Why Do People Have Such An Aversion Towards Ponies?

QueenOfCadence

QueenOfCadence

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^ As Above.

I'm just interested in why some people look down on ponies as sports "horses". I've often told people my fluffball is 14.2hh and been told things like "yeah I have a friend with a pony too. Great for getting your confidence back so you can eventually ride horses again" or "I saw you and your pony in the warm up. You two looked gorgeous. When are you getting a horse?". I'm not sure if I'm the only one who's heard anything along the lines of the above:o, though I'd be surprised if I am.

I'm definitely no nervous rider and not planning on replacing fluffball with a "horse" any time soon. It's like people think that a horse that's 14.2hh wouldn't have the same ability as a horse that's 15hh - regardless of the fact that it's only a 5cm difference :(.

I understand ponies might have a disadvantage jumping but certainly not too much of a disadvantage for dressage?

What do you think:o? Are ponies doomed to forever be seen as lesser animals than horses?
 
I think they are doomed to be looked down on by certain people in the riding fraternity. Personally I don't understand it. Many people are well within the bounds of riding a pony, and never want to jump bigger than about 3ft anyway, but insist on overhorsing themselves with some great warmblood. I think a lot of it is physcological, and it makes me laugh. I have arabs, so no one comments on how small they are, although the smaller one often gets mistaken for a part bred as she is sooo tiny!
 
I've not really experienced that in the UK at all tbh.. certainly noone has asked when I'm going to be getting a horse but perhaps that is an age thing. As a teenager people are assuming you might want to move up, as an adult people are assuming I bought what I want now ;)
 
ester said:
I've not really experienced that in the UK at all tbh.. certainly noone has asked when I'm going to be getting a horse but perhaps that is an age thing. As a teenager people are assuming you might want to move up, as an adult people are assuming I bought what I want now ;)
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Probably true :o. A lot of people seem to see getting a massive horse as some right of passage :p. I'd understand why I'd be expected to get a bigger horse if my ponio was incompetent in Juniors and if I was slightly taller - but my legs don't even go past his side; so there's no point in it for me to get a 17hh WB that will only make me look like a dwarf :p
 
Out here, everyone rides bloody great horses - even the kids (from 12 yrs old ish) are on 16hh + and I think it is crazy!

When I lived in the UK I had ponies and they were cracking little one day eventers. I also found that my ponies were very good at sorting out any of my mistakes over xc or show jumping - they are so nimble.

For me, size doesn't matter (hehehe), it's what the pony/horse can do and if they are kind natured.
 
ester said:
I've not really experienced that in the UK at all tbh.. certainly noone has asked when I'm going to be getting a horse but perhaps that is an age thing. As a teenager people are assuming you might want to move up, as an adult people are assuming I bought what I want now ;)
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^^^ This :)

Plus, I don't actually give 2 figs what people think of my pony. I adore her and that is all that matters :):)
 
I've not experienced it really either tbh & I competed my pony seniors. Only people who asked if I was moving onto a horse were people asking if she was for sale! Maybe the odd idiot, but the type who were slagging everyone else off regardless of their horse. The times I got singled out it was always positive. And we certainly weren't limited to 3'.
 
It's not something I've seen recently - I think because most people on our event scene now know how awesome my pony is!

It's not a particular disadvantage for jumping, certainly I class it as an advantage at times because he's far more nimble and adjustable that a big horse.

At the moment I've got 7 'horses' in the new barn - 4 ponies, 3 horses. All have the scope for sports careers, irrespective of height.
 
Cant say it happens that often and when it does its normally the people who slate any one who dares to do better than them. Other than that he gets compliments for how he keeps up with the big guys despite being a pony and he certantly isnt limited to 3ft jumping! The only time it raises a few eyebrows is when I say he is going to be an event pony when he is being a donkey but as soon as they see him jump they know why.
 
I loved ponies when in ponies, now I need a horse to jump what I do as ponies struggle with the distances rather than the height.

This was my fave pony. 14.2 just gone 5 here jumping the HOYs qualifier back in 2006. It ended up around 1.30 and just missed out on qualifying in the 3rd round! He found the height no issue!

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Ponies are great!
 
Its not a question Ive ever had asked, heard anyone ask, or personally know anyone that has been asked that.
Maybe its more common where you live, but it doesnt really matter, tell them youre happy with what youve got, end of discussion.
:)
 
BoolavogueDC said:
Yup! :D Sadly at 5'7 and between 10-12stone, unless a pony was as wide as it was tall, I'd just not feel like my leg was taken up at all!
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I'm 5'9" and ride a 14.2 dales type. She certainly takes my leg up. It depends on what type of pony you want.

