Ponies and adults

[Milo123]

Hi all, I currently have a 16. 2 ottb he's 21 now and although full of life, inevitable will need to slow down. Whilst scrolling the other day I came across a selection of NF ponies for sale at 6m old, this is where my question is. I am very experienced owner and experienced rider (although I want something to enjoy my 30's and be able to go in big groups) the ponies are currently standing at about 11.2/12hh there's a few there. I know it's hard to say with ones from NF sales how big they will end up but the seller feels they would all make between 13.2-14hh. Am I going to be to big I'm 5ft4 and weight isn't really a big issue atm as wouldn't be backed for 3 years anyway? My partner thinks it's a fab idea as will make a future kids pony that won't be outgrown in 2 years. Am I just thinking in logically, pony would live put with a field of shetlands and possibly one other from the same seller if friend on yard also buys. I don't care about the astherics of adults should ride horses as I have auto immune disease so just want something less crazy than a ottb (and yes I know its hard to say how they will be when 3 but I would do a lot of work on it to mould in into what I want and then professionally broken on 3 yrs.

 

[teddypops]

If they make 13.2 I think you would be fine.

 

[Snow Falcon]

I am an adult and ride NF's! ? My mare is 14.1h and I am 5'7. I also ride my son's 13h & 13.3h occasionally.

Where are you looking? What stallion are they by?

 

[MuddyMonster]

I'm 5'6/5'7 and my NF is 13.2-13.3hh (ish) - he's definitely nor the 14.1hh he was advertised at ?

We routinely do half day to all day rides and he's never struggled. Saddle fitting can be harder for adults on smaller ponies but not impossible, but it helps to have a more generous budget IMHO.

He's not a child's pony though if thats a deal breaker for the future ??

 

[Caol Ila]

I'm 5'4 and recently bought a 14hh Highland. He's built like a brick sh*thouse and could easily carry your 400lbs stag off a mountain. These stocky natives are strong and can carry a small adult with ease. My previous horse (the one in my avatar) was a 16.1hh Shire-TBx. Even so, the Highland doesn't feel like a tiny horse at all.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

My sister had a stocky 13.2 NF. She is 5' 8" and weighed about 9.5 stone at the time. He had no problems with her and even on occasion gave my 14 stone OH a ride without struggling. They are cracking ponies.

 

[SEL]

5'3" on a 13h dales X

So much easier if you have to get on and off for gates out hacking!

 

[PSD]

I’m 5ft3 and have a 13.2 section c

 

[Peglo]

I could easily fit my 13.1/2 haffie if she wasn’t retired. She was a stockier version of the breed. I’m 5’5

 

[sbloom]

Saddle is usually the bigger issue - https://www.ahsaddles.com/post/2019/04/30/horse-shopping-saddle-length-part-1 for starters, and how forwards cut you need it to be for your upper leg/stirrup length is a factor. Then budget - ponies aren't always easy to fit, especially with an adult rider, so be aware you may need a decent budget to have options.

Otherwise I fit a ton of people your height on ponies, and taller, last night's two customers having a 13.2 (5'7") and a 13.3 (5'4").

 

[southerncomfort]

I'm 5'3 and ride my 13/13.1hh Fell pony no problem at all.

Only issue as said above is saddle fit. I'm currently riding mine in a 16" working hunter saddle which is great for him but my knees poke ever so slightly over the panel at the front which doesn't make me feel very secure!

 

[sbloom]

I'm 5'3 and ride my 13/13.1hh Fell pony no problem at all.

Only issue as said above is saddle fit. I'm currently riding mine in a 16" working hunter saddle which is great for him but my knees poke ever so slightly over the panel at the front which doesn't make me feel very secure!

Flap , the panel is the bit with flocking or foam in, common mistake and leads to some confusion!

 

[ecb89]

When I was learning to ride I hated riding the ponies as although I small/light enough they all had tiny saddles and it was so uncomfortable

 

[Chuffy99]

New forests are awesome!
14h NF, 5’4” adult jockey clear round Badminton grassroots in the time, now learning to go sideways to become a dressage diva

 

[Lipglosspukka]

Sounds like a great idea to me.