Weight carrying New Forest Ponies

oh lordy, you think you have it tough, try being an adult and riding an exmoor :p

seems to me that if you need to be overhorsed on some freak of a WB that needs wrapping in bubble wrap just to ride it an an arena to be considered a rider these days.
 
I've a Wootton/Kilncopse and a Furzey Lodge/Lucky Lane, totally totally different stamps, very odd to put them next to each other and see the differences, the only similarity is their deep barrels and big backsides, the Furzey lad has an inch more bone.....
 
Hahaha! My old Dolly Yew Tree Follow on 14.2 allegedly but nearer 15 hands has fine bone, upright pasterns and stiff hocks! 18 years old she can still run like a racing snake and flounces along like a 4 year old carrying all of my 8 stone! In her younger years and when the fat lad was naughty she used to carry Neil M no trouble at all, in fact in her time she has carried a wide assortment of "lads" who always declared they were under 13 stone - my choice of weight limit for her. I always say Neil M's pony is a mans pony as he is so beefy. I was mad at the suggestion I would allow anyone who was too heavy ride my pony so am delighted at all the wonderful support Neil M and my round boy have been given. New Forests are the way forward :)
 
When I was a kid, my friend had a 13.2hh New Forest mare. As we only had one pony to ride between two of us, we used to ride the pony round the farm double. That was 14st in total. We rode bareback and used to go for miles, galloping and jumping small things too. The pony never showed any concern about it, and merrily trundled along.

The hardest thing was staying on. If one of us fell off, the other did too!

My first ride on the little pone was with my friends' grown up sister. I'm guessing she was at least 10 stone to my 7st. Again, we rode bareback round the field. Albeit a quick go, I'd never cantered before so she wanted to show what fun it was.

That mare went on well into her thirties. She was ace.
 
I love this tread :D
So many people underestimate the abilities of our native ponies. When riding one, it's commonplace to have people on horses look down their noses at you.
I LOVE the comment about people on warmbloods "wrapped in bubblewrap just to ride in an area" :D
I previously used to ride an Exmoor. Fantastic ponies !
This week, I'm going on a round trip of over 1000 miles to buy a.....................................................................New Forest Pony :D
She's a 2 year old filly by Warren Playaway.
Oh, and don't forget that a forester WON the Open British Riding Clubs XC Champoinships in 2009.....Farriers Brown Bear, with an ADULT rider and competing against horses.....all 14 hands of him ! :D
GO THE FORESTERS ! :D
 
LittleWildOne said:
This week, I'm going on a round trip of over 1000 miles to buy a.....................................................................New Forest Pony :D
She's a 2 year old filly by Warren Playaway.
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Ha ha, I know who you are now!!!


I too have a forester who's built like a highland, a 14hh mare by the late great Smiler of Sheepwash :)
 
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I love NF's. I used to ride a 14hh stallion as a wee kid and despite the odd moment when idiot me took him to close to a mare he knew his job and gave me so much confidence.
My 12 stone mum used to jump him and do dressage and handy pony type stuff and he'd carry her no problems and be as skitty and as hyper as if it was his first day at work for weeks.
I think his stud name had ashurst in it but we're going back well over 15 years now so may be wrong!
 
So at 5ft 5 and 10st the RSPCA wont be called if i decised to back my 13h more than solid NF 4yo? the thought had crossed my mind , n i have sat on her though did feel a little guilty . Or if any one knows a small person in th Kent area to help, would be free to ride her as much as wanted when broken lol x i got her as o foal for company to my other foal at the time x
 
I've got a 14hh NF - also with Slipper bloodlines and he's carried me happily for the past 10 years. Won at elementary dressage and carted me all round a long distance ride last year at the grand age of 20. He'd also keep up with my friends 17.1 trakehner gelding at the gallops so I don't think he had any problems carrying a bit of weight!
 
Totally irresponsible thread. I love riding ponies but certainly wouldn't ever have sat on a pony 8hh-10hh when I've been anywhere in that weight range. I'm an adult and expect to ride larger ponies and horses.

Saddles, rider equipment etc all adds to the weight. And just because ponies were bred for a purpose years ago when welfare standards where different (not all worse, but certainly different) doesn't mean it is good for them. A rule of thumb with no evidence behind it shouldn't be used to justify people sitting on ponies they've outgrown because they still love them or ponies they bought because they are scared of horses/in denial about their own weight.

