Would a pony be to small?

Question

Okay, I know alot of people have been asking this lately...so I thought I ould join in :)

I am 5'8 about 128 pounds and like ALL leg :P I have almost no torso (exageration)

Do you think get a stocky 14hh pony to train would deffinetly not work out (I mean saddle broke. I would just give him the show miles and experience he would need to be a good pony for a young child)

I ride a 15.2hh QH and I like almost dwarf him :(

Are legs or weight more of a consern. I don't think I weigh to much for a pony, but would my long legs be more of a consern?

thanks :O)

Answer 1

yeah a 14hh should be fine! i ride a 14.1hh horses and i barrel race her so you can easily ride a 14hh horse with no problem! yeah it might seem like your on a small horse but pony's are strong they are make to hold a lot of weight and to carry all different kinds of people! so you should be just fine!

Answer 2

I'm all leg too, and it's a problem sometimes.

You don't weigh too much and could probably train ponies, but showing them may not work well.  They judge the suitability of the horse to the rider, and you'll lose points there.

The problem is where your leg is on the horse.  Inexperienced people will just look where your foot is below the belly, but it's more a question of how you can cue the horse when his side doesn't meet your calf well.  You can't just touch him for leg cues; you have to move your whole leg up and in to cue him.  This is harder for you, and may be confusing for him when he gets a shorter legged rider.

Overall height or stockiness don't matter as much as depth through the girth or heart area.  I ride a very narrow 16 hand thoroughbred who fits me beautifully - I never have to overmove my legs, or strain to keep a leg on - because he's deep through the girth.  I also ride a very stocky 15.2 QH, who I love but who doesn't fit me as well.  My calf ends where his barrel starts to bend under him.  He's harder for me to cue and feel with my leg, simply because of our incompatible conformations!  He's MUCH more responsive than the TB, but still in some ways harder for me to ride.

On the other hand, your short torso means you won't overpower the pony height wise.  You'll be in proportion there, and your center of gravity will be better placed.  A long torsoed person will be harder for the pony to actually carry, as any slight shift of the upper body will be leveraged and make a bigger burden on the horse.

If training ponies is what you want to do, go for it.  You'll have to adjust your riding style, maybe wear your stirrups short, but it's worth a try.  There aren't many people light enough to do a good job.  You'll quickly know if it's going to work out or not.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

For training your fine as it's weight that counts. : ) You might look funny but that doesn't matter. Have fun!

Answer 4

Why would you ride a pony? There is a lot of money in training a well broke pony for hunter/jumper.. But you are quite tall have who cares  have fun pony are a blast to ride

Answer 5

would fit you just fine a 14.hh pony can fit people up to 6 ft tall so you should fit perfectly just as long as when you ride your legs dont drag.

Answer 6

too small for you.id say get one at least 15.3

Answer 7

yeah i think 14hh is too small, i used to have a 14hh pony when i was 13 and was 4foot. you would be better with 15-16hh

Answer 8

It really depends on the build of the pony.  I have a friend who is 6'2, and one of his rides is a 13.3h Highland pony - but a well built Highland is a big big pony with a huge depth of girth, and there is no way that my friend looks too big on that pony.

So it depends on how stocky the pony really is, and how much of a weight carrier he is.  I certainly don't think you're too heavy - but a pony capable of carrying a lot of weight will be more comfortable with your height than a slimline pony without much bone.  Your proportion of leg to torso affects your centre of gravity and so affects the pony - so "chunky" ponies are in.

If you find the right pony, there's no reason at all why you shouldn't be able to ride him.