What size for what weight/height?

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Popos

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I am after a grey pony for my little ones to ride, but want something I can also ride. I'm approx 8stone and 5'6. What size pony could I get for this? My children are 3 and 5 so ping would prob be a bit big for a while but I would rather get something that we can keep long term and I can ride too.
 
I bought my daughter the typical dapple grey pony when she was 18 months old and the pony was a 4 year old Connemara, 12.2hh. We still have her now, although she's been retired for a number of years now. Brilliant pony! She was wonderful for my daughter when she was tiny, fantastic while my daughter was growing up and is a grand old lady now. I bought this size of pony so that I could ride her and keep her on track (something I believe all parents should be able to do otherwise you can end up with nice pony turning naughty!). 12.2hh ponies are a good size imo as they are suitable for many years.
 
At age 3 and 5 I wouldn't get bigger than 12hh , you have to make a decision if it's a pony for you or them, I have a 12hh for my 3 year old who is a dream pony BUT TBH I wish I could take of 4 inches of her, just to make life easier for my daughter
 
I don't know if I would do this, sorry. The little ones need to be on something narrow, for their hips, knees and backs. This is unlikely to suit you as well.
 
ozpoz said:
I don't know if I would do this, sorry. The little ones need to be on something narrow, for their hips, knees and backs. This is unlikely to suit you as well.
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I disagee, children of generations have been riding short, rotund native ponies, that are perfectly capable of carrying a lightweight adult. As far as I know there isn't an abundance of adults with hip, back & knee problems caused by riding Thelwell types when young.
 
ozpoz said:
I don't know if I would do this, sorry. The little ones need to be on something narrow, for their hips, knees and backs. This is unlikely to suit you as well.
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I disagree too!

The advantage with having a slightly bigger pony is that their trots are generally easier to learn to rise with, less choppy. I would be looking for a pony between 12.2 and 13hh, good luck with the search.
 
I learnt to ride on a 16.3hh and a 15.2hh at the age of ten, so I wouldn't worry about getting something a bit bigger than 13hh for your children to ride aswell as you. You are light enough in weight, it's just whether you would be too tall.

Can your children not have some lessons at a riding school until they are a bit older, when you could get something around 14.2?
 
Wagtail said:
Taught both my kids to ride on a 15.3 started age 5. No problems at all. On the lunge with side reins.
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And were they able to catch up, groom, tack up and mount themselves? Ride out on their own at this age? Do xc rides and small shows and suchlike? I live on a continent where many small and very young children ride 16hh horses so I'm very used to seeing tiddlers on monstrous horses ... however there is so much more to having a horse/pony than just being plonked on and going round in circles on a lunge rein, don't you think?
 
If you don't mind them not being grey- Exmoors are great weight carriers and also kiddie sized. I've known some who were absolute lambs with kids and yet so much fun for adults.
 
We are unique in the UK for having a wonderful range of ponies bred for purpose. Yes, children can ride something bigger, but they'll be a lot more comfortable on a suitably sized pony.
BSPS lead reins with 3yr olds on top give a similar picture scaled down to a jockey on a heavyweight hunter! Look at the position of the child from behind on a wide pony and english saddle and tell me how long you would feel comfortable splayed like that!
 
Thanks for the replies.

We currently have a miniature shetland which they ride, but they will outgrow her very quickly and neither have had proper lessons on her. They don't ride her very often and she's a typical shetland and I don't trust her off the lead rein!

My horse is 17hh so not able to use him!

There isn't a local school I trust to teach them the standard I want. The one I do want them to learn with doesn't have something small enough for them. I'd rather they had their own here and had lessons at home.

A grey, just because! I think mostly because it's the colour of sleeping beauty's horse...!
 
And in my understanding, splayed hips is actually a good position for a child to be in. Just thinking of baby wearing etc.
 
Popos said:
Thanks for the replies.

We currently have a miniature shetland which they ride, but they will outgrow her very quickly and neither have had proper lessons on her. They don't ride her very often and she's a typical shetland and I don't trust her off the lead rein!

My horse is 17hh so not able to use him!

There isn't a local school I trust to teach them the standard I want. The one I do want them to learn with doesn't have something small enough for them. I'd rather they had their own here and had lessons at home.

A grey, just because! I think mostly because it's the colour of sleeping beauty's horse...!
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Surely the one you do want them to learn at has something smaller than 14.2hh?
 
No not at the moment. It's a classical dressage school, as in world class horses. They don't have many youngsters, I think the youngest rider is currently 13. I've been to all of the local schools around here over the years and would rather they were taught at home if they can't go to this school until they are older.
 
LJR said:
I disagree too!

The advantage with having a slightly bigger pony is that their trots are generally easier to learn to rise with, less choppy. I would be looking for a pony between 12.2 and 13hh, good luck with the search.
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I agree with this 100%. Mine started on a chunky 13.2 picnic table shaped pony, and then went back to something smaller once they needed to tack up etc themselves. She pulled like a train whenever I rode her but did sterling service as a pony pram for countless families and has only just been put down aged 36
 
My little sister's (6 and 9) share a 13hh pony, light boned as they come and when she needs to be kept in check my 18 year old sister (roughly the same height and weight as you) rides her without any problems. A slightly chunkier pony will carry you with ease if it's going to be a more regular thing.
 
Popos said:
No not at the moment. It's a classical dressage school, as in world class horses. They don't have many youngsters, I think the youngest rider is currently 13. I've been to all of the local schools around here over the years and would rather they were taught at home if they can't go to this school until they are older.
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Ah I see. Well if it were me, I would consider something around the 14 - 14.2hh mark in that case.
 
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