Pictures The dreaded question!

PurBee said:
Work out your weight including tack ratio to his weight - im really fussy about my preferred % on my horse but the general ‘standard’, not that there is an absolute with this subject, (someone correct me if im way out) is 15% good, 20% max….with wiggly room depending on horse fitness/age/injuries,discipline..
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How do you work this out?
 
Ownedby4horses said:
OP, I think the angle of the picture might not be helping, with his neck and head straight, His neck length would likely help to the overall image.

I do think there’s a bit of a misconception that people need big horses, almost like a “moving onto horses after pony club”, I’ve been there myself and went up to a shire x and I’ve come right back down now and I have a 14hh Dales x mare, I’m 5ft 8 and have long legs (she takes up my leg) and the amount of people in the UK when I got her that asked jokingly why did I not want to buy a real horse was bizarre (as they’re trotting past on their big striding mounts etc.).

I ride western and it’s more acceptable to have a smaller mount, there’s a lot of icelandic horses over here and that takes a little getting used to seeing riders with their feet way below the belly.

I think with your body protector and the angle of the photo, it does accentuate your top half a bit but I think as he grows, you will start to look more in proportion with him (you don’t look big by the way and certainly not too heavy).
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It’s likely the weight she is worried about rather than being able to ride c im speculating obviously. I’m not here at ALL to comment on peoples weight but there may be a reason behind the ‘moving from ponies to horses’ motto. It’s a physical fact- more weight is more stress on smaller bones, muscles and tendons. It just seems to me if she is worrying this much maybe she might want to reavaluate the situation xx
 
Oreo&Amy said:
It’s likely the weight she is worried about rather than being able to ride c im speculating obviously. I’m not here at ALL to comment on peoples weight but there may be a reason behind the ‘moving from ponies to horses’ motto. It’s a physical fact- more weight is more stress on smaller bones, muscles and tendons. It just seems to me if she is worrying this much maybe she might want to reavaluate the situation xx
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Its the overall picture. Weight wise, he can carry me fine, I'm also still losing weight so that isn't the issue. Our saddler has said we are fine and she even commented saying that for a young horse he carries himself really well and his back is in tip top shape. Hiss physio has also said his back is in really good shape. :-)
 
if he carries you well and easily and moves in a really good way, ie without effort and finds the work easy, i would carry on

he will fill out and maybe grow a little, as with all horses, take your time, feel your way, he is very young still, try to help him develop the best balance carrying power and he do do just fine.

i mainly ride 16. 2hh horses, yet our pony who was fine, and only 13 hands, carried me into her old age, no problem and retired sound and unblemished

i would just enjoy him and not worry about how you look
 
peanutsmumma said:
Its the overall picture. Weight wise, he can carry me fine, I'm also still losing weight so that isn't the issue. Our saddler has said we are fine and she even commented saying that for a young horse he carries himself really well and his back is in tip top shape. Hiss physio has also said his back is in really good shape. :)
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That all sounds great then, if the professionals are behind you you should be grand! And if you want to lose weight and are doing it that’s great; achievable goals are the route to happiness!! Xx
 
tristar said:
if he carries you well and easily and moves in a really good way, ie without effort and finds the work easy, i would carry on

he will fill out and maybe grow a little, as with all horses, take your time, feel your way, he is very young still, try to help him develop the best balance carrying power and he do do just fine.

i mainly ride 16. 2hh horses, yet our pony who was fine, and only 13 hands, carried me into her old age, no problem and retired sound and unblemished

i would just enjoy him and not worry about how you look
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I agree- the optics or ‘looks’ aren’t important. It’s about you both being safe and happy!!!
 
Oreo&Amy said:
That all sounds great then, if the professionals are behind you you should be grand! And if you want to lose weight and are doing it that’s great; achievable goals are the route to happiness!! Xx
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I lost 3 Stone so that i could get on him because i didnt want anyone else breaking him in!
Im still loosing so that i can be the best i can for both of us :-)
 
peanutsmumma said:
I lost 3 Stone so that i could get on him because i didnt want anyone else breaking him in!
Im still loosing so that i can be the best i can for both of us :)
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Sounds like you are doing great from my perspective!! Keep going and you’ll only get better and even more happy as a pair! Xx
 
As an example (actual numbers made up a bit here)

I get on the scales with my riding kit on and carrying my saddle and get a reading of 75kg.

My horse weighs approximately 620kg and is a good, healthy weight.

75 ÷ 620 = 0.1209...

I times that number by 100 to get the percentage.

