how much weight can a 13.1/14 carry

There is a world of difference between 'looks too big' (by modern western cultural norms!) and what is causing the pony a problem. Remember that the Mongol hordes were grown men on sub 13hh ponies... that was a 2000 mile ride, followed by pitched battles where they thrashed everyone they met!

I look silly on my 12.3 Welshie, and don't ride him all the time, but he carries 11st easily enough. He has an extremely short back, which (whilst it's a challenge for saddle-fit) means he is stronger than most ponies his size.

He would probably be my ride of choice if I needed to invade Europe :D
 
I wouldn't have thought the Mongol riders were overly concerned about keeping their mounts sound into their teens and twenties though - pretty sure once one broke they'd just have replaced it with a fresh mount.
 
Nudibranch said:
I wouldn't have thought the Mongol riders were overly concerned about keeping their mounts sound into their teens and twenties though - pretty sure once one broke they'd just have replaced it with a fresh mount.
Click to expand...

Replaced it and eaten the old one! Plus, Mongol hoardes were full of men significantly lighter than OP.
 
I'm 5'3 & 8 stone. I used to have a 13.1hh Welsh B & now I have a 12.2hh Exmoor. My Exie when broken & ready would be able to carry a lot more than me. He's built like a tank.
 
Ignoring the weight of the rider issue, I think a lot depends on how the pony rides and if it's got a well set on neck. Frankiecob's pony would give you something in front but other ponies of the same height with a low set neck wouldn't. If you are thinking about safety then by all means go smaller but look for something that is not at all "whippy". My 15.2 has dumped me several times because he's very quick on his feet, but my 16 hand was much easier to stay with as he was broader and slower and had a great neck!
 
Thats a very good point. Everyone who ever sits on mine loves him, and even nervous people tend to feel safe on him. Part of it is that theres a lot of him to sit on, he rides much bigger than he is.
 
thanks for the replies everyone:) i wouldnt be wanting to be galloping around everywhere anyway sosomething heavy and well built is what im looking for. im thinking a highland type or a very stocky cob. i wouldnt get on anything if i thought i would harm it :)
 
Meg if you are anywhere near Northampton you are more than welcome to come and have a go on mine. Hes rock steady but still forward, he fills people with confidence as he just feels really safe. More than happy to pimp him out to you or anyone else who might benefit :)
 
when young and fit my 13hh highland pony did TREC with me including control of paces the hours of hacking in the map reading bit, then the obstacles with tack I would guess at the time I weighed 15 1/2stones She will be 21 soon and has only ever had time off after accidental injury with a six stone rider, She still is happy carrying anyone although I have lost 5 stone I no longer ride. I do now prefer her to have slightly lighter riders as she is now getting on a bit but she is still as wonderful to ride as ever and happy to jump, hack for hours and loves to gallop full tilt across the stubble leading her younger companions by yards
 
Last edited:
FrankieCob said:
Meg if you are anywhere near Northampton you are more than welcome to come and have a go on mine. Hes rock steady but still forward, he fills people with confidence as he just feels really safe. More than happy to pimp him out to you or anyone else who might benefit :)
Click to expand...

He's a beaut & I'd love to come for a visit!
 
Camilla's Aunty Em said:
He's a beaut & I'd love to come for a visit!
Click to expand...

Always welcome :) I adore him and think hes amazing and I love seeing people riding him :) My young skinny rider is very competent but has lost her nerve a bit jumping. Last weekend she jumped him about 70cms despite him being very green and not having jumped anything for a year. She got off beaming despite having nursed him a little bit and sat some big green cob leaps :lol:
 
FrankieCob said:
Meg if you are anywhere near Northampton you are more than welcome to come and have a go on mine. Hes rock steady but still forward, he fills people with confidence as he just feels really safe. More than happy to pimp him out to you or anyone else who might benefit :)
Click to expand...

thank you, would take up that offer if i was near you, however im a few hours away. he seems to be a lovely boy, shame im so far away :(
 
I'm 10 stone, 5'6/7 riding my very unfit (I'm at uni) 13.3hh for hacking every now and then. She carries me just fine but I am also trying to lose a bit and using her as an incentive so hopefully we can jump again this summer.
 
Certain natives are built to carry weight - my New Forest has a broad, strong back with a leg in each corner. Her back is probably better built to weight carrying than her larger cob cross friend. Mine is 12.2hh and I am a little over 9 stone. I would not even try to ride a 12.2hh Welsh B - finer and not built for it.

