Am I too big?

[Square]

My mom has just got a 3 year old Shetland filly who does get extremely over weight easily and I was wondering if next year I should back and start her to keep the weight off.

Im 5ft and weigh 7 stone. Is that too much weight for her to carry?

This is my sister who is about 2 inches taller than me stood next to her.

 

[vieshot]

nah ul be fine on her

 

[vieshot]

cant you start long reining her now though to keep the weight off this year?

 

[sidesaddlegirl]

I'd probably say yes. My 7 year old son who is about 3.5 foot and weighs about 3 1/2- 4 stone is starting to get a bit tall to ride shetlands now (although weight wise, he'd probably still be fine). Why don't you try driving her? My friend's 17 year old daughter drives her shetland

 

[vieshot]

shetlands used to carry full grown men just remember that

 

[ajn1610]

Weight carrying capacity depends on how much bone they have. You are supposed to measure just under the knee and there is a calculation of percentage of their own weight they can comfortably carry don't know what it is tho. Shetties were bred to be ridden by adults originally I believe and used like a hairy escort van! I'm sure you'd be ok for general riding but your center of gravity would be pretty high so watch out or you mind find your self in an unplanned dismount!

 

[sidesaddlegirl]

[ QUOTE ]
shetlands used to carry full grown men just remember that

[/ QUOTE ]

I know that, weightwise she'd be fine but just thought that maybe the original posters legs would be scraping the floor for every day riding not carrying her down to the pits

 

[Square]

Will be long reining and lunging once shes walking on a headcollar properly. Before we had her she was a pet in a working farm. Shes fantastic with kids cause the kids would cuddle her and give her tons of attention. But she was never taught to walk on headcollar. Luckily she follows her food.

Her mom used to be hurry scurry pony and competed at hoys in her younger years. So I think she'd also make a super driving pony, would just have to find someone local to help me cause I haven't got a clue.

 

[kerilli]

weight-wise i think you'll be fine, the only thing is that it might not do your position much good in the long term, as you'll have nowhere for your legs to go!

 

[Jay89]

Maybe think about breaking her in to driving? That way you won't have the problem with the legs!!

 

[kazs]

i dont think too big or too heavy, shetties are a good weight carrier.

 

[Tharg]

You'll be fine, have fun!