Adults who ride ponies

I am 5'2" and about 8 stone and own a 14hh Irish Sports pony. He outwalks much bigger horses and is great fun and very forward going. I would definitely
recommend pony owning if size is appropriate.
 
I'm shorter and weigh the same. I've had connies, New Forest, arab, currently have a 14.1 riding pony, she's out of a show pony mare by an Oldenberg × ISH so a little more substantial than a lot of riding ponies.

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There are ways to keep weight down - nylon/plastic stirrup irons (these make a big difference), choice of saddle (synthetic are much lighter than leather but leather ones vary), leaving off unnecessary gear like fancy breastplates, brushing boots and other rubbish.
 
One thing that I don't think has been mentioned is how much (or not) there is in front of you when you're on a pony
You might be fine for weight on a pony, but jumping when there's not much in front isn't as confidence giving as when there's a good solid length of neck
 
One thing that I don't think has been mentioned is how much (or not) there is in front of you when you're on a pony
You might be fine for weight on a pony, but jumping when there's not much in front isn't as confidence giving as when there's a good solid length of neck

Definitely! I mentioned this in my post too.

Especially if you are tall in the torso, you can feel like you are sat on the edge of a cliff in front of you on a pony with a short neck and upright shoulder.
 
5ft2 and have weighed between 7.5-8.5 stone (although top end of weight was very briefly after birth, I luckily lost half a stone very quickly but the second half is proving stubborn!). 14.1 connemara, a more traditional stockier type that takes up the leg well.

My Mum is 5ft6 and 9 stone and has ridden her too.

The main thing really is saddle fit. Two ponies of the same height could vary in back length and you can't put a saddle on a horses back that is too long, it's not fair.
 
An old hill farmer I know insists that all Welshies from A-D can carry a stone a hand. I think if you're talking about the proper old fashioned stamps he's probably not far wrong.

I'm nearly 5'7" and my old D (half way between old stamp and newer athletic type) was just over 14hh on tiptoes. I was a lot shorter when I first rode him but he'd stopped growing by then and I kept going for another 10 years (until I was 24!). He was still in work (although quite reduced for the last year) until I lost him very unexpectedly 3 days before my 27th birthday and 6 weeks before his. I did look quite tall on him by the end but we still had lots of fun and at 11st he was still very happy carrying me.

D's do have a bit of a reputation but even though mine was stupidly excitable and infuriatingly stubborn, he had a heart of gold and was completely non-spooky. His full sister was an RDA pony. Calm, family friendly ones do exist.
 
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