Adult on native ponies

[First Frost]

I have 2 Connies and a Connie X TB. I am 5 ft 5 and around 10 st 7. All measure between 14.2 and 15 hands. I have been riding big ponies for the last fifteen years, including Eventing to BE 100 and would never go back to horses.
I have also shown highlands who have always been forward but well mannered - they are not necessarily the plods some people think they are and they can really jump.

You should definitely go for it!

 

[marmalade76]

I'm the same height & weight as you and have had as many ponies as horses as an adult - Welshies, Connies, NF. Current horse is 15.1 and basically an over-grown pony (his personality is VERY pony) and if I were to buy another, I'll be looking at 13.2 - 14.2.

 

[gallopingby]

I’m hoping to buy my first horse, currently riding a few different ones ( a BIG warmblood with big movement, a slim tb and a cob) but I found my heart remains with the native ponies I grew up riding!

is it unrealistic for me to be looking at buying a bigger native such as a Welsh sec D or highland?

I’m 5’0 and 10-11 stone (my weight fluctuates but 11 is the heaviest I’ve been in the last 4 years) and a well balanced rider

ETA I know there will be variation depending on the individual pony

Most of the native breeds would carry you at 5’ 0 and 11 stone. Remember these ponies were the farm workhorses in days gone by. However just because they’re ponies doesn’t mean they’re easy to manage, and ponies with good conformation who had been correctly schooled are difficult to find. You’ll quite rightly have to pay for the chance. Some blood lines are easier to manage than others so make sure you do your homework. Maybe go to some of the breed shows and talk to people, you’ll find they’re usually friendly and happy to chat. Also find the history of the pony, some pass through multiple homes mainly because they’ve not had a good basic education. Good luck, you’ll have lots of fun and there are opportunities to do whatever you fancy from low level hacking to HOYs / RIHS classes. Most of the time you’ll be competing against other adults, there are now separate classes for people under 18.

 

[Fransurrey]

I am biased, but Exmoor is an excellent choice. I had a made to measure saddle for mine, initially, with a 'sweeoing seat' on a 16" panel. That worked brilliantly for about 15 years. I had to switch to a Thorn Pad when he got older and changed shape regularly, but they're great pads.

 

[Horseysheepy]

Just to put a different spanner in the mix, how about a nice little part bred Native? Even crossed with a TB or a cob it can create the best of both worlds in terms of looks and temperament.
Tb X natives are the most underrated crosses in my experience and many come around the 14.2-15hh height range and tend to be a middleweight build.

Or, a nice sturdy and sensible Vanner cob? Some can be strong and bolshy, but you pick the one that suits you, they're very versatile if you don't mind the hair and feather.

 

[Britestar]

I fit a ton of adult riders on natives (and there are loads of posts on here asking exactly what you have asked ), and the one thing that is usually tricky is saddle. I am having to assume you're not a string bean, and that means seat size can be a challenge. When you buy a horse bred to carry a saddle there's a ton of choice, brands, fitters, for those average shapes. For natives, cobs, very wide horses, it can be much harder and your budget, or your patience to find the right fitter and the right used saddle for a smaller budget, may need to expand much further than you imagine. Many pay much more for their saddle than they did for their pony, though that's at pre lockdown prices!

This for sure. I've had to have a saddle made for me and my little pony. 16" seat on a 15" panel. Also thigh blocks to help me when she throws the works at you.
The 15" Harry Dabbs gave me no help at all ?

 

[sbloom]

This for sure. I've had to have a saddle made for me and my little pony. 16" seat on a 15" panel. Also thigh blocks to help me when she throws the works at you.

Even that doesn't even work, a 16" panel on a 16" tree does a different job than a 15" on a 16" tree, so sometimes you can get away with it, sometimes you can't. And sometimes that "larger tree" isn't at all but is an extension added to the cantle which isn't the same thing in terms of how it work on horse or rider. People should never assume this will work for them and their horse. Just as a general point!

