Under horsed

[fjordlady]

Just wondering if all you native lovers ever had an experience like this - I still often think of it!

I remember many years back (20 to be exact :o). When after many years of riding lessons and borrowing others I eventually saved up and bought myself my very first cob. I was so very excited and proud and I could not have asked for a better mare. I have seen similar types today described as 'gypsy cobs' - black with plenty of feather and chunky 14 hds. At last to riding club with my cousin on my own pony :D!

The lesson went really well - then half way through the RI lined us all up in the middle of the ring. Most rider were on TB types or large cobs - what did I care I loved my mare :p. The RI proceeded down the line giving comments to each rider. Then when she got to me in her shrill loud voice she said, "You know you are under horsed don't you". All I could do was meekly nod and blush whilst everyone looked on. That was her one and only comment - nothing about my riding :mad:. I was 5ft 4 and 8 stone!

It did not stop me going each week but whenever that particular RI was taking the lesson I always felt less confident - and she continued as she had started by almost ignoring me.

Fast forward 20 years and my fjord is currently only 13.2 (hoping she will make 14-14.1hds) and I am still 5ft 4 but a couple of stone heavier :o. I wish she was still about because age certainly toughens you up ;)

[PonyGirlAsh]

Sometimes people need to keep their mouths shut!!

No native ponies in my past, but I did ride a 14.2 little QH and used to constantly worry that she couldn't haul my 130 pounds around the arena...really she was just fine with me, but I like the taller boys myself so found taller withers! :)

[bitsnpieces]

I know what you mean - what some people need to realise is that these ponies take more riding than some horses, just because they're short n stocky doesn't mean that they don't have talent or a spark that a good rider can bring out of them. I got my mare when she was overweight and unfit not to mention bad tempered and was told that I'd underhorsed myself but we're doing all sorts now so quite happily proving them all wrong!

[No_Angel]

I had a similar experience. I was told at pony club camp that I was too big for native type pony, he was 14hh, loads of bone, but built finely, if you get me:D
He was a very screwed up pony, but I had so much fun and confidence on him, I wish I could have him back:(
I gave him away when I was 14, as no one else would have him, im 21 now and I miss him like crazy,even if he was a complete pain :rolleyes:
He would be about 17 now.

look how happy I was with him
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b242/madams_walk/razz/scan0007.jpg

[Wally]

My first ickle pony I had to save up for and buy myself, he was a 13.2hh Haflinger Stallion, as Fjordlady says, about 25 years ago, that kind of era.

BUT I had been riding Haffys for years before and as a long legged gangly teenager had heard all the comments like " when are you moving up to horses?" and all those narrow minded comments.

Well, I never have moved up to horses, I used to work for the hunt and was seen out on HUGE hunters, then when I stopped working for them I went out on my Haff, and got the comments, But he was able to go places their big stoopid horses coudn't go! Pee taking stopped and we were taken seriously.

He was used to give all the babies leads around the X country course. I was not over or under horsed, I had the perfect all round horse.

[~kc~]

When my sister used to ride, she was in a rider class at a championship on her 13.2hh riding pony. she was about 158cm tall, and quite slim.
She ended up getting 2nd, which was good, but the judge said to her:
"you would have gotten first, but your pony is too small"

riiiiiiiight. lol.

[carthorse]

I can't win, I get comments about the size of both of mine. I'm 5'5" & :eek:stone so not particularly tall & despite refusing to put my weight I won't be too heavy for my youngster.

My 3yo is a sec D that should make 14.2, I'd guess he's now 14 - 14.1. Some people seem to have a real problem getting their heads around the fact thatI'll ride him & keep saying he'll be too small. Personally if he turns into the chunky chap I'm expecting I think he'll be a very nice size thank you very much.

My other lad (& the love of my life) is a 16.2 ID (I will not listen to everyone who reckons he's bigger, I got him to 16.2 when his shoes were off & he was dozing waiting for the farrier to finish his coffee so 16.2 he is!)& I get told he's too big. Well he is, but saying it won't make him smaller & I fail to see how an instructor repeatedly telling me this alters anything. So he's too big & powerful, so it makes my job harder at times - it just means I need to be stronger in my position & quicker in my reactions! The nearest I got to a complement from her was "I'd like to see yo on a horse the right size, you'd be good if you had the chance". Needless to say that instructor didn't last long :p

[ShariN]

Under horsed... ha! Like to see them ride my 12.3 tank Grey Ice mare... I know for a fact that person would not be able to handle or even ride her and it would not be a person height or weight issue!

