Measuring my pony hunter....

[Samotis]

I have a 3 year old half welsh. We just started to lightly ride him and he will probably go do a couple shows next year. Not planning on doing pony stuff unless I get a good jockey, I just planned on showing him myself in some baby green or training hunter classes.

My question is, what’s the most fool proof way to measure him at home so I have an idea of what he will actually measure?

I used a measuring tape yesterday and he was a little over 54 inches. which is 13.2 and a half?

So he is obviously close to being the smallest large pony alive but my questions are, because he is so close, maybe I am not measuring exactly right and he could be under? He also needs his feet done in a week or two, but how much can a trim actually help?

I am ok with him being what ever he measures, but I would like to accuratly know as well. He is a beautiful mover and jumper and if Children’s ponies is his life, I am ok with that. If he measured a medium though, he could be very competitive. Larges obviously would be difficult unless he had a mini pro.

He also might grow, although he has been this tall for a while now. And he will have to be measured every year until 8? Do they measure every year at first show of the year or is it a year from the last measurement?

Sorry for all the questions, but this is my first pony. ;).

[Pennywell_Bay]

[QUOTE=Samotis;8711226]
I have a 3 year old half welsh. We just started to lightly ride him and he will probably go do a couple shows next year. Not planning on doing pony stuff unless I get a good jockey, I just planned on showing him myself in some baby green or training hunter classes.

My question is, what’s the most fool proof way to measure him at home so I have an idea of what he will actually measure?

I used a measuring tape yesterday and he was a little over 54 inches. which is 13.2 and a half?

So he is obviously close to being the smallest large pony alive but my questions are, because he is so close, maybe I am not measuring exactly right and he could be under? He also needs his feet done in a week or two, but how much can a trim actually help?

I am ok with him being what ever he measures, but I would like to accuratly know as well. He is a beautiful mover and jumper and if Children’s ponies is his life, I am ok with that. If he measured a medium though, he could be very competitive. Larges obviously would be difficult unless he had a mini pro.

He also might grow, although he has been this tall for a while now. And he will have to be measured every year until 8? Do they measure every year at first show of the year or is it a year from the last measurement?

Sorry for all the questions, but this is my first pony. ;).[/QUOTE]

The best way to measure is on concrete, with a stick. He’ll continue to grow. I’m interested in info from our pony experts, as I have a fancy top of the line medium who I suspect isn’t done growing yet but we are ready for rated shows.

[Samotis]

He hasn’t grown in the last year, but I would think he would grow also! We will see.

He is also really fat right now and on a diet. I swear he could eat half a flake of hay and look good! ;(

He is my first pony from my tb mare. Her other sons are 17 hands!!

[findeight]

The reality is 1/4 to 1/2 inch is about all you can legitimately make go away and anything more then that 1/4 inch is difficult. You hear all sorts of stories but they typically are related as happening to somebody’s cousin’s neighbor or some kid in their barn unrelated to them. Never spoke to anybody who actually paid for any nefarious vet procedures to make more height disappear and, believe me, people have fessed up to me about all manner of illegalities after a few drinks.

Theres a reason they don’t get their permanent card until much later in life, this one will grow more. There are legitimate techniques like relaxing them and get them used to the stick swinging over but this one is young to be worrying too much about such things. Best move is have a good Pony Pro spend a little time with him when he gets closer to needing a card. There no magic or real secrets, it’s just proper practice.

[vxf111]

That amount you can easily get off (and without even resorting to cruel/borderline tactics) BUT… he’s so young, I wouldn’t assume at all that he’s done growing.

The best way to get an accurate measurement is with an experienced person standing him up properly, on concrete, and with a measuring stick that you can properly level. Having someone who knows what they’re doing holding him is kind of key-- standing off-kilter or a moving target can give you an inaccurate measurement.

[Bent_Hickory]

Here’s what I have learned first hand from some of the most experienced in the business:

1. Buy/borrow an official USEF measuring stick. Given that much of the pony’s value will be tied to its size, this is a small price to pay, especially if you have multiple ponies.

2. Sedate/tranquilize the pony to see what you actually have. Once sedated, the pony will be the quietest, most relaxed, still, and in effect “smallest” it’s ever going to “legitimately” be. On a hard level surface, measure the pony with the official stick and measure the heel and shoe (if present). The heel/shoe measurement will give you an idea what the pony measures without shoes and what additional adjustments can be made through trimming.

I learned tip #2 from a pony pro after spending countless hours over 8 weeks practicing with a young pony we had on lease. On my own (and without any nefarious or inhumane actions), I was able to reduce the pony’s height by far more than any guidance stated above. The pony pro was able to get a little bit more than I using sedation without wasting any time.

[OveroHunter]

[QUOTE=findeight;8711249]
The reality is 1/4 to 1/2 inch is about all you can legitimately make go away and anything more then that 1/4 inch is difficult. You hear all sorts of stories but they typically are related as happening to somebody’s cousin’s neighbor or some kid in their barn unrelated to them. Never spoke to anybody who actually paid for any nefarious vet procedures to make more height disappear and, believe me, people have fessed up to me about all manner of illegalities after a few drinks.

Theres a reason they don’t get their permanent card until much later in life, this one will grow more. There are legitimate techniques like relaxing them and get them used to the stick swinging over but this one is young to be worrying too much about such things. Best move is have a good Pony Pro spend a little time with him when he gets closer to needing a card. There no magic or real secrets, it’s just proper practice.[/QUOTE]

All I can say is that we sold a horse that was a smidge over 14.3 for not a lot of money because of her hony size… A couple of years later, we see her for sale in the low-mid 5 figures with a permanent large pony card… We were flabbergasted. They somehow made over an inch disappear

[Samotis]

Wow, an inch!

My pony is very quiet and will stand for anything. I should buy an actual stick used for measuring since I have just been using a Measuring tape.

But again, he is only 3 so this all might be a mood point.

Next year if I just show him in some small baby green hunter stuff and not any pony classes, do you think a steward would measure him just so I could see where we are at?

That way if we are close to a medium I can possibly make it work? Or if they measure, it has to be on record?

Also they re measure every year until 8 right? So each year at first show, or every year closest to the last measurement?

Here is a picture of my pony…

[Samotis]

He will model great and does move really good. So part of me hopes he will stay a medium, but I also think he will grow.

Face pic because he is so cute!

[rb5007]

“Courtesy” measurements are not allowed - if you measure, the form will be sent in to USEF. Or at least it’s supposed to be, according to the rules.