5"4 adult on 12.2hh Dartmoor - thoughts?

[katiejemima]

I am 5"3/4' and around 55kg (8.5stone) wondering how ill be on a 12 2hh dartmoor I recently viewed (can't ride due to pregnancy). Adult returning to ownership after many years out the game, never left ponies but wondering if I'm going to small..... opinions and photos welcome.

 

[FlyingCircus]

I'm 5ft2 and around 55-57kg and don't feel comfortable on anything less than 13.2.

I think it's personal preference- but don't know why you wouldn't go for something bigger from the outset.

 

[Melody Grey]

I’m the same weight although taller at 5ft 6/7 ish- my sons pony is 12.2hh and there’s no way I’d get on him. That said, he is a show type welsh B, so not as sturdy as a Dartmoor, but I’d be thinking of something bigger I think, not just from a weight perspective but also a balance one.

Even if I did want to swap,I’m not sure he’d take a big enough saddle? He’s comfortably in a 14” for my son.

 

[catembi]

I am 5 ft 1 and just under 50 kg & I used a 12 hh Dartmoor as my main horse for a bit & did all sorts - dr clinics, polework clinics etc. I will see if I can find a picture.

 

[millikins]

I posted this on another thread about adults on ponies. I called the Dartmoor Society for their advice about a 12.2hh gelding I saw advertised who appeared down on his luck and I felt sorry for. I'm 5'4" and 59kg, they said he should cope but I would be at the limit of his capacity. I think someone from DPS bought him.

 

[Lucky Snowball]

I'm 5'5" 8.5st and have a 12.2 Dartmoor. Essentially a companion pony but I ride or lunge to keep her weight down. She's feisty and can out walk most of my friends' horses. She seems very happy to carry me including galloping and jumping. We have also hunted. If it was my only horse I would buy something bigger.

 

[maya2008]

I am 5ft4, somewhere just over 9 stone. I ride a 13/13.1hh New Forest. That was not the original intention, but she decided she hated kids and wanted me! She takes up my leg well and my feet are not below her body when ridden. I guess she would measure 12.2hh/12.3hh if ‘officially’ measured as my measurement is from a tape.

I used to have a 13.2hh New Forest. I jumped her to about 3ft, we did bits of dressage and lots of hacking. She also carried a 5ft6 rider for a while. I didn’t feel too big on her at all.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

I used to ride my 12.2hh brick outhouse of a Dartmoor showing. I was about the same height and weight as you and he never had a days bother.

 

[scruffyponies]

Our stocky 12.2 Dartmoor would take you hunting all day and leave you laughing so hard your sides hurt.

 

[Tarragon]

I am 5'5", weigh between 9 stone and 9 1/2 stones and ride a 13hh Exmoor.
I did have a 12hh stocky Exmoor pony that probably could have taken me as he was really stocky, broad and strong, but I felt wrong riding him!
If the pony is a stocky one, I think you should be fine

 

[Tarragon]

I think that some people just look at the height of the pony, and don't take it's build into account. Some of these ponies are just strong little horses on short legs!
A fine Welsh pony of the same height would be a completely different situation.

 

[Rosemary28]

I used to ride my 12.2hh brick outhouse of a Dartmoor showing. I was about the same height and weight as you and he never had a days bother.

View attachment 70838

Slightly off topic but yours looks very like mine (although mine has Welsh A in him so it a little finer). He's only 11.3hh though.

 

[GG13]

I’m a similar size to you and have a 12.2 welshie. He’s my companion pony but I backed him last summer and he didn’t seem to have any issues carrying me. He’s slightly finer than a Dartmoor too.

I wouldn’t feel comfortable having him as my main ride as I do feel I’m at the limit of what he should carry regularly

 

[Lipglosspukka]

A 12.2 Dartmoor would easily carry you and do everything. You're 8.5 stone. Christ, I could probably carry you round a course of show jumps myself!

 

[Flame_]

I'm 5'2 and have ridden under 13.2s but felt, and was, underhorsed. At 5'4 a 12.2 would be outside the ideal height range for you.

 

[Leandy]

I am the same size as you and have ridden my children's 12.3 native type. It is doable but I look and feel a bit big on her. I wouldn't buy one that small specifically for myself. What do you want to do with your pony?

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

I'm 5'2 and have ridden under 13.2s but felt, and was, underhorsed. At 5'4 a 12.2 would be outside the ideal height range for you.

It depends how wide they are and how much leg they take up. A 12.2hh show pony would need a child as they are narrow and spindly. A chunky 12.2hh dartmoor like my lad is as wide as he is tall with tree trunk legs to go with it and would carry most people with ease. I would also not class him as a child ride due to being cold backed from a bad travelling experience. It is not pain related anymore but remembered pain.

 

[Velcrobum]

It depends how wide they are and how much leg they take up. A 12.2hh show pony would need a child as they are narrow and spindly. A chunky 12.2hh dartmoor like my lad is as wide as he is tall with tree trunk legs to go with it and would carry most people with ease. I would also not class him as a child ride due to being cold backed from a bad travelling experience. It is not pain related anymore but remembered pain.

