How many adults riding smallish ponies?

Patchworkpony said:
Highlands - I do so agree that there are people who look down on adults on ponies but I have also noticed that lots people on larger horses are frightened of them and have no mutual bond with them whatsoever. Ponies are generally much more canny than horses which is why some people don't get on with them. You can't bully a pony, it won't forgive you BUT you can forge the most amazing bond if you are prepared to form a partnership - this is why it is often best to have a pony young and let it grow up with you.

I know there are people on here who think I have a downer on horses - I don't; they so often can do a job that ponies couldn't hope to achieve but a horse and a pony are NOT the same type of animal and they do think and behave differently. I have been around both for more years than I care to admit to and I personally always prefer a pony when in a tight spot. Sadly though nowadays some of the natives have been so highly bred for the show ring that they have lost their workmanlike qualities. This thread was about how many adults are riding ponies and I am delighted that so many people have embraced the theme of it.
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Totally agree, at dressage someone on a huge beastie ( very nice...) the owner looked sadly. Said to my mum I would have so much fun on something like your highland.... Yes sadly they were both making each other miserable
 
I'm 5'1 and own a 14.2 Irish Sports Pony. Shes full of character and a fun ride. Tries her hardest at everything.

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I love this thread! I've always wanted a pony but assumed I was too big. I'm lightweight at 8.5 stone but tall at 5'9 and very leggy. I'm starting to think I could get away with a largish pony. I've put my horse hunt on hold for a while to consider it.
 
Patchworkpony said:
windand rain - your highland is certainly gorgeous and such a lovely colour. Where about are you? I might come and look at your youngster. Could you PM the details about her?
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Have pm you and I am in North Lincolnshire but very close to the Motorway about 20 minutes from the M180 so not far from anywhere really
 
Im 48 years old and have never wanted a horse, i just love ponys, they are so much fun and dont take life to seriously, i have a 13.2, and 2 14.2s
 
Me Me Me!, I'm 5'2 and so far into my fifties I'm nearly out the other side..

<a href="http://s1065.beta.photobucket.com/user/northernnewfiediva/media/untitled.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u388/northernnewfiediva/untitled.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo untitled.jpg"/></a>

This is my 13.2 NF mare - daughter riding ( can't make it open sorry)
We do everythingthe bigger horses can and I can get on and off, which would be a problem with anything bigger. She has a fab personality and is cheap to keep. What more could you want?:)
 
I saddle fit for natives, about 80% of my customers have ponies and at least half of those have adult riders. My one warning is saddle seat size - I have recently had to fit a Dartmoor where the rider needs a 16" saddle and although he's a real stonkingly solid type who can carry her weight easily, he has a tiny short back and can only take a 14" saddle. Try and find smaller ponies with longer ribcages when possible :)
 
This is me on my 14hh welsh x, I'm 5'9 and just over 11st, and my friend on her 13.2 Fell, think she's around 5'3. She also has a 13hh fell. Almost our whole yard is adults on ponies, the only horse we have belongs to my friend's 16yo daughter!

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Oh go on then!

5'3 - 9.5 stone (was a touch more in the photo) - 9yo 11.2hh Sec A

This is me sitting on Dooby my daughters' pony. She'd just put in a dirty buck so I thought "carry my fat arse that'll teach you" but she seemed to love it just as much as I did! I have now been schooling her a bit, better outline and bend and she's going a lot better for daughter now. I did take her on a couple of hacks too when my boy was out of work. She is so much fun!

I'd LOVE to take her hunting for an hour just to see what she's like before I take daughter on her on the lead from my horse, but fear I may get laughed out of the meet!

I can't upload the picture direct so heres the photo bucket link

http://s1080.beta.photobucket.com/user/nikCscott/media/IMG_2323.jpg.html
 
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im 5'4, weigh 9 stone and ponio is just reaching 14hh,. 4yo gypsy cob

Still has some muscling up to do, i feel so much better after reading this post! though i was seriously mad when my Dad said "thats not a bloody horse! thats a donkey!"

She never spooks but we've had to start again with training her. She adores trotting poles so hope to turn her into a nice jumping pony!

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Please excuse the awful turn out as we have a bog to get through before the school!
and also my face as i was laughing at how fab she was doing and not nappy for the first time!!
 
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sbloom said:
I saddle fit for natives, about 80% of my customers have ponies and at least half of those have adult riders. My one warning is saddle seat size - I have recently had to fit a Dartmoor where the rider needs a 16" saddle and although he's a real stonkingly solid type who can carry her weight easily, he has a tiny short back and can only take a 14" saddle. Try and find smaller ponies with longer ribcages when possible :)
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This is true i ideally fit a 17" but had to swap to a 16" for my cob, even though she has the back length of a horse!
 
nikCscott said:
Edgdem- you are fine on him- he'd carry 2 of you! Silly Dad (kisses teeth!) :D
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i know but i think my thought id come home with a magnificent 17hh hunter!

He just does't know I'm so much more in tune with her :) me and Boyf have toyed with the idea of both bareback riding her the pub as easy transport!! :eek: :D:D
 
Oh my goodness there are SO many lovely, lovely ponies on here that I am sure more adults will be encouraged to ride them and what is more to the point have lots and lots of fun. I often think pony owners area are a happier, more down to earth, bunch than thoroughbred owners. They have learnt to laugh at themselves - it is in the pony owners handbook.

As my OH has always said no one can afford to take themselves too seriously on a fell - you are only one step away from being made a fool of in public. Maybe that was just our fells though!

Please keep the photos coming they are so beautiful and inspiring. You are all so good to put your weight and height on along with the size of your pony - I think a lot a people reading this thread will be surprised at what a fit mature pony can carry. Thank you all again for supporting this thread - as a dyed-in-the-wool pony girl (of an unmentionable age)I for one am finding it very uplifting.
 
I have a gorgeous welsh cob who is 14hh I am 5'9"! I bought a horse then decided that I would go back to ponies, so me and my 9 year old daughter can share.

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Don't believe it when everyone says ponies are cheap to keep!! Mine are all warmblood, and they are walking vets/feeds/farriers bills!!!

Utterly gorgeous though, and I wouldn't swap them for the world - Natives don't do it for me!

14h Oldenburg 5 yr old

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Currently 12.1h Weser Ems yearling

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13.1h Irish 21 year old

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Oh, I'm 5ft8 and 9st4lbs ish
 
ok-so i am not an adult .....but i still love pony squishing ;);)
i am about 5ft9 (and still growing )and 63kg
my horse is 14.3hh standie
i have had many comments about my height .....but who cares:D:D
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am hopig to get a few more inches out of him though:rolleyes::rolleyes:
p.s those are jumping length stirrups:p
 
Patchworkpony said:
Whenever we met unpleasant, know it all riders at shows or out hunting (they were usually women) my husband used to say '...what she needs is a fell pony - that would put her in her place.'
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Patchworkpony said:
As my OH has always said no one can afford to take themselves too seriously on a fell - you are only one step away from being made a fool of in public. Maybe that was just our fells though!
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Never has a truer word been spoken - from a fellow Fell owner. :D
 
I'm 38, 10ish stone and have a 15hh connie X, ok not technically a pony but nearly!
funny though a lot of people refer to her as a pony, and it is not meant as a compliment :mad:
 
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