Coming off horses and going back on ponies?

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FinellaGlen

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Has anyone else done this and did you have any problems adapting to the pony movement? My last two horses were just shy of 17hh but I was having trouble getting on and off them due to a back injury. Riding was ok but mounting and dismounting were starting to cause me a lot of problems. I have had a complete change and am now the proud owner of a 13.3hh Highland mare.

The thing is, I can get on and off her with no problems whatsoever but I am struggling to adapt to her movement. She is wide, with no withers and a short neck and, if left to her own devices her little legs power away like pistons! I saw a video of myself riding her yesterday and it was not a pretty sight! My feet are stuck out at virtual right angles and I just looked a mess. My instructor says that I am sitting completely differently now compared to the way I sat on my WB. Any advice or should I give up now?!!
 
Stick with it, ponies are much more fun
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id say stick with it! althought it is a big jump down, and im sure alot of people would be telling u, u had done the wrong thing if u had gone from a 13hh to a 17hh!!

i was the other way round i rode ponies then went to a jumping yard and felt like a complete incapable rider on these huge horses, but after time and accepting that they move totally different i did get use to it.
now i get back on a pony and completly love it!!

i do agree ponies are much more fun! id say ride bare back or with no stirrups and get relaxed!

good luck
 
I moved away from large 17.2 - 18.2hh horses a number of years ago and moved down to 16 handers - loved it and not much difference in the ways of riding. But then when I moved over here, I went down a notch and went for 14.2hh - 15.2hh's and yes there is a definite difference in riding these little ones. The difference is lovely though and I personally wouldn't ever go back to huge horses again.

I've always been in the habit of riding ponies on a regular basis though so I find it easy to adapt. I'd say stick with it - remember you are riding something completely different and therefore your riding will not be the same. Have fun!!
 
You go for it!! Get some help from your instructor & stick with it, I am 40 years old & the very proud owner of a 13hh Welsh C & a 14hh Welsh X, we do everything together from draghunting to dressage, I am sure you will get the hang of it as its a big change. I never grew very big so never went on to horses, & I could never part with either of them, ever. Good luck XXX
 
Thanks. She is definitely fun to ride. I had a huge grin on my face the first time I rode her. It felt like being about 11 again!

I have decided to ride without stirrups as much as possible. I did 10 mins yesterday and 15 today. I will give bareback a try too when I feel ready. That should be fun - lol.
 
I think the highland stride is quite 'flat' compared to the bigger horses, so you will find that you can stay quite still in the saddle and then appear less bounced about by the shorter stride.
They ARE wide
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and of course your legs will be hanging off a bit as they probably go beyond the body - don't worry, we all look like that!
 
I was going to suggest bareback - sounds like you just need to get used to her way of going, short strides and wide back! At least with a wide back she'll be armchair like bareback! Relax and enjoy! I love highlands!
 
If it makes you feel any better, here is a picture of the winning pairs at Malvern this year, the width of the ponies makes it virtually impossible to get your leg on completely unless you have had them tied around a space hopper since birth

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even chunky ponies can look elegant
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I have ridden every size, but at the moment I'm riding my daughters 12.3h new forest; name, Turbo!
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he's like a rocket, but very safe, when your'e going fast on him you just don't move. I'm 5ft 3 and I don't feel big on him although others have commented otherwise. Just think there jealous cos I can go faster than them!
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By the way I'm getting on for 50! I'm know in the village as the speed queen.
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Ponies are brill....had ponys all my life and Im 27 5'1 and loved riding and owning them. They tend to tell it straight and are naughty rather then silly and dangerous like horses can be.
I have a 16hh horse now who is lovely to ride but is nothing like my little pony plus he is a long way up if he wants to mess around, where with a pony you can just jump off and most of the time you can control them better...
Love ponies...will always have them....
have fun :0)
 
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