honest opinions wanted - am I too big for the little pony?

[zoon]

I have a little companion pony who is rising 3 and next year I would like to have him backed. I'd send him off to have him backed as I have never done it before (but have ridden youngsters).

He is 12.2 currently, but built like a brick **** house. I think someone has given me a maxi cob with half his legs chopped off! When I got him (he was a rescue found by police and I took him on) he was tiny and skinny and all I wanted was to give him a nice home and have a nice companion for my horses. Now he's grown into a really chunky little pony cob and has a great attitude, so would love to see what sort of riding pony he'd make.

I am currently about 65kg and 5'3. I've got some baby weight that I haven't lost yet so it'll hopefully go down a little! Height wise, I have no issue as my legs are short and he is so wide he'll easily take up my leg, but worried my weight plus tack will be too much.

So honest opinions - am I too heavy? Saw human plant on tv the other night with ponies galloping down hill over rough terrain sporting large men in full hunting gear and it gave me hope!

He will be for sale in the future when I no longer need a companion, but would like to be able to hack and school him myself.

 

[nixxyz]

goodness no, he should carry you fine. there's too much emphasis on weight and height of ponies/ horses these days, if he is as stocky as you say there wont be a prob.

 

[Kallibear]

I'm the same weight as you (about 10st) although rather taller (5'8) and I wouldn't be happy riding such a small pony for more than a quick shot, not least because (assuming he's the standard short backed cob model) he's not going to take even a 16" saddle, and 10st squished into a 15" saddle is far too much pressure under the panels.

However, at 5'3 you're not too tall so if you do loose the baby weight (chasing after said baby should do the trick) then you should be fine, and fit into a dinky saddle ok too. He's also only 3 so won't be ridable until next year anyways so there's dieting time yet!

My 5'2 friend is 8st and rides a 12'2 pony no probs, and also fits into his saddle fine.

 

[bagpussblack]

Im 5ft 4....10st 10lbs and i own and ride my 12hh dartmoor pony.

She carries me with ease and we do plently of hacking and schooling...AND she takes a 16" saddle fine so i dont have to squeeze my butt into a 15" saddle.

So in my opinion your little chap should be just fine! Not quite sure what some peoples problems are with adults on ponies, they're far far stronger than given credit for!

 

[BlizzardBudd]

hiya, you should be fine. i find that some people ride ponies that they look far too large for. but as you, you will be fine.

 

[xxMozlarxx]

At 5ft 4 and (then) 9 stone I used to get on my daughters shetland. It wasnt particularly comfy for me but he had no problems at all carrying me. I have also ridden my grandaughters 12.2, he was finer than a cob but again carried me fine over a few small jumps.

 

[stroppy]

Pictures????

 

[pardalis]

You haven't mentioned his breed but I'm guessing he's native type. These ponies carried grown men with no problems. I'm sure you could tell if he was uncomfortable when you mount him (excessive shifting, feet slipping). I'm sure that's not the case with your weight.

Those short legs will make him bouncy though!

Lots of fun!

 

[nikkimariet]

I would have said that you will be fine on him! He sounds really hardy, and especially since you have already stated that you've got a little weight to lose I think you will absolutely fine! Besides, 65kg is roughly 10st..... so by rule of thumb 12.2hh - 12st is acceptable to me. My little welsh section B was 12.2 and I reckon he could have carried my 13st Dad with NO problems!! xoxo

 

[zoon]

You haven't mentioned his breed but I'm guessing he's native type. These ponies carried grown men with no problems. I'm sure you could tell if he was uncomfortable when you mount him (excessive shifting, feet slipping). I'm sure that's not the case with your weight.

Those short legs will make him bouncy though!

Lots of fun!

He is a gyspy cob type (but he drank the bottle labelled "drink me" in Alice in wonderland). Still bum high, so may make 13hh, but think he'll just stay like that and have a wicked buck on him! He is very short backed, but I also have a small ass and can fit it into a 15" saddle ok!

