Am i too big for her? And what could i do with her?

[ponies-R-gr8!!!]

Hi all, in a few years time, i should be buying a 13.1 welsh sec b mare from my RS (they want to sell her in about 2 years) and i was wondering if i look too big on her? She doesnt really have any issues carrying me, but then she is getting older and im worried this could change. I am 5ft and approx 8.6 stone.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l219/natwozeya/18-08-06_203222.jpg

Also, when i do get her i will be 17/18, so i was wondering are there restrictions with seniors on ponies in unaffialiated jumping classes?
Would it be ok to re-school her considering she will be 15?

[xxxkristinaxxx]

Nope you dont look too big on her now

But bearing in mind in 2 years time, you may grow taller and would look better on a bigger horse

[coss]

i'm sure she will be able to carry you. don't know about restrictions for jumping as i don't compete much.
as for schooling, 15 is NOT old at all... i started re-schooling my mare a couple of years ago, she is going to be 30 next month so you will quite happily be able to re-school her :)

[k8_doran]

Check this thread out, I know you said unaffiliated but thing this covers both, mainly affiliated though:

http://www.newrider.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=106444&highlight=ponies+affiliated+jumping

[Pink's lady]

You're fairly tall on her now although not too big. But in a couple of years time you are going to be a lot taller and probably a good 2stone heavier (I put 3st one between 14yrs old and 18yrs old as I grew) and are going to be far too big for her. Plus you may find she's not what you're looking for by then.

[iloveshearer]

I agree with Pink's lady- The chances are she won't be what you're looking for in 2 years time, you will probably grow a fair bit (unless you're like me i don't seem to :rolleyes: ) Welshies are good weight carriers so you may not be too heavy for her but will probably look too tall for her.

[ponies-R-gr8!!!]

Ok thanks everyone, i am just going to see what happens:)
Although i havent grown in 5 years:eek: So i dont know if i will suddenly shoot up or stay the same lol:rolleyes: :o

[Pink's lady]

5ft is unusually small nowadays so unless you're parents are both tiny, you're going to get bigger, and most definitly going to get heavier.

[k8_doran]

PS I agree with all the above, Iwas going to say you look a little tall but ok on the horse at the mo, but you will change and although you love the pony lots it might not be right for what you want to do a couple of years down the line. Just dont make any decisions yet!

[coss]

i must say, i also agree taht your preferences and shape may change in the next couple of years, that was when i changed shape (really annoying it is too :o)

[k8_doran]

i must say, i also agree taht your preferences and shape may change in the next couple of years, that was when i changed shape (really annoying it is too :o)

oh yes can completly agree with that! iv change slightly again now its just gone past easter with all that chocolate!! :p

[Dreamchaser]

5ft is unusually small nowadays so unless you're parents are both tiny, you're going to get bigger, and most definitly going to get heavier.

And then their is me... 5ft and 19 years old and definitely not growing and like it that way :D because then I can ride the ponies! (I actually knew at the age of 12 when I broke my femur that I wasn't going to be any taller!)

I am going to agree with everyone else. Wait to see what happens. She may not be what you are looking for in a few years time and you may have outgrown her by then. Then again, you might not grow (like me!) and she just might be perfect for you. Only time can tell!

[ShariN]

What's all this too tall?:p
If that was the case..no one should ride Icelandic horses, Fjords and others.

What it comes down to is..what you want to do when you are older?

I am 5'6 1/2" tall. I rode a 12.3 hand Icelandic mare.. Fjord I sold but was 13.3 hands tall.. and the blk Ice mare for sale..was 13.2 tall and growing.
Granted I am a bit fluffier now because I am unable to exercise. But any of them could and can handle my weight.

So it comes down to...do you really care what people think?
What will you be wanting to do in two years time..and yes things change. Sometimes for the better and sometimes...

If you are not sure...just enjoy her for now..and wait and see.

[Purple Hugs]

also there is nothing to say you won't maintain your weight.. if you want to! ;) even if you added a stone or two you'd be fine, and certainly if you were around 5'3 or 5'4.
See how you are, and go shopping when you are ready! ;)

[Wally]

Tall has nothing to do with it as Sharin says. So long as you can cope with the ridicule you'll get from big horse riders.

