Am I too big for my pony ?

[follysienna]

I am about the same weight as you and ride 12hh Exmoors comfortably, although I am shorter. I'm not sure the photos you've posted are from the best angle though, which makes you look bigger. I think you're fine to crack on, as long as your pony is happy and is up to date with vet checks, physio etc.

 

[meleeka]

I think you need to ask someone who knows you and the pony. Being tall isn’t a big deal, so it’s just about whether you are too heavy, which is doesn’t sound like you are. Of course there are practicalities to consider if you want to compete in certain disciplines, but if you are just having fun, I don’t see an issue.

 

[Hallo2012]

i actually don't think you look hugely tall or heavy on him, is the 58KG clothed?

what does jump out is that the pony is vey under muscled-is he old or been off work a long time? i think you are fine for light hacking, but i would also do lots of in hand walking up and down hills and slow work over raised poles(in hand) to build up his muscles as then not only will the pic look better but he will carry you more easily too. currently he looks weak.

i'm taller than you at 5'7 (weigh 51kg in riding clothes) but mine is smaller (juuuuuust 13hh on tip toes) and 380kg, but his muscle mass makes the overall pic better, i think if you slowly build your boy up it will look much better balanced.

 

[Clodagh]

I used to hack a 13.2 but she was chunky. She was absolutely fine. What defeated me though was to sit correctly in the saddle I had to have my stirrups so long. I’m 5’7”.
If he was fit and carrying himself I think you’d be ok, I’d work up to that slowly. When he has done his job and your confidence is back you can sit back and review how you are both looking and feeling.

 

[AmyMay]

Yes, I think you’re far too big.

 

[scats]

I think you are too big I’m afraid. An occasional pootle on a hack, fine, but not as your main riding horse.

 

[Tarragon]

Borderline!
You look slightly too long in the body (both torso and leg) and I think that the pony looks slightly built, but you would probably be fine for light hacking, especially if you were at the start of a programme to build up the pony's fitness and muscle.

 

[dorsetladette]

I agree with @Hallo2012 pony looks weak which makes the overall picture look out of proportion. Light hacking and lots of groundwork will help develop his muscle mass.

I'm in a similar situation. My 3yr old has only made 12.3 (I'm still hoping for another couple of inches). I'm 5ft2 and a smidge over 60kg (dressed). He is 350kg on the weigh tape. His saddle is very lightweight, but in total we are at the top end of the 20% mark (about 18%) so we are doing little and often on board and then in hand walks, long reining and groundwork. Hopefully when we get going properly in spring he'll be a little bigger and I'll be a little smaller.

Good Luck with your new pony.

 

[IrishMilo]

The saddle or whatever it is is way too long for the pony's back but because of your height you'll struggle to get anything shorter. I do think you're too big, sorry!

 

[Bellaboo18]

Sorry, yes, going on the pictures provided, I think you're too big.

 

[meleeka]

She’s 417 on the weight tape (is currently overweight) and I’m planning on light hacking only

I’m just quoting this as I think some posters have missed (including me) and it’s relevant I think. There’s a big difference between a half an hour pootle round the block and a pony competing.

i actually don't think you look hugely tall or heavy on him, is the 58KG clothed?

what does jump out is that the pony is vey under muscled-is he old or been off work a long time? i think you are fine for light hacking, but i would also do lots of in hand walking up and down hills and slow work over raised poles(in hand) to build up his muscles as then not only will the pic look better but he will carry you more easily too. currently he looks weak.

i'm taller than you at 5'7 (weigh 51kg in riding clothes) but mine is smaller (juuuuuust 13hh on tip toes) and 380kg, but his muscle mass makes the overall pic better, i think if you slowly build your boy up it will look much better balanced.

View attachment 121617

This. The photo posted above clearly shows a pony able to do what is asked of him with ease and carrying himself and his rider correctly.

Why did you ask the question OP? Do you feel too big?

 

[rara007]

You do look taller than 5’5 on 13.2 but you’re well within 20% and it’s a stocky pony. Enjoy!

 

[Tarragon]

The saddle or whatever it is is way too long for the pony's back but because of your height you'll struggle to get anything shorter. I do think you're too big, sorry!

If it is a treeless saddle then length isn't such an issue. I cannot tell what it is from the photo though.

 

[Tarragon]

Curious, the responses to this question are very varied; roughly split half and half between too big and not too big, with a few caveated (is that a word?!) ones.

 

[quiteniceforacob]

just to add that I never trust a weightape, definitely worth getting the weighbridge out. And if the pony is overweight, that’s already additional weight on their joints before a rider is added

 

[Jenko109]

Curious, the responses to this question are very varied; roughly split half and half between too big and not too big, with a few caveated (is that a word?!) ones.

I wonder if our back ground in horses plays a part.

I have always had New Forest ponies and have generally found the 'stone to every hand' rule to be a good foundation, at least for a fit, typey pony doing low level bits and pieces.