0.1209... x 100 = 12.09%

So nicely under 15%! I'd be very happy with any number up to 15% and reasonably comfortable up to 20% IF the horse has good conformation for carrying weight (short, strong back, good bone etc) and isn't young, old, or unfit. Or fat! If the horse is overweight I'd possibly work out my weight as a percentage of their IDEAL weight rather than actual weight and want the number to be under 15% too as their extra weight will also be putting pressure on joints and things.

I think things can be a bit flexible for occasional rides vs regular riding and for pootling about vs faster work, schooling, jumping etc. Ultimately the horse's physical state gives you feedback as to how it is coping with the rider weight and workload. But you don't get that feedback until after!
 
PapaverFollis said:
As an example (actual numbers made up a bit here)

I get on the scales with my riding kit on and carrying my saddle and get a reading of 75kg.

My horse weighs approximately 620kg and is a good, healthy weight.

75 ÷ 620 = 0.1209...

I times that number by 100 to get the percentage.

0.1209... x 100 = 12.09%

So nicely under 15%! I'd be very happy with any number up to 15% and reasonably comfortable up to 20% IF the horse has good conformation for carrying weight (short, strong back, good bone etc) and isn't young, old, or unfit. Or fat! If the horse is overweight I'd possibly work out my weight as a percentage of their IDEAL weight rather than actual weight and want the number to be under 15% too as their extra weight will also be putting pressure on joints and things.

I think things can be a bit flexible for occasional rides vs regular riding and for pootling about vs faster work, schooling, jumping etc. Ultimately the horse's physical state gives you feedback as to how it is coping with the rider weight and workload. But you don't get that feedback until after!
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Ive just worked it out and its 16.2% so between the 15 & 20% guides
 
peanutsmumma said:
Its the overall picture. Weight wise, he can carry me fine, I'm also still losing weight so that isn't the issue. Our saddler has said we are fine and she even commented saying that for a young horse he carries himself really well and his back is in tip top shape. Hiss physio has also said his back is in really good shape. :)
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That's the most important bit. I think horses compensate so well that, unless you're amazingly good at spotting these compensations (which few people are), just going on how the horse feels can lead to longer term problems grumbling away without us knowing. I know plenty of horses that were struggling but it shows up 1-3 years later in hocks etc.

Saddle is usually the biggest issue, and it is hard, with English saddles that fit the wider shapes (and I do this as a speciality) to get the rider forwards over the feet - between the actual design of saddles which can make this challenging, and then the very short backs of these ponies. Sometimes putting a keeper/band on the stirrup bars to keep the stirrups back further can help you sit further forwards, or at least be aligned, but it's not always possible for a rider to be truly over their feet if the saddle works against them.

I would keep at the groundwork but concentrate on anything that lifts the thoracic sling and gets him pushing up in front - no different than I would advise anyone, but just more important if we're a bit big either for the horse, or the saddle they can carry.
 
sbloom said:
That's the most important bit. I think horses compensate so well that, unless you're amazingly good at spotting these compensations (which few people are), just going on how the horse feels can lead to longer term problems grumbling away without us knowing. I know plenty of horses that were struggling but it shows up 1-3 years later in hocks etc.

Saddle is usually the biggest issue, and it is hard, with English saddles that fit the wider shapes (and I do this as a speciality) to get the rider forwards over the feet - between the actual design of saddles which can make this challenging, and then the very short backs of these ponies. Sometimes putting a keeper/band on the stirrup bars to keep the stirrups back further can help you sit further forwards, or at least be aligned, but it's not always possible for a rider to be truly over their feet if the saddle works against them.

I would keep at the groundwork but concentrate on anything that lifts the thoracic sling and gets him pushing up in front - no different than I would advise anyone, but just more important if we're a bit big either for the horse, or the saddle they can carry.
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He is in a Thorowgood T4 at the moment because of him being young and changing shape so much.
As i mentioned above, the leg that you can see in the photo (mine) doesnt have much feeling so i struggle with keeping it in the right place.

He gets long-reinged regularly and has started pole work recently
 
peanutsmumma said:
He is in a Thorowgood T4 at the moment because of him being young and changing shape so much.
As i mentioned above, the leg that you can see in the photo (mine) doesnt have much feeling so i struggle with keeping it in the right place.

He gets long-reinged regularly and has started pole work recently
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I'd highly recommend Rider Reboot to help you compensate for the leg :). For TS focused groundwork it's usually about close in hand work, many other things can work but you have to watch very closely to see how they're doing the work. I highly recommend Celest Leilani Lazaris, sadly there's not a lot of info apart from in the paid for masterclass FB support group, there are some good podcast interviews with her around though.
 
i think at 16% you are fine assuming that is incl saddle and with you fully clothed?