The Exmoor horse Society wouldn't go very far if they had no adults riding their 12hh ponies! Not all Exmoors like kiddies!

Even if you grow to 5 foot 6 and are about 10 steon you'll be fine. as will the horse. But I'm not sure showjumping will be the sport for you both. Maybe ridden M&M

My old Haflinger was 13.3hh if he stood on tippy toes. I am 5 foot 8, I went hunting, hunter trials, endurance and general showing classes with him. My current horse is 13.1hh Icelandic.

[funkyfilly_sos]

Personally I think you look fine and like a lot have said it isnt really about the height, its about the weight carrying abilitly of your horse. Your Pony should be able to carry you even if you put on an extra few stone and grow as high as you will.
I'm about 5ft 4 and weight roughly around 7.5 stone. I ride 12hh ponies to 16.2 TB's an no-one has ever said I was too big or too small for either. Although I must say, when riding the smaller ponies, I do feel too big on them for some reson, its an annoying instinct that I have no matter how much I love riding them ponies and no matter how much my instructor says "he could carry you with a couple of stone on you" I still feel weird. So I can see why you're worried.
I have no advice on the jumping, sorry, but you can re-school a pony or horse at any age in my opinion. As they say humans never stop learning so why should horses?

I'd also like to add that I find it amazing that adults ride small ponies like Icelandics! I think it is brilliant! I hope I ride lil ponies like you all do when I'm older, I much prefer them to horses. :D

Good Luck with your purchase! :)
xxxKellyxxx

[MrDCBags]

i am 5ft 9 and 10st and have ridden Small Grey Whizzy Thing who is 11.2 (although in his eyes he's still entire and about 17.1). he carried me well and easily. *****Whispers***** he was more responsive to ride than my 16h hairy lump.lol

I agree with others that as you grow and your life changes what you want now may not be what you want or can choose in the future-so keep an open mind!

[Palomino Mare]

hi, i wouldn't say that you will definately grow...i've been this height since i was 11....im 20 in june:o

as for the jumping. Only 16 yrs and younger can jump ponies - this is a bsja rule but i'd say 90% of unaffiliated shows adopt it now - sorry

[cyberpunkgrrl]

Ok thanks everyone, i am just going to see what happens:)
Although i havent grown in 5 years:eek: So i dont know if i will suddenly shoot up or stay the same lol:rolleyes: :o

Heh - I put on about 4 stone in my teenage years but stayed at just over 5'1" and i'm now 27 (and, for my sins, I ride a 17.1hh mare! XD)

Still can't get used to a "horse" trot as opposed to a "pony" trot!

[Lot1983]

I didn't put on extra weight until I was in my twenties... I'm still only 9 stone now, just a shame my extra long legs let me down...

Although I am a pony lover, I'm kinda getting very attached to my 16.1hh...

[ponies-R-gr8!!!]

Wow, loads of replies there! My mum and dad are really quite small, so i dont think i will reach even 5'5! Im hoping to do dressage, maybe a small amount of jumping just for fun, but mostly i would really like to do mounted games:)
She is not really a kids pony, very fast, strong and has only just got out of rearing:rolleyes:
I think i might just see what happens, but thanks for all your replies, i love hearing about adults on ponies, there is nothing wrong with it! It annoys me how even trailblazers dont let adults compete on ponies.

[chev]

So you're 14/15 now? You may well grow a little taller, but you won't be *tall* as such. I'm 5'4 and have been ever since I was 14. I weigh just under 8.5 stone, and have ridden our 12.2hh B mare who was 15 at the time. She was well up to that (and she wasn't that fit).

Reschooling at 15 shouldn't be a problem as long as she has no major hang-ups and enjoys the work; you may find she has more stiffness issues than a younger pony but age isn't really an issue. I know of several broodmares who were backed for the first time in their teens (one was 16) and did really well.

So for now, there's no reason why she wouldn't suit you; but as someone else said, you may find that in two years' time your aims have changed and she may not be able to offer what you want to do.