Personally, ive never had that particular response.
It's easier to rug up, tack up, Haynets are probably lighter (unless they are soaked because the little darling is a good doer. :(. Then they are *******heavy!)
 
we have had comments like that..made towards my daughter and her 13 h pony.However shes not looking to move up anytime soon as her pony jumps 3ft with ease and her pony is convinced shes a horse in a sec b body anyhow :p
 
When I get to my goal weight and have paid my finance off I'm going to get a pony :) either a Newfie or a connie tho seeing highland pony on here I'm so in love! It's a really good insentive fir me to stick to this shite diet and get my debts sorted! I can't wait! I also have 4 Hugh maintenance tb ex racers so I want a nice hardy good doer!
 
I think its a kid/teenage thing tbh, I can remember always wanting to ride something bigger when I was younger (in a RS..lots of ponies!) and bigger= better to most of us and adults around kids (especially competitive ones) tend to think if they are going to carry on seriously they might need to move up. I think perspective on that changes when you get older ;)
 
I loved Stroller! I always mention to non-horsey people when watching Hickstead about him! (did this year!) I live in the New Forest where almost everyone horsey has a pony, or had one, so no aversion to them here. New Forest ponies and their crosses are so versatile.
 
I have certainly never encountered this when me and my boy are out and about, in fact all we ever receive is lovely comments! And as for safety my Connemara x is the fastest thing I have ever sat on, hot sided doesn't even cover it! You have to be an extremely quiet rider as he is so sensitive, he would never dream of tanking off with anyone (I've taught him better than that!) however he is by no means a confidence giver.
And as regards to jumping my current pony is a better jumper than my old competition horse, a BSJA 17.2 Irish Sports Horse! Why? Because he is fast, agile and can jump a house.
Sadly though any glimmer of a jumping career is ruined with me as Dressage is my field, good job he has flashy paces! ;)
 
I'd much rather have a pony any day! Certainly my boy has so much character and cheek to keep me going. He can also jump, has fantastic paces and can happily hack anywhere. So many people want big horses and cannot ride one end of them!
 
I get it all the time!!

I have a 14.2 that I do seniors on and sometimes even get questioned by the judges if I'm meant to be in juniors (it doesn't help that I'm tiny as well so look about 15 :p ) people do look down on us sometimes but I think it's jealousy as in the jump off if we leave the jumps up no horse can get anywhere near Andy's time as he's so nimble and fast.

In fact I've just downsized onto 13.2! :L Going to get a lot of 'comments' about that I'm sure but I couldn't care less because he is fabulous. :)
 
It really annoys me, although I haven't come across it that often. I'm now sharing a 13.2hh NF and she's so much fun. She puts many bigger horses to shame.
 
Janette said:
I'm 5'9" and ride a 14.2 dales type. She certainly takes my leg up. It depends on what type of pony you want.
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I think the point is it's down to personal preference, no matter how much people say you CAN you have to feel comfortable. Also how you're individually made matters too :)
 
QueenOfCadence said:
^ As Above.

I'm just interested in why some people look down on ponies as sports "horses". I've often told people my fluffball is 14.2hh and been told things like "yeah I have a friend with a pony too. Great for getting your confidence back so you can eventually ride horses again" or "I saw you and your pony in the warm up. You two looked gorgeous. When are you getting a horse?". I'm not sure if I'm the only one who's heard anything along the lines of the above:o, though I'd be surprised if I am.

I'm definitely no nervous rider and not planning on replacing fluffball with a "horse" any time soon. It's like people think that a horse that's 14.2hh wouldn't have the same ability as a horse that's 15hh - regardless of the fact that it's only a 5cm difference :(.

I understand ponies might have a disadvantage jumping but certainly not too much of a disadvantage for dressage?

What do you think:o? Are ponies doomed to forever be seen as lesser animals than horses?
Click to expand...

Ive ridden ponies right up until a year ago and im 28! Im only 5ft now, though I do now have a 16.1 and 16.2 which I can do more on. I prefer riding horses. Also, I know I shall get shot down in flames here, but dressage always seems to look more elegant when a slight/med built horse with lovely long legs does it than a pony with choppy pony strides, sorry. Apart from that, ponies are just as capable at all sorts of things as horses and can often turn quicker in jump off etc. There is a definate thing about riding ponies as an adult, even when im only 5ft, I often got sked when i was getting a horse, so i did, i got a 17hh lol he was fab!
 
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