What's considered too big to ride a pony?

[myalter1]

I took DD to a show a month ago or so to do the mini stirrup (WT) on her new 13.0 hand pony. First show out. I was surprised (stupidly?) to see a professional schooling the mini stirrup ponies around the cross rail course. Not one of their customer’s ponies…ALL of them. This pro was taller than me (she was probably 5’9 or 5’10) weighed a bit less than me (skinny - maybe 120lbs) but the ponies were smalls…12 hands, 12.1 maybe. And I thought to myself, how big it too big to safely ride these ponies? She schooled each of them for a while, then the kids got on and schooled some more.

I got on my daughter’s 13.0 hand pony one time and I felt awful about it (I’m 5’8 and 140 lbs.) She could use a school by an adult or good junior since she is super quiet and DD can’t get her to canter yet. I would like to tune her up a bit and keep her going, but I am afraid that I am too big to do it. I’m not talking about riding her every day. I was thinking maybe a once a month tune up. There’s not really anyone else in the barn who can do it. We have a couple of jr riders but one is shorter and heavier than me and the other is taller and skinnier…

What are your thoughts on ponies and their ability to safely carry weight? I don’t want to overburden this pony…
Thanks…

[myalter1]

bump. No one has an opinion?

[Mayaty02]

I have read that there is a weight guideline, a percentage of human weight to pony weight, but I can’t recall what it is. As to height, well if it’s for a short school, it’ll be uncomfortable for the tall folks but its really the weight and balance that is the issue I think.

We have smaller adult trainers (tall but lightweight and short and lightweight) to ride our ponies, from the barely 12 hds up. The stockier the pony, the better they feel about it That said, they are usually only schooling when there is an issue so not a daily pounding.

[saanengirl]

It depends on the build of the pony and the balance and weight of the rider. You can have a tall rider who is slim and has good balance that can ride smaller ponies (although they look really funny doing it). Ponies tend to be fairly sturdy and can often handle a greater proportion of rider weight to body weight than horses.

I am 5’1" and about 120 lbs and have ridden numerous ponies, including some under 12 hands. None of them have ever seemed to have a problem with my weight. If you look at the Icelandic Horses, they tend to be small, but are often ridden by full-sized riders. It really depends on the individual pony, however.

[JBCool]

If you’re just schooling now and then, I think you’d be fine. I think it’s more the balance of your height and weight than the numbers themselves, unless it’s extreme. I’m 5’2" about 130 and have been asked to school ponies as small as 11.3 (that was just a quick flat). If anyone knows anything different, correct me if I’m wrong.

[leilatigress]

Same rules of weight ratio apply to ponies that it does to horses. DD is not tall at all but has legs for miles. As such put her up on a narrow, 16hh TB and she looks perfect despite being 45lbs sopping wet. Put that same child on a 15hh well sprung Arab and she looks far too tiny. Same kid on a 12hh pony, well sprung and she looks perfect.

[OveroHunter]

[QUOTE=saanengirl;5691357]
It depends on the build of the pony and the balance and weight of the rider. You can have a tall rider who is slim and has good balance that can ride smaller ponies (although they look really funny doing it). Ponies tend to be fairly sturdy and can often handle a greater proportion of rider weight to body weight than horses.[/QUOTE]

This.

Someone has to break the small ponies and I’m sure it’s not tiny kids doing it! I am exactly your size and while I have not schooled the smalls (haven’t had one I needed to) I have schooled plenty of mediums and larges. Here is a pic of me and a 13.2 pony that we had for sale. While I am not the smallest rider at our farm, I was the most capable and balanced rider for this enthusiastic pony. In fact I schooled her up to 3’6 once we had her properly conditioned.

Yes I know jumping without a helmet makes me look stupid… my crazier, younger days :eek:
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2590654790043029495rfOZZL

[myalter1]

the problem is that I am 5’8 and mostly leg. I did not feel off balance at all on the pony, and it was about a 10 minute school. She’s a sturdy build (welsh cross) with a nice big round belly. I’m slim, but still feel bad. I DID ride DD’s previously leased pony (he was really naughty and she would no longer ride him - he was 12.2 and round but I did not canter him. Didn’t feel balanced enough. - on the medium I felt balanced, although silly!)

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2295219&l=25af1b1514&id=1556442252

here’s a link (sorry it’s FB) to DD on the pony at the first show. Her legs are cut off, but DD is just about 48 inches tall and not even 48 lbs…

[JBCool]

Goodness, they’re cute!!! Looks like a BFF to me.

