Suitable weight?

myponyvic

myponyvic

Active Member
Joined
22 April 2014
Messages
39
Location
West Midlands
Visit site
Essentially I'm 11stone 9 (or there abouts). I was told by my instructor that if I lost six pounds (I was 12stone 9 at the time), I could ride this 13.2hh pony. He is built like a beep but still, what are your opinions on this? I currently lease a 14.2 Welsh Sec D. At my old stables, I was never allowed near anything under 15.3. I used to ride a 23 year old Arabian who was 14.2 and he used to gallop up hills with me without breaking a sweat. I'm very proud of my weight loss and plan on loosing more but realistically, what is the smallest I can ride?
I'm not bothered about size just to clarify, I'd rather have a horse that's 17.2 and can do what I ask than a 13.2 that doesn't know what to do and can't carry me.
 
I'm about the same as you and mine is 14.2 (tank build). I have ridden smaller but wouldn't do so regularly and not if they were fine built. If you keep losing weight, its solid and you're not riding it regularly I wouldn't worry all that much but I wouldn't be riding it everyday or riding it very hard. If you're new to HHO be aware that its got a reputation for being quite extreme over weights and thinking heavier people shouldn't ride at all, let alone on ponies. I expect a lot of people will tell you you shouldn't be riding the 14.2 either
 
I'm just over 11stone and have a 13.1hh fell, we do everything inc wh, dressage, xc etc. If those of you at 9.5 stone think you would impede him in any way you're welcome to try, I almost guarantee he would barely notice you!
 
I think it really would come down to the build of the pony im around 9stone poss more atm and recently bought a 13.3h cob built about the same as a fell and she didnt bat an eyelid when i backed her and is happy charging round with me but i have strict limit on my 15hh anglo arab of 9.5 stone absolute max because hes so fine in build i would never risk damaging him in anyway although he would certainly tell me if i was too heavy im sure!
 
I was over 11 on 13.3 in my signature (and plenty of my other pictures posted on here) and I don't think anyone would say I was too big ;)
 
I used to ride a 13.2 regularly at 9stoneish, he had a good bit of bone to carry me though, I wouldn't regularly ride the finer 13.2s at that weight. Now I'm a tad heavier at 91/2 stoneish I'm even more careful about what I'll get on.

That said I've seen heavier people on 13.2hh highland types and the ponies have shown no signs of struggling.

Really does depend on the breed/type of pony I feel.
 
Completely dependant on build, riding and conformation.

I'm used to the coblets, and at 10.5 stone now have no quibble riding anything small and cobby. Some of the stallions stood no more than 12.3/13hh on a stick previous when I was a stone heavier and were built to carry a lot more than that and would have done easily. Didn't even feel like most of them still felt me on them tbh.

However, no other build will I get on anything smaller than 14.2hh as at 5ft9 too out of proportion otherwise to me!

So yes....Completely dependant on build, riding and conformation. :)
 
He is solid, complete muscle. He's 20 though and I believe he's a native x. He's an ex polo pony and does mounted games. I won't be riding him more than maybe once a week for a couple of weeks. Only for a couple of my lessons. Currently riding a 15.2hh Irish Cob. My 14.2 is a little chunky (on a diet) but happily jumps with me and canters without issue.
 
f26d4x.jpg

21nffc6.jpg

Not sure if this will work, know it does in other forums but this is the pony and the girl that loans him :)
 
Walrus said:
I'm just over 11stone and have a 13.1hh fell, we do everything inc wh, dressage, xc etc. If those of you at 9.5 stone think you would impede him in any way you're welcome to try, I almost guarantee he would barely notice you!
Click to expand...

I have a 14.1hh ish HW cob and he wouldnt notice that sort of weight there! :D Going by the 20% of his bodyweight he could carry way more and be fine :)
 
I'm 9stone and wouldn't feel comfortable on anything smaller than 14.2, but I'm really tall and that's probably why.

Just stick to what you feel comfortable with - if you're worrying about pony squishing constantly you won't enjoy the ride, even if the pony copes fine.
 
Endurance horses doing CEI 3* (160 km/100 miles) have to carry a minimum weight of 75 kg (11.9 stone). Pretty much any horse competing at that level is going to be an Arabian or part-bred of some description, and they don't go slow.

My 14.3hh part bred Arabian mare quite happily carries me at an all up weight of 78-80 kg. :)
 
The endurance horses do well because they are gently conditioned over a long period to carry that. It takes 12 months of conditioning to toughen up ligaments to a new activity, even longer for bone.

OP, I think you'll be just fine, just take it slow and gentle early on and let ponio build up to you :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top