The prejudice has started re 13.2

[Franqui]

:rolleyes:
I knew it was only a matter of time...

Liz is around 8 stone and I'm 12 1/4 stone (and reducing). We're both 5'5". Dexter is a full-up well-built Welsh cross who needs work. We intend to do hacking, local shows and Pony Club, with mounted games with him, and the odd bit of cross country. At the moment we're taking things slowly as he's rising 6.

Obviously, nobody is going to bat an eyelid at Liz on him, although it's already been suggested she should have a minimum 14.2, and he's only "just" big enough for her to "get away with", but eyebrows have been truly raised at the idea of me even daring to sit on him.

I've been accused of not knowing what I'm doing (not to my face of course), despite the MGAGB not having an upper age limit and a 14.2 height limit with 13.2/13.3 being the norm. I'm not going to be riding him more than a couple of hours a week (not at all at the moment with my leg!).

I realise I'm sounding a bit defensive, but it gets you that way, doesn't it? But do you think I'm too big???

[*Hannah*]

Hi i am sorry to hear about your problem! People can be so nasty when anyone tries anything different! I certainly dont think you are to tall, 5,5 on a 13.2 sounds fine to me. Regarding your weight, if he is well built and stocky then there shouldn't be too much of a problem. It would be different if he was a slim arab or something similar. I am sure he would let you know if you were hurting him, you will have to see how he is when you are riding him. If you are concerned you could always ride him for less amount of time - a half an hour hack perhaps a few times a week so he is carrying you for less time. Also if he is not accustomed to having a person of your weight on him you should build the time up slowly so he can adjust and build his muscles up. I have a welsh A 12 hands and i am 5,2 and weight about 8 1/2 stone. When i first got him he hadn't been riden for a year and also hadn't had someone of my weight on him before. So i just took him out hacking for twenty minutes about four times a week, mainly walking and a few trots so he could get used to it. Now he has built some muscles up and we go on longer hacks and do more energic things. I still am careful not to ride him to far, or ask too much of him in one session as he does get more tired carrying me than he would a child or someone lighter. I would play it by ear and see how he is. Ignore what other people say, its up to you to make up your mind about riding him. Small minded people love to butt into other people's business as they obviously have very boring lives!!!!!! :o

[Franqui]

Thanks for making us feel better Hannah. I've grown up well aware that some ponies aren't suitable for children and that adults can have just as much fun. My godparents' daughters carried on riding their PPC ponies into adulthood and now successfully show natives.

Yes, that's the plan - little and often to build up muscle, especially as he's still young. When I said two hours a week, that's in total, not all in one go!

We'll let you know how we get on. Thanks again

[Tharg]

Ignore those twats, you sound fine on him. It really irratates me when people have a knee jerk reaction and think that those that aren`t stick thin should stick to mahoosive ploddy cobs :rolleyes: .

[Kimo]

I get this, too. I have a 14.1 pony and I'm not exactly thin. People say, "Oh, I remember how fun it was to ride a pony! But aren't you going to get a horse someday?"

I reply, "She's small, yes, but she's a massively built Quarter Horse who carries weight more easily than many leggy, fine-boned horses. I don't ever want to get a "horse" just to boost myself up from the ground a few more inches."

Or, I don't say anything but keep on doing my own thing. They view me as an oddity, but if they didn't have me to talk about, what would the poor, misguided souls do?? ;)

Hope you hang in there!!

[teapot]

If you're too big to ride him then god knows what they would think of me (5ft 10) riding a 13.3 welsh c.

It's how you feel on the pony and how he goes under you. You'll soon know if he can't carry you whether height or weight.

Just try and rise above it, then when you're out winning, you can give them the 2 fingers

[Kanuma]

ignore the idiots and come showing instead! It is perfectly normal to see adults on M&M's even 12hh M&M at county shows. I will never get a horse over 14.2hh as i dont realy like being that far from the ground. Rideing my sisters 15hh arab scares me! and yet my sister says im crazy for riding stan when he feels like explodeing i feel perfectly safe on him and out of him in a funny mood and the arab alot of people would find the arab alot less scary.

[NoviceNic]

Your pony would soon let you know if you are too heavy for him. My friend has a 14hh welsh cob x who rears and bucks if anyone over 14 stone gets on her. My daughters pony is none too pleased when I get on her back. I only pop on her to stop her napping to the gate. Plus I read on here that an 8 stone unbalanced person will acually weigh more than a 12 stone balanced rider. Use this in defence to the next opinionated person who obviously doesnt know better. :p

[Guest]

If the horse is built well then it shouldn't be a problem. My new pony is a 14.2 cob, I had a 16hh irish sports horse before.
Providing the horse is ok with it then just don't listen to the others.

[Wally]

let them dislplay their ignorance and preducides.

As we all know the bigger your horse the better rider you must be. Yeah, right.