You would be fine on a 14hh New Forest - if you would fit comfortably into the correct length of saddle for the pony’s back. Same for Highland. Probably same for a Dales.

Confidence-wise though - my 12.2hh is mine because she was too naughty for the kids. Our 14.2hh cob cross takes beginners without blinking. Size does not equal safety!
 
Last edited:
Nudibranch said:
I wouldn't have thought the Mongol riders were overly concerned about keeping their mounts sound into their teens and twenties though - pretty sure once one broke they'd just have replaced it with a fresh mount.
Click to expand...


Just to play devils advocate the average Mongolian horse works until 18, and most live to between 20 and 30. They live in harsher conditions and are ridden by bigger men. If one of these men posted a pic they would be told they are too big, but yet the horses remain sound and live to a good age. why do people think thats the case? are they just hardier stronger breed?
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot 2022-04-06 at 10.43.09.png
    Screenshot 2022-04-06 at 10.43.09.png
    155.2 KB · Views: 22
  • Screenshot 2022-04-06 at 10.43.52.png
    Screenshot 2022-04-06 at 10.43.52.png
    277.8 KB · Views: 22
No good replying to the OP, this thread has been bounced by a junior person, a thread that started and originally finished in 2016, 6 years ago.
The OP was last seen here in 2016....

Zombie thread.....ponynutz, definitely worth you checking the relevance of bouncing an old thread ?

maya2008 said:
Certain natives are built to carry weight - my New Forest has a broad, strong back with a leg in each corner. Her back is probably better built to weight carrying than her larger cob cross friend. Mine is 12.2hh and I am a little over 9 stone. I would not even try to ride a 12.2hh Welsh B - finer and not built for it.

You would be fine on a 14hh New Forest - if you would fit comfortably into the correct length of saddle for the pony’s back. Same for Highland. Probably same for a Dales.

Confidence-wise though - my 12.2hh is mine because she was too naughty for the kids. Our 14.2hh cob cross takes beginners without blinking. Size does not equal safety!
Click to expand...
 
paddi22 said:
Just to play devils advocate the average Mongolian horse works until 18, and most live to between 20 and 30. They live in harsher conditions and are ridden by bigger men. If one of these men posted a pic they would be told they are too big, but yet the horses remain sound and live to a good age. why do people think thats the case? are they just hardier stronger breed?
Click to expand...
There is some evidence to suggest that certain pony breeds are 'better built' to carry weight, but the key thing is that your average Mongolian horse does a few weeks of work a year, if that, and spends the rest of its time free in open spaces. The body is given the time and space to recuperate from damage done by the saddle and rider weight.

Nothing similar happens in the UK; it's getting exceptionally rare that horses get even a month of holiday, let alone most of the year off, and those that do have 24/7 turnout may not always have turnout that encourages as much movement as a Mongolian horse will do, thanks to their poorer quality terrain.

I would hypothesise that, for the same reason, tamed horses kept semi-feral by gauchos in S.American also live long lives despite heavy riders and ill-fitting saddles.
 
The Fuzzy Furry said:
No good replying to the OP, this thread has been bounced by a junior person, a thread that started and originally finished in 2016, 6 years ago.
The OP was last seen here in 2016....

Zombie thread.....ponynutz, definitely worth you checking the relevance of bouncing an old thread ?
Click to expand...

Didn't realise it was a zombie thread as came up on the first page of threads yesterday morning, sorry! Still... not hurting anyone. Also not particularly sure what me being a 'junior' has to do with it (never mind that I'm actually an adult).
 
stangs said:
the key thing is that your average Mongolian horse does a few weeks of work a year, if that, and spends the rest of its time free in open spaces. The body is given the time and space to recuperate from damage done by the saddle and rider weight.

Nothing similar happens in the UK; it's getting exceptionally rare that horses get even a month of holiday, let alone most of the year off, and those that do have 24/7 turnout may not always have turnout that encourages as much movement as a Mongolian horse will do, thanks to their poorer quality terrain.
Click to expand...