So the idea of a rider who is less than 10 stone, on a 13.2 native or cob type, to me sounds perfectly reasonable.

 

[Tiddlypom]

It's not 20%, it's 15% to be ethical, and it's to the horse's/pony's healthy weight.

I've just popped on the scales in my full riding kit inc helmet, body protector, fleece (but no jacket), short boots and half chaps, and it added just under a stone (6.3kg) to my nekked weight *. No horse tack included in that.

* ETA I did the weigh in because a trail riding centre that I am considering booking with does weigh riders dressed in their full riding kit, and I want to be well within that window if they popped me on the scales. All good, phew.

 

[Sandstone1]

I do think you are too big, sorry. Your knee looks to come over the front of saddle too.

 

[JGC]

The things is no one can tell from a photo really. The scientists have been there and figured it out for us that carrying 20 per cent of its bodyweight is an immediate welfare issue, 15 to 20 will cause problems. We don't need to guess now.

For the cob in my avatar, I had her weighed on a weighbridge and I would weigh myself every week in my riding gear (hat, boots etc. too) to check I was still under 15 per cent as I was right on the limit. I'd already weighed her tack, so knew exactly what weight I needed to be on or under. It's not much fun, but there was no way around it and if I'd gone a few pounds over, well it was back to long-reining until I was gone again.

I was repeatedly told by others that I didn't look to big on her, to stop being so silly etc. etc. My RI didn't really believe me until I told her how much I actually weighed before adding tack!

I really love riding (I'm a bit crap at groundwork) and I really love riding T, but that's just tough if I'm too heavy for her, even if it sucks.

 

[Jenko109]

The things is no one can tell from a photo really. The scientists have been there and figured it out for us that carrying 20 per cent of its bodyweight is an immediate welfare issue, 15 to 20 will cause problems. We don't need to guess now.

What scientists?

Everything I've read concludes that they should be able to comfortably carry 15-20%. Not that 15-20% causes problems.

 

[irishdraft]

Yes I think you look too tall especially on the forward facing photo tho it may just be the photo

 

[ihatework]

I think you look too tall on him, which will make riding effectively difficult. That said if you feel comfortable on him then it matters not a great deal.

Weight wise you are probably borderline. Fine for light non competitive riding but probably not ideal for long duration or very active stuff.

I’m certainly not OMG get off that pony now you squisher But if I were advising you on what to buy I’d say at least a hand bigger if that build or a much stronger/squarer build of native if going 13.2/14hh

 

[JGC]

What scientists?

Everything I've read concludes that they should be able to comfortably carry 15-20%. Not that 15-20% causes problems.

Sorry, confusing things because of my poor maths skills - I have to be 15 per cent, for the total for my horse with tack and all to be 20 per cent.

I have the weight I need to be under taped to my scales in the garage to stop me getting it wrong all the time!

 

[blitznbobs]

Yes you are and the saddle is tol small for you too

 

[SO1]

I think it also depends on what you want to do. I would say probably ok for gentle hacking and flat work but probably too tall for jumping and if you wanted to hunt, event, SJ, I think you need a bigger pony.

In terms of saddles you can get saddles where the seat and flaps can be customised so that you have smaller panels but a larger seat. For example a 16 inch seat on a 15.5 panel.

 

[stormox]

I would say you need a hand bigger, I think you would find it hard to keep a good position and give the aids correctly. You do look rather tall for him.

 

[newboult51]

Thank you for your honesty everyone. I bought her a few weeks ago to help me get over a very severe illness and I now feel I made a mistake, perhaps because of my vulnerability. It breaks my heart that I have to sell her but it’s best for her welfare so that’s what needs to be done. I don’t think I deserve a horse right now as I clearly lack judgement.

 

[gallopingby]

I don’t think you need to sell her immediately unless you really want to. Why not have some fun hacking and get your confidence back a bit more? There are very different opinions from people who don’t know you or the pony, some of them will have lots of experience, others will be a bit trigger/keyboard happy.

 

[TPO]

Thank you for your honesty everyone. I bought her a few weeks ago to help me get over a very severe illness and I now feel I made a mistake, perhaps because of my vulnerability. It breaks my heart that I have to sell her but it’s best for her welfare so that’s what needs to be done. I don’t think I deserve a horse right now as I clearly lack judgement.

I hate these threads when the OP already owns the horse.

You're not too heavy and it doesn't sound like you're planning on eventing so you'll be fine together for general riding activities.

I'm sure you're already on it but just keep up regular saddle fit checks and physio to make sure that all is well.

The horse will tell you if they aren't happy. Have a look at the "pain face" information so that you know what to keep an eye out for.

Enjoy your new pony and don't be so hard on yourself

 

[TheMule]

I think you’re fine for her- I wouldn’t advise hard work, too much schooling (pony looks a little weak behind so strengthening work in hand would be beneficial), or jumping her, but for hacking you should just get on and enjoy her