Too big?

[ponynutz]

Yes, I'm doing another of these threads, apologies!

13.3/14hh pony, I'm 5'7 and about 10 1/2 stone. I'm convinced I'm too big, Dad is convinced for just hacking: walk, trot, canter, gallop, I'm fine. I'm tempted as would love it but she comes first.

 

[FitzyFitz]

If the pony is sound and in a decent level of fitness it shouldn't have any trouble carrying you at that weight. If it's very unfit it might have trouble, but then again the same would be true of a taller horse!
If it has previously only been ridden by children then it will need a bit of gradual conditioning to carry the extra weight but otherwise I wouldn't have any concerns.

Of course depending on the pony's build and the saddle you might feel a bit leggy on it, might be fixable by different knee rolls/stirrup/saddle style, might not be.

Otherwise, common sense rules. If the pony is labouring excessively OR is getting strung out and rushing, then it probably needs to build up more strength to be able to work effectively.

Hope you have fun!

 

[saddlesore]

I’d almost certainly say too big yes. At your height I can’t see it being easy to find a saddle to fit you both. I also imagine balance on a small mount will present challenges. That said if they are an absolute unit of say a Highland pony then the combined ‘fit’ might be easier. Just IMO of course.

 

[gallopingby]

Ahhhhh not again!! A piece of string question…. A 14 hand mountain and moorland registered or similar type pony can be a substantial pony, a 14 hand TB type less so. It depends on the conformation of pony and of jockey ie is the jockey long in the back in which case they may look ‘over topped’ or long in the leg - have a look at the type of saddle.

 

[Jenko109]

There are ponies and then there are ponies.

A typey NF or similar would carry that weight with ease. I'm your height and not much lighter and regularly ride a 13.2.

If it's a finer type then perhaps not.

To add, my ass fits easily in saddles suited to short backed ponies so unsure why that should be a concern.

 

[rara007]

What build pony? My 13.3/14hhers would be fine with that, and take your leg and a 17 inch saddle.

 

[Sandstone1]

I would say you are too big personally.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I would say no problem at all as long as it wasn’t a fine built show pony

 

[Jellymoon]

Probably ok for the odd ride/riding for friend type situation, but if this is going to be your every day riding pony, then I think you would be more comfortable on something bigger. Also, you sound young, are you still growing?!

 

[HollyWoozle]

I’m 5’8” and currently 11st 4lbs before I’m dressed for riding. I’ve been hacking twice a month on a sturdy, sound New Forest mare who I’d say is a touch over 14hh. I’m a similar size to her owner and feel like I fit OK in her saddle. She seems comfortable when I ride her but if she was any smaller I think it would be a no go.

I think it’s so dependent on type and breed as others have said - I’ve ridden 13hh Icelandics who I felt a lot more comfortable on and who I was happy to zoom around on for 6 hours a day. If the pony is a sturdy sort and in good health (and saddle is OK) then doesn’t seem like it would be an issue.

 

[dreamcometrue]

I have a 14hh Connemara and won’t let anyone over 9st ride her regularly so if the pony in question is of that build then no, you need a bigger horse.

 

[PipsqueakXy22]

I think it just depends on how you feel, especially if this is a horse you’re going to buy and have long term weight wise you’re probably fine for light hacking, but im 5ft6 and personally prefer a bigger horse so even though weight wise i could ride a 14hh pony i prefer anything over 16hh

 

[Lamehorses]

For the odd ride you might be OK, otherwise, yes you are too big.
I'm 8.5 stone 5'1 & ride a 14.1 conny x. I think I'm borderline for her size.
What build is the pony, do you, fully dressed including tack fit into the 20% rule?

 

[BallyRoanBaubles]

I’m 5’4 8.5 stone and my pony is a 13.2 fell built like a brick outhouse, I wouldn’t want to ride anything smaller long term in either height or width

 

[Zoeypxo]

Depends on build of the pony really?
Im 5’9 and 9 stone and dont feel comfortable on anything below 15.2 balance wise

 

[Errin Paddywack]

Admittedly this was back in the late 60's but the RS I worked at had small ponies for the little kids and which I also rode and then bigger animals from 13hs up to about 14.3. We did have a 15.2 for a while but sold her. None of these were fine types but neither were they heavy cobs and they all took adults easily and all had saddles big enough for adults. Of course these were the old fashioned saddles not the sort you get today. The 4 original horses that my boss started with all worked and stayed sound into their twenties. Provided the pony is a proper leg at each corner type and not a spindly one then it should carry you easily.

