I was mooching around preloved

I have taken notice, thank you very much! Do you not think by coming on this forum and asking for other horsy experience on riding ponies I am thinking about the pony's welfare. I will take ALL comments on board (thanks to ALL those that have replied) and await the owner's permission, but for now, I'm outta here.
 
Wiz201 said:
I have taken notice, thank you very much! Do you not think by coming on this forum and asking for other horsy experience on riding ponies I am thinking about the pony's welfare. I will take ALL comments on board (thanks to ALL those that have replied) and await the owner's permission, but for now, I'm outta here.
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I don't get this. You haven't taken all of the comments on board if you are going to ride the pony if the owner says it is ok.

Nevermind.
 
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My comment was not intended to be unkind, it was perhaps more honest than people re used to.
I simply don't understand why people think its ok to be overweight and inflict this on a horse. There's an outcry when we see photos of fat horses - why isn't there the same response with overweight people?
 
Haffies come in two types. The traditional chunky type, and the taller, finer type.

I have a 14hh chunky type. He weighs in at 400kg, so according to the 20% calculation he should be able to carry about 12 and half stone but he could carry much more. I have offered my pony to my friend who would easily be 14 stone, for a light hack. Each horse is different.

I copied this from www.haflingerhorses.com

Q: I am on the shall we say, portly side, and was wondering if a Haflinger would be sturdy enough for me. I know they are commonly used for draft purposes, but have found nothing to say if there is a "weight limit" for them.

A: Most Haflingers can carry up to 240 pounds without much problem.

This is my boy (when he arrived last year so excuse the diabolical feet)

168-1.jpg


Each to their own, but horses can carry a lot more than people allow. xx
 
HaffiesRock said:
Haffies come in two types. The traditional chunky type, and the taller, finer type.

I have a 14hh chunky type. He weighs in at 400kg, so according to the 20% calculation he should be able to carry about 12 and half stone but he could carry much more. I have offered my pony to my friend who would easily be 14 stone, for a light hack. Each horse is different.
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The 12.5 stone you've worked out is the max the pony should carry *including* tack.

The point is, the pony may be able to carry the weight without keeling over but why should it if it can be avoided?

It's like saying that a horse can go for 3 days without food - just because it *can* none of us would think that it was acceptable if someone left their pony starving for 3 days.
 
And again.... What about the size of the tack? what if a saddle to fit the rider is too long on the ponies back? Then what? :confused:
 
I think that what we forget about the 20% rule is that it is probably based on the horse/pony being the right weight for its height ! so it can carry 20% of its ideal weight - if the horse/pony itself weighs more then surely it can carry LESS not more as it is already putting strain on its limbs with its own excess weight.

Personally OP I would find out rough optimum weight for 14hh haffy and base calculations on that. I would also be checking to see what size saddle it takes - I am a couple of stone lighter and 5ft 4 ish and ride in a 17.5" min for comfort so would assume you will need a 17" very very very min).

Good luck...
 
I have a 14h haffy, medium-fine build ('Willie' lines) and weighs about 350kg. I put a max of 70kg on her (approx 11 stone) and she can make 6 hour rides up and down mountains every day and still be trotting home for her tea! I think if I put 14 stone on her she would suffer, if not the first day but certainly sooner rather than later, so I don't. I have no hard evidence for this so maybe she could carry you all day every day, but for me personally it wouldn't be worth the risk, so if I was this horse's owner it would be a no from me.
 
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