Am I too big to ride..,

T

Thelwell_Girl

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A 12 hh pony?

Best friends cousin has a pony. Were going to go see it tomorrow (and the foaly in the same field!) but it's 12.something.hh. Now, it's apparently a bit naughty, and a bit podgy, but at 11-11.5 stone am I too heavy to ride it?

TIA and shortbread for all!

TG xx
 
JoJo_ said:
I would say yes too i'm afraid. IMO a cobby 13.2 might be ok but nothing much smaller than that.
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Eep... I used to ride a 13.2 German Riding Pony and she wasn't cobby :o she seemed to manage alright, and indeed LOVED bombing off/napping/ being horrid :D
 
I'd be too big for a horse that small now too :(
Unfortunately, as they are bloody good fun!!! My first loan pony was 13.2hh and not particularly cobby and he indeed enjoyed tanking off broncing me off and behaving well the odd time! :)
K x
 
Wow, really? My 'old fashioned' 16yo Welsh A (11.1hh) carries my 7.5 ish stone of weight with a LOT of ease, I'd say he'd very easily carry someone of at least 8.5 stone if not more.
 
Ah, but K (and Sol), I bet I weigh a good few more stone than you! A bir sad, but hey, I have my Irish riding adventure soon! Will hopefully get to canter tho... Might ring them up just to check!
 
IMHO, yes you are too big sorry.

I'm only 8 stone and even I would be hesitant to get on a pony that size; I'd probably walk and trot for 15-20 mins only.

I don't feel comfortable at all on anything under 13.2hh and would prefer something at least 14hh and stocky; I believe that you can begin to feel subtle changes in the way the horse/pony moves as you get to the maximum of their weight carrying capacity and I'd rather ride something that barely notices my presence, like my TB mare.
 
If it's a bit podgy and unfit at 12hh then yes I'm afraid. I never willingly ride anything under 13hh unless told it's okay or put on it by an instructor! :) Will look forward to the pics though TG, please do tons of em! :D xx
 
thelwell_girl said:
Eep... I used to ride a 13.2 German Riding Pony and she wasn't cobby :o she seemed to manage alright, and indeed LOVED bombing off/napping/ being horrid :D
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Sorry, I agree, too heavy. And I don't mean to be unpleasant, but did you consider that the 13.2 may have been napping because it was uncomfortable carrying you? I've certainly experienced a horse trying to run away from me, probably due to me being too heavy for it-I got off and refused to ride it again.
 
cinammontoast said:
Sorry, I agree, too heavy. And I don't mean to be unpleasant, but did you consider that the 13.2 may have been napping because it was uncomfortable carrying you? I've certainly experienced a horse trying to run away from me, probably due to me being too heavy for it-I got off and refused to ride it again.
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She napped badly cos she wasn't ridden enough, and did so with pretty much anyone who rode her (one of the reasons her 9yo owner gave up). She wasn't very 'fine', quite stocky in build. Now teaching some little girls how to ride!
 
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I think it really depends on the type.

As a general rule I would say yes you're too heavy at 11-11.5 stone. However, I don't think people can blanket say at 8 stone is too my for 12hh or anything like that.
Remember Exmoor and Dartmoor ponies used to carry farmers across the moors and I'm guessing the average farmer weighed more like 11 stone and the average Exmoor/Dartmoor is 12hh!! That said on a Welsh Sect A anything above 7 stone probably would be ridiculous.
My 11.3hh Exmoor can carry about 10 stone with no trouble at all and can even jump small fences... the biggest problem is centre of gravity as you get taller and with so little neck in front you will go over the front if she stops suddenly!! Don't get me wrong she is definitely a child's pony and I wouldn't go hunting on her or anything but sometimes she needs an experience rider when she is just being naughty!
 
I agree Becky!

I broke in and still occasionally get on my friends 12.1hh NF! I'm 9.5-10 stone! 5ft6. She's as wide as she is tall (my legs don't even pass her belly. She's a bit fat, but not obese!). My friend of similar size sometimes hacks her out. She doesn't struggle one little bit. these ponies are weight carriers!!! The general rule is roughly one stone per hand.
 
TG I wouldn't say that .. I have been at uni for a year remember!!! ;)
I am in process of losing weight myself as terrified of putting more pressure on Kel's feet as they are :rolleyes:
But yes bloody enjoy your holidays, do as much riding and as much laughing as you can!!!!! And take as many pics as you can manage and upload them THE SECOND you get back!:D
K x
 
Ach I will!! Who can resist foaly pics, eh?! And am gonna bring my camera on my ride.

On a seperate note... Should I phone them and ask about speed etc?
 
Becki1802 said:
That said on a Welsh Sect A anything above 7 stone probably would be ridiculous.
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It wouldn't be if people stopped breeding these Welsh Sec A's with legs about as thick as my skinny little wrists. How most welsh A's seen in the show rings would do a days work as a pit pony, god only knows! They WOULD break! My lad isn't heavy, by any means, but he actually has legs!
Sorry, twiggy Sec B look-a-like Welsh Mountain Ponies are something I can't stand..... :p
 
Sol said:
It wouldn't be if people stopped breeding these Welsh Sec A's with legs about as thick as my skinny little wrists. How most welsh A's seen in the show rings would do a days work as a pit pony, god only knows! They WOULD break! My lad isn't heavy, by any means, but he actually has legs!
Sorry, twiggy Sec B look-a-like Welsh Mountain Ponies are something I can't stand..... :p
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I dont think that they were bred to be pit ponies. I really think that before you post such rubbish you should look up in a book about the breed. Section Bs are riding ponies for young children, they are not meant to have a huge amount of bone. You clearly know nothing about welsh ponies and cobs.
 
pastie2 said:
I dont think that they were bred to be pit ponies. I really think that before you post such rubbish you should look up in a book about the breed. Section Bs are riding ponies for young children, they are not meant to have a huge amount of bone. You clearly know nothing about welsh ponies and cobs.
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Charming. Why do you have to come along and spoil a perfectly well-mannered thread? Give the kid a break.
 
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