nagblagger
Well-Known Member
If you really looked that bad the seller wouldn't have sold you her. Enjoy her for a potter around and then decide. Do not do anything on the spur of the moment.
Am I too big for my pony ?
- Thread starter newboult51
- Start date
cobbycobgirl
Well-Known Member
It’s so sad that you feel like that! Of course you deserve a horse you’ve done nothing wrong.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.
You clearly care about her health and welfare, she’s probably in great hands with you.
If i were you I’d keep her as a light hack
Jenko109
Well-Known Member
Get your pony to a weigh bridge and get an accurate weight.
Then figure out how much she needs to lose and subtract it.
I bet you and your tack will equate to less than 20%.
Then you can stop worrying and just enjoy your pony!
Then figure out how much she needs to lose and subtract it.
I bet you and your tack will equate to less than 20%.
Then you can stop worrying and just enjoy your pony!
ownedbyaconnie
Well-Known Member
I'm 5ft 2, 50kg and have a 14.1 connie but have lightly hacked a friends 12hh welshy to keep them from going stale with their little children owners. As long as the saddle fits the pony and you, and you aren't over the weight limit then I wouldn't worry too much about feet being past belly etc or "looking" too big. If you're only going for light hacks then who cares where your leg is! Keep up with regular physio to make sure he's not getting sore.
and just make sure you base weight limits on the weight the pony SHOULD be, rather than what he is if he needs to lose some weight.
and just make sure you base weight limits on the weight the pony SHOULD be, rather than what he is if he needs to lose some weight.
Clodagh
Well-Known Member
Please just enjoy her, don’t overthink it and let her give you your confidence back.
Tarragon
Well-Known Member
This!
Errin Paddywack
Well-Known Member
You have a lovely pony who will help you get your confidence back. Make the most of her for now and if you later think you need something a bit bigger then make a decision then. I am smaller than you but weigh similar and I would happily ride her.
Lamehorses
Well-Known Member
OP, enjoy your new pony for now. Do some in hand core strength work with them. Making the pony as strong as possible in the right places will help.
Ridden wise don't go mad, hack, school, don't go eventing / endurance riding.
Once more muscled you may look / feel different. At the moment pony appears to lack topline which affects the overall picture. When stronger / fitter you may find you look completely different
Ridden wise don't go mad, hack, school, don't go eventing / endurance riding.
Once more muscled you may look / feel different. At the moment pony appears to lack topline which affects the overall picture. When stronger / fitter you may find you look completely different
motherof2beasts!
Well-Known Member
honestly your tiny , she’s in a TCS by the looks of it ?! So you’re not too tall for saddle. Honestly enjoy her , sounds like your confidence has taken a big kicking and she might be just what you need. Do you have other pics? As the angle of those is a bit dodgy!
splashgirl45
Lurcher lover
Enjoy her as a hacking pony to get your confidence back, you will do her no harm and actually some good by getting her fitter and more muscled. If, after a while, you feel you are under horsed you can think about selling but IMO , if she gives you your confidence back and loses a bit of weight I would keep her….
Barton Bounty
Just simply loving life with Orbi 🥰
I echo this!
Not everyone can be the perfect size or the perfect height …
You are most definitely not too heavy, you are well within the limits…
Go and enjoy your pony… get your confidence back and stop listening to random posters
For the record I have seen tall grown men riding arabs ! As long as you pony is fit and healthy, do not worry
SO1
Well-Known Member
You haven’t really said what activities you planned to with your pony. I think that makes a difference if you are just doing light work or if your plan is to do lots of jumping or faster longer rides.
You may find if you get your confidence back that you may want to do more jumping or demanding work and at that point you might want to consider a larger pony. As an analogy think about carrying a rucksack might be fine walking or running short distances but should you want jump a lot of hurdles or enter a pole vault or high jump competition or run a marathon it would be harder work if your rucksack is heavier than lighter and it might unbalance you if it was big or give you a bad back.
If you are worried that you are going to cause issues with her back regular physio to check everything ok and make sure saddle is a good fit. I think only time will tell.
You may find if you get your confidence back that you may want to do more jumping or demanding work and at that point you might want to consider a larger pony. As an analogy think about carrying a rucksack might be fine walking or running short distances but should you want jump a lot of hurdles or enter a pole vault or high jump competition or run a marathon it would be harder work if your rucksack is heavier than lighter and it might unbalance you if it was big or give you a bad back.
