Can My Pony Carry My Hubby...?

[Khaledra]

Hello all!

I've been lurking for a while, but this is my first post as my new pony arrives today!

He's a 5yr old 14.1hh Connemara type and while my daughter is eager to learn to ride on him, it would be great if my hubby could too, but obviously, we don't want to hurt him (the pony, that is).

My hubby is just under 13st. Is he too heavy? Please advise!

[hoofhearted]

Hi Khaledra, sorry I'm not sure of the answer to your question but just wanted to say welcome and I'm sure someone will be able to help you out. Congrats on the new pony. :)

[Em 1]

Hi Khaledra

I can't give you a scientific answer I'm afraid but I'm just over 13st and quite an experienced rider and personally I wouldn't get on a 14.1 pony, which is a pity - I love Connemaras (a good reason to keep working on the diet :o )! At 5 he is still very young and may not have completely developed his strength through the back. Also as a novice your husband will ride quite heavy until he learns to carry himself in the saddle.

More experienced people will be able to give you a better answer but personally I would wait for now, maybe get your husband some lessons at a riding school on a schoolmaster and take it from there. Good luck anyway and have fun with the new pony :)

[Mary Poppins]

I weigh just over 11 stone and ride a 14.1 cob. I think that I am on the weight limit for him and wouldn't want anyone much heavier to ride him. I would think that 13 stone on a 14.1 connemara would be too heavy - especially for a beginner who hasn't got an established seat, but then I am no expert.

[chev]

At five your pony is still building up his strength and balance under saddle himself. Your husband is likely to ride heavily if he's just learning. The two in combination would probably make riding your pony a bad idea.

Novice riders tend to ride more heavily than more experienced ones because they haven't yet learnt how to carry themselves in a way that works with the horse. It's a bit like the difference between carrying a sleeping child and one that's awake - the sleeping child always seems to be five times heavier!

I'd be inclined to start out on a heavier, older horse, that you know is capable of carrying your hubby. That way you won't be worrying about it either and he can concentrate on enjoying his riding rather than whether he's too heavy.

[Gabrielle]

Hello all!


My hubby is just under 13st. Is he too heavy? Please advise!


Hi

I have a 5 year old Section D who is light framed for a cob. She is 14.2h. I weigh 11.5 stones and 5 foot 1" and a very experienced rider. My Husband is 6 foot, 12 - 12.5 stones and inexperienced. He rides my mare most weekends.

I think as long as he doesn't ride yours too much there shouldn't be a problem.

This is my opinion. Other people may not agree but there you go. You can't please all of the people all of the time. :cool:

[Khaledra]

Thankyou all for the welcome and advice!

After reading your opinions, I think it's probably for the best that he learns to ride on a larger horse, so thanks for clearing that up!

Shame though - he wouldn't have had far to fall... :D

[Khaledra]

Gabrielle,

How does your husband look your mare? I must admit, that was something else I was worried about - my husband is 6'1", and I didn't know whether he would look daft!

More so than usual, I mean :p

[JustJas]

My husband rides my 14'2 New Forest x arab. He felt sorry for her when I got my arab and took her on- they look great together! He 5'10 and 11 stone. Peps is a feisty madam and if she was unhappy would tell him in uncertain terms!

[JustJas]

Forgot-
Yann has ridden Peps too and she quite chilled about it!

[JustJas]

http://sc.groups.msn.com/tn/C4/C2/horsewebbers/1d/1802.jpg
Sorry could only attach lil pic!

[Zingy]

Gabrielle,

How does your husband look your mare? I must admit, that was something else I was worried about - my husband is 6'1", and I didn't know whether he would look daft!

More so than usual, I mean :p

I'm 5'9 and used to ride a couple of 14.1's - a connemara and a welsh arab cross. Taking the weight issue out of the equation, I found them more difficult to ride than larger horses. Leg length meant that I was giving aids with my upper/ mid calf as from about halfway down my calf I had no contact with the horses side. A tall rider on a small horse also means that the centre of gravity is shifted upwards which makes you much more unstable should anything happen. I just generally felt less secure.

It helps if the horse is wide! as this takes up more leg length and moves your leg contact back to where you want it and lowers the centre of gravity, making you more stable.

It's certainly not impossible and I did find them great fun to ride. It just takes a bit to get used to having your feet dangling in mid air below the horse! I don't think I looked too stupid either, at least, noone told me I did :D