๐๐จ๐จ๐ค๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐
๐ฎ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ ๐จ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ง๐๐ฆ๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ฒ:
This weekend, the Connemara Pony community took an important step toward shaping the future of the breed. Inspectors came together to review and update the ideal linear profile, identifying key traits for improvement that will guide breeders over the next five years. While this is a positive and much-needed initiative, I feel compelled to share my personal thoughts on the current state of the breed, a breed I hold very close to my heart.
The Connemara Pony is unique and special to so many of us, but in recent years, Iโve felt itโs lost its way. The stocky, durable, and traditional Connemara that I grew up admiring has become increasingly hard to find. Instead, weโve ended up with taller, sportier ponies that, while impressive in some ways, donโt quite feel like the Connemara Ponies of old. For me, this shift has come at a cost not just in terms of type, but also in terms of diversity, bloodlines, and the core characteristics that made the breed so versatile and enduring.
๐ช๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐ช๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ฒ ๐ช๐ฟ๐ผ๐ป๐ด?
One of the biggest issues, in my opinion, is overbreeding. Too often, breeders seem to prioritize well-known bloodlines or the names of popular stallions over the actual quality of the pony theyโre producing. Instead of focusing on what makes a Connemara truly exceptional, weโre seeing a trend toward breeding for trends and appearances. The result? Over-height ponies that look more like small sport horses than the versatile, durable Connemara that was once prized for its work ethic and resilience.
A bigger concern is whether breeders are thinking about the breedโs long-term future or simply responding to customer demand and the desire for profit. It seems to me that thereโs a shift towards breeding for the market, looking to meet the demand for ponies that fit a more โsportyโ mold, rather than focusing on preserving the traditional Connemara type. Are we prioritizing money over the breed itself? Is the Connemara becoming more like an Irish Sports Horse as a Warmblood or ponies that are being bred for performance and appearance rather than their historical and unique traits?
Donโt get me wrong, there are still breeders out there who are deeply committed to preserving the traditional Connemara type, and I applaud their dedication. But it feels like theyโre in the minority, and the breed is at risk of losing its identity if we donโt take action.
๐ ๐ผ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐ ๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป
The discussions this weekend highlighted four key areas for improvement, shorter cannon bones, more sloping shoulders, deeper barrels, and better knee conformation. These traits align with what I believe the breed needs to return to its roots. A shorter cannon bone and stronger knees will improve durability and reduce leg strain. A more sloping shoulder will support smooth, balanced movement, while a deeper barrel will bring back that compact, traditional look and enhance stamina.
๐ฆ๐ต๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ป๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ฒThe length of the cannon bone is critical for soundness and performance. Shorter cannon bones mean stronger legs and reduced stress, which are essential for a pony thatโs built to last.
๐ ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ฆ๐น๐ผ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฆ๐ต๐ผ๐๐น๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟA sloping shoulder is key for smoother movement and better balance, making it more comfortable for both pony and rider. This is particularly important for a breed so valued for its versatility.
๐๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐นA deeper barrel allows for a well-developed heart and lungs, which are crucial for stamina and endurance. It also gives that traditional, compact look that fits so beautifully into the Connemaraโs heritage.
๐๐ถ๐ด๐ด๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ป๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ก๐ผ ๐ข๐ณ๐ณ๐๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ป๐ฒ๐ฒ๐Strong, well-formed knees are vital for soundness and durability. Correcting conformation issues like offset knees ensures the pony is built to stay sound and healthy throughout its life.
But while these improvements are important, theyโre just the start. We need to look beyond conformation and address the deeper issues in the breed, issues like the loss of bloodlines and a narrowing of focus.
๐๐จ๐๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ก๐๐ข๐ซ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐๐ฉ๐ฉ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐๐
One of the things that saddens me is the loss of roan Connemaras. When I was growing up, strawberry roan Connemaras were a common sight, adding a beautiful, distinctive quality to the breed. Even the rare bay roans were appreciated for their uniqueness. Unfortunately, today, these roans have almost disappeared from the breeding scene. There are no longer any strawberry roan stallions standing, and the few bay roans left are becoming increasingly rare. The breed has lost some of its diversity, and it feels as though these special bloodlines may be gone forever if weโre not careful.
๐๐ก๐ฒ ๐๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐๐ญ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฌ
The Connemara Pony isnโt just a breed to me, itโs a part of my life, my history, and my heart. I remember the ponies of my childhood, the stocky, versatile types that could do anything you asked of them. Those ponies werenโt just beautiful; they were reliable, hardy, and full of personality. They embodied everything a Connemara should be.
It breaks my heart to see how much has changed. Weโve lost not only certain bloodlines but also the spirit of the traditional Connemara. The breed feels like itโs being steered away from its roots, and if weโre not careful, weโll lose what made it so special in the first place.
๐๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ฒ ๐
๐จ๐ซ๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐
The five-year improvement plan is a step in the right direction, but we need to go further. Breeders need to move away from focusing solely on popular bloodlines and flashy stallions. We need to prioritize quality, diversity, and preserving the traditional Connemara type.
As a community, we have a responsibility to protect the Connemara Pony, not just as it is now, but as it was meant to be. That means preserving its versatility, its durability, and its unique identity. It means looking beyond trends and focusing on what truly matters.
For me, this isnโt just about breeding ponies. Itโs about preserving a legacy, a tradition, and a breed that has brought so much joy and meaning to so many lives. The Connemara Pony deserves better, and itโs up to us to make sure it has a future that honors its past.
Letโs bring back the stocky, versatile Connemara the one that captured our hearts. Itโs not too late, but we need to act now.