I look FAAAAAR worse on mine, the height of me V height of pony is a million times more skewed as im 5'7 and ponies are 13hh.

fully clothed and inc saddle i am 15.5%

you can see my legs dont even vaguely touch my 4yo and i do have to do odd leg contortions to touch him.
YP1.jpg

i look a bit better on the 7yo, he is deeper naturally.

yp1.jpg
 
sbloom said:
I'd highly recommend Rider Reboot to help you compensate for the leg :). For TS focused groundwork it's usually about close in hand work, many other things can work but you have to watch very closely to see how they're doing the work. I highly recommend Celest Leilani Lazaris, sadly there's not a lot of info apart from in the paid for masterclass FB support group, there are some good podcast interviews with her around though.
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Thank you for this, i have like their Facebook page so will have a look through it later.

My leg really frustrates me but its due to an accident where my nerves were crushed so i no longer have real feeling in it
 
Hallo2012 said:
i think at 16% you are fine assuming that is incl saddle and with you fully clothed?

I look FAAAAAR worse on mine, the height of me V height of pony is a million times more skewed as im 5'7 and ponies are 13hh.

fully clothed and inc saddle i am 15.5%

you can see my legs dont even vaguely touch my 4yo and i do have to do odd leg contortions to touch him.


i look a bit better on the 7yo, he is deeper naturally.
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Yes that is including saddle and fully clothed, as I said, I'm still losing weight so that will continue to decrease.

Gorgeous ponies!!

How do you add photos?, i cant seem to add anymore :-/
 
This is a different photo of us in winter. Still not a great photo and I had a big jumper on.
 

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I think you look fine , I also have a taller body but who gives a crap if you enjoy each other and your not too heavy for him. I have always preferred ponies so whilst height wise I should probably go bigger, weight wise I’m fine so I’ll carry on !
 
At 16% and youre doing mild work with him, and losing weight, you’re being conscientious enough about the size match, to continue enjoying him.
He has some filling-in/developing to do even at 5, the growth is just slower and less perceptible. My gelding looked fully filled and grown by 7 - had him since foal - never had a foal before up to full adult and was amazed how the growth stages develop.
So, considering that, i personally wouldnt do heavy riding activity (like lots of weekly jumping/2 hr canter hacks/daily work) on a pony where he’s still young and growing, and my weight/his weight is a close %. As sbloom says, horses can compensate and we not notice slight issues occurring, so we can ensure a longer riding partnership by keeping our weight good, decent fitting saddle etc.
It’s great your physio etc says everything is good, his back is great - having professionals in real life give feedback is what you can rely on.
Your sensitivity to you both size matching has paid-off. It’s amazing to hear you lost 3 stone to back him yourself - thats a huge achievement. Im sure your dedication will enable you both to have a long riding partnership.
 
If he’s only five, I wouldn’t overthink it. Give it another year, and the picture will have changed completely as he fills out and muscles up. By eight, he’ll look like a different horse again.

My five year old honestly feels like twice the horse she did when I first sat on her at four, and I expect her to feel more substantial still by the time she’s done.

What’s his breeding, OP?
 
JJS said:
If he’s only four, I wouldn’t overthink it. Give it another year, and the picture will have changed completely as he fills out and muscles up. By eight, he’ll look like a different horse again.

My five year old honestly feels like twice the horse she did when I first sat on her at four.
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He was 5 this year, he already feels completely different to when he was first backed.
 
Hallo2012 said:
i think at 16% you are fine assuming that is incl saddle and with you fully clothed?

I look FAAAAAR worse on mine, the height of me V height of pony is a million times more skewed as im 5'7 and ponies are 13hh.

fully clothed and inc saddle i am 15.5%

you can see my legs dont even vaguely touch my 4yo and i do have to do odd leg contortions to touch him.
View attachment 95471

i look a bit better on the 7yo, he is deeper naturally.

View attachment 95472
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I love ❤ your ponies you look fabulous
 
I'm 5ft 8 and I rode a 14.3 welsh cob cross - legs were a little long , but to be honest he could carry me fine. I've seen "bigger" riders on finer horses than your combination, so I wouldn't worry unless you start to have any issues. Well done for losing the weight :)
 
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Haven't read any other replies. Seen 3 photos. To me you look like an adult riding a pony and you both look alright /happy and suited with each other. If you are both comfortable then no need to bother about it.
 
Personally I think you are too big for this young pony. You look like your saddle is too small for you , in order to fit him which is not a good sign.
He is not particularly cobby. I would consider if he is young turning him to away to see if he grows, at least then he will be more mature if you do get back on.
 
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