Need advice about maximum rider weight please!

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LillyLou123

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I am looking to buy my first horse and particularly like New Foresters or Cobs. At 5ft2" and 9st9lbs I have been looking at 14.2hh and over however most new forest ponies seem to be around the 13hh-14hh mark. Can anyone give me advice on what weight a 13hh forester pony could take as I have seen on other threads people saying that a 13hh could comfortably take 10st... I had been looking mainly at 14/15hh cobs as they are more sturdy and stocky and I felt would be better for my size however I do love the foresters and if a 13hh/14hh could comfortably take my weight I would look more at those. I would not want to overload a pony and potentially give it a bad back or joint problems though!
Any advice would be greatly appreciated! :)
 
A good 13 hand forester will easily carry you but you may feel better on one nearer the 14 hand mark, you certainly do not need a 14-15 hand cob for your size. There are usually loads of nice ponies on this site, a nice 13.2 on the first page caught my eye as well as a couple of section Cs that could fit the bill.

http://www.nfed.co.uk/classifiedsunderoffered.htm
 
I think you may be a little heavy for a 13 hander, but that would depend on the build of the pony - NF's can vary.

In terms of weight according to this website on worming the following weight's are a guide

http://www.wormersdirect.co.uk/information-equinesheets-weightassessment.asp

Under 12hh Shetland, Dartmoor, Welsh A 200kg – 320kg
12hh to 13hh Exmoor, New Forest, Welsh B 230kg – 330kg
13hh to 14hh Connemara, Dales, New Forest, Welsh C 290kg – 390kg
14hh to 15hh Arab, Dales, Welsh D 360kg – 550kg
15hh to 16hh Arab, TB, ID, Welsh X 400kg – 550kg
16hh to 17hh TB, Warmblood 470kg – 650kg
17hh to 19hh Warmblood. Heavy Horse Breeds 550kg – 1000kg

So a 13 hand NF is likely to weigh around 330KG, and the 20% rule is widely followed.

20% of 330kg is 66kg which equates to 10 stone five. With your weight of 9st 9lbs and tack weighing approx a stone, plus clothes, boots and hat another half stone, your pony would be carrying over 11stone.

While I'm sure ponies are stronger for their size, personally I would not feel comfortable exceeding the 20% rule - a 13.2 to 14 hander would be better in my view, and your weight would very likely then be under the 20% limit.

http://www.horsechannel.com/horse-experts/horse-vet-advice/safe-weight-horse-carry.aspx ( info on percentage weights horses can carry and possible impact upon them)
 
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Smurf's Gran said:
I think you may be a little heavy for a 13 hander, but that would depend on the build of the pony - NF's can vary.

In terms of weight according to this website on worming the following weight's are a guide

http://www.wormersdirect.co.uk/information-equinesheets-weightassessment.asp

Under 12hh Shetland, Dartmoor, Welsh A 200kg – 320kg
12hh to 13hh Exmoor, New Forest, Welsh B 230kg – 330kg
13hh to 14hh Connemara, Dales, New Forest, Welsh C 290kg – 390kg
14hh to 15hh Arab, Dales, Welsh D 360kg – 550kg
15hh to 16hh Arab, TB, ID, Welsh X 400kg – 550kg
16hh to 17hh TB, Warmblood 470kg – 650kg
17hh to 19hh Warmblood. Heavy Horse Breeds 550kg – 1000kg

So a 13 hand NF is likely to weigh around 330KG, and the 20% rule is widely followed.

20% of 330kg is 66kg which equates to 10 stone five. With your weight of 9st 9lbs and tack weighing approx a stone, plus clothes, boots and hat another half stone, your pony would be carrying over 11stone.

While I'm sure ponies are stronger for their size, personally I would not feel comfortable exceeding the 20% rule - a 13.2 to 14 hander would be better in my view, and your weight would very likely then be under the 20% limit.

http://www.horsechannel.com/horse-experts/horse-vet-advice/safe-weight-horse-carry.aspx ( info on percentage weights horses can carry and possible impact upon them)
Click to expand...

:) That's great, really helpful. Thank you!
 
Thanks, spotted the 13.2! I look on NFED regularly and now will be checking out the 13.2hh-14hh as according to the weight info further down that size should be fine :)
 
Thank you to all who have replied, really good advice and info... really appreciate it. Now to next stage...finding a pony! Exmoors are fab but love the foresters especially as that's where I live...would be on it's home ground! :)
 
I wish you well in your search for a forester. Do you have a budget and what would you like to do with him/her? I can keep my ears open for you. I'd message you but you need to have posted more to receive PM's. If you can get on FB, there is a New Forest Ponies for Sale page.

BTW, I had a 13.1hh whom I backed and rode. At 5'6ish and weighing more than you she was fine carrying me. :)

I have a 14.2 on semi retirement and a 14hh that I'm slowly backing.
 
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Second getting forester! Mine is 14hh and Im 5'2-3 ish and I was 10.5st when i bought him (now 9.5stone) and dont worry he can still be a prat! :D

You will have loads of fun with a NF!
 
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