Think some people have a size issues... or should say an Ego issues... their Ego's need tall horse's to feel better about themselves. Pa.....:p

[KateWooten]

It's funny how an RI can use her personal opinion as a reason for simply failing to do her job, isn't it ! I mean, you were there, for the lesson, presumably paid for at some point ... and she just didn't teach you ! That's awful. But you're right, I wish I could go back now that I'm a more informed adult and go have a little chat with some of the bullying instructors and teachers I knew 25 years ago.

[amandal]

I get that prejudice now, but never got it when I was younger, I used to ride all sizes from about the age of 9 upwards. I once went to get "my" (lesson) horse out from his stable for a lesson, I'd only been given directions not seen him before. Came into the school with a mahoosive big black gelding, RI took one look at me and said, "hmm that's not James, but if you got him out of the school and into here you can ride him". Had a great lesson, rode him for quite a while after that. He looked like a mountain to me but I was only 9 then!

It's temperament not size anyway isn't it ? although if I do get another they will be smaller than Ziz who's about 15.2.

[Vicki&Milo]

My pony is 13.2hh also, but much finer (a weedy little NF) and I'm 5ft6 I'm about 9 stone ish. I'm sure a lot of people I walk past think I'm some sort of hopeless fat kid on a little pony (especially when OH is walking with me), but most people I ahve actually spoken too have said how good we look! :D

[Showjumper]

People have given up telling me to get a bigger horse. There are just too many things for them to get their heads around so they just don't bother :p (adult on a bitless, treeless, barefoot pony!)

[Marusenka]

Ha underhorsed indeed- wish they could see me on the little 11hh tiny pony that i am schooling at the moment!
I am only 5ft 2 and only 7 stone so he has absolutely no problem carrying me but i just feel so daft whizzing round the school with my legs practically touching underneath him!!!
I love the tiny ponies and being a tiny adult i get all the tricky ones at the yard and to check out the new RS ponies before the kids ride them- the little 10hh shetland was probably the most fun- first i managed to fit myself in one of those kids safari club synthetic saddles which i thought was just fab and then my feet were about 15cm from the floor each side :D- didn't stop him trying to deposit me on the floor cheeky begger:rolleyes:

I reckon the instructors that mention underhorsing are just jealous and not skillfull enough to be riding ponies- it's rare that the horses manage to deposit me on the floor or even try to be honest but those cheeky ponies, it's a laugh a minute with them and they are flipping fast and speedy in jump offs because they can make super sharp turns!!!

[FelineWolf]

It's really funny, all along whenever anything has been mentioned about size it's that I should be riding smaller, not bigger!
My old RI once (out of interest, we'd been there for years by this point) lined all of us up in height order and was shocked to find that despite being thrown on some of the biggest horses I was one of the shortest riders in the group!
It's funny people should mention spinning because one of the smallest ponies I rode there (not that small at all pony wise) was a very cheeky 14.2 mare who never bucked or reared, but she would bolt, and my lord could she turn! The one time she got me off she was just having a totally nutty morning (already lost one rider, and the 2nd one was removed my the RI before anything bad happened) and bolted with me a few times before stopping dead in the middle of the school and turning in super fast circles on the spot till I went flying off of the side! :eek:
Anyway, I digress, where I work I am often thrown on the ickle ponies because I'm the lightest person there, so when our little exmoor, Pixie, needed some light riding to bring her back to fitness I was the one who rode her! But my golly can she pull! She pulls carraige and I can never believe it when I see her trotting around with the driver and a fully grown male passenger in a wheelchair!

I ride Sarah76's ponies, Spider (13hh) and Neptune (13.2hh) and have fantastic fun on them! But then at my lessons I get put on 17hh, nothing to do with size, but just that the horse who is appropriate for my riding abilities happens to be 17hh :)

I don't believe there is such a thing as "under-horsed" as long as a horse can take your weight all you should worry about is whether you have fun on it! An RI who doesn't get that isn't worth their lesson fee!

