Advice needed!!! Thanks

[I'm Dun]

I doubt that he's a full up 14hh. I'd expect a 5'6" rider of your build to look fine on a 14hh stocky cob, but I agree with the others who think that he's too small for you.

If you are still set on him, then do try him a second time and try him out in walk, trot and canter. If he won't trot for you again, then walk away.

This! My 14.1hh of a similar stamp looked fine with riders up to 5ft8. That pony isnt 14hands

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

I think the angle of that picture makes you look bigger then you probably are on him (being taken from up and to the side).

A level side on picture would show it much better. I can't see how you would be too heavy for a 14hh well built cob.

I do agree with this - I was very surprised to see the pony described as 14.2, I had judged from your height and the picture he was probably a 13' 2 or maybe just a tad bigger. I am similar size to you and a decent well built 14.2 (and that pony is nicely built although shorter I think than is being declared) would easily take up my leg and I would not look too out of place on it. Such a pity and disappointing for you but as I said there will be others.

Edited to say I have just seen you describe him as 14 hands, I really dont think he can be.

 

[Cutgrass]

I do think you've made the right decision based on him being too small. I can understand you being heartbroken, but better to realise he's too small now than to get him home and fall further.

What support do you have in place at home? I ask because I'd also ask yourself whether you're ready for a pony if you're not happy in walk, trot and canter. A girl I know bought recently after several months of lessons but is now struggling to even hack her own horse out at a walk due to not being a confident enough rider. I wish you well with your riding journey and would hate for it to be cut short by buying too soon rather than having a few more months of lessons.

If you're determined to buy before progressing further, for future viewings I'd really urge you to do everything you'd like to do with the pony. If it's a struggle when they're at home in their comfort zone it will likely be much worse once they've been moved to a strange place with strange people. People generally think cobs are quiet and unfazed by anything but like all horses they can be sensitive and feel worried by new places and nervous riders.

 

[Ossy2]

I agree with others he doesn’t look a full up 14hh I’d also expect a decent 14hh chucky cob to be absolutely fine for you. I think if you actually measured him he’d be under 14hh and therefore from the photo alone you do look a little big and your weight is quite far back in the saddle.
Well done on fighting your nerves and going to these viewings, you will find your perfect partner and hopefully your gaining so much from knowing you can go and put your self in these positions to get your end goal.

 

[Hallo2012]

i normally am all for adults on ponies (have 2 x 13hh myself!)but he doesn't look full up 14.2 and you do look a little big on him sorry to say.

 

[windand rain]

I rode a 13.1 hh island bred highland pony for 20 years she wasn't too small for me and rode big and fast She has never been sick or sorry never been lame I am 5ft 4 and at the time well over 13 stones. So I think it is the photo that is the problem or you need to see him under a stick as he is either well under 14hh or the picture is well distorted

This is her at TREC she had been 26 miles the day before doing the map reading phase. Mind you I don't have a bum my weight is all in front so fit my 16inch saddle

 

[Sealine]

I have to say I agree with the previous posts. I know it's disappointing for you but well done for going. Put the viewing down to experience and part of discovering what you do/don't want in a horse.

I once tried a super little horse who I fell in love with. I showed my instructor at the time a video from the viewing and she told me very tactfully she'd prefer to see me on something bigger. I'm 5'5ish and 10 stone and the horse was supposed to be 15.2hh but was probably 15hh, but I do have long legs for my height. I actually bought a chunky 16.1hh horse and he is perfect for me. Personally I feel safer on a bigger horse with a good length of rein and more in front of me.

 

[Soap On A Rope]

OP Just because people are telling you that you look to bit for him doesn't mean that YOU are too big.
You look great , just need a bigger ponio x

 

[[153312]]

OP Just because people are telling you that you look to bit for him doesn't mean that YOU are too big.
You look great , just need a bigger ponio x

this 100%

 

[ycbm]

I rode a 13.1 hh island bred highland pony for 20 years she wasn't too small for me and rode big and fast She has never been sick or sorry never been lame I am 5ft 4 and at the time well over 13 stones. So I think it is the photo that is the problem or you need to see him under a stick as he is either well under 14hh or the picture is well distorted
View attachment 86747
This is her at TREC she had been 26 miles the day before doing the map reading phase. Mind you I don't have a bum my weight is all in front so fit my 16inch saddle

W&R please don't take this the wrong way, I am not suggesting that the saddle on that pony is hurting it in any way. But it does look a lot further forward than a saddle would normally be fitted, and really underlines how difficult it is to fit an adult bum into a saddle on a little horse without it sitting on the loins.
.

