What's the smallest..

[Matchbox Milo]

I could ride?
Okay. I'm looking to get a small pony.
I am only really looking to do ground work, inhand showing, walking etc with it as I do miss having a pony to look after. I am however not too fussed with riding - it's not the most important thing to me.
I did want to get a shetland, or even a small project pony.
However when speaking to a friend they said "Don't be silly, why wouldn't you ride it?"
It's made me think. I still want a small pony - and if I can ride it occassionally and lightly then fantastic (if broken of course), but what is the smallest I can ride? Obviously it does depend on the breed, i know, but generally?
I am 5' and almost eight stone.

thanks :p

[x-Marmite-x]

As small as you like :p. I think you could have a lot of fun with a Sec A if you fancied a littly :). At your height and weight any decent native could take you without blinking :) - if you got a sturdy, well bred Shetland even they would have no problem carrying you as long as you were happy with going that little :p. You've really got all doors open to you considering how petite you are :).

[notpoodle]

or a nice little dartmoor? or a bigger shetland at the top of their height range?

[Matchbox Milo]

As small as you like :p. I think you could have a lot of fun with a Sec A if you fancied a littly :). At your height and weight any decent native could take you without blinking :) - if you got a sturdy, well bred Shetland even they would have no problem carrying you as long as you were happy with going that little :p. You;ve really got all doors open to you considering how petite you are :).

I had a 12hh welshie on loan a few years ago. i think he's one of the ponies i have the most memories with!

i just feel like people advertising their tiny ponies expect a child to come and view with their parents. i'm still only young but i can imagine their faces seeing me turn up to climb onto their beloved ponies backs! :P

[ladyluxor]

Dnt b so silly, I have been trying to look for someone who is experienced and small enough to ride my sons,preferably who isnt a child. He is 11.3hh but a good weight and we got him with the intention of me riding him to begin with, (same size as you) He haas done jumping and hunting etc
but i am pregnant so can not.

I think you are in a very good position, people like you are hard to find...well around here anyway.

[Matchbox Milo]

Dnt b so silly, I have been trying to look for someone who is experienced and small enough to ride my sons,preferably who isnt a child. He is 11.3hh but a good weight and we got him with the intention of me riding him to begin with, (same size as you) He haas done jumping and hunting etc
but i am pregnant so can not.

I think you are in a very good position, people like you are hard to find...well around here anyway.


Well, i'm only seventeen so I don't know - a lot of people still consider that a child. :) I am however working full time earning £700 monthly. Before hand my parents were helping financially whenever I had a pony, but now it's up to me unless I really need the help.

[Harlequin32]

I have known a good few people in my time who have desperately looked for an adult experienced enough to take on a slightly difficult pony or just not wanted children on their beloved ponies- I think it would be fine. I would rather sell a pony to a very small adult than a child!
and at your size you will get away with anything!

[Matchbox Milo]

Wow, thanks for the confidence boost you guys :cool:
i think i might officially start looking. :) What would you say a good price would be for a smaller pony? Online they seem to vary quite a bit - even with ones that are NOT rideable!

[popularfurball]

Here you are :D

I am 5"3, and about 8 1/2 stone. Silver hass no problems in carrying me - although she does struggle with an inbalanced rider of similar weight. The other thing is saddle size - check you can fit in a 15" saddle as smallers will tend to be in a 15".

I was, and intend to return to, riding her 3-4 times a week. I will be doing schooling (When I have a school) and general hacking. Its only her fitness that holds us back when hacking, which we were slowly building up (going to have to restart from scratch!). If she was really fit... I think we would have a brakes issue :p

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y182/popularfurball/e12062009130.jpg

[Matchbox Milo]

Uh oh.. hope big bum syndrome don't hold me back! o.o Will have to go bareback if that's the case. <3 :p

[popularfurball]

Well Im in 8-10 bottoms and fit in one comfily.

Silver is 12hh btw. And I know I look big on her, but like I said she has no problems with it - and is most definitley not a childs pony, handling or ridden really.

At some point down the line I might look at getting a confident little rider to jump her - I have a sneaky suspicion she might like it :p but I am worried I would put her out of balance due to leg length and weight.

Oh and be prepared to have ridiculous saddle flaps if you dont have a large budget. Maxams seem to be good for littles, and are reasonabley cheap, but difficult to come by a long flap version second hand!

[Matchbox Milo]

Well Im in 8-10 bottoms and fit in one comfily.

Silver is 12hh btw. And I know I look big on her, but like I said she has no problems with it - and is most definitley not a childs pony, handling or ridden really.

At some point down the line I might look at getting a confident little rider to jump her - I have a sneaky suspicion she might like it :p but I am worried I would put her out of balance due to leg length and weight.

Ah, i'm the same so should be fine.

I don't think you look bad on her actually, she is lovely - i am smitten with greys<3

Yeah i'd always be worried i'm unbalancing or hurting the pony. :(

[Flony_Pony]

Welsh A's are fun, or a dartmoor/Exmoor! Little ponies often arn't kids ponies so I am sure you wont have any problems finding one!

ETA Im 5ft3 and broke in my 11.2 Welshie! She had no issues carrying me, I just looked ridiculous, but had alot of fun (The picture is a good few months on, I did break her with stirrups and a hat!)
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z187/Flony/Pony031.jpg

[No_Angel]

My 12hh welsh a wouldn't even blink at your weight.

I'm 5ft5 rode my girl, although she does look like a rhino compared to most Welsh A's (she is chunkier than both of the ponies in the pics).

[Matchbox Milo]

Welsh A's are fun, or a dartmoor/Exmoor! Little ponies often arn't kids ponies so I am sure you wont have any problems finding one!

ETA Im 5ft3 and broke in my 11.2 Welshie! She had no issues carrying me, I just looked ridiculous, but had alot of fun (The picture is a good few months on, I did break her with stirrups and a hat!)
]

What a CUTIE!

[Brkr]

Dnt b so silly, I have been trying to look for someone who is experienced and small enough to ride my sons,preferably who isnt a child. He is 11.3hh but a good weight and we got him with the intention of me riding him to begin with, (same size as you) He haas done jumping and hunting etc
but i am pregnant so can not.

I think you are in a very good position, people like you are hard to find...well around here anyway.

Where abouts in Norfolk are you if you don't mind me asking? :)

[ladyluxor]

Gt yarmouth.
here is a picture of him.
http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu122/ladylxor/frankiposeing.jpg

[Laura+Phantom]

All of these ponies are so cute :) I agree, at your size you can ride pretty much anything!

[Melting Moments]

I would neve ride a Minture shetland.


Something like a Welsh Section A Oor B, or even a New Forest Pony.

[Matchbox Milo]

LadyLuxor - he is so gorgeous. I'm mad that i'd probably never be able to get there unless i got a train or something.. and i'm awful with directions! :p