Adult rider with Pony-viable for endurance?

[stock]

I weigh about 150 lbs and have been riding a large pony I was given in a wintec dressage saddle. I would like to eventually have her and my TB gelding go on short endurance rides. We would start maybe doing limited distance rides late this year and then maybe at most do 25 mile rides next year, so not serious competitors, no long term high mileage ambitions for the two of them.

My concern is that with my weight, training the pony mare to participate in a even a LD or 25 mile might be bad for her health over time.

She is a welsh/quarter horse cross, just under 14 hands and is about four.

Is there are precedent for adult/pony combinations in this size range participating in endurance? If not to her benefit, it most certainly isnt something we would do.

[irish_horse]

I have an acquaintance about your size that rises a 13.2 Icelandic in endurance! A bit depends if the pony is really light-boned or a bit sturdier too. I think the best option would be to follow a good fitness routine, for both of you. Follow a start-from-basics training routine for your pony, and see how she handles it. Take it slow, and if she keeps feeling good, looking good, etc, move on to the next step. Also make sure you are fit enough too, when both partners are in good fitness it improves the situation.

I rode a 13.2 quarter horse (pony) for one summer. She carried my 5’-6", 135 pounds with leather dressage saddle around like it was nothing. If she hadn’t been an ornery cuss it could have been fun (she was a challenge for sure!). We were up to about 20 mile training rides before that summer ended, she was super fit to go back to her kids that fall!

Good luck!

[hank]

I used to ride a 14hand halter bred POA in endurance. My gear and self weighed 175. He was too heavily muscled to be fast, but usually placed top ten and won best condition. There is no reason not to go for it.
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[saratoga]

25 milers are LDs (LD is anything under 50) so maybe you are thinking of the Intro rides?

Anyway, you should go for it! The sport has a lot of pony sized horses with all sizes of riders- its way different than what you typically see in h/j or dresage or eventing. Just of course take your time with training and conditioning.

[stock]

@saratoga

25 milers are LDs (LD is anything under 50) so maybe you are thinking of the Intro rides?

Anyway, you should go for it! The sport has a lot of pony sized horses with all sizes of riders- its way different than what you typically see in h/j or dresage or eventing. Just of course take your time with training and conditioning.

Oopps, yes, I meant intro rides! Im obviously a newb

[goodhors]

My only concern is she is not fully grown at 4 or even 5yrs old. So going for conditioning miles at this age could be a problem in the long run. Bone does not finish growing, even in smaller animals until at least 6yrs. There are no “early maturing” breeds. Some well fed animals get bigger at younger ages. This does not mean they are mature, with bones hardened like adult horses. Bigger animals than OPs take even longer to finish bone growth.

I have no concerns with you riding her now for shorter miles, or when she gets mature, on competitive rides. I just think 25 mile rides at 4-5yrs, is asking too much when added to conditioning work she needs to be fit enough.

A suggestion is to pony her from your other horse, letting her see things, get gentle miles with no extra weight on her. I would still keep her mileage reduced from what you ask of a mature horse. I have found ponying youngsters to be a huge aid in mental development, helpful in SLOWLY INCREASING her bone and muscle development. We do a lot of walking, trotting at various speeds. I also think it helps horse learn she does not NEED to always have her head in the lead, teaches rating keeping her head by your knee on a slack lead. You need to be able to rate her later on, not have her get agitated by someone passing or ahead of her in competition. She can waste a lot of energy fighting rider who wants her to stay back.

Breed prejudice here, but keep an eye on her QH side for hoof issues. Hoping she got good Welsh bone and proportionatly larger hooves to body size. The bigger, deeper hooves seem to help keep a horse sound longer, take the miles of use. Best of luck having years of fun with her!!