Am i too heavy to back my pony?

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fillin102

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My parents bred my arabian horse with my younger brothers Welsh Sec D pony thinking i would train the foal when the time comes, but 4 years on the time has come to back the colt, and im starting to think im too heavy for him. Hes turned out smaller than we had hoped now standing at only 14hh and i've turned out bigger since im 15 and am 5'9 and weigh 11 stone and still growing! Im used to backing our horses that are well over 15.2hh, so im not sure if im too heavy for him. Just want someone who knows more about ponies to let me know if i am ok to back him. thanks :)
 
How much does the pony weigh? The rule of thumb that I know of is that a horse or pony should carry a maximum of 20% of it's body weight including tack.

I think that this 'rule' is pretty generous as it would mean that my 1100 lb 15.1 horse could carry 220lb or more than 15.5 stone!! No way would I let someone that big ride him.

It looks like you are probably very close to weighing too much for the pony especially a youngster. Likely you are too tall as well, which would mean that your balance on him would be off.
 
my 12hh pony was backed by a chap who normally backs thoroughbreds and ponies legs didn't snap ;) i'm about to start schooling my daughters other pony who is a 4yr 13hh sec B and i'm 10st, been assured by a friends instructor that pony will cope with my weight fine, someone has to back these small ponies and we aren't all lucky enough to have the use of a confident/competent smaller jockey:)
 
Im just under the 20% line as shes 815lbs and so that means i have to be under 163lbs which is 11.6 stone? but i wasnt sure if its a very good rule to go by as it does seem quiet a bit, as my usual horse weighs 1212 so someone weighing 242 ish lbs should be able to ride her, (my mental maths sucks so might be wrong) but if thats right i wouldnt let someone that heavy get on her, but i suppose i could give it a go with the colt, and if he seems to be struggling or anything i will leave it till my sister is back from travelling so she can do it, but thank you for your advise :D -x-
 
Don't forget to add the weight of the saddle and your clothes (hat and boots too).

I'm aiming to get down to 9stone by next summer to back my filly. Luckily (or not as I'd love to be taller ;) ) I'm 5'4", she is bigger than your pony already and will hopefully make 15hh or possibly 15.1hh when fully grown.
 
I didn't know that rule of thumb, but have worked out that I was (with tack, clothes etc) under the 20%, so feeling pretty happy with that! OP, I should think you need to take into account how mature the pony is - both Sec D and arabs are decent weight carriers - and also just how much work you're going to do with him, but I would think general backing, riding on, hacking and light schooling should be okay?
 
yeah i will only lightly back him, and we allways use the really light saddles when we first back them so it only weighs about..4kg so i think its just on the line with that...but the sire is a great weight carrier and the dam is quiet a heavy Arab so i think it will be ok :) Also he's mature as he's spent the first 3 years of his life on the side of a mountain so hes gotten really strong (and fat!) but i've spent a year lunging him and just doing general work on his fitness and gaits so i think he'll be fine with me :)
 
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