 

[ycbm]

Coblover please be absolutely sure that you don't feel this pony was perfect for you because he wouldn't trot, and not in spite of the fact he wouldn't trot.

If he made you feel safe because he was going nowhere, then he might not be the right pony to continue to learn to ride on (we're all learning), or you might not be quite ready yet to have your own.
.

 

[AmyMay]

Deleted

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

Have you had a stick on him? My cob was 14.2 when I bought him, thankfully grew almost another hand. I tried several under my yo’s guidance, maybe see if you can get some recommendations and try a few more before deciding. A horse that won’t trot easily would concern me.

 

[[153312]]

Have you had a stick on him? My cob was 14.2 when I bought him, thankfully grew almost another hand. I tried several under my yo’s guidance, maybe see if you can get some recommendations and try a few more before deciding. A horse that won’t trot easily would concern me.

At 11 this horse is pretty unlikely to grow upwards anymore though.

 

[My_breadbagel]

Definitely too tall. I’m 5”3 and fit nicely on my 15hh cob. I’d be concerned about the trotting too, simply because you sound like you might be a little new to all this. I would also say that you need to be on something you really click with- perhaps something a little more willing. You sound a lot like me when I was looking for my first horse, so I’ll give you some advice nobody gave me: don’t buy a horse you have any doubt over. If the concerns are there already they’ll be worse later, especially if you’re a nervous rider (like myself!)

 

[windand rain]

Fitted by a master saddler the day before the start so 2 days before the competition again the photo is perhaps distorting the picture. my ponies have saddle fitters/dentist/farriers regularly. and have done since way before it was fashionable to so so. The saddle was made to measure both of us. She is 26 and never had a day lame apart from an injury jumping with a 5 stone child. So no I don't think chunky ponies have issues with adult riders in fact would go as far as to say there is a pony for every rider up to about 13 stone. Bigger horse the more likely it will break in my experience especially over 16hh. As demonstrated mny times on this site

W&R please don't take this the wrong way, I am not suggesting that the saddle on that pony is hurting it in any way. But it does look a lot further forward than a saddle would normally be fitted, and really underlines how difficult it is to fit an adult bum into a saddle on a little horse without it sitting on the loins.
.

[/QUOTE]

 

[Coblover18]

Thank you for all your lovely comments. We have decided to say no to him. I just absolutely loved his temperament he was so calm and gentle which was what I was looking for but I want to do dressage so if he can’t trot it’s probably not a good idea to buy him. Also I have never sat on such an expensive saddle and I definitely won’t be again lol

 

[[153312]]

Fitted by a master saddler the day before the start so 2 days before the competition again the photo is perhaps distorting the picture. my ponies have saddle fitters/dentist/farriers regularly. and have done since way before it was fashionable to so so. The saddle was made to measure both of us. She is 26 and never had a day lame apart from an injury jumping with a 5 stone child. So no I don't think chunky ponies have issues with adult riders in fact would go as far as to say there is a pony for every rider up to about 13 stone. Bigger horse the more likely it will break in my experience especially over 16hh. As demonstrated mny times on this site

[/QUOTE]

I didn't read ycbm's post as saying your saddle didn't fit, just that it was an unusual/abnormal fit, but not necessarily incorrect/causing the animal pain, and that you were lucky that due to yours/the horse's natural build you fitted each other. But a different horse/rider combination, whilst on paper the same, might not because of differences in their conformation - e.g a rider holding more of their weight in their legs/backside rather than in front.

 

[Coblover18]

Coblover please be absolutely sure that you don't feel this pony was perfect for you because he wouldn't trot, and not in spite of the fact he wouldn't trot.

If he made you feel safe because he was going nowhere, then he might not be the right pony to continue to learn to ride on (we're all learning), or you might not be quite ready yet to have your own.
.

Thank you i liked him because he had a really calm temperament so he was perfect in that aspect but not in the ridden aspect

 

[windand rain]

Sorry get a bit fed up of people who push people onto big horses when for the vast majority who will be far better, far safer on ponies. I did also add that this cob might not be right but it was not it's size if it truly is 14hh. It would be more its unwillingness to trot and in the photo it looks smaller, but it is a rotten photo to judge from

 

[TheLoneWanderer]

No way is he 14hh. Sorry but you look too big for him. My 14.1hh looks loads bigger.

