Too big for a pony?

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Gorgeous George

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I am horseless at the moment but hoping to get my first one in the next few months
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I would really like a smallish native cross around the 14.2/3 mark but I am rather worried that i would squash one
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I am 5'4" and weigh around 10st 10lb. I am just confused because of all the horses / ponies i have ridden in recent years I have no idea what actual height they are. I realise that the width / build of the pony will make a difference but what do others think?
 
Highland ponies are supposed to be able to take a 16st man up the hills to retrieve the stags... Fells and Dales were supposed to be able to take full adults on a day's hunting... I'm 5'0" and weigh 8st and fit easily on anything upwards of 13.1 - I'd have thought that any of our native breeds would be fine for you

good luck

E
 
Do you know New Forests are the bestest ponies in the world *slightly bias* To be honest bar the littler welshies *A and B* You'll be fine on any native pony. *cough* New Forest *splutter* Liberty *13'3 light built NF happily jumped with 12st* And at 5'4ft anything above 13'2hh will be fine though a 14'2hh will be ideal.
 
At 12 stone and 5'6"tall I competed a 13.3 Welsh Cob in a 2'6" ODE. He enjoyed himself and jumped everything and was raring to go. Last year I fell off the same pony showjumping 1m15! He's a sensible old boy and aware of his capabilities and no way on earth could I have made him do it if he hadn't been keen to do it. It was a minimus course and stupidly I took him round it twice - he was convinced he was in the jump off and he put in a fast round, turning in the air over a jump to get a quick line and I just totally misjudged it and fell off. Poor chap was horrified!

If you go for an animal that's fairly big in the barrel you'll be fine!

Welsh ponies, I understand, were bred to carry two sheep down the mountain - that's quite a weight!
 
Ive got a Welsh D who is 14.1hh and I ride her. Im 5'8 and weigh more than you and she copes perfectly well. I dont look too big on her in the sligtest. I love natives. If I didnt have my horses I go for a native pony - would love another Highland
 
ive got a connemara (14hh and a very very chunky lad) and he has happily carried my 15stone mum on a hack and been able to bugger off with her. however mum is a very very good rider so i wouldnt put that weight of novice rider on him.

I ride him for 2- 3 hours a day most days of the week in summer with a full day at a show on a sunday, my weight flucktuates between 10.5 and 12.5 stone. and he has absolutely no problem carting me off to where ever he pleases
 
I am 5'9" and weigh about 10 and half stone and regularly ride my mums 14hh highland. Due to his barrel i feel and look fine on him. He has carried up to about 13 stone with no problems and to be honest there is no reason why he could not carry more if the rider was balanced.

Go for it natives are fab! mum has so much more fun and does so much better on hers than some people i know who have overhorsed themselves!
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heehee...you'll be converted to ponies before you know it (I may take some responsibility...)! I am taller than you but weigh slightly less and my 14hh fell cross has no probs! He also has no probs cantering round with my boyfriend on him, who is slightly taller than me and weighs a few stone more than you do!
Ponies are the best!!
 
Excellent, that's just what I wanted to hear! I love the native breeds to look at and I always feel much safer on a smaller animal - although this feeling may well be a misguided one!!

Ok so here I am looking for a 14.2-ish native pony, preferably a gelding in the Essex area to have some fun on and teach me the joys of actually owning my own after 30 yrs of riding other peoples.
 
No way would you be too big!

My sister is 5"3 and 10 stone and STILL rides her 13.2 NF mare. She carries her quite easily hunting and on fun rides/XC, etc. She'd easily carry 13 stone as a matter of fact. IMO I'd go for a Welshie or NF
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They say a new forest pony can take a stone to every hand. My new forest is 14.1hh and im just over 9stone, he has carried my boyfriend loads of times who is about 11stone with no problem whatsoever. You would be fine with anything 13.2 upwards. Go for a forester!
xxx
 
[ QUOTE ]
I am horseless at the moment but hoping to get my first one in the next few months
smile.gif
smile.gif
I would really like a smallish native cross around the 14.2/3 mark but I am rather worried that i would squash one
blush.gif
I am 5'4" and weigh around 10st 10lb. I am just confused because of all the horses / ponies i have ridden in recent years I have no idea what actual height they are. I realise that the width / build of the pony will make a difference but what do others think?

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You'll be fine - I was riding a 14.2 connie x tb last summer and weight 11.5 stone at the time - she still managed to tank with me so I couldn't have been that heavy!
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Ive got a Welsh D who is 14.1hh and I ride her. Im 5'8

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I'm exactly the same, except mine isn't a pure section D
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. If a horse can carry weight I don't see the problem!
 
i have a 14.1hh welsh cob x and he carries me fine. im about 5ft6 and weigh around 9 and a half stone. my dad also rides him whilst im at college and he weighs about 12stone. my pony copes fine with him.

welsh cobs are the best!!!
 
I ride and compete my mums 14hh pony. I'm 10 1/2 stone and 5ft9 and certainly I dont look big on him (he will be for sale over the next comple of months - cough- if you wanted to pm me)
 
I am around the same weight as you, and most of the riding school ponies carry me fine - a shorter stockier pony will be more able to carry a heavier person than a taller finer horse.
 
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