Exactly it is the overall stamp of a pony that needs to be taken into consideration. Also the conformation of the rider - some people have short torsos and long legs others have long torsos and short legs

 

[Hallo2012]

5'7 and 7 stone 11 on 13hh

i regularly school 2 x 11.2hh (welsh A and dartie) and in the future am looking to buy a full up A stallion for myself.

theres no way anything native bred is going to struggle with 8.5 stone.

 

[Hallo2012]

A 12.2 Dartmoor would easily carry you and do everything. You're 8.5 stone. Christ, I could probably carry you round a course of show jumps myself!

yep! 8.5 stone is basically nothing lol!

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

I'm 5'3 and weigh 9 stone (with short legs!!) - and had a 12.2 Exmoor on loan a few years ago who I rode regularly. I do have a photo of me on her but am too much of a numpty to post it on this site (it isn't easy!! I don't find it so anyway).

My current pony (profile pic) is 13.2 and a stocky coblet.

Personally if going for a "forever" mount, I would go for something a little larger. Small ponies can actually be quite uncomfortable!! (How the heck we all managed to learn to ride on 'em I really don't know LOL). I am sure the pony in question is lovely, but I do feel that long-term you may wish you'd got something a little bigger.

 

[Tarragon]

OK then:
Advantages:
cheaper to keep in nearly all aspects (as in feed/shoes/equipment/vets/etc.)
Closer to the ground
An excuse to do fun things and not take things too seriously
People don't expect you to jump big fences
Disadvantages:
You often can't jump big fences (though some can!)
Expected to open all the gates
Expect some funny looks
Have a very fast trot, which can, in all seriousness, upset some people's backs

 

[Wishfilly]

I'm about 5'4'' and about a stone heavier than you, but I have been your weight. At the time, I would school kids ponies (including shetlands!) and was ok on 12.2, but I wouldn't want one for my main ride, even if stocky- I say that as someone who likes small ponies too. 13.2 is about as small as I am comfortable on for a day to day ride.

I do appreciate it's personal preference though.

On a personal level, I would also worry a lot about gaining weight, and becoming too heavy for him.

 

[ozpoz]

Going against the grain,I,m 5’3, just under 50 k and wouldn’t feel comfortable on a pony that small. I doubt I would fit in a saddle that fitted a pony that size either.

 

[Wishfilly]

Going against the grain,I,m 5’3, just under 50 k and wouldn’t feel comfortable on a pony that small. I doubt I would fit in a saddle that fitted a pony that size either.

This is definitely an issue too- there's a difference between sitting in, say, a 15inch or smaller saddle for 30 minutes schooling, and on a 2 hour hack, as well.

If OP could try the pony, I think it would be different, but without trialling I would be wary.

 

[Clodagh]

And modern Dartmoors seem far removed to the ones I rode as a child, many don’t have the bone and breadth they should have.
I like ponies, but recommend you look for a 13.2

 

[planete]

I agree, my present very stocky 13.2 is as small as I want my own pony to be and I am 5'1 and 7.5 stone so it is not a question of weight. His trot can be very uncomfortable if he is allowed to run on the forehand but has been easy to improve with some schooling (actually comfy sitting trot today!). I am also lucky I can fit into his 16" saddle as that is the longest his back can take. I remember schooling a 12.2 over small jumps and the disconcerting feeling of sitting on the edge of a cliff on landing when the whole forehand disappeared.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

And modern Dartmoors seem far removed to the ones I rode as a child, many don’t have the bone and breadth they should have.
I like ponies, but recommend you look for a 13.2

Nothing is built properly any more. All breeds are becoming lighter framed and lighter of bone. Some of the Shetlands I have seen picking up hoys tickets could pass as small dartmoors better than the breed they are supposed to be ... old fashioned show ponies would not be show hunter ponies, even hunters have become more refined over the years.

All to produce a more sporty animal.

 

[sbloom]

As a specialist fitter of natives don't give a saddle fitter this headache, I think there are much better matches. There is the theory of how much weight a pony can carry, and I'm sure a well built Dartie could carry you, there is the practice of actually doing it - finding a saddle that suits both of you, keeping it well maintained and balanced, and avoiding all your weight being on the back of the saddle and ultimately causing damage. See https://www.ahsaddles.com/post/2019/04/30/horse-shopping-saddle-length-part-1

 

[Clodagh]

As a specialist fitter of natives don't give a saddle fitter this headache, I think there are much better matches. There is the theory of how much weight a pony can carry, and I'm sure a well built Dartie could carry you, there is the practice of actually doing it - finding a saddle that suits both of you, keeping it well maintained and balanced, and avoiding all your weight being on the back of the saddle and ultimately causing damage. See https://www.ahsaddles.com/post/2019/04/30/horse-shopping-saddle-length-part-1

So true. I’m 5’7 and wanted a saddle for a chunky 13.2 so I could exercise her. Poor saddle fitter!