^^spot on^^
 
There is a lot more than weight that can damage a horse. When I bought my Welsh at 9 years of age he was already screwed up.The vetting I had was poor.When he came home I noticed the patches of muscle wastage on his back from a poorly fitting saddle.Out came saddler and physiotherapist.Physio said he was stiff from the tip of his ears to tip of his tail.His right leg used to drop when he moved and he held his tail on one side.His old rider rode him in a kimblewick because (he goes dead flashy in it).He suffered from a poorly fitting saddle and very harsh and incorrect riding.It too a long time to get him right and most of the thanks must go to my very patient and correct instructor,
My vet says if only horses were allowed to move normally she wouldn't have to spend her life injecting hocks!Many horses I know are intermittently lame from about 9 or 10 and none of their riders are overweight.They are all taught though, by someone who is trained by some big names in dressage.
I know a western rider, male, about 6FT3, nice weight for his size, must be though about 12 stone at least.Western saddles are heavy.He rides 15hh quite light quarter horses.He competes internationally very successfully and his horses have long sound working lives.
 
ponynutz said:
Didn't realise it was a zombie thread as came up on the first page of threads yesterday morning, sorry! Still... not hurting anyone. Also not particularly sure what me being a 'junior' has to do with it (never mind that I'm actually an adult).
Click to expand...
As Cowrie said, it wouldn't have come up in new threads or posts as over 6 years old, it would only have come up in a specific search.
No, not hurting anyone (odd turn of phrase? ) but it's not the 1st time you've bounced v old threads, which have really not needed it as many similar ones more recently on exactly the same subject.
 
stangs said:
There is some evidence to suggest that certain pony breeds are 'better built' to carry weight, but the key thing is that your average Mongolian horse does a few weeks of work a year, if that, and spends the rest of its time free in open spaces. The body is given the time and space to recuperate from damage done by the saddle and rider weight.

Nothing similar happens in the UK; it's getting exceptionally rare that horses get even a month of holiday, let alone most of the year off, and those that do have 24/7 turnout may not always have turnout that encourages as much movement as a Mongolian horse will do, thanks to their poorer quality terrain.

I would hypothesise that, for the same reason, tamed horses kept semi-feral by gauchos in S.American also live long lives despite heavy riders and ill-fitting saddles.
Click to expand...

Indeed, very straight backs, not bred for "elasticity" in their way of going, not bred from lines that don't hold up, not kept in stables, not ridden for more of the year than they are, barefoot....they are not asked to work in any kind of outline and don't work on surfaces or in circles. The saddles are completely different, usually spreading the weight through a very basic tree which is more like a western tree. And the riders are fit and incredibly well balanced. I mean look at this bareback riding (photo credit to The Mongol Derby and Sarah Farnsworth who kindly let me use it for a saddle fitting talk).

Mongol Derby & Sarah Farnsworth.jpg
 
I rode a 14h barb arabian in Tunisia many years ago whose regular rider was about 16 stone - and he did endurance on her. I'm half his weight, but the mare was solid muscle and barely knew I was on her back.

If anyone follows the Mongolian page on FB those little ponies can throw some incredible shapes and the kids just sit there!
 
stangs said:
There is some evidence to suggest that certain pony breeds are 'better built' to carry weight, but the key thing is that your average Mongolian horse does a few weeks of work a year, if that, and spends the rest of its time free in open spaces. The body is given the time and space to recuperate from damage done by the saddle and rider weight.

Nothing similar happens in the UK; it's getting exceptionally rare that horses get even a month of holiday, let alone most of the year off, and those that do have 24/7 turnout may not always have turnout that encourages as much movement as a Mongolian horse will do, thanks to their poorer quality terrain.

I would hypothesise that, for the same reason, tamed horses kept semi-feral by gauchos in S.American also live long lives despite heavy riders and ill-fitting saddles.
Click to expand...

This is bang on! It's a shame we don't always have the space here to give our horses these lives.
 
sbloom said:
Indeed, very straight backs, not bred for "elasticity" in their way of going, not bred from lines that don't hold up, not kept in stables, not ridden for more of the year than they are, barefoot....they are not asked to work in any kind of outline and don't work on surfaces or in circles. The saddles are completely different, usually spreading the weight through a very basic tree which is more like a western tree. And the riders are fit and incredibly well balanced. I mean look at this bareback riding (photo credit to The Mongol Derby and Sarah Farnsworth who kindly let me use it for a saddle fitting talk).

View attachment 90245
Click to expand...

I look less comfortable sitting on my sofa than that person riding. Amazing.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top