Am I too big for my pony?

[struttysarah]

We have

I agree the maths ain’t adding up with the heights just because I know loads of 5,4/ 5’5 people that ride 13.3 cobs and they don’t look like that reminds me more of one girl who didn’t believe us her pony’s was 12.1 she thought it was 13/14 hh until we saw measured it infront of her x

We have 7 horses/ponies in total, and she is the biggest pony, my sister has a 13.2 cob, a lot of people say she looks smaller, but I promise she isn't x

 

[struttysarah]

She does look like she needs to build top-line and general condition. Luckily you have the whole summer ahead of you for her to gain weight. There are lots of ground work exercises you can do to help gain muscle tone in the right area's. A good physio can help you with this.

As an example I have a none ridden pony - we do lots of raised poles and backing up up hill, carrot stretches, long reining over and round obstacles etc. He walks out in hand - like hacking but without a saddle and rider, he loves it and it helps with my weight management too.

As your pony is today I think your are a bit heavy for her and with out developed muscle she will struggle to balance with you onboard which is possibly why you feel unbalanced (that and the short stirrups). This is mostly due to your height rather than weight to be honest, but never the less you are changing her centre of gravity.


Can you do lots of ground work with her until you find a more suitable mount? it is very rewarding and with set you up to establish a good relationship with any future horse you do purchase.

I love ground work! I did 3 months of it with her over winter whilst she was recovering, and I was officially told I was ok to start riding her lightly. My horse cant be ridden but has to have loads of muscle because she has sacroiliac sub laxation, (basically without loads of muscle she would literally not be able to hold her back end up) so I do loads of groundwork with her too, but I do enjoy riding and wouldn't have a share from very bad experience. It's a bit of a dilemma!

 

[I'm Dun]

A chunky, fit and well muscled 13.2hh cob will be a much better size for you than her. Could you do a swap?

 

[struttysarah]

For comparison, this is me on a 17hh Percheron.

 

[struttysarah]

A chunky, fit and well muscled 13.2hh cob will be a much better size for you than her. Could you do a swap?

My sister would never agree to that

 

[HopOnTrot]

For comparison, this is me on a 17hh Percheron.

I think you need to remeasure your height! You make a 17hh look a normal size, are you sure you’re only 5, 5?!

 

[struttysarah]

I think you need to remeasure your height! You make a 17hh look a normal size, are you sure you’re only 5, 5?!

My sister would never agree to that

You're right, I must be taller

 

[AmyMay]

I think you need to remeasure your height! You make a 17hh look a normal size, are you sure you’re only 5, 5?!

Yes, you’re either 6ft or the horse is 15hh

 

[SEL]

I'm 5'3" and I manage to look normal on a wide 13h all the way up to 16.2 (who feels no wider than the pony!)

Trouble is when you have to shorten your stirrups to use your legs it pushes your weight to the back of the saddle and that can give the pony a sore back. I think you look too big on this one sadly.

 

[struttysarah]

Me standing next to the same horse. I look shorter in that one

 

[KittenInTheTree]

Is your torso long in proportion to your legs? That would make you look taller when mounted.

 

[struttysarah]

Is your torso long in proportion to your legs? That would make you look taller when mounted.

I would say the opposite, my legs are long and my torso not so much, beginning to think I'm a disproportionate weirdo

 

[I'm Dun]

View attachment 138932Me standing next to the same horse. I look shorter in that one

If you are 5ft5 then that horse is roughly 16hands, so either your 5ft9 plus or your measuring stick is broken

 

[Glitterandrainbows]

I do not think that horse is 17 hh x

 

[Lois Lame]

For comparison, this is me on a 17hh Percheron.

The photographer seems to be a little higher than the average photographer - maybe mounted on a really, REALLY big horse (ETA: about 20 hands), so that makes you look bigger than you really are on this horse. The photographer needed to get off that tall horse to take the photo. Then you would have looked short.

 

[Lois Lame]

I do not think that horse is 17 hh x

I think that horse is very tall indeed. How tall is he?

 

[struttysarah]

The photographer seems to be a little higher than the average photographer - maybe mounted on a really, REALLY big horse (ETA: about 20 hands), so that makes you look bigger than you really are on this horse. The photographer needed to get off that tall horse to take the photo. Then you would have looked short.

The lady was on a 16hh, and the horse I'm riding is half a millimetre of 17hh.

 

[KittenInTheTree]

I think some people have lost track of just how small 13.3hh actually is when translated into feet and inches.

 

[struttysarah]

Yes, its really quite small!

I think some people have lost track of just how small 13.3hh actually is when translated into feet and inch

 

[I'm Dun]

The lady was on a 16hh, and the horse I'm riding is half a millimetre of 17hh.

He cant be if you are 5ft5. 5ft5 equates to 16.1hh and your head is level with the horses withers.