New Forest 3 year old - Im 5ft6 and 11 stone

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joginthepark

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Help Needed:

Am I too big or what are your thoughts -

New Forest mare

Approx 13.2hh to mature to approx 14hh
Age 3 Years Old.

About me:

5ft6
11 and half stone.

Im wanting to start this mare under under english gently but would also like to do western too
 
I would say yes in the long run...not being offensive. I hate backing any small ponies as I feel too heavy and too tall for them to start them off at that same weight.
 
Hmm I have a 13.2hh new forget who turned 4 last week. Between turning 3 and turning 4 he grew 1inch only! I personally wouldn't stick anyone of that weight on him. Especially to back as she will be unbalanced and muscles weak. Maybe weight until rising 5? Gives the pony more time to develop and is they genuinely look as though they will make 14hh then its an indicator that the body isn't really ready to back at 3. Just remember the tack will weigh half a stone so that's 12stone for a 3 yo 13.2hh
 
I'm also 5'6 and weigh bit less than you and I would consider myself too big to do that. I would also consider myself too big full stop on a nf but that's just my opinion. Sorry.
 
She is not forest bred as far as I am aware : Her sire is WARREN PLAY- AWAY.

I am used to Quarter Horses are have ridden 13hh an started them at 3. But never having a NF I wanted to check
 
I would get someone lighter to back her - she is only 3 and her bones are still soft and growing. Even if she "looks" mature, she isn't and as you know she is still growing, it would be a shame to cause physical problems at this stage. Don't forget, there is still the weight of the saddle to add to your weight.

Wait and see how she grows and matures before you start riding her, but I do think you are a bit heavy, I would say that if she grows to 14hh then 10 stone would be the maxium she should carry. It's a good incentive to lose a bit of weight by next year!
 
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Sorry yes i do think its too heavy, I backed a 3 year old cob that stood at 14.hh last summer and I was worried about that I am just on 11 stone.
 
Firstly she's really a bit young to anything with. I'd wouldn't be doing more than sit on her this year.

And yes, I think you're too heavy to break her yourself. I'm taller (5'8) but a stone lighter and I would not consider sitting on her at her age. She will manage you fine once she's fit and mature, but not now.
 
Warren Play Away WAS Forest run and therefore it is likely that your pony was too. His offspring tend to be pretty sturdy and big so if you wait another year or until late this year he might be fine. I presume you have seen pictures of Warren Play Away, sadly no longer with us, on the NF stallions website. I have a son of his and he is built like a bull.
 
OP - I'm the same height as you, but about 10 pounds lighter. I have a 14hh 3 year old New Forest X - only just turned 3. I have had one of the kids from the yard who weighs about 6 stone sit on her bareback and led her round the yard about three times. There is NO way that I would consider getting on her myself - we're going to work on long-reining, general groundwork etc til next year now. I don't know about yours, but mine is still VERY bum high - she looks like one pony at the front and a different one at the back. Last time the vet saw her she said that she has a lot of growing to do still. I wouldn't do much at 3, I would wait until she is 4 - and in my case I will be waiting til she is properly 4, next May. I will also make sure that I am down to at least nine stone before I sit on her. I can't wait! And I'll have the motivation to lose the weight as well.
 
I agree to young for that weight Im 5' and 8 n a half stone and I backed a 6yo NF about 12.2HH for a friend and I felt big on him. I would be scared of doing her long term damage getting on her at 3. Id get a tiny kid on her no more for atleast a year
 
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