Smallest I could ride?

Pretty much any native breed will carry you OP :) The small breeds would need to be full up and well built but the large breeds will be able to go all day and do anything.
 
Small native chunky ponies can carry you no problem at all!!
I'm 5ft3 9st I own a 15.3hh ISH x Connie so no problems there, however I also ride 'toublesome' ponies for people who's children maybe arent confident enough, just a little bit of schooling no jumping.
I often ride 12.2hh-13.2hh's, however I did get asked to ride a 12hh fine show pony and I did say no as she looked so fine and tiny I was afraid I'd be too heavy for her.

It's hard to say without seeing the condition of the ponies, as long as they're fit & healthy I couldn't see a problem personally!
 
Sorry OP - but I've no idea what your weight is in old-fashioned Stones!! My maths are not up to working that out!

I'm 5'3 and weigh 9 stone.

All last year I rode a 12.2hh Exmoor without any problems.

Last autumn I bought a little 4yo gypsy coblet; she's currently standing 13.2hh. If you judge size as being "correct" if the sole of the rider's foot when mounted is level with the horse's underbelly - which I can remember being told years ago at Pony Club! - then I am exactly the right size for her!!

Hope this helps.
 
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NAtive ponies were bred to carry weight and to work blinking hard . They pro could carry much more then we would give them now. They also take up the leg so taller riders can get away with it.
Dave’s Mum you look super on Dave. He is a credit to you and your hard work and it’s not all been plain sailing. Please ignore silly, uninformed comments. You are a team. :D
 
Sukistokes2 said:
NAtive ponies were bred to carry weight and to work blinking hard . They pro could carry much more then we would give them now. They also take up the leg so taller riders can get away with it.
Dave’s Mum you look super on Dave. He is a credit to you and your hard work and it’s not all been plain sailing. Please ignore silly, uninformed comments. You are a team. :D
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Thank you. That is much appreciated.
 
Dave looks much more capable of carrying weight then my 14.1hh pony who has tiny spindley legs.

We also have a 12hh Dartmoor x Shetland who happily carried my 9st (guess) sister for 3-4 hour hacks with no issues. We never jumped him but hacking he was fab, pings along with his teeny tiny ears pricked loving being ridden more than being left behind. He is incredibly compact which I think makes him super strong but does cause issues finding a saddle to fit both him and rider. We have finally found a nice young rider for him but he is too sharp for most kids, he’s a fantastic pony for a little adult.
 
OP, apologies that your thread got sidelined.

Bottom line is that you could go as small as an Exmoor (I will never stop telling folk how wonderful they are), or similar type native pony, Icelandic, Fjord etc.

Sometimes folk don't quite get what capabilities these little ponies have. We say Exmoors are like horses with short legs. My pony wears a 40" girth & a cob sized bridle. When people meet him in the flesh, their first response is usually "Oh he's a big boy!" Yes he is, he is built like a tank. 12.2hh of a tank.

What you get in that 12.2hh is a little parcel of wondrous pony, a friend for life if you spend the time & a pony that is very capable of a lot more than they are given credit for. Exmoors forever!
 
Dave's Mam you look super on Dave, no problem at all! And he is super cute!

OP if it helps I am 5ft8 and weigh more than I should! I have semi regularly ridden a 13.2hh Fjord Pony, just hacking and pleasure rides. She carried me happily, she is a total tank, the phrase leg at each corner was invented for her! She takes my leg up as much as my almost 16hh horse, takes the same length saddle and weighs more! So I have no issues with the 20% rule or saddle fit.

My husband is 6ft2 and there is a picture of him on a 15.1hh cob on my profile. He did everything with that horse, Dressage, showing and jumping despite his dangly legs. He has ridden smaller when at a suitable weight but struggles to have room for his legs on the smaller saddles.
 
Mine is 16 hands but I'm only 5 foot 3. I always tend to ride big horses, not by design but it seems to happen that way.
I had a lesson on a 15 hand horse recently. He was so much easier to ride. My next equine purchase is definitely going to be a pony. I envy those of you with little ones.
 
mule said:
My next equine purchase is definitely going to be a pony. I envy those of you with little ones.
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Totally recommend it. Ponies are fun, speaking as someone who has had a bunch of Fells and Icelandics(Don't call me a pony :D ) for the past 45 years. Used to go on rides up to about 35 miles with the EHPS in my younger days and never had one not pass the vetting at the finish, so they were obviously coping well. My 13 hd Icelandic gelding who I bought at 3 has only just been semi retired at 29 and apart from Cushings is still pretty healthy.
 
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