 

[pardalis]

He is a gyspy cob type (but he drank the bottle labelled "drink me" in Alice in wonderland). Still bum high, so may make 13hh, but think he'll just stay like that and have a wicked buck on him! He is very short backed, but I also have a small ass and can fit it into a 15" saddle ok!

Ah - the small ass is the key. I blame my big one on being in a saddle whilst it was developing (excuses, excuses!)

You'll know if it doesn't work. With a pony that size and age he'll develop great flexibility with the right work. If you're too heavy he won't. I'm sure you're fine.

When I worked at a small riding school it was part of my job to keep the smaller ponies well schooled - I loved it, they were always much sharper than the horses. A couple of sessions each week kept them on top form. They also got a lunging session to keep them in tune with the voice and helped make them supple.

 

[ttt]

What you ride is your business but you asked for honesty. I would not allow my daughter to ride a 12.2 4 year old pony and she is less than 8 stone and 5ft 3.

 

[zoon]

What you ride is your business but you asked for honesty. I would not allow my daughter to ride a 12.2 4 year old pony and she is less than 8 stone and 5ft 3.

Don't worry, no offence taken. Normally, I wouldn't consider it, but have the feeling he going to be a sod and don't fancy finding myself a child rider if he is goign to be difficult. I have found myself a small and experience adult to back him, but with him being so stocky I wondered if I could get away with bringing him on myself, save paying her to do it. Going on the 20% rule I figured if I lost the baby weight I'd be fine, but having never ridden anything smaller than 14hh as an adult I am a little dubious.

Thread has gone the was I thought it would - 2 schools of thought out there. 1 saying the ponies carried grown men for Gods sake and another saying most certainly not you'll squash him!

 

[ttt]

As with anything to do with horses, ask, listen to everyones (totally different opinions) and then make your own decision.
All the best with whatever you decide to do.

 

[Kallibear]

Thread has gone the was I thought it would - 2 schools of thought out there. 1 saying the ponies carried grown men for Gods sake and another saying most certainly not you'll squash him!

I don't think you'd squash him at 10st, I just don't think it would be fair. Just because he CAN doesn't mean he SHOULD. My horse COULD carry 16st but he would find it hard work and difficult, therefore I don't think it's fair and don't let him. I think at 8st he would fine your height and weight easy to carry, but at 10st (esp as just broken) he'd find it hard work.

As for the 'he'll tell you' : HOW exactly? Stagger about when you get on? Horses are stotic animals and not prone to making a fuss, natives even less so. You can train a horse to tolerate just about anything! How many horses do you know with badly fitted tack that just soldier on?

Mind you, he may well grow to 13.2 of solid traditional cob, which would solve the problem!

 

[xxMozlarxx]

If you know what you are doing the pony will tell you, you will know instinctively by his way of going whether it is OK. You would need to have done it to know...... lots of people on here have lots of opinions on things they havent experienced!!

 

[Kallibear]

If you know what you are doing the pony will tell you, you will know instinctively by his way of going whether it is OK. You would need to have done it to know...... lots of people on here have lots of opinions on things they havent experienced!!

What, lots of experience of overloading horses? What a lovely thing to be experienced in

Sadly I DO have far more experience in it that I would like from RDA work and I know that the horses don't make a fuss. They soldier on uncomplainingly and it's only if you have a gold standard comparision (balanced lightweight rider compared to overweight unbalanced rider) that you can tell the difference, if you're really looking carefully. Which the OP most certainly won't have: what exactly is she going to compare her just broken 4yr against?

 

[pardalis]

It is definitely instinctive.

No, not instinctive - more experienced. You know when a horse is comfortable with you on top when you get on if you've been on many shapes and sizes before. I stand by my comments of shifting (excessive). And I would not recommend anyone even try if they were a lot over the OPs weight.

