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horsymum

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HELLO!i bought a new forest from a dealer at 5 months old,he is now 2yrs 3 months and standing at 13.1 to13.2hh.he has filled out,holding weight had vet out yesterday for jabs(tet),had his heart checked etc and basically he is in top condition which is good going for an airhead like me.!my problem is i am 5ft 7" and a good 12 stone when miserable,never less than 10.5stone.before you ask why did i buy a forester its because the last batch the woman had made min 14.3 max 15hh,and i know if they get to big they cant be classed as new forest ponies etc.my problem is i do i carry on hoping he will make 14.1 min(and stocky!)which is the least i could ride(happy hacking here!thats all)or do i accept he wont make the height and start again?problem is i dont do shows,and just want a horse i can hack out on and love for life after lots of being messed around,im very attatched but want the best for him,hes the sort that wants to do,he wouldnt be happy vegging out.so can you be honest?do you think at his height and age given hes had supplements best feed etc,will he make 14.1?because this little man is a gem and if no
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t he would be wasted with me,im heartbroken but love him more than i can say and want him to have the best in life,and he wants to be out there doing!hes on horsemart,backley bruce.im really having a hard time with this so please offer any advice if you can.thanks.x
 
I'm about your height and weight and I wouldn't consider owning a riding horse under 15 hands....ideally under 16.3. Oh and I would think you've got to consider your pony's skeletal development before you put him under saddle.

I read quite a bit on skeletal development, when earlier this year I purchased a 2 year old Clydesdale X filly who is now cracking 16 hands. One article in particular by Dr Deb Bennett - http://www.equinestudies.org/knowledge_base/ranger.html encouraged me to turn her out (even though she had been beautifully started under saddle by the breeder) till she is 3 later this year. I'll be bringing her back in to work in-hand initially as a 3 year old. Then when she's rising 4 I'll slowly bring her back under saddle.

She has grown from a 5ft 9in rug to a 6ft 3in rug in less than 6 months....and that says to me she needs lots of time to let all her bones develop without me putting pressure on them.

I think you've got to be realistic, and I don't think a 14.1 pony is a good sized mount for someone of your body type and height. Happy decision making
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I would put this query on the New Forest Equine Directory (NFED) forum/website. They are mainly New Forest fanatics who will give you an honest and open reply your post (very experienced lot).
 
why oh why oh why, do people say that 16 hands is a must??????????????? i have a cracking 14.1hh welsh cob, who looks on helluva lot bigger, but could carry a man out hunting for a day! a good leg at each corner welsh cob will be upto more weight than a TB anyday!
the pony issue - i would hang onto him until 3 and see what happens, but most likely he'll make 13.3hh, but if he is a stocky type and all you want to do is hack then i can't see a problem - get yourself down to the drifts on the forest and there's grown men riding these ponies with no probs whatso ever!
 
I agree with lilym - these natives are strong! My 14hh fell pony can happily tank off with my boyfriend on his back with no problems!

If you've got a good relationship with him, trust him and think you could enjoy hacking him then I'd say hang on to him. And ponies are so much fun!
 
New Forest ponies are significantly finer than Fell ponies. Personally I dont think your little man will make a suitable ride for you - I dont agree that 16hh+ is necessary but you need a much stockier breed if you want something around the 14 - 15hh mark. Look for Highlands, Fells, Dales, Welsh D's or one of your good old fashioned Gypsy type cobs.
 
The local saying is that a Forester can carry a stone a hand, not that I would necessarily want to agree with that...

Whilst I wouldn't call myself an expert on these matters, I would say there's plenty of growing still left to do, and wouldn't worry yet. One of mine has grown 2 inches since last August from 13.3 to 14.1 and he turned 6 in May (and all he gets to eat is grass, hay and D&H Fibergy). My other one was 14.11/2 when I bought him in March 06 aged almost 6, he has not grown any taller but he has filled out and his back grew longer last summer taking him from 5'6 rugs to 5'9 and stopping his forging. His sire and dam incidentally were both around the 13.2 mark, his half brother who we also know is a big lad too.

