Little pony syndrome? What should I do?

Question

I am 5ft 1 and weigh 79 pounds. I have been horse riding for six years and I am now 13 and a half.

My riding instructor makes me ride on a 10.2hh shetland pony or a 13.2hh appaloosa. I really want to try riding a bigger pony or horse but she just keeps on moving others up onto the bigger horses and i'm still stuck on the shetlands. I am now at the point where I will come home after every lesson and just cry because I feel like I will never be ale to ride a bigger horse.

How can I make her see that I would like to at least try riding a bigger horse or pony??? Also am I too big for the shetlands?

Oh, I usually ride bareback on both of the ponies so I think my balance is good enough.

Answer 1

Maybe she thinks you are more comfortable on the small horses, you won't know until you ask her.

So tell her that you believe you are ready, and if she thinks you aren't you will find out why.

Answer 2

She's not giving you the ponies because you aren't good enough for the horses; you're riding them because you're small enough!  Ponies aren't easy horses, so don't feel insulted.

Big horses are often easier to ride than the ponies.  They've been better trained because adults could do the training while ponies are often trained by children.  THey also usually have more laid back personalities - ponies can be ORNERY!!

HOWEVER!  You're paying as much to ride as anyone else, and your instructor should listen to your wishes.  If that means putting you on a big horse, she should do so.  Have you told her you're unhappy always riding the small ones?  If you have, and she won't change, you need to try a new place.

Answer 3

At 5'1" you probably are too tall for a Shetland.

You just have to go tell her the truth. Tell her that you'd like to start riding the bigger horses. If she has a problem with it I would suggest getting a different instructor.  

Answer 4

wel li don't know much about horses and ponies but i'd have thought you are too tall for a shetland..

ask her why she won't move you up....

Answer 5

ask her..

in reality ponies can be trickier to ride than horses, because they are considered more clever...

but unless you ask her why others are riding bigger horses and you are not, you will never know..

I am 5ft 8inch.  One of my horses was a 14.1 Arab mare.. now I own Miniatures.

this is totally unrelated, but a story and pic of me and another horse of mine, he was 15 hh

http://www.sportales.com/Equestrian/Winn...