If you are an adult and want to play with little ponies start showing in-hand or driving!
 
Tickles said:
Totally irresponsible thread. I love riding ponies but certainly wouldn't ever have sat on a pony 8hh-10hh when I've been anywhere in that weight range. I'm an adult and expect to ride larger ponies and horses.

Saddles, rider equipment etc all adds to the weight. And just because ponies were bred for a purpose years ago when welfare standards where different (not all worse, but certainly different) doesn't mean it is good for them. A rule of thumb with no evidence behind it shouldn't be used to justify people sitting on ponies they've outgrown because they still love them or ponies they bought because they are scared of horses/in denial about their own weight.

If you are an adult and want to play with little ponies start showing in-hand or driving!
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We have been discussing the weight carrying capabilities of New Forest ponies (for the most part) and most people have talked about ponies in the 13hh to 14.2hh height range.

I am no expert on the subject, but I don't think adult NF's have ever been as small as 10hh. Also, at 6'1" tall it would be impossible for me to sit on a 8hh to 10hh pony, although I may be able to wear one on each foot (joke).
 
Yes, I know NFs are bigger. It was the stone per hand thing I was getting at. I wouldn't like to see a 13-14st adult on a NF (or any other 13-14hh) pony and was just pointing out that that isn't double-standards because I don't expect something my weight in hands to carry me either.
 
But if you read the quote you will see it says "In the case of the New Forest pony....", so the quote does not apply to any pony, as you so rightly say, that would be ridiculous.
 
Tickles said:
Totally irresponsible thread. I love riding ponies but certainly wouldn't ever have sat on a pony 8hh-10hh when I've been anywhere in that weight range. I'm an adult and expect to ride larger ponies and horses.

Saddles, rider equipment etc all adds to the weight. And just because ponies were bred for a purpose years ago when welfare standards where different (not all worse, but certainly different) doesn't mean it is good for them. A rule of thumb with no evidence behind it shouldn't be used to justify people sitting on ponies they've outgrown because they still love them or ponies they bought because they are scared of horses/in denial about their own weight.

If you are an adult and want to play with little ponies start showing in-hand or driving!
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I think common sense has to apply here: a stocky breed is obviously going to to be able to carry more weight than the finer welshyA's etc and each horse and rider combination needs to be considered individually.
You can't say that all adults should not ride ponies!
 
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As written in the Breed Standard of the New Forest Pony Breeding and Cattle Society:

"Type
New Forest ponies should be of working type with substance. They should have sloping shoulders, strong quarters, plenty of flat bone, good depth of body, straight limbs and good hard round feet. The ponies are quite capable of carrying adults, while narrow enough for small children. The smaller ponies, though not up to so much weight, often show more quality."

http://www.newforestpony.com/breedstandard.php
 
What folk also forget in the "great weight carrying debate" is that now adays these ponies are not ridden for hours on end, every single day of their lives, carting men up hill and down dale.

They get on average I imagine 2 hours ridden exercise a day max (if you average out), which these ponies are MORE than capable of.
 
lexiedhb said:
What folk also forget in the "great weight carrying debate" is that now adays these ponies are not ridden for hours on end, every single day of their lives, carting men up hill and down dale.

They get on average I imagine 2 hours ridden exercise a day max (if you average out), which these ponies are MORE than capable of.
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We take our two on holiday to Exmoor several times a year, and ride 4 to 6 hours each day, up and down some decent hills. Neither of them seem bothered, although the 'Fat Lad' does get to have a quick hedge snack / breather on the really long climbs.
 
NeilM said:
We take our two on holiday to Exmoor several times a year, and ride 4 to 6 hours each day, up and down some decent hills. Neither of them seem bothered, although the 'Fat Lad' does get to have a quick hedge snack / breather on the really long climbs.
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Yeah- Im not saying they can not do it- just that it is not 365 days a year anymore.

Loving the fact the "fat lad" gets a snack break!! :D

ETS_ and where are the pics of said fat lad please!!!!
 
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Another Forester fan here :)
I love my boy and wouldn't change him for the world, not once has he struggled carrying me and I am 5'8 and over 10 stone, I was even considering having a go at endurance once both my daughters are at school (and if I can get an extra 1/2 day off work for training!)
 
lexiedhb said:
Yeah- Im not saying they can not do it- just that it is not 365 days a year anymore.

