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Connemara Pony
~ Connemara |
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The Connemara Pony is the
only native Irish breed of Equine. The Pony originates from
Connemara, County Galway on the western seaboard of Ireland,
and this is the area from which the pony takes its name.
It is the ruggedness of this environment which has developed
many of the Connemara pony prized qualities, i.e. hardiness,
agility, intelligence and extraordinary jumping ability. |
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The history of the breed
dates back to the arrival of the Celts in the fourth century
B.C., when Celtic ponies were used to draw war chariots and
raced in Ireland.
Today's description of the Connemara Pony is as Follows :
Head: Well-balanced pony head of medium length with good
width between large kindly eyes. Pony ears, well-defined
cheekbone jaw relatively deep but not coarse.
Front: Head well-set onto neck. Crest should not be
over-developed. Neck not set on too low. Good length of
rein. Well-defined withers, good sloping shoulders.
Body: Body should be deep, with strong back, some length
permissible but should be well-ribbed up and with strong
loins.
Limbs: Good length and strength in forearm, well-defined
knees and short cannons, with flat bone measuring 18 cms. to
21 cms. Elbows should be free. Pasterns of medium length,
feet well shaped, of medium size, hard and level.
Hind Quarters: Strong and muscular with some length, well
developed second thighs (Gaskin) and strong lowset hocks.
Movement: Movement free easy and true, without undue knee
action, but active and covering the ground.
CHARACTERISTICS
Good temperament, hardiness, staying power, intelligence,
soundness, sure footedness, jumping ability, suitable for
child or adult.
Height: The height of the breeding Connemara pony is
normally 128 cms. to 148 cms.
Colours: Grey, black, bay, brown, dun with occasional roan
and chestnut, palamino and dark eyed creams.
Type: Compact, well-balanced riding type with good depth and
substance and good heart room, standing on short legs;
covering a lot of ground.
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Carna Dun
Carna Dun (left) is one of the most famed Connemara ponies.
His influence on the Connemara pony breed was a profound
pedigree and lasting one. He was on the Society stallion
list from 1951 until 1966 but he remained in the district
and available to mare owners for a further seven years. In
the 1960's the Clifden show ring winners were dominated by
his progeny and for this reason he became a very popular
sire. |
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He endowed his young stock
with the extra quality, freedom of action and presence,
which was required as the breed moved on from the
traditional work pony to the all purpose popular riding pony
of the 70's and 80's.
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