Max size child a mini pony should take?

[Nickles1973]

A slight variation on the "am I too big for my horse" thread. My Daughter has a 30" miniature that she does some clicker training and just generally plays with. She lost her nerve for riding a few years ago, but she loves having the little man to look after. I have a 7 year old son that weighs just under 4st and today he asked to sit on Tinks. I was a little reluctant but my daughter said it might be fun so I lifted him on. Tbh Tinks didn't bat an eyelid and this got me wondering if him giving my little boy the odd pony ride might be another way to help keep him trim.
What would be the max weight he should carry. Tbh we wouldn't be looking to put a saddle on him and obviously we would look for another jockey once my lad is too big. I seem to remember reading somewhere that mini's shouldn't be ridden but I can't remember the reason why. So you can see who we're talking about.

Before anyone jumps on me for the amount of grass he has, he was only in this field for a photoshoot for a canvas for my daughters bedroom wall. And he spent most of the time being chased about for the perfect "galloping" shot!
And just cos he's sexy and he knows it lol!

 

[DuckToller]

A friend of mine had a mini and her daughter rode it on lead rein for several years, using one of those felt pads. Pony was then sold on to her vet, for the vet's child to ride - so obviously neither had heard that they can't be ridden! Maybe some have conformation issues to do with the size - yours looks fabulous though (and definitely sexy!).

I'd rather see them have some work to keep their weight down, as you say it would do him good. As for what weight he should carry, that's trickier. Perhaps it should be in proportion to his size - so as long as the jockey looks about right, and your son's feet aren't hanging below his belly line. But I am no expert on minis, so best see what others say perhaps!

 

[emma.is]

a few years ago my friend stuck me on her mini and he managed to buck me off a good few times. I'm sure he can manage your little un

 

[Littlelegs]

I'm no expert on minis but generally I've been told 4 stone is usually tops. I have a leggy 7yr old who is just under 4 stone in full riding gear. She still rides a friends mini occasionally & recently backed & rode away a friends prior to it being ridden by smaller very novice kids. However the one she backed had loads of muscle from driven work. But she does have long legs, so its now at the point her height is making it her last summer on minis, rather than thinking about her weight. As for a saddle, used a pony pad as I prefer them for little kids anyway.