 

[Widgeon]

I agree it depends entirely on the build of the pony. I'm the same height and weight as you and fitted very easily on a 13.3hh Highland (she was built like a little tank). I've also ridden Icelandics and an Exmoor of 13.2hh ish - both narrower but equally sturdy build and hard as nails - and they had no problem with me either. But I wouldn't consider getting on a show pony of the same height.

The other thing to consider is the pony's neck and back length (this sounds a bit mad I know) but the Highland and the Icelandics both felt like a good fit for me, whereas the Exmoor didn't have much neck, and it was much harder to stay in balance.

 

[JBM]

You could estimate the weight of the horse using tape then it would give you better idea on the 20% rule?

 

[Gloi]

I think it's a big disservice to our native breeds for normal sized people to think they can't ride them. In general they are stronger and tougher than a lot of taller horses and break down a lot less often.

 

[Maxidoodle]

OP, as others have said, it is dependant on breed. I’ve always had big horses, as I’m 5ft 8 and 11 stone, I’m out of proportion, as I’m short in the body and long in the leg.

I now have a 14hh Dales x and she really takes up my leg, so I don’t look tall on her, I rejected her at the dealer’s at first, as I thought she’d be too small but she rides big, has a good length of neck. I’ve also ridden a colleague’s 14hh NF, when I had an ankle injury and they wanted to go for a long walk in the Forest, so they tacked him up so I could come along and I fitted in his saddle absolutely fine, he carried me with ease and I didn’t look big on him.

 

[Ddraig_wen]

I'm 5ft6 10 stone and regularly ride my built like a brick outhouse lots of bone Section C stallion who carries me with ease. I also ride other natives at the same height as yours with no problem, however I wouldn't get on a light boned show pony type/pba/section b at that height

 

[canteron]

I’m 10 Stone and have a chunky 14.3. I feel that weight wise I am fine - but at 5’8” I sometimes feel that any taller would be too tall.

I suspect the height will be more of a problem than the weight.

 

[Skib]

I have a 14hh Connemara and won’t let anyone over 9st ride her regularly

I rode a 15 h Connemara while my weight was between 9 stone 4 - 10 stone. However, as she aged I kept my weight under 9 stone 7 in order to ride her. She definitely went easier with me at a lighter weight and in summer clothes.

 

[Cocorules]

I have a 14.1hh NF/TB and I wouldn't ride her heavier than 9 stone 7. I am 5 ft 3 and if were 4 inches taller I can't imagine riding her.

 

[J&S]

Grown men ride New Forest ponies, Dales, Highlands, Fells. these types really take up your leg with deep girths. I can see no problem with you riding one of these. Also, in Wales I rode a finer pony who was only about 13 hh, when I wasn't there the farmer looked at his sheep on her. I would say correct confirmation and fitness should be considered.

 

[Glitter's fun]

If you feel the need to ask then yes, you are probably too big. (Sorry!)
If the first time you saw the pony your reaction was "Wow! That won't blow over in the wind & will carry me plus a sack of coal!" you wouldn't be asking.
Edited to add - Do you have a photo of her?

 

[Fjord]

It all depends on the build of the horse. I'm 5'7" and currently a smidge under 11 stone. I'm not riding my 13.3 mare until I lose a few pounds, BUT she's 25 and has a touch of arthritis. At 10 and a half stone she carried me fine! She is a Fjord, so quite sturdy. For my next horse I'm looking at around 14h cobby types, so Fell, Highland, or sturdy cob.

This is me at about 10 stone 5, in a 17" saddle. She is wide, so takes the leg up well.

 

[oldie48]

Well as others have said, it all depends. For me it's the match between pony and rider that includes not only weight and height but how easy it is to get a saddle that fits both comfortably. Our 148 connie was compact in build and wouldn't take anything bigger than a 16 inch saddle, we got a dressage saddle fairly easily but to get a jumping saddle that coped with daughter being very long from knee to hip we ended up having one made that was very forward cut. My gut feeling is that the pony is probably too small.

 

[Poppy+MrDarcy]

What breed is she? If she's a thinner breed then definitely not, but if she's more cob/fell type then if say that's fine

 

[Widgeon]

If you feel the need to ask then yes, you are probably too big. (Sorry!)

I don't think this is necessarily true - I think we've become conditioned to seeing people riding (relatively) very tall horses. There have certainly been posts on here saying things like "Looking for a horse, must be at least 16.2hh because I am 5'5" and can't go any smaller"