If you are worried that you are going to cause issues with her back regular physio to check everything ok and make sure saddle is a good fit. I think only time will tell.
meleeka
Well-Known Member
Does anyone who’s commented actually believe the pony is being harmed and you will cause it pain by light hacking? I doubt it. I do wish people would be more considerate in their replies. Have an opinion by all means, but to those replying “Yes, you’re too big”, but not explaining whether they mean tall or heavy or something else, isn’t very helpful, especially when the OP already has the pony.
OP go back and have a look at Hallo2012’s post with photo. As she said, the picture is totally different with a pony who is well muscled and doing his job. She’s not asking anyone else’s opinions, just getting on with helping two lovely stallions to reach their full potential in the dressage arena.
I’m someone who rode a 12.3hh pony because she was my first pony and I couldn’t part with her. I wasn’t too heavy, just 5’4”. I did have comments from people that I should upgrade to a bigger horse, but my answer was always why? Nobody could ever answer that question with anymore than “You’d look better”. Who cares! If I could bottle the feeling she gave me when we were out enjoying the countryside, I’d be very wealthy by now and the fact that she was smaller, was a plus in many situations.
OP Just enjoy the pony. Nobody else’s opinion actually matters, apart from your vets!
OP go back and have a look at Hallo2012’s post with photo. As she said, the picture is totally different with a pony who is well muscled and doing his job. She’s not asking anyone else’s opinions, just getting on with helping two lovely stallions to reach their full potential in the dressage arena.
I’m someone who rode a 12.3hh pony because she was my first pony and I couldn’t part with her. I wasn’t too heavy, just 5’4”. I did have comments from people that I should upgrade to a bigger horse, but my answer was always why? Nobody could ever answer that question with anymore than “You’d look better”. Who cares! If I could bottle the feeling she gave me when we were out enjoying the countryside, I’d be very wealthy by now and the fact that she was smaller, was a plus in many situations.
OP Just enjoy the pony. Nobody else’s opinion actually matters, apart from your vets!
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Red-1
I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
I thing it depends.
I bought Rigsby because I was having a tottering time. I barely wanted to sit on a horse. He measures 15.1 but had a big wither and I call him 'the pony' as his back is rather lower. He has plenty of bone.
I was 10 1/2 stone in this photo. It decided me that Rigs was suitable for the odd hack round the village for me, but not more. I felt too big for him. We sometimes do a little more, but not often. After gaining some equilibrium in my life, I bought a bigger one, a lovely youngster, with the confidence Rigs gave me.
I too was vulnerable when I bought Rigs. Do I berate myself? Nope. He did a job for me, and has a home here because of it.
I recently had another horrific event in my life. The young horse is pretty foot perfect but, somehow, it is Rigsby who I have gravitated to to ride. No fault of the bigger horse. Rigs is not fit, is old, is asthmatic... yet I have no hesitation in saddling up and going for a canter in the stubble. He is medicated, has a good saddle, isn't over worked (40 minutes, mainly walk, a couple of short trots and an enthusiastic canter). Before anyone berates me, the vet (here to do his 6 monthly dentistry) agreed with increasing asthma medication short term, and riding.
I wouldn't try to event him, but nor would I seek validation from strangers to ride him round the village a couple of times a week, as I feel it is OK. The vet says it is OK.
You may have your pony for a year and decide to move on up, as I did. I have kept Rigs as I have the facilities to do so, but you may decide to eventually sell the pony. I would say the pony is OK for occasional light hacking for you, same as Rigs is for me. It is hard to tell from a photo, you may be fine as the 2nd photo looks better than the first.
I bought Rigsby because I was having a tottering time. I barely wanted to sit on a horse. He measures 15.1 but had a big wither and I call him 'the pony' as his back is rather lower. He has plenty of bone.
I was 10 1/2 stone in this photo. It decided me that Rigs was suitable for the odd hack round the village for me, but not more. I felt too big for him. We sometimes do a little more, but not often. After gaining some equilibrium in my life, I bought a bigger one, a lovely youngster, with the confidence Rigs gave me.
I too was vulnerable when I bought Rigs. Do I berate myself? Nope. He did a job for me, and has a home here because of it.
