CONNEMARA PONY SOCIETY

CONNEMARA PONY SOCIETY OF IRELAND

Hospital Road, Clifden, Co. Galway, Ireland

Tel: (Ireland) 353 95 21863 | Fax: (Ireland) 353 95 21005

Contact: Marian Turley (B.Sc., H.Dip. in Eq.Sc.)

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THE CONNEMARA PONY:-

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 enviroment which has developed many of the Connemara pony prized qualities, i.e. hardiness, agility, intelligence and extraordinary jumping ability. 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 witlh 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.

POINTS OF THE CONNEMARA PONY

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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