Max Weight For Pony?

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Puzzles

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A friend's native (but not particularly cobby) pony is 14hh and only 4 years old, and she's pretty much insisted I ride him a few times despite me feeling that I'm too big for him. We've comfortably hacked and jumped, but just because he isn't on his knees doesn't mean I'm not straining him! He isn't very fit but lives out 24/7 and is in good condition and health. I am 5'5-5'6", have ridden regularly for 8 years and my fitness level is quite good - what do you think his maximum weight (bearing in mind his saddle) should be?
 
An old rule is the 20% weight one. He can carry 20% of his own body weight no problem, if he is fit and healthy.

Trouble is you need to work out how much he weighs!

Another way is the bone measurement. If you can measure the circumference of his cannon bone, there is a simple equation to work out what he can carry.

Do you have a pic of him?
 
Well I can't see your photo, but I would say 12 1/2 stone is probably fine. It depends what you are doing with him, personally I would say hacking (walk trot canter) is fine, no problems, but jumping I'd be careful weight wise. Having said that, a lot depends on how you ride, many of these "big" riders who can actually ride, will ride light compared to a novicey lighter rider lacking in skill, technique and balance.
 
My 13.2hh New Forester did high level endurance , he also did x country and show jumping.

At the time he carried 11st plus.

When he was doing endurance he did anything from 20 miles in a day to 100 miles in a day and did the Golden Horse Shoe (100 miles over 2 days) over all terrain over Exmoor.

Also my little Arab mare does endurance and she is 14hh and now 20 years old and still doing ER's (Race Rides) She again carries 11st plus
 
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