What kind of horses can I ride....

[Nativepony96]

Hi all,
I'm looking for advice...
Long story short, I have ended up with a real complex about my weight when it comes to horses (thanks to a particular person) I am currently riding a horse that it 15.3hh mostly clydesdale, and I have been told I cant ride any of the other cobs because I'm too heavy. So I have dieted and dieted purely in the hope of being able to ride some of the smaller more forward going ponies again. This has been a struggle and I keep ending up back at the same weight on the scale. I really prefer ponies and natives always have but I now feel like I'll only be able to ride the big chunky cobs (still love them just prefer ponies)
I am currently sitting between 11 and 11.5 stone, and I'm 5 foot 2. Confident, balanced, pretty experienced rider, been told I ride very light in the saddle, had my own horses for almost 20 years. My own Highland is now retired and because of children I've not yet bought something else and just exercise others.
What realistically can I ride??
I'm tempted to give up the riding side of things and do what I've wanted to do for my whole life and get a nice Shetland to show and work with instead of the constant worry of the scales.
Tha ks in advance for any advice

 

[SatansLittleHelper]

You weigh sod all..!!!! I don't know who has given you this awful complex but they need a kick in the arse ??
I would not be looking at small/ fine ponies but I don't think there is much other than that that wouldn't carry you. I should think most of the chunky native types would carry you either bother depending on what you want to do..???

 

[Cloball]

I think you'd be fine on some of the larger natives, I am sure many male riders would struggle to be under 11 stone. Don't give up many riding stables have a weight limit of 12-13 stone, would you be able to move somewhere more friendly. You don't mention how experienced you are? I think it is perfectly possible to find you nice whizzy pony to suit.

 

[SEL]

My friend is same height and weight as you and happily rides a 14h cob (dales type).

 

[Nativepony96]

I think you'd be fine on some of the larger natives, I am sure many male riders would struggle to be under 11 stone. Don't give up many riding stables have a weight limit of 12-13 stone, would you be able to move somewhere more friendly. You don't mention how experienced you are? I think it is perfectly possible to find you nice whizzy pony to suit.

I class myself as pretty experienced I've had my own horses for 20+ years from Highlands to Arabs, I'm pretty confident, well balanced in the saddle. At the minute my own Highland is now sadly retired, so I just exercise horses for others until I can afford something of my own again.
I'm so frustrated at myself for becoming so anxious about my weight, it only taken 1 person and now I'm questioning riding completely

 

[Cloball]

Apologies I assumed from the 96 you'd be younger than me but I also forgot I am old now Bullies can do strange things to the way you think. I don't think a Highland pony would even notice you or a fell/dales/welshC&D I am pretty sure arabs carry well over 11 stone frequently too.

 

[Equine_Dream]

Depends what you mean by ponies. My Welsh 14.3 section D mare would carry you all day long, however I'm afraid you would be too heavy for my 13.2 section C.

 

[Widgeon]

I'm a bit surprised by this, I'm 10 stone and 5'7" and was happily riding a 13.3hh Highland (I was heavier then too, more like 10.5 stone). Yes you're shorter than me, but I can't see why that would matter to the pony. I've found that no matter how hard I try I can't get much under 10 stone, I just plateau at that weight. Given that everyone has a different body shape and metabolism etc, maybe 11 stone ish is your "plateau weight" (!) in which case I'm not sure there's much point worrying about it. I would have thought a bigger, chunky native would carry you no problems.

 

[Nativepony96]

7

I'm a bit surprised by this, I'm 10 stone and 5'7" and was happily riding a 13.3hh Highland (I was heavier then too, more like 10.5 stone). Yes you're shorter than me, but I can't see why that would matter to the pony. I've found that no matter how hard I try I can't get much under 10 stone, I just plateau at that weight. Given that everyone has a different body shape and metabolism etc, maybe 11 stone ish is your "plateau weight" (!) in which case I'm not sure there's much point worrying about it. I would have thought a bigger, chunky native would carry you no problems.

I think to get to the required 10 stone for the 14hh cobs that I could potentially ride, I would practically have to starve myself and it wouldn't be a weight I could comfortably maintain....as much as I would love to be that weight. My old Highland is 13.3hh and never had an issue, I also has a 13.1hh fell and I don't think he even knew I was there half the time.
If I do get another riding pony I just don't want the constant worry about the scales....but I don't want to always have to be on a great big draft type. So frustrating ?

 

[Nativepony96]

Depends what you mean by ponies. My Welsh 14.3 section D mare would carry you all day long, however I'm afraid you would be too heavy for my 13.2 section C.

I definitely prefer around the 14hh mark, my old retired mare is 13.3hh and I also had a 13.1hh fell for a while too. I love welshs especially the c's but have always been realistic thought they wouldnt be an option. Would definitely be a chunkier native I think

 

[Frumpoon]

11.5 stone really is not that much - especially not if you are looking at cob or draft crosses like your current ride?

Just to note that many jumps horses race at around that weight - ok that is jockey plus tack and then lead according to handicap

 

[SatansLittleHelper]

I've had to come back to this thread because I'm so annoyed on your behalf..!!!
A decently put together 14hh cob should have no trouble carrying you, I am glad to see you are being cautious about weight vs horse (not because you are huge or anything I hasten to add...we should all be more aware) but you really don't need to be for the type you are looking to ride xxx

 

[firstfrost]

I own and ride 3 Connemaras all 148cm and weigh 11stone 3ilbs. They all carry me happily all day. I hunt, event and do 4/5 hour hacks.

