I recently had the oppurtunity to possibly lease a connemara pony. I have never had any experience with these breeds. The last two ponies I leased and put miles on were welsh's. Basically I could ride the horse for free. All I would have to pay for are shoes and any horse show fees. The ponies owner is pregnant and won't be riding for a while and I need a new horse to lease. My last horse was a 15.3HH TB who was so cute and well behaved, but she has since been retired. I'd probably ride the horse til Novemeber. Anyone have any experience with the connemara pony? Do they have good temperments? This pony is 9 and a gelding. Any info would be wonderful. Im sure i'll think of more questions to ask later, but for now, that's it. Thanks soo much.

Kristin

I've heard nothing but good things about the connemara.  Although.. my source lives in france and rides them there so it's possibly different.

I've never actually met one, but via photos and reading about them, I LOVE them!!!! :)

CheyAut:

I've never actually met one, but via photos and reading about them, I LOVE them!!!! :)

Same with me. Ive been reading up on them and looking at photos. I was hoping someone would have one and could tell me all about them :) I get to meet the pony next saturday and my trainer and I will go out and see what this pony is like.I know this pony jumps and has done a few eventing trials. Mostly beginner novice. The last year the pony has been just trail riding. Im so excited!!

My 7-yr old daughter takes lessons on a Connemara/Welsh cross - 13.2 H and a striking dapple bay with a storybook face.  He is wonderful - patient and just a teeny bit challenging for the youngest children (he puts his head down to snatch at grass if their attention wanders -- it's a perfect lesson in paying attention because if they ride him actively he never even tries it.)  With more experienced children he shifts seemlessly into canter departs and lead changes. I just can't say enough great things about him - and did I mention he's gorgeous? He's never hard to catch and greets everyond he meets - a real sweetie.

Of course, maybe all his good stuff comes from his Welsh side . . . . but if he's any example of the Connemara breed - you could be in for a lot of fun. . . and a bit of eye candy.

They are wonderful ponies. I used to work at a Connemara Farm way back when. The one thing that stands out in my mind was when the barn manager told me to go out into the field out back, where they kept a bunch of long yearlings and older, and gave me a general discription of one of the yearling to bring in to groom. I get out there and see that there are a few that could be the one they're talking about. I grab her, bring her in, put her in the cross ties and groom her. Imagine my surprise when they come into the barn, tell me that I had grabbed the wrong one, and that this one had never been in cross ties before. She was perfect and stood right there the whole time I was grooming her. I did go back and find the one they wanted me to grab the first time. LOL.

Here is the farm I once worked at. Some of you might have heard of Erin Go Bragh.

http://www.hideawayconnemaras.com/

 I rode a friend's connemara pony when I visited her in Ireland.  He was awesome!   I would love to have one!  They are great all around ponies.  He was wonderful for dressage, show jumping and cross country!  Very sturdy and lots of stamina.

 Sprague what a great story - Loved the website - sounds like a great place to have worked with wonderful ponies and like I always quote " never underestimate the little horse" ! lol