Loving the fact the "fat lad" gets a snack break!! :D
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I agree with your sentiment completely.

Regarding the Fat Lad, he's got to look after his figure :D

EDIT: I only have a couple of pictures I can use, the others are by professionals and I don't have permission. Let me see what I can dig out.
 
I take my pony on hacking holidays too - he loves them and I tend to be more tired than he is! He has a lunch stop though so I can have my lunch! I am not very heavy though only 8.5 stone but he carries saddlebags as well as me.

Lots of heavier kids also ride shetlands and Welsh A's as well as adults for their height they are really strong ponies. I don't think that an 8 hand shetland would have a problem carrying an eight stone person but their height would mean there would not be many 8 stone people who would be short enough to ride them.

NeilM said:
We take our two on holiday to Exmoor several times a year, and ride 4 to 6 hours each day, up and down some decent hills. Neither of them seem bothered, although the 'Fat Lad' does get to have a quick hedge snack / breather on the really long climbs.
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The Fat Lad:

In his summer clothes.

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Having a laugh.

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When we first got him.

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On Hols with Fol.

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Jumping. Two Fat Lads together.

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Doing what he likes best.

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EDIT: His crest goes up and down like a Yo-Yo, practically on a daily basis. It's a nightmare.
 
Neil - your pony reminds me of my own "fat boy" but a taller version. Mine even manages to look fat when he is not and I can feel his ribs - but he has a big barrel and front. It is a bit of a battle to keep his weight under control maybe if I was heavier he might be slimmer!

There is a fantastic book called new forest ponies by dionis macnair with lots of photo of adults including men on the ponies and they all look in good condition.

There is also a section explaining the history of the point to point and the race used to have a minimum weight of 11 stone, with 7bs added for each inch over 13h.

These ponies have a history of being ridden by adults, some of the ponies are very substantial and their breeding has links to the Highland which is a very strong pony.

However not all new forest ponies look the same some are finer and not so up to carrying weight unlike Neil's pony and my pony who have the conformation that makes them strong and good weight carriers for their size.
 
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Great thread thanks, we are in the process of buying a pure Newfie for the child at work, is good to know he will carry me if the need arises.
 
SO1 said:
Neil - your pony reminds me of my own "fat boy" but a taller version. Mine even manages to look fat when he is not and I can feel his ribs - but he has a big barrel and front. It is a bit of a battle to keep his weight under control maybe if I was heavier he might be slimmer!

There is a fantastic book called new forest ponies by dionis macnair with lots of photo of adults including men on the ponies and they all look in good condition.

There is also a section explaining the history of the point to point and the race used to have a minimum weight of 11 stone, with 7bs added for each inch over 13h.

These ponies have a history of being ridden by adults, some of the ponies are very substantial and their breeding has links to the Highland which is a very strong pony.

However not all new forest ponies look the same some are finer and not so up to carrying weight unlike Neil's pony and my pony who have the conformation that makes them strong and good weight carriers for their size.
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Regarding weight, I'm absolutely with you on that. H puts on a crest almost overnight and when the grass is really growing fast he is muzzled 24/7 (and does not object bless him). Two summers ago, some 'kind people' tampered with his muzzle every day for a week, until we finally realised and put some electric tape up. H's weight by that time was through the roof (we weight tape both ours at least once a month).

Regarding different builds. H's field mate could not be more different from him. She is tall and slender and looks like a show pony or small TB. Only her passport shows just how pure a NF she is.

I will do a search for that book. Thanks.

As for my boy; big softie that I am, I absolutely adore him and I couldn't contemplate being without him.

I will just have to win the lottery before I get my event horse....yeah! Like that is going to happen :D

Right: More pictures please everyone, c'mon, let's see yer Foresters.
 
I hope that this works I've never tried to upload pics before! lol

This is my NF he is 25 years old (these are recent pics) 13.3 and he can carry a good weight too.

me on him (please ignore my hunched position!)

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and my friend on him

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Ohhh the whole ponies,adults,weight debate.

I ride a 14.2hh newfie and look like a pee on her, shes one that sniffs air and gains double her bodyweight. Shes also a yoyo crest pony.
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Heres my 13.2hh newfie whos taken ages to put weight on
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