[Goosegirl]

Several years ago I got this to place near my water feature but it's grown too big. Can it be pruned and how?

[Goosegirl]

Just to help out, here's a pic of the conifer.

[New shoot]

That looks like Pinus mugo, so prune in late spring/early summer while the new growth shows as a different colour and only cut back halfway in that.  If you cut into old wood, it will never re-sprout.

[Goosegirl]

I'll have to cut back into the old wood so would any new growth below that cover up the bare parts?

[New shoot]

You could try that, but I think you are going to end up losing the shape of the plant. 

Perhaps it would be better to take it out completely and start again with something else?