Rider weight for a Dartmoor?

[MagicMelon]

I highly doubt I could ever get down to an acceptable weight for my sons Dartmoor, but wow would it be handy if I could ride her sometimes at home just for some gentle schooling off the lead-rein. Out of interest though, what is generally the max for one to carry? Not jumping or anything exciting, just for gentle occasional schooling. You'll say something like 7 stone I'm sure and I'll laugh about how stupid I was to even consider I could get to that weight!

 

[Fiona]

I'm 8.5 stone, and I've sat on my son's stocky 11.2 for 20 min a few times just to check something out.

There was a pic of an adult showing a dartmoor stallion under saddle in H&H last week though.

Fiona

 

[Hipo]

My daughter and I both weigh 9 stone and are the only riders for our Exmoor. She is a very substantial built 12.2. I would say she would be comfortable with up to 10stone.

 

[MagicMelon]

Hmm interesting, not quite as horrifying as I thought then! Thanks, once this baby is out I'll start my major diet!

 

[alainax]

My 12.2 fell is currently slim and fit, weighed by the vets at 360kg. Stocky and well put together, I wouldn't be concerned with using the 20% rule with a good balanced rider. That's around 10 and a bit stone depending on tack and clothing

I am determined once baby is born to get light enough to ride our wee guy, he just looks soo much fun

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

I'm 10st and ride my 12.2hh brick outhouse of a darty! I show him under saddle when I have time

 

[laura_nash]

Many years ago when I worked at a livery yard attached to a boarding school I used to exercise a student's Dartmoor every day. It was to keep weight off him, we used to do about 30 mins a day on the tracks in walk and canter (no jumping). I would have been between 9 and 10 stone in those days and he coped fine with me (my boss was very knowledgeable, BHSI, and obviously felt I was fine on him).

 

[windand rain]

I would think about 11 stone for a full up one with loads of bone so as with anything in depends on the pony. I am horrified at some of the erm less than dainty adults that ride big horses thinking just because it is big it is strong. A compact pony with good flat dense bone and short cannon bones will carry (in proportion) much more than a weedy 17hh thoroughbred. My 13hh highland can and did carry me even over jumps when I was 16stone (I have lost 5 stone rarely ride now and she is old) but I wouldnt sit on my 16hh thoroughbred as I was far too heavy for him