 

[BSJAlove]

i have a 12.2hh 4 year old NF pony, im 5ft 4 and i am 54kg (roughtly 8.5 stone) and i am currently backing him. i havve no plans to be his 'perminant' rider. but during the backing, i want to be the one to do it. i dont want to be responsible for a child falling off him and getting hurt. he copes fine with me. in the long term, i dont think he would. but until he is okay for a lighter weight child, he can learn with me on board hes doing very well TBH.

 

[brighteyes]

Not while he's still maturing. An older one, possibly, but not one which is still growing.

 

[canteron]

No, not if he is a stocky native type but if me I would poss leave him for another year, build up the work very slowly to build up his back muscles and maybe get his back checked regularly to ensure that he isn't developing any problems.

But honestly, I think he would much prefer to be broken and ridden by you and have an interesting life than left unbroken.

If it helps, I have a stocky type 12.2hh pony who has come into my life by a similar route and we are currently working with him prior to breaking him. He is cheeky and bright and it is incredible rewarding seeing how he is enjoying being a working pony!!

Good luck.

 

[scarymare]

I think you'll be fine but again the saddle issue may be a problem. I had this with a 15 hand short backed cob and in the end had to sell as she got a really bad back with my 17 inch saddle (I could no way fit a 16 inch!)

 

[tallyho!]

If you think it will be an issue, Go onto BBC iPlayer and watch Human Planet (last weeks) and you'll never feel too big ever again!!!

 

[mainpower]

It also depends on how lightly you ride..... 7 stone of stiff bouncing rider will be far harder on the horse than 10 stone of balanced supple riding.

 

[zoon]

I can easily leave him til later - he is a companion for my other youngster so will not be sold for another few years. And if he is fairly quiet, I'd find a small rider for him anyway, but have a feeling he is not going to be! But how much more is a rising 3 year old likely to grow?

Anyway, this is the fella in question -

After foot trimming, worming and getting a little weight on him -

A couple of months later when worm belly has gone, very bum high and filled out a lot

Most recent photo just before xmas

 

[Sarah Sum1]

I don't think you'd squash him at 10st, I just don't think it would be fair. Just because he CAN doesn't mean he SHOULD. My horse COULD carry 16st but he would find it hard work and difficult, therefore I don't think it's fair and don't let him. I think at 8st he would fine your height and weight easy to carry, but at 10st (esp as just broken) he'd find it hard work.

As for the 'he'll tell you' : HOW exactly? Stagger about when you get on? Horses are stotic animals and not prone to making a fuss, natives even less so. You can train a horse to tolerate just about anything! How many horses do you know with badly fitted tack that just soldier on?

Mind you, he may well grow to 13.2 of solid traditional cob, which would solve the problem!

I agree with this:
Just because he could carry you, and others have carried grown men, doesn't mean they would be happy doing so. But as said, horses/ponies are loyal forgiving creatures and often will soldier on for us.

I also don't think it's fair while he is maturing.

ETA He is a lovely chap!

 

[rara007]

I really don't think it'll be a stuggle for the pony to carry the OP in a year atall! I'd leave it a year though, I expect he will grow and fill out more- our 13.1s seem to mature at about 7!

 

[zoon]

certainly nothing will be done this year with him. He'll be bitted and taken for walks and maybe the odd inhand show to get him out and about, but other than that he'll be out in the field with my yearling colt.

 

[Sarah Sum1]

He does look quite a stocky little chap. Perhaps he will grow a little more also. Whatever you decide to do, best of luck with him, he looks a sweetie

 

[V1NN]

Awww that pony is sooo cute, he will easily carry 10st! in my opinion anyway. When i worked on a dealer yard i weighed just under that and frequently rode horses around the 12.2hh mark and they were not as chunky as him, obviously it was just to school them on a bit and make sure they were quiet etc, and not a permanent thing but i cant say any of them ever gave the slightest feeling they were finding it hard. Best of luck with him he looks like he'll be ace!