 

[asmp]

Thank you for all your lovely comments. We have decided to say no to him. I just absolutely loved his temperament he was so calm and gentle which was what I was looking for but I want to do dressage so if he can’t trot it’s probably not a good idea to buy him. Also I have never sat on such an expensive saddle and I definitely won’t be again lol

It’s probably for the best. I’ve had my 14.2 for 14 years and all this time I’ve wished he was an inch or two bigger! In hind sight I should have bought something around 15hh.

 

[Widgeon]

If you have any growing to do, I would say that you will outgrow him very quickly

I don't know, I'm 5'7" and 10.5 stone and I used to ride a 13.3 Highland. Plenty of chunk to wrap my legs around! I think it's really hard to tell from that photo OP - I'd look at him again (and maybe even take an experienced friend and a measuring stick!) but the not trotting thing would worry me. If he is a bit small for you it'll be hard to get your legs in the right place to ride effectively. However if you do buy him, keep aside a good chunk of money for a saddle as it's really hard to find a suitable saddle on a tight budget for a tall person and a small horse (pony).

 

[Snow Falcon]

I'm an adult and I ride ponies. A decent pony with a nice deep girth will take up the leg well. My riding mare is 14.1hh, occasionally I'll pop on my sons's 13hh & 13.3hh. I'm 5'7ish and prefer keeping closer to the ground. Loads of adults on NF's ponies here.

You will find something that suits you. I appreciate you may find viewings a bit awkward but the right pony will ease that.

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

Coblover 18 I think you have made the right decision, not that it is any of my business but I would hate to see you with regrets a few months down the line.

If you let us know your rough travel area and a wish list perhaps some of us can see if we come across something more suitable.

 

[HollyWoozle]

You had a difficult decision to make there @Coblover18 as he looks really lovely, but I agree that he does look a touch on the small side for you. I think there's another fab pony out there waiting for you who will have a calm temperament and the moves as well. Good luck in your search.

 

[View]

I’m another saying well done for keeping looking. I also suspect this one isn’t 14hh. Oh and our daughter shot up ; 4 inches between 18 and 23!

 

[littleshetland]

I'm going to stick my head above the parapet here...but if he feels right for you...get him. I'm 5'10" and rode my daughters cob for years - 15.1hh and had an absolutely wonderful time with her...there's nothing she wouldn't do for me. Providing cob passes the vet, when you get him home, make sure you get a few lessons with him to help you form your new partnership - I hope you have a wonderful time with him. You'll be trotting and cantering in no time at all. I think you look grand on him!

 

[LegOn]

Fitted by a master saddler the day before the start so 2 days before the competition again the photo is perhaps distorting the picture. my ponies have saddle fitters/dentist/farriers regularly. and have done since way before it was fashionable to so so. The saddle was made to measure both of us. She is 26 and never had a day lame apart from an injury jumping with a 5 stone child. So no I don't think chunky ponies have issues with adult riders in fact would go as far as to say there is a pony for every rider up to about 13 stone. Bigger horse the more likely it will break in my experience especially over 16hh. As demonstrated mny times on this site

[/QUOTE]

Sorry get a bit fed up of people who push people onto big horses when for the vast majority who will be far better, far safer on ponies. I did also add that this cob might not be right but it was not it's size if it truly is 14hh. It would be more its unwillingness to trot and in the photo it looks smaller, but it is a rotten photo to judge from

Wow some really big sweeping generalisations here - bigger horses break more easily?? Eh, thats like saying Chestnut horses die younger than other colours - unless there is some worldwide studies of horses versus ponies and sickness/illness/death I'm not aware of! Great that you have had that experience but it really doesnt lend itself to any actual factual statement.

As for ponies for being safer - yeah I am going to call bullshit on this one aswell - SWEEPING generalisation, any yard that I've been on - I've seen more accidents, meltdowns and full on rodeos from anything under 14.2h!!! (ever heard the phrase concentrated evil!) Have an auld search on Facebook and the number of ponies that are absolute little demons, is equal if not more than the larger idiots we all are obsessed with sitting on!!!!!!

At the end of the day - they are horses (and ponies) and each rider and horse combination is completely individual with an individual set of experience and environmental circumstances - imagine someone else had your 'never a day lame' 26 year old and kept it differently than you did, on different type of ground, different feed, did different work on it, it might have had a very different life and been sick and sorry every other year. Who knows!! I'm really glad you never had that experience but it doesnt make it a scientific study of ponies.

 

[LegOn]

Also to add @windand rain I agree it not so much about the size of human versus size of pony - I was more concerned about the lack of forwardness of the pony with the rider and that it was already an issue and therefore could be an issue further down the line. Maybe it wasnt the right fit for them as the pony seemed to be already struggling.