thatsmygirl
Well-Known Member
As about really, iv got a huge passion for exmoors and would like another one to re live my child hood 
but what weight can they carry for happy hacking
but what weight can they carry for happy hacking
Exmoor pony how much weight can they carry?
- Thread starter thatsmygirl
- Start date
Kacey88
Well-Known Member
Just checked on the Exmoor Society page:
"Larger ponies can generally carry up to about 12 stone quite comfortably. Even the smaller ones are capable of carrying a medium sized adult"
"Larger ponies can generally carry up to about 12 stone quite comfortably. Even the smaller ones are capable of carrying a medium sized adult"
thatsmygirl
Well-Known Member
Thanks
The Xmas Furry
Old Timer
However, you would not put on a 12 stone adult IF the pony had not been conditioned to do so.
EG, pony ridden by 6 or 7 stone rider, then has 12 stone rider put on for an hours hack = not good at all.
Unbacked pony = damage can be done by too heavy a rider.
Also, remember the heavy weighted rider may not be as flexible as a lighter rider, also the pony is usually short coupled, so finding a saddle to fit a heavier (and therefore bigger) rider AND to also fit the pony too - without restricting its movement would be a herculean task.
On the whole as a norm, you should expect an average sized Exmoor to cheerfully carry 8 - 9.5 stone for most events, from showing to x/c or hunting (weight of saddle etc is extra over the figures quoted)
EG, pony ridden by 6 or 7 stone rider, then has 12 stone rider put on for an hours hack = not good at all.
Unbacked pony = damage can be done by too heavy a rider.
Also, remember the heavy weighted rider may not be as flexible as a lighter rider, also the pony is usually short coupled, so finding a saddle to fit a heavier (and therefore bigger) rider AND to also fit the pony too - without restricting its movement would be a herculean task.
On the whole as a norm, you should expect an average sized Exmoor to cheerfully carry 8 - 9.5 stone for most events, from showing to x/c or hunting
(weight of saddle etc is extra over the figures quoted)MuesliMoo
Well-Known Member
However, you would not put on a 12 stone adult IF the pony had not been conditioned to do so.
EG, pony ridden by 6 or 7 stone rider, then has 12 stone rider put on for an hours hack = not good at all.
Unbacked pony = damage can be done by too heavy a rider.
Also, remember the heavy weighted rider may not be as flexible as a lighter rider, also the pony is usually short coupled, so finding a saddle to fit a heavier (and therefore bigger) rider AND to also fit the pony too - without restricting its movement would be a herculean task.
On the whole as a norm, you should expect an average sized Exmoor to cheerfully carry 8 - 9.5 stone for most events, from showing to x/c or hunting
Whilst I agree that it is down to what the pony is used to, I think most exmoor folk would agree that an average sized exmoor would cheerfully carry more than 8 - 9.5 stone
Also most exmoors easily carry 16 - 17" saddles (my friends are in 17" and 16.5" I believe). My girl is 12.3h but takes a 5'6 rug
The Xmas Furry
Old Timer
Whilst I agree that it is down to what the pony is used to, I think most exmoor folk would agree that an average sized exmoor would cheerfully carry more than 8 - 9.5 stone
Mine were all in 14" to 15.5" saddles depending on the rider and what they were doing
I've found that anything bigger has restricted movement or been unsuitable for riders to be effective or to position themselves in the right place IMHO for anything more than a gentle hack, but we can agree to differ as not everyone is the sameWhilst I'd agree that they 'can' carry more, any pony needs to be accustomed slowly to carrying more weight. Unfortunately, not all riders are accomplished and this together with a heavier weight can in itself cause issues.
Tho we all know that Exmoors are 14.2's with short legs (and necks!
)Have only had those within breed std heights due to competing & they all mostly were in 4'9 to 5ft with the biggest mare of a full up 12.2 still fitting neatly in a 5'3
Kallibear
Well-Known Member
I'm almost 11st (tall but slim) with clothes on and hugely picky about overloading horses (just because they CAN doesn't mean they SHOULD) but i'd happily ride a large exmoor. Friends got a couple who are happily ridden by light-ish adults.
Just a well really as they're norty little buggers in general and mostly not suitable for kids.
His all take 17" saddles and 5'6+ rugs. Some breed lines are more short coupled than others.
Just a well really as they're norty little buggers in general and mostly not suitable for kids.
His all take 17" saddles and 5'6+ rugs. Some breed lines are more short coupled than others.
Fransurrey
Well-Known Member
At my heaviest I was riding Henry at 11st (about 8 years ago). He hadn't noticed it (and I didn't have scales), but I was schocked when I had a sneaky weigh-in during a toilet visit at a friend's house!
I try to make sure I'm 10st or under and if I don't go down to 9.5st soon, I'll effectively retire him, as he's 20 in April, so usual weight carrying capacity will be less, I think. He's in a 15.5" saddle (sweeping seat) and takes a 5'0" rug. His mare seems to be longer backed, yet due to being so narrow takes a 4'9".
I try to make sure I'm 10st or under and if I don't go down to 9.5st soon, I'll effectively retire him, as he's 20 in April, so usual weight carrying capacity will be less, I think. He's in a 15.5" saddle (sweeping seat) and takes a 5'0" rug. His mare seems to be longer backed, yet due to being so narrow takes a 4'9".