 

[smolmaus]

Or, a nice sturdy and sensible Vanner cob? Some can be strong and bolshy, but you pick the one that suits you, they're very versatile if you don't mind the hair and feather.

Couldn't agree more. A nice little cob is well able for a lot of things with a much more attractive price point too ?

 

[Cob Life]

I fit a ton of adult riders on natives (and there are loads of posts on here asking exactly what you have asked ), and the one thing that is usually tricky is saddle. I am having to assume you're not a string bean, and that means seat size can be a challenge. When you buy a horse bred to carry a saddle there's a ton of choice, brands, fitters, for those average shapes. For natives, cobs, very wide horses, it can be much harder and your budget, or your patience to find the right fitter and the right used saddle for a smaller budget, may need to expand much further than you imagine. Many pay much more for their saddle than they did for their pony, though that's at pre lockdown prices!

this is something I hadn’t considered, I prefer a 16 inch seat, a 15 inch is a bit too small

 

[Cob Life]

I had a share in a highland who had a nap-rear-spin-bolt habit . Certainly "native" doesn't necessarily mean "ploddy" (but at least you're near the ground!).

Edited to add; I've never ridden a Fell but would like to. Most of the Fells I see for sale seem to be youngsters so OP may struggle to find one if she doesn't have the facilities or desire to start from there.

The cob I ride at the moment is way sharper than the tb or warmblood, especially at the start of winter or when I’ve got him very fit, he used to like to do a shoot sideways- spin- bolt-randomly slam on the breaks which has mostly got down to just a sudden sideways spook. He’s pretty bolshy and strong on the ground and ridden, he’s the type of horse that should terrify me as once he’s going he’s going, despite all this I love him and feel really confident on him. My instructors opposite of sharp schoolmaster terrified me when I first rode him purely due to his size.

I’m not a big fan of connies though I know someone who has some fabulous ones, I’ve ridden some very very sharp (and pretty badly schooled) connies which has put me off, I grew up riding welshies and LOVE them, I love that fun loving, spicy welshie attitude! I very nearly brought a Welsh PB in lockdown

I don’t mind sharp, or young but i would like something that has been backed, even a rising 4 or 5 yo to do a little with in winter and turn away over late winter/spring. And bring back around July time as that’s when work settles so I’ll have more time on my hands

 

[Britestar]

Even that doesn't even work, a 16" panel on a 16" tree does a different job than a 15" on a 16" tree, so sometimes you can get away with it, sometimes you can't. And sometimes that "larger tree" isn't at all but is an extension added to the cantle which isn't the same thing in terms of how it work on horse or rider. People should never assume this will work for them and their horse. Just as a general point!

Yes, I'm lucky it's worked for me and her.

 

[Cob Life]

Most of the native breeds would carry you at 5’ 0 and 11 stone. Remember these ponies were the farm workhorses in days gone by. However just because they’re ponies doesn’t mean they’re easy to manage, and ponies with good conformation who had been correctly schooled are difficult to find. You’ll quite rightly have to pay for the chance. Some blood lines are easier to manage than others so make sure you do your homework. Maybe go to some of the breed shows and talk to people, you’ll find they’re usually friendly and happy to chat. Also find the history of the pony, some pass through multiple homes mainly because they’ve not had a good basic education. Good luck, you’ll have lots of fun and there are opportunities to do whatever you fancy from low level hacking to HOYs / RIHS classes. Most of the time you’ll be competing against other adults, there are now separate classes for people under 18.

I think if i go the pony route I’d like a youngster that’s been backed but not done much to bring on. I brought my friends sec c on as a 4 year old and LOVED it. He’d been backed but not done much else, I got him hacking out confidently in pairs leading or following and alone.


I’d like to do some dressage, low level showing but really just want something to explore and have fun with

 

[Snow Falcon]

Can't go wrong with a NF imo. I'm a 5'6 adult and been riding them for years. ?

 

[Caol Ila]

My Highland is 14hh and I’m 5’4.

