What weight of rider?

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Smogul

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11hh Section A was backed two years ago but hasn't been ridden since. What weight of rider would you think was reasonable?
Pony is fit not fat.
 
I don't know - just thought I'd bump this for you.

Now I'm here, I think I'd go with 7st max, but I know I'm a bit soft with not putting too much weight on, so others may have better ideas!
 
I used to ride a 11.2hh shetland x new forest with a 9st weight limit. I was 7 1/2st at the time, used to hack out for 2-3hrs and he definitely didn't struggle with my weight.
 
Depends how well built it is & what work its been doing to keep fit. If its full up & stocky & has been driven for the last 2 years with a well developed topline, then 8&1/2 should be fine. If its got withers, is finely built & has been kept fit leading from another horse hacking but little top line then I think probably closer to 6 stone at least to start off.
 
My daughter is 7 1/2 stone and until recently rode a 32 year old section A who still liked to tank off across the fields which she found great fun.

They are strong wee things, but to start out I'd keep to the 7-8 stone limit until their back builds muscle and strengthens. Thereafter they could probably quite happily carry 9 stone for hacking, less for jumping or high intensity work probably.

The section A I mention above has been known to tear around with 2 kids, probably weighing double and he flew across fences with them :D
 
I knew a 13hh welsh mountain pony who happily carried 12.7stone BUT only for short bursts. I'd say dependant on how fit the pony is and bone and confirmation,....but max 8.7-9stone(with tack)....get someone of that weight to back him and see his reaction. If is uncomfy or struggles, you know to go less.
 
my friend used to ride a section a when we were about 15/16, she is 5foot 1 and prob weighed about 9ish stone, she looked so stupid on her but she was such a naughty pony no children could get away with riding her! she used to do everything on her, jumping the lot, and the horse was around about 16 at the time and had been used for driving in the past. She never had any issues carrying my friend.. My friend used to just have to make sure she kept her leg as far back as possible when she was jumping so she didn't hit the leg with her foot!
 
We had a welsh A for my daughter and even when she was fit I didn't like to put more than about 7 stone on her. She was 11.1 and always looked tiny to me so I guess that was part of it though.

I'd certainly try to keep the weight down to start off again.
 
Well I'm just over 7st but wouldn't ride a 11 hander, anything under 12.2 I don't generally take on. Pony may be fit but it won't have developed the musculature required for carrying a rider surely? Though it is good that pony isn't overweight, that does make a difference. I'd say 6 - 7 stone ish (and preferably someone fairly short too) to begin with anyway :)

* Waits for the 'Welsh Sec A's were bred to carry 15 stone farmers all day long up mountains' crew to turn up :D *
 
11hh is quite a small welsh A. My friend has a 11.2 stockly little thing that she used to ride regualrly (at just over 8st) and e manged her no bother at all.
 
Thanks for that. Pony is competition-driving fit but I was concerned about lack of strength in back for weight carrying as the muscles used in driving are so different. Currently lungeing with a saddle on to help build up back.
 
I still ride the little ones, and am usually around 7 1/2 stone, they carry me easily, even when being broken. Wouldn't put more than about 8st on to start with, but as long as he has some substance 9st wouldn't be out of the question.
 
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