*ETA- for those who were wondering, I'm a short 5'4" and 8st*

[Purple Hugs]

That's such a shame that others push their opinion so much that people are made to feel ashamed! :(
Sadly this seems to carry on in pony club etc, i've read threads on another forum about an 8 year old outgrowing a section A etc.

As said, if the pony can carry you, and you are comfortable riding it and having fun, then that's all that matters.

I'm 5'3", 13 and a half stone (winter weight ;)) and the owner of a 13hh Yearling NF PONY :)

[Sox01]

My sister has a 14hh welsh section D gelding. He is the perfect gentleman.

He is a fantastic little jumper and always goes out of his way to please.
He is currently teaching a 6yars old to ride. He would normally gallop around the fields with my sister but is perfectly happy to walk (quite slowly) with his younger riders, never putting a foot wrong.

People need to realise that ponies are just as good as large horses.

I think RI should give constructive criticism. I have been told bad things by RI's in the past and it just knocks your confidence. They should be trying to build confidence.

[Lgd]

Ah well, she would have a field day with me - 'larger' rider (5'7" and 12½ stone) on a 14hh Fell Pony. I actually compete him for a friend - my own are taller at 15.3hh and 16hh but I only really notice he is smaller when I dismount and the ground arrives earlier than expected :D

This is us in action
http://groups.msn.com/upsaddle2/lgd.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=17105

http://groups.msn.com/upsaddle2/lgd.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=17103

[*Solo's Mum*]

un-horsed haha - impossibleeee

i'm 5ft6 9ish stone my pony is a 13.1hh welsh pony :D
hes a mental case. wouldn't like to see a kid on him. haha.
i have these size comments alot, but hey i don't care he's happy, i'm happy, we're happy, who cares?:D

xx

[Nazdaq]

LGD, Gorgeous fell, tell your friend I said so! I want a fell just like that when I can afford my own (that or a haffy!) :D :D

[Ms Kitty]

Well, I'd much rather be underhorsed than overhorsed.. ;)

Nina x

[chickflick1066]

Ah well, she would have a field day with me - 'larger' rider (5'7" and 12½ stone) on a 14hh Fell Pony. I actually compete him for a friend - my own are taller at 15.3hh and 16hh but I only really notice he is smaller when I dismount and the ground arrives earlier than expected :D

This is us in action
http://groups.msn.com/upsaddle2/lgd.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=17105

http://groups.msn.com/upsaddle2/lgd.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=17103
LGD, you ride my DREAM there ;) And JOJOBA's. Utter lush buckets :D

I always get told I'm too big for my pony, and her loaner does look better on her, ah well ;) :D

[Sammii]

I get it all the time. I say, "but Red doesn't care...does he look bothered? Does that cute face look bothered? Do you not think he'd let me know if he thinks i'm too big for him? Thought so. And that's all that matters to me." Soon shuts them up :o

I'm 5ft9 & 12 stone, riding a 14.3hh fit healthy cob type who is more than capable of carrying me. I've never been so comfortable with myself, and I don't think Red's ever felt so comfortable with me.

That's good enough for me :D

[Sam (aka SLW)]

When I rescued my boy, who is now a SJ, I was told by many "oh what do you want him for, he isn't very big". :eek:
Well, it is the horse on the inside that matters not the outside. I am 5'6'' and about 13st (decreasing back to my normal size before medical issues struck :() and Kiwi is a 15.2hh NZ Standardbred. I have to say, I am glad he isn't any bigger!! He feels big enough when he is corkscrew bucking up the valley lol :p He defo carries me fine and we jump up to about 4'ish so that says it all :D Snobby riders out hunting on their big hunters look down at me but they soon eat our dust ~ such a feeling when we do that lol.

[Sammii]

When I rescued my boy, who is now a SJ, I was told by many "oh what do you want him for, he isn't very big". :eek:
Well, it is the horse on the inside that matters not the outside. I am 5'6'' and about 13st (decreasing back to my normal size before medical issues struck :() and Kiwi is a 15.2hh NZ Standardbred. I have to say, I am glad he isn't any bigger!! He feels big enough when he is corkscrew bucking up the valley lol :p He defo carries me fine and we jump up to about 4'ish so that says it all :D Snobby riders out hunting on their big hunters look down at me but they soon eat our dust ~ such a feeling when we do that lol.

