should jump their horse.

 

[wispagold]

I've had 3 full Connie's and all totally different. One was extremely lazy and chilled. We got him as a 5 year old and he never really changed. He didn't particularly like jumping and ended up being sold to a very nervous child who he was prefect for. Second one was total opposite and was a real whizz. Cracking jumping pony. Jumped anything xc, struggled with dressage. Was a brilliant tetrathlon pony. Third was again pretty lazy and backwards thinking. I got him as a 5yr old to bring on. I always hoped that as he matured and fittened up he would switch on a bit more, but he never did. He had a big pop and was very careful but was hard work on the flat. He hated eventing, never made the times xc, but loved hunting. Ended up being sold to a hunting family where he has stayed for life. I then ended up with a Connie x tb who brilliant and we did all the pony club team and evented successfully up to Novice level.

So I think they are all just totally different and it is quite possible your pony will always be a steady Eddie. Personally I did not really enjoy riding ponies 1 and 3 mentioned above as I found them hard work (and to be honest, as a teenager, a bit boring!). But they were all lovely ponies who went to lovely homes with the right people. But their personalities and attitude to work never changed over the time we had them, which was several years.

 

[Michen]

It’s about a metre that the pony is clearing easily. Hardly doing the Puissance...

Mine used to clear a 5ft stable door from a standstill so it’s not exactly an effort.

It’s not for you to tell someone how big or how often someone should jump their horse.

There’s a big difference between jumping the odd big fence at will of a pony being schooled around decent fences regularly IF the pony is potentially not physically mature enough to do so, which some of the signs are indicating. And a metre is a decent size fence for a young pony, it may have loads of natural scope or it may have to try quite hard

That might not be the case here, but it’s worth flagging as a possibility.

 

[ycbm]

It’s about a metre that the pony is clearing easily. Hardly doing the Puissance...

The main block alone is a metre with a pole on, I have a set and they measure 90cm without. The white block is at least 20cm, so it's at least a 1m 20 fence, a sizeable jump for any 14.2, never mind a young green one.

 

[ycbm]

It’s not for you to tell someone how big or how often someone should jump their horse.

The poster is asking for help with increasing the pony's enthusiasm for its work. It could be connected.,
.

 

[Frano]

He sounds a lovely pony. Your son looks fantastic jumping him. But in my opinion ,it sounds like you are doing an awful lot with a young pony? You have obviously done very well so far. Perhaps he just needs time , he was probably broken very quickly before you bought him . Connemara x tbs are a thought if you are looking for a speedy /livelier ride.

 

[rabatsa]

Speed around a course of jumps comes with confidence and schooling. It is really a case of walk before running. The muscle memory has to build up and the brain has to know what to do before things can progress to speed.

The pony will benefit from courses of smaller jumps to develop both before asking for bigger efforts. It is also best not to increase both size and speed together.

The pony is also at an age where developments in body shape will still be happening quite fast so tack which was a good fit a couple of months ago may be slightly pinching now preventing fluid, free movement.

 

[Beachbabe]

Connies are hard work, and at that age I wouldn't be doing much other than low level jumping and a bit of schooling and have some lovely hacks out. Maybe a very low level fun cross country ride or two if you can find them. They are the most amazing ponies, ours is incredibly hard work to get working properly, but goes beautifully. Same with jumping, my daughter and I always finished a x/c looking like a melting jelly, but he's a fabulous jumper. Your son will need to let him mature and develop a pair of good strong legs.

 

[Mumofhorsemadson]

Hello all, thank you for all your comments. Reading through them I felt I needed to clarify we don't normally jump 120cm on a typical day! This pony was having a really good day and loving it so we put the fence up to see how he went. He does love to jump and is very scopey so whilst that is a big jump he sailed over. I think many of you are right, perhaps we have rather over done the work this summer. I think reflecting on it now my son and I used the new pony as a release from home schooling and working from home so possibly over rode him. We were lucky to have such a focus outdoors but possibly we are victims of our own enthusiasm. Point taken and with winter approaching I think that he may now be in calmer times. Saying that we recently switched him on to some liberty style free work which he really loves and works well at. I sense he is a clever pony and likes to think about stuff and likes new things, endless schooling seems to bore him (not to mention my son who hates all things dressage!). He loves hacking out and has been very responsive cubbing this season. Maybe I just need to be patient and see what next year brings....sooo hard when you have a new project.

 

[Beachbabe]

Connies are incredible smart and as he matures I am sure he will learn many tricks that are not always to your advantage. Ours has kept us on our toes for over twenty years and still continues to do so. Treasure him and he will repay you with loyalty and intelligence. And don't let him get bored or you will pay for it

 

[Beachbabe]

Do you know his breeding?

 

[windand rain]

Backing off will be of huge benefit to him. My guess he is too willing to please so is asked more and more. He needs down time and a proper plan of low grid work raised poles etc to keep him interested. A bit of free schooling and hacking if he is a bit slow it is because he is either not a forward pony, not 100% right or not physically able to go fast and over fences. More food wont work it makes horses fatter and lazier he needs to be at his optimum weight and kept there too fat = slower too thin = weaker its a fine balancing act. I wont have another connie because the ones I know and owned were all quirky and in some cases a bit dishonest but then they were all mares so might have been that. Pearl was a wonderful pony but as quirky and diva ish as she could be talented a superb jumper almost the perfect pony 90% of the time the rest a pain in the butt

 

[oldie48]

I'm also with those who suggest giving him a bit of time to mature by backing off the work a bit. He's still quite young and we found our connie mare and connie/TB gelding really changed in their 5th and 6th year. He's a really super pony, fab jump and obviously a sensible head on him, too good to spoil by pushing him too soon. Pony and your son probably won't appreciate me saying this but good flatwork tends to sort out the talent once the fences get really big rather than speed although I have to admit both of ours were very good at adjusting their stride without much help from the rider! Good luck, he's lovely!

 

[Beachbabe]

Backing off will be of huge benefit to him. My guess he is too willing to please so is asked more and more. He needs down time and a proper plan of low grid work raised poles etc to keep him interested. A bit of free schooling and hacking if he is a bit slow it is because he is either not a forward pony, not 100% right or not physically able to go fast and over fences. More food wont work it makes horses fatter and lazier he needs to be at his optimum weight and kept there too fat = slower too thin = weaker its a fine balancing act. I wont have another connie because the ones I know and owned were all quirky and in some cases a bit dishonest but then they were all mares so might have been that. Pearl was a wonderful pony but as quirky and diva ish as she could be talented a superb jumper almost the perfect pony 90% of the time the rest a pain in the butt

Aw, sounds like our chap. They are quirky, smart and need an interesting life. And watch the weight. We have ours barefoot on a track and he loves it plus it keeps him fit

 

[honetpot]

I know someone who bought the perfect saint young Connemara for two young girls under ten. He was so saintly, that I kid you not he put up with two hours riding a day, in a school by two very novice children and also did PC. Tried telling mum tactfully sooner or later he was going to say no.
Bless him it too about two and a half months, before he started getting nappy, which they had no skills to cope with. It was bought from a dealer who took it back, but she lost a lot of money.
Ponies always have a but, at sometime, they learn all about riders, faster than the children that ride them learn about riding. I have an old Connemara I sold as a three year, he has a good competition history, but he is so sour that the cheerful pony I sold is no longer there, and his last owner was frightened of him.
I would imagine next spring he will develop his fifth leg, so the calmer he is now the better.

 

[Orangehorse]

Well its great having a calm pony, worth their weight in gold. If he is good at hunting maybe have a few quiet days, not long so he doesn't get tired and then give him a break.