[OveroHunter]

Cute pony! He looks really sturdy so I’d say you’re fine as long as you have good balance so as not to jump up his neck or bounce around on his back. Just shorten your stirrups a couple of holes.

While I’m 5’8, I’m mostly torso so I think it makes riding ponies a little easier, except those really round jumps really teach you not to jump ahead when your torso is almost as long as their neck!

[HuntrJumpr]

I’d say you’re fine. I ride mediums and larges often enough (and actually own one that I’ve ridden regularly, started her myself, jump her around, etc) and am probably about your size - 5’8" and around 140#, with very long legs, especially hip to thigh. I look ridiculous, yes, but I am well balanced, effective, and know how to ride and condition without pounding their legs to the ground. There is a weight guideline, but as someone else said, there is a ton of impact from size/build of the pony, balance/skill of rider, and the fitness of both.

[myalter1]

Thanks JBCool! The pony and DD are best friends, and although pony is TOUGH (really hard to get going) I keep telling DD that once she learns the buttons to push (and she grows a little) pony is going to be a champ! Pony is super quiet and I have no problems with DD leading, grooming, bathing etc…Match made in heaven! (and DD is loving that she’s a MARE - the first words out of her mouth were “i’ve never had a GIRL pony before!”

[myalter1]

Thanks everyone…She is a sturdy mare and I am competent enough not to pound her back etc. In fact, I rode her in one of the lessons saddles that our student who is probably 5’4 rides in and I just left the stirrups really short. No problems. Ok I guess I will be the pony jock once in a while…

[HRF_Second_Chance]

I ride the larges that are in what we call the “pony slow down” program. Or in the case of my last pony “get effing moving plan”. i’m 5’10" and just average weight. I won’t jump her because I don’t feel it’s fair to make her lug me and her over the fences but I do school her a few times a month on the flat and over poles. She seems fine. In fact, she seems a little partial to me and “protects” me from the other ponies in the paddocks.

Although I would NEVER sit on a medium or a small just because I’d likely snap their backs in half. That’d be REALLY unfair!

[OveroHunter]

:lol::lol::lol: I have my horse on the “get effing moving plan.” I think he sees himself as a 17 hand Hanoverian western pleasure prospect :eek:

[myalter1]

Oh DD’s mare is DEFINITELY on the “get effing moving plan.” She also knows that DD is not as strong as me and she will stop by the gate, the door, etc. So she needs the “stay on the effing rail” program. Although she’s too damned pony smart…the tune up doesn’t really do much good…DD gets back on and it’s same old same old…at least I feel that if I school pony here and there, when DD is ready to move up to SS, pony will have been tuned up along the way.

5’10? Yeah, I wouldn’t ride smalls or mediums either! Guess I am just paranoid that I’m too heavy (a problem I have struggled with for a long time.) I was a chubby kid, so I still see the chubby kid in the mirror!

Thanks friends!

[horsegal301]

Perhaps it’s just because I see so many girls who are 5’9: + riding mediums and even smalls that it’s sort of turned me away. It looks gross, especially when they’re on smalls, and most especially when they go over the jumps and their feet are closer to knocking the rail down than the actual pony.

I would say if it looks awkward, move up a size. I’m 4’11" so I can still get away with quite a bit, but I think that anything smaller than 13 hands would be too small for me. I’m pretty slender too, but not in a skinny chicken leg kind of way.

[Rel6]

I once had to fill the ch smalls on my old barn’s leadline pony. I think it stuck at a little over 10 hands. If its not a regular thing, and you don’t lean up their neck you’ll be fine!

For amusement’s sake: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=66013850643&set=a.10150254586140644.523984.760575643&type=1&theater

(let me know if its not showing up!)

[Jumper_girl221]

I had a 13.1 narrow TB cross pony (I believe she was a twin, hence that small). She was very “TB” like and a bit more then my “kids” could handle, so I used to school her until she was sold. I’m 5’10" with a really long inseam, and looked absolutely ridiculous, but I never felt like she was struggling.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30699525&l=4a51ea6154&id=149402250

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30699526&l=40bddfe85f&id=149402250

I even have it on video (no sound on work computer…and I can’t remember if I have a song on this vid…)
http://youtu.be/ETH-3xupX0Y

zips up flame suit

[Jumper_girl221]

^^ Not available.