Oh yes, eating our dust is the best bit. They don't realise that after telling us non stop we are too low down, we are perfect height to miss their dust that they try to make us eat ;)

[Sam (aka SLW)]

Great isnt it, hehehe.
I was out one day and this "older" posh bird says, "ok, pop in behind me coming up to this hedge and I will give your pony a lead" :eek: Oh my god....PONY!! 15.2hh is not a pony, small horse yes but not pony. Anyway, she was trotting into a 3' hedge, me and Kiwi though sod this, said excuse me politely, trotted past and absolutely flew over it (from canter). Her horse then refused and wouldn't go anywhere near the hedge, and check this... I then had o go back and give her a lead over it, I nearly wet my pants with laughter :D :D :D :D

[stressedmum]

My first horse was a 13.3hh dales pony i loaned from HAPPA, i was 5.7 and weighed 8 1/2 stone, he had no problems carrying me and we even won working hunter classes on numerous occasions! At the moment i have a 13hh part bred new forest yearling who hopefully (fingers crossed) will make 14hh+ so he will be ok to carry me aswell! I think the lady was forgetting that native ponies are tough little things and never to underestimate what they can do! Thats why we love them so much! Ruth x

[Troi]

I often wonder if these people have ever read any history or looked at any old paintings. The best horse soldiers , Gengis Kahn, Alexander, Romans all rode little native types, with their feet level with horses knees:D:D
If the horses were not up to job I'm sure those guys would have quickly got something bigger:D

[Sam (aka SLW)]

I have got 2.5years to loose 5stone (so I will then be 8st) so that I will be able to back my section A!! I will look ridiculously big on him but would be nice to know he will accept someone on him even though he is going to be a driving pony lol.

[Gurnosstud]

A couple of years ago a brought my old sec C stallion back into work for a season. He is on the small side of 12.3hh and I am 5'3". I took him to a hunter trials and entered him in the minumus. The jumps were only about 2', but I could see people looking at me with their big 16hh+ horses. He flew around and we beat the lot of them. They had nothing to say when I walked away with the trophy! After that I didn't care what people thought. In fact he is still talked about at some shows for jumping a 3'6" showjumping course!

[Tiggy02]

A few years ago I kept my Welsh Cob (14.3) at a raf base that did livery and when the dreaded F & M struck the YM there organised schooling sessions where everybody rode everyone elses horse etc - I was not allowed to join in as my mare was too small and not scoopy enough - translated into not a tb or warm blood - ironacally this same YM now has a 15hh welsh cob of her own whom I regulary compete against and beat LOL

[Afellpony]

Many years back, if an RI had spoken to be like that I would have told them to eff off!!!! Now I'm older and a bit more subtle with my replies but nonetheless to the point!

[Afellpony]

Decided not to go ahead with this post.

[Afellpony]

Peeps are very good at voicing their unasked for opinion. The moment you give them a 'tongue lashing' back, they dont like it for some reason. I am really getting to dislike horse people (not those on NR tho). Why cant they accept that every1 is different and it's them that are the problem. Live and let live you're a long time dead!!!!

[Purple Hugs]

Well said Afellpony! I had a couple of riding lessons with an instructor recently who was a little too fond of opening her mouth and letting her belly rumble as my mum would have said! (talking rubbish basically). She was pretty insulting and wondered why i stopped riding with her! :p my owning a NF pony was one of her topics...

[*Solo's Mum*]

that's why i wont take Solo for a lesson at my NVQ yard
i don't want to be shouted at for having a pony "too small for me"
i take him to the yard i work at instead

xx

[Sam (aka SLW)]

Stuff what everyone else thinks.
Life is too short, if they don't like it they know where to stick it. My gob always gets me in to trouble for saying what i think, when i think - tactful really isn't in my nature by again life is too short to fanny around the bush. If peoples lives are so dull that they need to get into what we are doing then I am glad to have brghtened up their day. :D :D

[Nazdaq]

haha ditto that Sam. :D :D :D

[Waikato Valuta]

I got a few somment when I first went to pony club about how my horse was to small and I wouldn't be able to give him the right leg aid's ext...

Once we got out on the XC my horse was the only one not to put in a refusal or get silly and have the rider fall off. We just had fun. I even had to lead the other horses into the water jump because they wouldn't go.

Who's laughing now?