Is she too heavy for him?

F

FinkleyAlex

Well-Known Member
Joined
11 October 2006
Messages
1,407
Visit site
I have a 14.3 (151cm) part bred arab X Riding pony, he's a show hunter pony so has a fair bit of bone (although nothing compared to a native but is not as flimsy as a show pony.) He is fairly fit, ridden 5 days a week by me (5 ft 9, 9 1/2 stone slim build.) I have recently found a fantastic sharer as I would like him to be worked 7 days a week and it would give me a break on a monday after a full day at college and wednesday when I have college in the evening. She had horses in the country she came from (has moved here to live with her OH), rides well considering she hasn't ridden for a while and my horse seemed to go well for her. She is fairly experienced and is into dressage more than anything else, although I've said she can do small jumps on him.

However, I am not sure whether she is too heavy for him. She is about 5'7 so shorter than me, but is more of a more "solid" build than me, didn't want to ask her weight when she tried him out but I'd guess at about 10 1/2-11 stone max, probably more towards the 10 1/2 side. He has had two injuries to his knee in the past few years, aswell as an attack of laminitus as a result of one of the kicks. He has since been fine, and vet says he has very good feet and legs, especially considering his age (14)

Do you think she is too heavy for him? Or am I just being overcautious? She rides twice a week, about 45 mins schooling.
 
Is always hard to decide that one, esp. when you think of weight when suited, booted and tacked up. Of course you don't want to lover-load your horse.

But then if you think of the little things they ride in most other countries - such as the the ponies they ride in Western riding culture, sometimes think we're a bit over-keen on big horses here
 
she is only doing crosspoles, and is not a big fan of jumping anyway, I may ring the vet to see what he has to say about the jumping. In terms of dressage its only basic stuff shes doing, some lateral work at the most, don't think shes a fan of collection and extension work/ pirouetting/ things that require him to use himself more, she also seems quite a balanced rider. I might just see how it goes for a while, maybe I'm being overcautious.
 
[ QUOTE ]
didn't want to ask her weight when she tried him out

[/ QUOTE ]

Because it might be rude or some other reason? It's a pretty standard question, especially if there is any ambiguity re: suitability. Estimating weight is notoriously difficult, but if you can't decide on sight alone you may be doing well to ask to make sure.
 
That doesn't sound too heavy to me, Arabs and Arab crosses can carry a lot more weight than people think. I would check with your vet regarding the work he will be doing because of his previous injuries.
 
Depends on what kind of rider she is really. I would say she's on the heavy side personally........

Can see a whole can of worms opening up in front of me.
crazy.gif
 
If I were you, I would actually measure the pony's bone - and ask the rider how much she weighs in full riding kit. And weigh your saddle as well.

If she actually weighs 11 stone, say, and the pony only has 7 inches of bone, then she may well be too heavy - as you have to include the weight of the saddle, and her riding boots, heavy winter clothing, etc. With saddle and all, this could easily add up to at least 12 stone - which would be too heavy for a light-boned pony.

(The pony's height and the rider's height are totally irrelevant - it's pony's bone and rider-plus-tack weight that counts.)
 
I'm 5'10" and fluctuate between 9 and a half to 10 stone. I'm also what many people would term "skinny". A 14.3hh would have no problems carrying me. Indeed, I used to ride a 14.2hh regularly and jump fairly large jumps with her.

Why not just ask her weight and be done with it? It's hard to guess. If she uses her weight effectively then there shouldn't be a problem even if she turns out to be 11 stone!
 
One of the guys who has is polo ponies some of them are only 14.1hh he's 6ft 4. Quite a slight build for someone that height but must weigh at least 12 stone. None of the ponies have any problem carrying him but then he is a very light rider. It's really more on how your rider/sharer rides than their actual weight. Your horse would show signs of struggling if it wasn't happy about it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top