Am I too big?

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YellowCaterpillar

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Ok, so I'm considering buying a 5 year old 15.1hh Appaloosa mare. I am 5 foot 7 and weigh 14 stone, I've just started a diet so hopefully I will lose some of that. I don't have any pictures atm but build wise she is roughly the same as a middle-weight hunter and currently in good condition/ ideal weight.
Going by the 20% guide she should be able to carry me, the only thing is she is unbroken and I am unsure if she will be able to carry me starting out. I am a fairly light, balanced rider and have been told that I ride very soft/ sympathetically but I'm just worried that she may need a lighter rider until she has been schooled and has learned to balance herself/ carry a rider.
Any thoughts?
 
I'd say you are rather too heavy for her at the moment, BUT, on the positive side, if she is unbroken, you will need to do all the groundwork, and longlining etc..which will certainly help you to lose the pounds!
 
I would say you'll be too big to back her, but that is purely my personal opinion, but I wouldn't say you'll be too big for her in the long-term.
 
I am not sure on the official answer for this but feel that if someone has to ask then its usually not a good sign

I think the thing to ask yourself honestly is whether you are likely to lose the weight. If your weight has shot up suddenly thats very different to being a certain weight for years

If you are planning the equivilent to buying a pair of jeans thinking you will slim in to them then bear in mind this would be a much more expensive mistake!!

I would get some advice from someone who knows you well and who can evaluate the horse, it could be that you have nothing to worry about but getting something more heavily built that you can enjoy without the ifs and buts would take a lot of pressure off of you
 
Thanks everybody! I think I already kind of knew but just needed a bit of confirmation :P
I was 2 stone heavier than I am currently so hopefully I will continue to lose the weight. Hoping to get down to 10 stone.
I have ridden smaller horses than her (a very stocky 13.2hh and a 14.2hh connie) and they have carried me no problem, but that was for once off lessons and these ponies have a lot of experience under their belts!
Thanks again everyone for the advice, it was really helpful! More importantly, thank you for being honest!!
 
I'd say too big atm.

I'm 5'7 and about 9 and a 1/2 stone and I don't feel too big for a 15hh 5 y/o so if you try and get down to 10 st then you'd be fine I would think.

It would be useful to see some pics, she sounds lovely. :)
 
I'm a bit shorter than you and a bit lighter. I'm an established rider competing at medium level.

I wouldn't be keen to purchase an unbroken 15.1hh for myself to break and ride on.

If you really are set on buying this horse my advice would be to get her broken in by someone else and loose at least 1 stone before you consider riding.
 
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