I think you'll be fine with him. If he goes over height, then you will just be transferred to the part bred register if you bother to do it. Let's just say that my 14.11/2 can look quite small in the large forester classes compared to some of them, they are much taller, but are euphemistically described as "full up"

I'm sure your worrying is a bit premature at this stage. Good luck whatever you decide to do - but my feeling is there's nearly 5 years more growing left to do. Oh, and I ride them both, I'm about 11 stone usually these days and 5'6 so comparable with you and they don't buckle under the strain. He's had a 5'8 friend of mine on him with very long legs who rides 16.2's usually, and she did not look silly on him at all. She took him XC for us, and also did one of the drifts on him, so he had to work quite hard with her on top and he just had a great time with her! PLEASE DON'T GIVE UP ON HIM!!!!
 
My 14.1 (on a tall day) happily carries me xc (5'7 & a bit & 10 stone) and will take my Mum hacking all day (5'6 & 11 stone)

As long as he is happy to carry you when he has matured, you are not too big.
 
It is supposed to be possible to estimate final height of a youngster -

Take a piece of string and run it the length of the point of his elbow down to his fetlock.

Then use it to measure from his elbow up to his withers - this should give you his approximate final height.
 
Ive been having a similar dilemna myself. I'm 5'7 and i've always loved ponies, i just can't seem to get into horses as much. I don't think weight is an issue within reason, but the only thing i've found to limit things is the length of my legs, but this is only an issue when schooling etc. When it comes down to it, if all you want is a happy hacker, you'll be fine.

Seriously, England is obsessed with 'correctness' and things being appropriate. When it comes down to it, cowboys ride tiny horses, men ride Icelandics with not a second thought...

A friend of a friend owns probably 20 NF's and she breeds them, breaks them etc - she's no smaller than you by the sounds of it.

Hope that helps.
 
I'm 5'8" and had a 13.3 NF pony who I rode until I was 21. However, I only weighed a max of 9 stone and didnt jump him. I would say that you will be too big for him. Why not just get something suitable, instead?
 
It so depends on the build of your NF. Some of the heavyset chunkier ones would have no problem but from looking at your lad he looks like a slightly finer build so may struggle.

I agree that you should seek advice from the NFED website as they have a forum specifially for NF ponies.
 
He should easy make 14.1 and I think you should wait until he is thre/four before making any decisions!!

I am 5ft 2 and have a 13.3 sec d x and I weigh about 9.5 stone and its nothing to her !!!

Although I would say 5ft 7 is quite tall and if you dont ride evenly it could upset the balance of the horse and you also may feel under horsed - which again would make you unbalanced.

Why dont you try and keep down to 10.5 for the next two years and see what happens?

P.S 12 stone for someon who is 5'7 is just right so dont think I am saying your big

Anyway - look at the size of some of the pony clubbers? Little porky 13 year olds on 12.2 ponies - and they still have a whale of a time and gallop about like mad!!
 
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I think you've got to be realistic, and I don't think a 14.1 pony is a good sized mount for someone of your body type and height. Happy decision making
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Why not? I'm 5'6-5'7 and weight around 11st (I was heavier), and I have a 14.1hh Welsh D. He has never had any problems carrying me (before I had him he had been ridden by people weighing upto 14st with no problems).

I don't see why so many people think that just because "it's a pony", it means it can't take more than 10st and only if super fit. Ponies are stronger than a LOT of people give them credit for. If it is a finely built pone then fair enough, but many ponies have a fair bit of substance behind them.
 
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New Forest ponies are significantly finer than Fell ponies. Personally I dont think your little man will make a suitable ride for you - I dont agree that 16hh+ is necessary but you need a much stockier breed if you want something around the 14 - 15hh mark. Look for Highlands, Fells, Dales, Welsh D's or one of your good old fashioned Gypsy type cobs.

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I think Sparklet has summed it up - if your NF is one of the finer types, then I think you have to be realistic and realise that he will not be up to carrying you, but I don't think you need to make a decision yet.
 
I have a 14.hh Highland.
I am 5 foot 6 and weigh about 13.5 stone.
She has no problem carrying me or my husband and I think it all depends on the individual pony.
Natives are deceptively strong and very versatile.

16hh + horses are not ideal for everyone
 
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I think you've got to be realistic, and I don't think a 14.1 pony is a good sized mount for someone of your body type and height. Happy decision making
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Why not? I'm 5'6-5'7 and weight around 11st (I was heavier), and I have a 14.1hh Welsh D. He has never had any problems carrying me (before I had him he had been ridden by people weighing upto 14st with no problems).

I don't see why so many people think that just because "it's a pony", it means it can't take more than 10st and only if super fit. Ponies are stronger than a LOT of people give them credit for. If it is a finely built pone then fair enough, but many ponies have a fair bit of substance behind them.

