Connemara ponies are beautiful creatures. Once wild, like our mustangs, and free ranging through the harsh mountains and moors of Connemara (hence their name) they were almost wiped out through cross breeding with Thoroughbreds and Warmbloods by breeders who admired their athleticism and jumping abilities but wanted taller “performance” horses. They are usually around 13 to 14 hands tall at the withers, which is perfect for the Irish countryside but not for artificial jumping landscapes.
It is believed that, also like our mustangs, they are descended from Spanish horses, probably Andalusians, which swam ashore when Spanish Galleons sunk just off the coast of Ireland. They are intelligent, strong, graceful, known for their kind personalities and have tremendous endurance.
Fortunately, the Connemara Pony Breeders Association was formed in 1923 to save the breed from extinction. 
Four year old mare nursing her foal. The filly will change colors and look like her mother in a couple of years.
These two mares live in the mountains of the Beara Peninsula, where I stayed in the bothy in the woods. 
They belong to my hostess, Siobhan, who loves them and will train the babies herself. For the time being, she leaves them pretty much wild on the land. It was wonderful to hike the property down to the river and have these beautiful animals so close.
The foals are about three month’s old and just beginning to lose their baby coats.
practicing grooming skills is serious business
I loved this one 
whose mane is very much like my own.
Siobhan is a lucky woman.