I suppose what I'm trying to say is that if, when she comes up for sale she's still what you'd be looking for, there's no reason why you wouldn't suit each other. :) Keep an open mind and see how you feel in a couple of years.

[ponies-R-gr8!!!]

Ok thanks chev! What i will do is keep her in mind but still have a look at other things as well, just to make sure.
Btw, im 16 now:)

[chev]

Oops! Sorry - was trying to work your age out out from what you said in your posts!

Can say pretty much for certain that you won't get too tall for her then! :D

I'm not convinced about the idea that you'll definitely get heavier either; I didn't. I'm the same weight now that I was at 16 (just not quite the same shape, alas!!) with very little variation between then and now; and even if you do get a bit heavier, at your present weight you are well within her limits and there's no reason why you'd neccessarily end up too heavy for her. You need to figure for things like age-related joint problems she might develop obviously; but there's no reason to dismiss her right now.

[Brandy Snap]

I am quite suprised at the amount of people who think you will be too big/heavy for her in 2 years time. There is always the chance you will be too heavy (but I'd only think that if you spent the 2 years sitting on your bum eating pizza and chocolate - and what horsy person has the time to do that!)

I am five foot 4 and weight round about 10 1/2 stone and I own/ride/compete my 25yr old (26 this year) welsh x (some have said he looks like its welsh sec B in him) 13hh ish gelding.

I have no idea what the shows round your way are like, but local shows round here let adults compete on ponies. I am intending on doing my first ever jumping comp this summer! Arrg!

The one thing I definatly agree with is that your aims might change in 2 years. You might start riding bigger horses in your lessons and think you actully really want to do big jumping classes. But then again, you might be like me, and be perfectly happy hacking and going to local shows.

you really cant know till the 2 years is up! But enjoy her now, and wait and see what the future brings. She looks like a lovely pony - more photos please!

[lor]

Here Here Wally:D totally agree with the "if you can stand the ridicule you get" as a person (5'5" 9.4stone) who distance rides, hunts (well you know) and just started TREC on my 12'3-13hand exmoor mare, its a very valid point. If you are sensitive, beware! She carries me with ease:cool:
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/willhoon/000_0199-1.jpg
I was talking to someone, which is why i look a twit!

[laceyfreckle]

well i own a 13.2hh welsh b and i'm 5ft 2 (haven't grown any taller since i was 13yrs and i'm now 27!) I have put on weight in my twenties due to having kids so now weigh 10stone 7 and my mare carrys me fine. my mare is 19 and is being currently schooled and coming along well!!

[chickflick1066]

Lor, you look well suited to your pony :)

[puzzles]

Lor - thank you! I have a real soft spot for Exmoors but thought I am too tall. However seeing you up on that squiffy thing has changed my mind.
:-D

Anyway, I'm 5'6 and weigh 8 stone and even though i don't have thre best coordinae=tion or balance (which i think you certainly need for little'uns ponies) i can still survive, and if so then so can you!

[Holly B]

i've been this height since i was 11....im 20 in june

Glad I'm not the only one, I thought I was a freak! I'm 17 and don't think my weight or height has changed much since I was about 12... I always wondered if I'd shoot up and not be able to ride my beloved ponies any more but nope, I'm about 5 ft 3 or 4 and around 8.5 stone. I became an adult overnight and stuck there! My instructor was asking me what my sister would do when she outgrew her 13.2 hh but firstly her pony could carry someone far heavier, and secondly my sister seems to be stuck at around the 5 ft mark bless her with no signs of getting any taller. Nice to know we're not the only ones who don't actually have growth spurts in their teenage years!

[puzzles]

Hmph. It's alright for some!
When i was 13 I was utterly flat-chested, just under 5 feet tall and weighed 6 stone. Then I started to eat a lot and am now (2/3 years down the line) a flippin' 32/30 D-DD, 5'6 and 8 stone. as they say, life's a b*tch and then you die! :-D

[LokiSofi]

been the same height since I was 10 I'm now 21. All thats changed is that I no longer way 6 stone but vary between 8 and 8 and a half stone. I'm 5'3"