 

[ihatework]

You will find plenty of nice smaller horses / larger ponies to ride at your weight.

It’s as much about conformation and fitness of the animal as much as it is about height and breeding.

If you like fun, then it sounds like a sporty Welsh D might be right up your street

 

[Gloi]

Any of the large native breeds will carry you without any problems. Making you think you can't is doing our native ponies a bid disservice.

 

[Quigleyandme]

Honestly I am so cross for you. Any of the large native breeds would happily carry you all day long. I’m really sorry someone has made you feel so insecure and self-conscience.

 

[TheOldTrout]

Can't really advise on horses, but think you ought to cut that toxic person (or those toxic people) who've been bitching about your weight out of your life.

 

[thefarsideofthefield]

Highland ponies are used to carry stags off the hill . A stag can weigh up to 17st and , granted the pony is only walking , but they're carrying a dead weight . Fell and Dales ponies were used to carry loaded paniers of coal across country . You would be fine on a large breed , it's sort of the point of them !

 

[SBJT]

I find this thread interesting as here in Canada we don’t have the same conversations about weight. That’s not to say it’s right but... I’ve seen a 200lb man ride a 14.2 Arab before (personally I don’t agree with that but I’ve seen situations like that more than once). I’ve also seen weight bearing ladies ride a 14.2 QH pony as well. Personally I think a 14hh cob would be fine so long as they have a thicker leg. Not all larger horses are plods too though. Mine is a QH Clyde cross and he’s quite sensitive to aids, but he is more of the calmer personality.

 

[blodwyn1]

My 13.2 c would easily carry you!

 

[Leandy]

Agree with all the others, you do not need a weight carrier! Lightweight show hunters are meant to carry up to 11st 7lbs! 11 stone is an average weight for someone of 5ft 8 ie about the same as a tall woman or a small man. Neither of these are restricted to heavy cobs! . Any native pony type over about 14hh will carry that easily. The Queen's male head groom regularly accompanies her out riding on a fell.

 

[maya2008]

Look at your weight (fully clothed plus tack) and that of the horse/pony. 20% ish as a rule works well. I have known adult, well muscled ponies that have built up to it, carry 25% of their body weight no problem for years, out hacking for hours and all, but they were the sort bred for the job with a sturdy conformation and were always ridden ‘correctly’ by a balanced rider to reduce any possible problems. Old type natives are designed to carry. Lighter types less so.

I have a 14.3hh 5yo NF cross cob- my rule for him is 12 stone as he is still growing, he will take more at maturity. My old 13.2hh NF took 12 stone and more easily as an adult, without blinking. Rarely sick or sorry, only one problem ever that the vet had to deal with.

In contrast, my 15hh TB was only ever happy up to 10stone of rider at most. Just not built for the job! And my 14hh sports pony mare is also finer and struggles if her rider is much heavier than 9.5 stone.

 

[windand rain]

Someone has been really horrid by the 20% scale you could ride anything from 350kgs upwards so a chunky 12.2 darty exmoor etc upwards would probably say a 13.1hh highland up since mine carried me at european champ TREC comp when I was 15 stone and still danced home after the orienteering bit up hill and down dale. Did a bit of long distance and a bit of everything else. She is 24 now and has only ever had a vet problem after landing badly while being ridden by a 4 stone child. She is still in full work. I have lost a lot of weight but dont ride anymore. What annoys me is 11 stone is about the average weight of an adult human so no one would be able to ride. I do agree the horse should not have to carry too much but a pony with short cannons short back and well built barrel is capable of carrying a lot more than a spindle legged show pony type. So any chunky British native would be fine. Qualified by the fact the pony isnt 100kgs overweight as thats a different problem

 

[Goldenstar]

Of course you can ride all sorts of natives types .

 

[Winters100]

I think someone has been really mean to you. I would imagine that any of mine would carry you comfortably. I would say anything above 14.2 which has a bit of bone would be OK, smaller if a native type. Chin up and don't let mean comments get you down.

 

[Indy]

My 14.2 Welsh cob X Clydesdale carries 11 stone easily, as does a 16.3 fine Thoroughbred. I think someone's being mean to you

 

[HollyWoozle]

Whoever put these worries in your mind is a total twit, for want of a better word. I understand that rider weight is a contentious issue and that many who comment on it have horse welfare in mind (and in some cases they are right to comment), but to make you think you can only ride larger weight-carrier types at 11.5 stone is absurd. I'm currently around 11st but have weighed up to 12st in recent times and I have ridden horses and ponies of many different shapes and sizes without issue.

 

[Mari]

I’m not commenting on weight / height / size of pony issue. I just wanted to say unless you change your lifestyle dieting won’t work, it just makes you miserable. Eat less exercise more works but only if you do both sensibly. You really have to want to do it. We cut out bread, biscuits, cake, sweets, chips. We have never eaten fast food, eaten out a lot or been drinkers / pub goers so these things weren’t a problem. We also had smaller portions of meals. We find we don’t need as much food as we thought we did & can now have a piece of chocolate without eating the whole bar! You still need the occasional treat just not the whole lot in one go. It wasn’t easy but we feel good about ourselves now.

 

[Fjord]

I'm just below 11 stone and my 13.3 fjord can carry me easily. Any vaguely sturdy pony such as a Fjord, Highland etc would be fine for you, you are not heavy at all.

 

[Ownedby4horses]

Im just over 11 stone and 5ft 9 and my 14hh mare (Dales x) carries me no issues whatsoever. Im sorry for you that someone has been so bitchy about your weight, you do not need a weight carrier, a native/native x would be perfect for you.