Maximum Weight.?

Jive Master

Jive Master

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This is my Welsh A x Dartmoor pony:

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=26626&d=1426364077

She is 11 yrs old & stands at 12 hh. I wondered what weight people thought she could carry.?

The reason I'm asking is I took her on as a 'rescue pony' along with her foal. She has previously been backed but not ridden for a good few years, I am hoping to bring her back into work as I think she is a cracking little pony. I want her to go to a child (on full/part loan) that will love her & adore her. However I would not allow a child on her yet, therefore re-backing falls on to me. I am 5 ft & weigh 8 - 8.5 st, She seemed happy to have me on her back, but I don't want to work her if I'm too heavy. Many people on my yard have said she will be fine with me.

I'd be interested to hear what people set as the maximum weight for their little ponies.

TIA :D
 
She looks like a sturdy type, and you don't look too bad on her. I'd say you should be OK, so long as you don't jump anything big (to a 12hh pony) or gallop around on her too much, once she's fit :)
 
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I think you can do quite a bit of conditioning and fitness without riding, you need to find out any quirks and if 100% in traffic, I would think one problem is getting a nice saddle for a small child which fits pony, child, and is not too small for you. So, I would try long reining for several weeks. You are really too heavy to ride an unfit pony, and if she has had a foal she will be pretty unfit.
There is plenty to do with a rescue pony, teeth, worming, inoculations, and so on, plenty of regular exercise, start at 15 mins and build up to 40 mins over six weeks.
 
Bonkers2 said:
I think you can do quite a bit of conditioning and fitness without riding, you need to find out any quirks and if 100% in traffic, I would think one problem is getting a nice saddle for a small child which fits pony, child, and is not too small for you. So, I would try long reining for several weeks. You are really too heavy to ride an unfit pony, and if she has had a foal she will be pretty unfit.
There is plenty to do with a rescue pony, teeth, worming, inoculations, and so on, plenty of regular exercise, start at 15 mins and build up to 40 mins over six weeks.
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Thanks for your advice, I don't intend on riding her until she is ready but it's just something I have been thinking about.

She has had all checks & so on. I have recently started lunging her (which she has taken to like a duck to water.!) for around 10 mins or so, long reining was something I thought about but I don't have any experience with it. Yes, Saddle is something I am battling with, I think a 15" - 14.5" would be okay for me but not sure on her. I have a saddle fitter coming to have a look next month :D She accepted the bit like a dream. She can be quite jumpy & does have issues with her feet & ears being touched so that is something else I'm working on (I think she has been treated poorly in the past).

Out of interest what do you all think about her condition.? I think she is a little poor but because of her thick, stained coat I can't be sure.
 
EquiEquestrian556 said:
She looks like a sturdy type, and you don't look too bad on her. I'd say you should be OK, so long as you don't jump anything big (to a 12hh pony) or gallop around on her too much, once she's fit :)
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Okay thanks, I don't intend jumping or galloping really, once she is okay with the three basic paces, is without any issues under the saddle & she is happy in work, I have a gutsy little jockey who will take over :) Although they would happily get on tomorrow, I'm just not prepared to let them jump on board until then, I wouldn't want them getting hurt.
 
Is there a reason she's wearing a flash already?

If she were mine, I'd be getting her used to the bit again slowly and softly and doing lots of in-hand stuff as Bonkers2 suggested.

Condition-wise she looks OK, but it's a bit hard to tell from the photo! I don't think you look that bad on her, but I would only be doing minimal amounts of work at a time.
 
SpringArising said:
Is there a reason she's wearing a flash already?

If she were mine, I'd be getting her used to the bit again slowly and softly and doing lots of in-hand stuff as Bonkers2 suggested.

Condition-wise she looks OK, but it's a bit hard to tell from the photo! I don't think you look that bad on her, but I would only be doing minimal amounts of work at a time.
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No real reason, it was one I was given to try for size & now I have it the flash has now been removed (I'm not keen on them at all). She honestly took the bit really well, she just stands mouthing it with her eyes closed, I have never seen her so calm.! And she leads much better with it :D

I'm currently working with her for around 10 - 20 mins a day doing different things (walking out, lunging, grooming closer to her feet, etc). Am I right in thinking little & often is best.?
 
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