Size!

Lydiamae

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I know this question is asked all too frequently, but I need reasurrance! Im worrying like mad over a horse I love so much and I want to be able to ride him.

Im and between 9 and 10 stone (I fluctuate!) and ponio is currently 14.1hh but only 3yrs and bum high! He is a traditional cob, between medium and heavy set and hoped to make 14.3hh.

I have had him from a youngster and I adore him. He is to be broken in a few months time when matured and to be used for hacking, fun rides and ridden showing.

He is ALOT smaller than what I am used to. I have retired from competing so much and wanted an easier quieter life with him. I am so hoping I will be fine but its such a height change!!

Tia xx
 

Lintel

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Doubt he'll even feel you.
You only have to take a look in the show ring to see what a traditional type cob can carry! Not that it is always right but you'll be perfectly fine :)
 

GirlFriday

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Oversized riders are one of my least favourite things, particularly when others aren't brave enough to point out the problem.

But honestly you should be fine once the little horse matures.

Stick to smaller end of your weight scale by all means and get someone smaller to do the backing/initial fittenning but longer term just have fun!
 

FfionWinnie

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Oversized riders are one of my least favourite things, particularly when others aren't brave enough to point out the problem.

But honestly you should be fine once the little horse matures.

Stick to smaller end of your weight scale by all means and get someone smaller to do the backing/initial fittenning but longer term just have fun!

My 14.2 cob weighs 520kgs and has not a scrap of fat on her. You seem confused regarding the carrying ability of natives and cobs if you think 9-10 stone would ever be "over sized" on a fit in work 14.1 cob.

Op if he is very uneven and immature at 3 I would not be in a huge rush to do too much ridden work with him (or any horse whatever weight the rider was). He's going to be growing and maturing til he is 7yrs old easily so of course he will carry you, plus tack, (plus a bit again, if necessary!) as a mature horse.

My cob is a 6ft3 rug, muscly power pack and easily jumps a metre plus with my SJ coach on her who weighs 14 stones (he hasn't a scrap of fat on him either incidentally, he's just very tall).

Good luck with him, I'm sure he will be lots of fun in the future!
 

Leo Walker

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Dont underestimate how much he will change between now and maturity. Mine didnt grow up as much as he should have done, but he genuinely did double in width between 3 and 6. Hes a proper HW cob now, and stands a whopping 14.1/2hh. Numerous vets, physios etc, etc have said he is fine carrying 16stone of balanced rider for light work. I dont ride him anymore, but he certainly never had any issues carrying me at that weight and hes not opposed to making his feelings known if he is even slightly inconvenienced :lol: Mine literally wouldnt know you were there
 

rowan666

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Long term you will be absolutely fine, I'm the same in weight as you and my 13.3 definatly has no trouble carrying me, at 3 though I would hold off backing/breaking for another year if he looks a little immature, I have a 3yr old cob who I was hoping to back this year but she doesn't seem physically mature enough yet (although mentally she is extremely intelligent and getting bored so could really do with the stimulation, we are considering getting her driving now) we are going to hold off breaking to ride for another year at least
 

Leo Walker

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This is him now:

12821450_10153547205498667_1939045568761103238_n.jpg


The photo is deceptive, hes much more solid than he looks. Hes got more than 10" bone in front and nearly 11" behind. Hes the strongest, widest horse I have literally ever met.

4 year old, coat like a yak!

1453418_10151783191568667_1725814551_n.jpg


Autum of his 3 yr old year, ignore the saddle we were just playing dress up before he was backed

60794_10151628425163667_1249857545_n.jpg


Rising 3 yr old

485263_10151324843473667_608462468_n.jpg


I think this was the autum of his 2yr old year and the oldest one I have got of him

48074_10151315198278667_1541515916_n.jpg


So you can see, they change a lot!
 

NZJenny

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You will be fine. I endurance rode and of course Arabians are not the tallest horses in the world. I'm 5'10" and for open, the horses have to carry 75 kg. Your cob will be fine and you will love being closer to the ground.
 

Crackerz

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if 9/10 stone is too heavy to back and bring on something 14.2hh that isnt a stick insect then many of the adult show riders i know need to give up their job/hobby!

9/10st is tiny, you'll be perfectly fine.
 

Cortez

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My mare is a solid, but not heavy, half-Friesian 14.2h and I am 5' 9" and weigh 13st 7lb with all my tack. She's been carrying me for 18 years with no problem whatsoever. You'll be fine.
 

Apercrumbie

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You will be absolutely fine. If he's still looking quite immature, perhaps hold off backing for a while and focus on good groundwork. Some three year olds aren't quite ready to be carrying a rider yet and benefit from the delay, particularly if that time is used to instil good training and manners from the ground. It can make the actual backing a hell of a lot easier.
 

Kezzabell2

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Dont underestimate how much he will change between now and maturity. Mine didnt grow up as much as he should have done, but he genuinely did double in width between 3 and 6. Hes a proper HW cob now, and stands a whopping 14.1/2hh. Numerous vets, physios etc, etc have said he is fine carrying 16stone of balanced rider for light work. I dont ride him anymore, but he certainly never had any issues carrying me at that weight and hes not opposed to making his feelings known if he is even slightly inconvenienced :lol: Mine literally wouldnt know you were there

agree with this, the amount they grow between 3 and 6, I think my boys probably 2 or 3 inches bigger at 6 than he was at 3 but his shoulders have got much bigger, his bum is huge, his neck is so wide, I can only just get my arms around it! I was practicing the other day, as he rears quite a lot and I never react quick enough to grab around his neck but I actually think i'd struggle to get my arms around it before he's back on the ground

oh and he's not a cob either but I do think your boy will grow a lot more still
 

Lydiamae

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This is him now:

12821450_10153547205498667_1939045568761103238_n.jpg


The photo is deceptive, hes much more solid than he looks. Hes got more than 10" bone in front and nearly 11" behind. Hes the strongest, widest horse I have literally ever met.

4 year old, coat like a yak!

1453418_10151783191568667_1725814551_n.jpg


Autum of his 3 yr old year, ignore the saddle we were just playing dress up before he was backed

60794_10151628425163667_1249857545_n.jpg


Rising 3 yr old

485263_10151324843473667_608462468_n.jpg


I think this was the autum of his 2yr old year and the oldest one I have got of him

48074_10151315198278667_1541515916_n.jpg


So you can see, they change a lot!

Thanks so much! This is so hugely coincidental - but if you are where I think you are, I patted your boy over his stable door last night when I took my horses swimming!! I commented on how fantastic he looked and how I wished mine looked like that haha!!
 

Leo Walker

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Hes at a yard in Blisworth, Northampton so if you are in Walsall then probably not especially as there is no swimming unless the fields flood :lol:

The other thing I forgot to mention is he rides huge! It really does feel like sitting on a 16 hand horse rather than a 14.1hh midget. He has a huge front, but I'm not sure its just that. Hes just a big horse on tiny legs. Everyone who rides him gets off and says the same thing. They expect a much bigger drop to the floor as they forget what a midget he is when they are on board!

You will love riding yours and be fine honestly. I sold my bigger more suitable horse and kept him as I just adore him. I dont really ride now due to fatness and injury so I'm going to drive him instead and so far hes taken to it like a duck to water. I clicker train him and hes got a rough stompy footed spanish walk and his next trick is going to be learning to bow. He just gets on with anything I ask him to do even if he thinks I've lost my mind sometimes :lol:
 
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