 

[palo1]

My Highland is 14hh and I’m 5’4. View attachment 95153

That is a great hi-vis jacket @Caol Ila ! Can I ask where you got it please?

 

[pistolpete]

I’d love to be small enough to ride New Forests. They seem a great breed. My highland. I’m 5’6’’ and about 11stone

 

[Fjord]

You could always get a Fjord! ?

 

[eahotson]

Gypsy cob.Nice ones are not cheap but they are breeding some lovely ones now with quite fine hair and feathers.My little mare is built like a tank,masses of bone,and a good length of back for a decent sized saddle.
She has an excellent temperament and is now used by the yard, at aged 5, as escort for the young,nervous whatever horses.Will go past practically anything.
Her only real fault is that she can be a bit bargy on the ground but she is improving with some firm and consistent handling.

 

[MagicMelon]

Welsh D all the way, Ive had a variety of horses/ponies over the years and am on WB / TB types these days but my most fun was had on the Welsh D I used to have. You can get over-height ones too, mine was 15.2hh as Im quite tall. I didnt look big on him as he was built like a tank. Brilliant fun ponies, but can be far more of handful than the sportier horses! Depends if you want leisurely or more lively generally. You can easily take a Welsh Cob competing in any discipline and they often do very well, mine used to win M&M workers, flat M&M (although some judges hated him as over-height), BSJA, BE (albeit only 80cm purely because he jumps so massive over them, that felt big enough) etc.

 

[sbloom]

I currently saddle fit for a Connie that is nearer 16hh than 15.2 (they've not had a stick on him yet)!

 

[Leandy]

Size-wise you are absolutely fine for a native, so it is perfectly sensible to go for one if that is what you want. Do have a good think about what exactly you are aiming for if you have competitive ambitions and just make sure that the type of animal you look for is suitable for that. Natives are of course good allrounders so may people will tell you they can do everything a bigger sporthorse type can do, which of course they can. However, if you have ambitions of being really competitive in competition then consider whether a particular breed may have its natural limitations there and whether you care about that or not. If you are buying your first horse then I'd say a native would be ideal though.

 

[Elno]

Hum....

I'm 5'5, roughly 65 kg and my horse is 15.1. I'm actually concidering selling him because I feel like a giant on him and makes me feel very self concious ? It doesn't help that he is (albeit being a draft breed) very slender and slim, hopefully he fills out a bit with age.

 

[supertramp]

Im 5ft 5, and just over 10 stones. I have a 14.2New Forest, who is 21, seems to carry me easily, still bogs off if he has the inclination!

 

[tda]

This is me and my friend on our dales ponies, I'm on the right 5ft2in, my friend on the left 5ft 8in I think, both ponies 14.2hh

 

[Caol Ila]

That is a great hi-vis jacket @Caol Ila ! Can I ask where you got it please?

A poster on here, wills_91, very kindly gave it to me. I think it's Equi-safety. It is fanastic in the cold weather.

 

[Ownedby4horses]

OP, I’m 5ft 8 and have a 14hh Dales x, absolutely love natives.

 

[pistolpete]

Im 5ft 5, and just over 10 stones. I have a 14.2New Forest, who is 21, seems to carry me easily, still bogs off if he has the inclination!

Ha ha. Lovely photo.

 

[Cob Life]

Hum....

I'm 5'5, roughly 65 kg and my horse is 15.1. I'm actually concidering selling him because I feel like a giant on him and makes me feel very self concious ? It doesn't help that he is (albeit being a draft breed) very slender and slim, hopefully he fills out a bit with age.

I did feel a bit tall on the tb as she’s 15hh but I think that’s because I’m used to my instructors 17.3 giant!

 

[Greylegs]

I'm a long legged 5'7" and until very recently rode a 14.2 highland very happily. Had to retire him due to injury in his 20's, sadly (still going strong in retirement!) but no issues at all.

 

[Lucky Snowball]

You'll be fine on a native. I'm 5'5" and 8.5 st regularly riding a 12.2 Dartmoor. I tell everyone it's to keep her weight down but secretly I love it !