Good Things Come In Small Quantities

[rusk]

I know a mature lady who rides a 13'1 pony and she is thrilled with him. Why shouldn't adults ride ponies, is it just snobbery??

[Fraggle]

Most people don't actually realise he's a "pony" until they ask what breed he is and I say he's a Dales.

The snobbery only seems to come out when they realise he is a pony. The inference is that I only bought a pony bacause I couldn't afford a horse! (not true)

I'n 5 feet 9 inches tall and I went specifically looking for a Dales pony after going pony trekking on one and realsed that I didn't have to "settle" for a horse if I didn't want one. I took quite a while to find a Dales as they're classed as a rare breed and he definately wasn't cheap!

At riding school they always brought out the 16.3hh thoroughbred for me to ride "because you're so tall". I much prefer being lower to the ground and my confidence has really improved as a result of riding a pony.


:D

[Wally]

When Frances took her Riding & Roadsafety test, they asked her how tall etc. at 5 feet 9-10 they tried to railroad her into a 17 hh monster. She told them her horse was 13.3hh and not to dare put her on such a silly sized animal. The smallest they would entertain was 15.2hh......of foul manners and bad behaviour.

Not only do we get the old "You're too big for your pony" lecture, but we get the "did you know your pony is lame" Or "Your pony has a bad back" lecture!

When we tell them they are tölting we get the old blank stare. There is no excuse for ignorance, we can all learn, my goodness if I came across a breed of which I knew nothing I'd need to know about it, not dismiss it!

[Hels]

I agree with you Fraggly I feel much more confident on ponies - if I was on something big that played up I would be terrified. But I can more or less ignore it with Carrie!

[Fraggle]

Sam is 14.2hh and weighs about 35 stones so if he wanted to take off with me I can't really stop him but for some reason I "feel" much safer on him than a bigger horse.

I'm also not the worlds most confident rider and Sam is very green. If he was a big horse I would have refused to ride him but we seem to be doing ok.

We had our first mishap today and I had my first fall. I've posted all the details under my hacking out alone thread. I think I might be out of action for a few days until my back loosens up.

:D

[Hels]

ooh Fraggle i have just read about your fall - hope your back gets better quickly. Well done for going out on your own, though.

I also took on Carrie as a green pony when I was (and still am) a novice six months ago. She had done quite a lot of hacking though so not as green as Sam, but when I first rode her in the school she tanked off with me which I found very scary (none of the school horses I rode behaved anything like this!). If she had been any bigger I think I would have refused point blank to take her on.

[Gemma R]

I think a lot of people think it makes them a better rider to be seen riding something large. As ponies are seen mainly still as childrens mounts - every pony i have ever ridden has come to me becasue they have been unsuitable at that stage for a child to ride!!! i REALLY couldn't give a stuff if people think i am to big for Libby - if they do they must be nuts - my legs don't even reach thge bottom of her belly - althgou she does have a BIG belly ROFL ;)

[Cochise]

A fantastic lady in her late 70's rides her pony to the beach and forest nearly every day. A great inspiration!

[rusk]

:D
I just love to hear about older people still riding, it makes me feel that I still have lots of time left to enjoy my horses. I can't imagine not being able to ride.:D
I have often had quite a few great hacks on the Icelandic horses at the Pentlands, Wally, and they are superb!! I don't think any of them are over 14 hands. I love them and keep telling my hubby I want one, but with three horses already to look after I might not be getting one yet!!:D