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Most Welsh D's are significantly stockier than NF. (Most, note, MOST!). That is true for my Welshy comparing to my friends Newfie.

IMO... wait till hes 3 or 4, then if hes still not a good size, youll have to do whatsbest for him.
 
NF's have a high% of TB and Arab blood and can be quite fine. I doubt there would be any problem with Highlands, Welsh D's and the heavier native breeds.
 
Hmm, I think for hacking you will be fine but I would wait until he is at least 4 years old before you start doing anything. At College the weight limit is 14 stone for the horse and 11 stone for the ponies. These ponies are older and properly developed and quite strong because they do a lot of work but they certainly have no problem carrying any weight as long as their saddle fits properly and the rider can ride to a decent level. They do all have thick polypads on as well to protect their back. I know a lot of adults who own small ponies just for hacking and the odd endurance or fun ride. Mainly because they can't get on and off a bigger horse! (its true!!!) A lot of them have them lightweight endurance squidgy pad type saddles. I believe they are made for bigger people and smaller ponies? Anyway they make it a lot comfier for the pony and distribute the weight better. You would be surprised how much these little porky pony club and showing kids weigh, and they all have dainty little ponies that don't even seem to notice they are up their. Their is quite a famous pony showjumper (who I won't name in case anybody knows her) and she may only be about 5' tall but she is massive, she must weigh at least 12 stone, which is quite heavy for a young child (not an adult though) and she regularly jumps top tracks on her 12.2h's and 13.2h's. They are not chunky ponies but they fly round and don't seem to bother!!
I think as long as you take it steady, make sure he is comfortable and stick to stuff like hacking, fun rides etc. you should be fine!
If you don't feel happy though, go for something about 14-15 that is quite chunky. Those types can carry about 6 men and not realise they are up their!!!
 
my new forest is 13.2hh and has carried 13 and a half stone happily.he has even jumped 3ft6 with that weight on him! dont panick so much-people under estimate the weight a horse/pony will carry!!
 
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Their is quite a famous pony showjumper (who I won't name in case anybody knows her) and <font color="red"> she may only be about 5' tall but she is massive, she must weigh at least 12 stone </font> , which is quite heavy for a young child (not an adult though) and she regularly jumps top tracks on her 12.2h's and 13.2h's. They are not chunky ponies but they fly round and don't seem to bother!!
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If you don't feel happy though, go for <font color="red"> something about 14-15 that is quite chunky. Those types can carry about 6 men </font> and not realise they are up their!!!

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Exaggerate much???!
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Now I want to know who the heck this obese pony SJer is !
 
When were the photos in the ad taken? He does look quite small, but then he has a lot of growing to do! Maybe if you keep him it would be an incentive to keep your weight down to the lower level. There is a fairly tall woman near us who regularly competes at dressage on a small pony and does very well. A lot is to do with the ability of the pony, and the natives do tend to be hardier and up to weight but a lot depends on their start in life. There is no real answer to your question, you can either keep him and see how he turns out or sell him now and get something larger, but it doesn't have to be huge!
 
I have only ever known one NF, and she was only slightly lighter built than my Welshy. She was only 13.2hh, 4yo and unbroken, and she had her 12st owner sit on her and walk her round with no problems, she didn't flinch. That's just my experience though.

At my weight I used to ride a 7yo 14.2hh pure TB (which I'm SURE is finer built than a NF!!) in 1hr walk, trot, canter, jump lessons, also out on 1-1.5hr walk, trot, canter, gallop hacks and she never had any issues, at all. She was always willing to work and the instructor always commented on how well she went when I rode her (if she wasn't happy she would rear or roll, she was very opinionated).
 

I think you've got to be realistic, and I don't think a 14.1 pony is a good sized mount for someone of your body type and height. Happy decision making
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AngB - it's a good job you're in Australia - the Commoners would be sending round a lynch mob otherwise lol (not to mention the NF Pony Enthusiasts!!)
 
When I used to ride, my favourite horse was a 14.2 New Forest. Height wise, I'd think you'd be fine, as I was about 5 ft 7 and I was ok on him. However, Jasper was very very fine, and I had to stop riding him when I got to 10 and a half stone (broke my heart, and is part of the reason I spent 10 years away from riding
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) It all depends on the build of the pony really.

Isabelle
 
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