I have had this, I put up with folk who say they are too big to ride an Icelandic all the time.

[cvb]

Franqui

I'm not so different in height and weight as you, and ride my mother's 13.3 fell - BUT I limit what I do... he's 18, ex-laminitic and starting to show signs of arthritus. I would not feel comfortable with jumping him over anything more than small fences, nor doing any serious XC.

Thats my personal assessment - most people don't believe I am that heavy, and I believe I ride "light" (and balanced). In all liklihood he could cope with me doing more, but its *me* that says no.

We also have a (new) 12.something pony which I am NOT riding and have a target of losing 2-3 stone before I even consider it. Although she's only around a hand smaller than the fell, the fell is the chunky stocky type and she is a wee pony...

So - my advice would be to listen to what the pony says and err on the side of caution, but let the *pony* tell you, not the people !

[xXSundanceBayXx]

i ride a 12.2hh at my RS and im not exactly lightweight either. so as long as he doesnt object then you should be ok

[notpoodle]

if he's healthy, stocky and happy, no probs :) wer have a lady at the yard with a pony that's just under 14hh or thereabouts. The lady is no featherweight, the pony is absolutely fine :) don't let other people ruin your fun!!!

i know what it feels like btw, at my first yard I got lots and lots of irritating and sometimes hurtful comments about my litte 12.3hh (im 5'5) pony. I ended up getting really self-conscious :( then i moved yards where nobody makes any sh*y comments and I'm having an excellent time :D

Julia
x

[shopgirl]

who is this lady and why aren't you in work????????????

[notpoodle]

got the day off :D

'the lady' is two stables down from angel (dont tell her I said that, hehe).

Julia
x

[shopgirl]

oh yes I know - I won't breathe a word Honest!!!!!!!!!!! Have a good day perhaps see you later

[notpoodle]

you have a good day as well, i'll be up later to bring the beastie in :)

julia
x

[Nanook]

I wouldn't worry to much about it. If it doesn't bother him any to carry you than there isn't anything wrong. the equestrian wold can be really hard somtimes as its so cliquy! Everyone trys to get on top buy discrediting other riders. More often than not because they find a threat in you ;). As long as you and your boy are happy than i say just ride into the wind!

[horse__obsessed]

Im 5ft3 and I ride a little 12.1hh pony, people laugh at me because I look funny.... then I invite them to get on. They run away screaming :D:D:D:D:D

[albilusitano]

Yeah i wouldn't worry at all. My next beast will be a pony !!!

[happy highlande]

Just sit quiet for now - when he is fit you can challenge them to a mounted game or two! Then who will be laughing?????

[dianecartwright]

Franqui,
You have my greatest sympathy. In my humble opinion, I feel that only the pony should make the decision of whether you are too big. If you were too big, you'd soon be told by your horse. I'm not particularly small, I'm 5'3 and 12.5-13 stone, and for the last few years I've been riding a borrowed 11.2HH Dartmoor. Some looks have been raised, but I've ridden Eric for hours on end without a complaint though, and if there was any sign of discomfort I would stop riding him.
Honestly, some people are so ignorant.

Diane

[Kimo]

I thought I'd jump in again--a new boarder just came in this week with a lil' foundation QH. He's teeny tiny. So, I'm not alone!!!! Things change quickly in the horse world so perhaps you'll have a partner in crime before long. :)

K.

[dianecartwright]

It sounds like there are quite a few frustrated people on this thread! I used to be really self-conscious about my weight and riding, and I've got from being 7.5 stone to touching 13 stone in the last 2 years, and Eric hasn't batted an eyelid. I think you build a relationship with your horse, and I feel I know Eric's limit. He may not be as fast with me on the back now as he was, but he's still going strong - and I'm not the heaviest he's had by a long shot.

At the end of the day, ignore ignorance, and LISTEN TO THE HORSE!

Regards,
Diane

[carrieh]

Think you are absolutely right Diane. I've put on a couple of stone in weight since I got my 13.2hh Fell pony some years ago but he hasn't bothered a jot. They are supposed to be capable of carrying up to 14 stone in general as they were bred to carry hill farmers and loads all day. We've both got older together, and both of us have now slowed right down! We don't do any jumping or cross country anymore, but stick to gentle hacking round the lanes, and he's more than up to my weight for that even now.

[dianecartwright]

Think you are absolutely right Diane. I've put on a couple of stone in weight since I got my 13.2hh Fell pony some years ago but he hasn't bothered a jot. They are supposed to be capable of carrying up to 14 stone in general as they were bred to carry hill farmers and loads all day. We've both got older together, and both of us have now slowed right down! We don't do any jumping or cross country anymore, but stick to gentle hacking round the lanes, and he's more than up to my weight for that even now.

Glad to hear I'm not the only one Carrie! Do you have MSN messenger?