I recently had another horrific event in my life. The young horse is pretty foot perfect but, somehow, it is Rigsby who I have gravitated to to ride. No fault of the bigger horse. Rigs is not fit, is old, is asthmatic... yet I have no hesitation in saddling up and going for a canter in the stubble. He is medicated, has a good saddle, isn't over worked (40 minutes, mainly walk, a couple of short trots and an enthusiastic canter). Before anyone berates me, the vet (here to do his 6 monthly dentistry) agreed with increasing asthma medication short term, and riding.
I wouldn't try to event him, but nor would I seek validation from strangers to ride him round the village a couple of times a week, as I feel it is OK. The vet says it is OK.
You may have your pony for a year and decide to move on up, as I did. I have kept Rigs as I have the facilities to do so, but you may decide to eventually sell the pony. I would say the pony is OK for occasional light hacking for you, same as Rigs is for me. It is hard to tell from a photo, you may be fine as the 2nd photo looks better than the first.
Clodagh
Well-Known Member
OP said light hacking only.
ycbm
Einstein would be proud of my Insanity...
I think you are borderline and that you will want a bigger pony. But I also think that you need this pony right now to hack about gently on and restore your confidence and your self esteem.
When you feel ready, the pony will sell easily to the next person who will love them just as much as you do, and you can move on.
Meanwhile, have some gentle soul-strengthening fun.
.
When you feel ready, the pony will sell easily to the next person who will love them just as much as you do, and you can move on.
Meanwhile, have some gentle soul-strengthening fun.
.
PinkvSantaboots
Well-Known Member
I think you look fine you have had her a few weeks so I would take it easy get her weight down get a proper saddle that fits you both, in 6 months the pictures will probably be totally different I really don't think you are going to do her any damage by keeping her at all, I really wouldn't sell her especially if she is going to help with your confidence.
Bellaboo18
Well-Known Member
As a poster that said yes to your question I also wouldn't rush in to selling. I'd ensure she's got some company to keep her nice and chilled, then just slowly build up what you do with her and like the post above see where you're at in 6 months time.
Gallop_Away
Well-Known Member
For goodness sake I hate these threads. People post before they think. Poor OP.
You will not harm this pony by doing some light hacking work. You are far from heavy. Please enjoy your pony OP xx
You will not harm this pony by doing some light hacking work. You are far from heavy. Please enjoy your pony OP xx
Bellaboo18
Well-Known Member
Tbf, OP asked a question. I'm sure if the question was shall I sell my pony etc...there would have been different answers.
Tiddlypom
Carries on creakily
Poster asked for honest opinions and got them
. No one was unkind. If you don't want answers you don't like, don't post a question on an open forum.
Gallop_Away
Well-Known Member
There are better ways to word replies sorry. Whatever happened to be kind? Does anyone honestly think she is too big or will damage the pony from light hacking!!?
Sandstone1
Well-Known Member
I doubt she is too heavy but is too tall and does not fit the saddle either. If she wants to plod around the lanes will probably be fine but for anything else she is too big in my opinion anyway. The question was asked I do not think anyone was overly harsh.
JBM
Well-Known Member
I don’t see anyone who was mean about their answer just a simple yes or no on their opinion and some explanations of their reasoning
splashgirl45
Lurcher lover
Tell that to William fox Pitt!!!!
follysienna
Well-Known Member
OP go to any county show with m&m working hunter pony classes and you will see 13-14hh ponies flying decent sized courses with fully grown adults. If as a combination you are happy and healthy, then you won't be limited to just light hacking.
Sandstone1
Well-Known Member
He does not ride 13hh ponies though does he? If the OP is happy and pony is ok then its fine. The Op must have concerns to have asked the question. The question was am I too big for this pony? The answer is yes she is to big but if she and pony are ok then thats all that matters. She will feel underhorsed in any comps but if happy to plod about then ok. Depends what she wants to do and if shes happy.
splashgirl45
Lurcher lover
If you compare the size of WFP to OP on her pony he looks too big as well, will you tell him not to take his horse round Burghley etc, it’s the weight that is more important and if the rider is balanced, and what work they expect the pony to do . The OP s weight is fine and pony isn’t going to be harmed just gentle hacking.. I agree not to do ODE etc but this is not what she wants to do …
Sandstone1
Well-Known Member
yes and if you read my post thats what I said... If pony can carry her ok and shes happy with looking too tall all is fine. However she does look too tall and may feel unbalanced. She will most likely get comments about being too tall but if Op and pony both happy thats what matters. However, the question was am too big for my pony? Quite honestly I think the answer is yes but thats my opinion. Sorry if you do not agree.