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Why aren't small adults riding ponies?

Off Course
#41

[QUOTE=pintopiaffe;2023130]

I’m considering trying to breed the kind of cob you see much more of in Ireland/UK/Europe. [QUOTE]

Absolutely. My husband and I are considering the Canadian Horse when we go to buy our own, because they’re that sturdy cob type. Very hard to find when the market around here is almost entirely driven by the show circuit, which just isn’t going for that right now. But we’re looking for solid family horses/honies who have some talent as well, and I don’t imagine we’re the only ones.

#42

I am a small adult and ride a 14.3hh “hony.” When I was horse shopping I specifically did not want anything over 15hh. I am an average lower level amateur event rider who has no desire to do the upper levels, so I certainly didn’t need a horse capable of doing that either. I wanted something sensible, athletic and fun, and that is what I got. He doesn’t have huge gaits, but always scores well in dressage, and is a good little jumper.

Here we are warming up at an event this summer:
http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2103792500048526821cryTZr

Personally, I LOVE the little guys, and really don’t want to ride anything else!

#43

I love ponies.

#44

hehe… my horse is currently the smallest horse at a dressage barn. He’s 14.3, I’m 5’4". I didn’t do it intentionally, but I fell in love with his personality. However, if I was serious about jumping, I probably would have gotten something a little bit bigger. Nothing like having a longer neck in front of you. If a pony stops its much harder to stay on… haha.
Lendon Gray took a pony to FEI levels… yeah I can dream on.

#45

Another advocate of the ‘little-big guys’.

Five years ago, when I first started my struggles with dressage, I owned a 16.1 hand TB/Percheron (1/4) gelding - with the temperament of a blessed saint. But, holy goodness - I SO struggled with ‘on-the-bit’ with him. He was a tank - for someone my size - short-legged 5’1". It was so frustrating.

Then we got a 14.2 hand Nokota gelding for my daughter. In almost every single respect - the Nokota’s size and movement was SOOOO much easier for me.

I ended up selling my blessed saint of big horse, and bought a 14.2 hand Andalusian gelding. And, in fact, because my big horse was well… a big horse… I sold him for more than I paid for my purebred but small Andalusian.

I later bought a 15 hand blue roan Nokota gelding. In some respects, he’s an even better fit for me - because he’s more narrow. We fit perfectly.

Anyway, I can’t imagine going back to the over 16 hand variety. I am middle-aged adult rider and I’m just more confident in every way on my smaller (though often more fiery) horses. And, fwiw, in regards to competitiveness, both Andalusian and Nokota have placed a few times over warmbloods at modest little schooling dressage shows I occasionally dabble in!

Pictures…
My 14.2 hand Andalusian - nothing ‘small’ about him!
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y132/TeamNokota/HHchotrotwarmup.jpg

My 15 hand blue roan Nokota gelding
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y132/TeamNokota/Kentucky%20Horse%20Park%202006/KHPteaser002.jpg

Me on my daughter’s 14.2 hand Nokota gelding…
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y132/TeamNokota/maochico.jpg

#46

Not all of them. Our colonial spanish horses can pack some serious weight and they can do it every day and be sound into their 20’s. What “horse” do you think won the west packing the cowboys and all their rigging…not to mention the Conquistadors and their armor. Some of the dainty breeds, I’ll buy that they are limited by weight carrying ability, but my little horses have more bone and substance than many 16 handers. I see many other sturdy ponies and small horses that I’d have no issues putting 250 lbs on. My little 13:3 hand BLM mustang packed that much weight around for a weekend on 5 hour trail rides easily.

The funniest thing is though is how many monster sized horses I see packing around tiny little people who could easily ride a pony. It seems like I see way more people mounted on horses too big than I ever seen undermounted…at least in english disciplines. I see lots of tall cowboys riding little 14:2 hand reiners and cutters and that is the norm for them.

[quote=MayS;2023132] Ponies can go laminitic a lot sooner than a horse. Budget in grazing muzzles & careful limited turnout.
[/quote]

Again…don’t confuse your pony breeds here with the modern sport ponies. Some are little air ferns but many of the larger crossbreds or small horse breeds that are not true ponies do not have much of an issue with this. I have 25 “horses” under 14:3-15 hands living on pasture 24/7 and no laminitis or problems at all. They probably could eat themselves to death if giving over lush pasture but no where near as fast as a shetland or the classic cobby types.

#47

I really hope one day they will allow adults to do the pony jumpers! Or make more divisions in the hunter world where adults can ride a pony in the show ring. I wish I were still a jr :cry: !
I think more ponies need (experienced, but small of course) adults on them, just because a 10 yr old can ride it, doesn’t mean they can keep it properly schooled, agree? I’ve seen too many ponies constantly allowed to get away with murder because some kids just aren’t capable of correcting it.

That’s basically my job at the barn, I school all the ponies, but I wish I could give em’ a good ride in the show ring as well.

I know the Welsh shows have adult classes, but not all of the ponies at the barn are welsh, and there aren’t enough Welsh shows in my area.

#48

I miss my pony. I bought him with the idea that he’d be safe enough to take hubby on some trail rides. The little guy is pretty bombproof, has a comfy trot, and corners like a sports car when you need him to. Guess who’s riding the pony full time now?:sadsmile:

#49

[QUOTE=Satin Filly;2023564]
I really hope one day they will allow adults to do the pony jumpers! Or make more divisions in the hunter world where adults can ride a pony in the show ring. I wish I were still a jr :cry: !
I think more ponies need (experienced, but small of course) adults on them, just because a 10 yr old can ride it, doesn’t mean they can keep it properly schooled, agree? I’ve seen too many ponies constantly allowed to get away with murder because some kids just aren’t capable of correcting it.[/QUOTE]

Amen.

#50

as far as ponies carrying more weight, I definitely agree that sometimes they can carry far more weight. I wouldn’t ask a pony to jump with a 200 lb person, however.
I worked as a trail guide at a camp. We had 2 draft horses, a couple stocky quarter horses, and some real stocky quarter pony and halflinger type ponies, large ponies. I found it was often easier to put the (and not to be mean here) egg shaped larger people on the smaller stocky qh’s and ponies, b/c they simply did not have the fitness level to get up on a small draft horse (small Clydesdale) w/out squashing me. The ponies and qh’s were just fine and seemed to actually have less issues carrying them than the drafts (I think b/c the amount of tork on saddle to get someone on). As they get older though, I certainly decrease the amount of weight I would expect them to carry…
I’ve also heard their cannon bone needs to be 7 in. around…apparently that can determine weight load.

#51

I event a welsh cob cross who is 15hh on a big hair day. I am 5’8" with a 33 or 34 inch inseam. I hope to move up to Training with her in the coming year. Here we are at our first event together in March:
http://hoofclix.smugmug.com/gallery/1311423/1/61820965[URL=“http://hoofclix.smugmug.com/gallery/1311423/1/61820960”]

#52

[QUOTE=flypony74;2023365]
I am a small adult and ride a 14.3hh “hony.” When I was horse shopping I specifically did not want anything over 15hh. I am an average lower level amateur event rider who has no desire to do the upper levels, so I certainly didn’t need a horse capable of doing that either. I wanted something sensible, athletic and fun, and that is what I got. He doesn’t have huge gaits, but always scores well in dressage, and is a good little jumper.

Here we are warming up at an event this summer:
http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2103792500048526821cryTZr

Personally, I LOVE the little guys, and really don’t want to ride anything else![/QUOTE]

He is indeed a good little jumper! What a nice looking boy!

#53

[QUOTE=HiJumpGrrl;2023775]
I event a welsh cob cross who is 15hh on a big hair day. I am 5’8" with a 33 or 34 inch inseam. I hope to move up to Training with her in the coming year. Here we are at our first event together in March:
http://hoofclix.smugmug.com/gallery/1311423/1/61820965[URL=“http://hoofclix.smugmug.com/gallery/1311423/1/61820960”][/QUOTE]

She is lovely also! You guys make a nice pair. I can’t believe she is only 15 hands!

#54

Mao and FlyPony…please send those lovely 4 footed Christmas presents to my little farmette in Connecticut. They’d all fit loverly under my tree! :yes:

#55

Flypony–WHAT is your guy’s breeding? Yo Quiero MUCHO!

Mao–what is your Andi’s breeding? Sire & dam?

Not to be outdone, this is my guy. I am a BIG girl. I will look better on him 50lbs from now, but he has not a minute’s trouble with me as I am, God bless him.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y6/pintopiaffe/sons%20of%20the%20wind%20show/holycowtrot.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y6/pintopiaffe/sons%20of%20the%20wind%20show/softwalk.jpg

#56

I’ve always said that it takes Brass Ovaries to ride a pony at age 47 and admit it. There, I’ve said it. :slight_smile: Wouldn’t trade my 14.2 (farrier says she is 14.1) equine for the world.

#57

Ahhh she is so cute! Little horse, big heart :yes:

#58

Hey SLW, I’m 46 and my pony is 13.1 There, I’m out of the closet…lol :lol:
And, I wouldn’t trade her for anything!!!

#59

Wish I could share a photo of my girl so you could all see her! I’m not allowed to post attachments…E-mail me if if you want to see my beauty!

#60

You could always post a link if you have the photo uploaded to a site! We’d love to see her!

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