Can anyone help me find the right sort of pony?

[sweuzo]

I may be in a position to get a horse in the fairly near future and i am just wondering what sort of breeds/sizes i should look at...

I want something safe, and mostly bombproof but i can handle stubborness and naughtiness as long as it isn't too dangerous. But something that will stop and go when i ask ;0 easier said than done probably.

I want something that will hack mainly but also jump some, but mostly for pleasure. I *might* start to compete VERY low level at my college but not to bothered about it really.

I want a pony really but certainly nothing more than about 15.2hh, But i have a problem, i weigh 11stone and 5ft4" which really limits how small i can ride. Though i'm on a never ending quest to loose weight its just not happening fast. I want a pony but i don't want to look stupid on it.

I know this is rather silly but i don't really want something with feather, i prefer clean legs.

:D

so some opinions would be great. :)

EDIT: As a rider I'm probably more confident than i am competant (or maybe i am just not totally aware, i put myself down more than i probably should) Been back in the saddle for nearly 18months, I've done my first dressage test and scored over 60%, i can jump small courses comfortably, I can get alot of horses collected and round, i've ridden through bucks etc, i can ride green horses as long as they aren't bucking and rearing alot, i am very confident in canter and sitting trot, though my rising trot i find a little harder/not as comfortable. i dont really know what sort of rider that makes me :o I don't know really I'm not great but i am learning, im going to horse university soon too.

EDIT: Forgot to say i also do some lateral work, Leg yeilds, turn on the forehand and i love it and am ok at doing it :) sometimes getting beautiful dressagey type riding lol.

I'm really never very worried on a horse even when i get bucked off or fall, im not scared of falling :o I'm mean i will try not to fall or be bucked off but if it happens i just dust myself off and get back on.

[Guest]

Heres the angel of my life

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b240/GRADY74/DSC00568.jpg

I am 5ft 5 and weigh just under 11 stone (I think), but Bry does have feather.

You don't say what sort of rider you are ie: how competant.

An ideal breed for you would be a tb x welsh, they normally have the features of a tb but with a bit more bone. After a fresian that would be my ideal breed and they are normally around the 15.1hh mark I think. Reliability with a bit of pizazz.

[sweuzo]

aww shes gorgeous, i edited my above post.

[Guest]

Thanks, I am a convert to cobby types, when I first saw Bry she looked like this
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b240/GRADY74/Bryonypen.jpg

I think you'll agree she looks much better now!! I never wanted a horse with feather but I think it's part of what makes Bry beautiful now. I mean Bry is EVERYTHING I didn't want. At the end of the day the look of a horse isn't the most important thing it's the suitability to it's rider and it's a bonus if it's georgous but if you click then I'm sure it will soon be georgous in your eyes.

You sound like a competant novice to me so perhaps something that already knows it's job would be a good idea as no matter how much experience you have it's a steep learning curve when you have your own.

[Gill]

Why not get a native? Any of the larger breeds will carry you with ease and the really full size Highlands for instance would actually be too big for you. They really take up the leg.
A good place to look is http://www.nativeponymart.co.uk there are lots of lovely ones come up there. Good luck in your search.

Bobbin I forgot to add that Bry looks great in your pic.

[sweuzo]

thanks for the replys but really what sort of sizes am i looking at, i did really want a native is at all possible but i'm worried to go for anything under about 14.3hh :o

its a long way off yet but i'm just geting an idea.

[Guest]

Ok heres a pic of me on Bry and she's 14.2hh at a push

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b240/GRADY74/DSC00517.jpg

[ShariN]

I am 144 lbs and ride a 12.3 hand Icelandic. Also have a 13.2 Icelandic (in training) and a 13.3 hand Fjord mare. The Fjord mare is 1100 lbs.
None of my small horses have a problem at all with my weight.

So you could safely ride a smaller horse/pony with good bones at the weight you are now. Over there you have many more options than we do over here.
Just love all the Native pony breeds you have across the pond.

Am sure you have seen this photo of me and my 12.3 hand 700+ lb Icelandc mare before... but just in case.:D
http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i51/Bergere/dyframe2may06.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i51/Bergere/dyfremabettermay06.jpg

[sweuzo]

I few breeds i really like are

Highland
Fjord
Fell
Connemara

:) but still what sizes do you think i should be looking for?

[ShariN]

What ever size you would like.
I would look more at the temperament and training than the size/height.

Anything from 12.3 hands to 14.2 hands would be fine with the right build.
Just go look at the ponies you are interested in, when you try them they will let you know if you are a match or not.;)

[Clipperchuck]

...

[sweuzo]

at my RS i ride all different sizes not really sure how big they are exactly :o

[Clipperchuck]

...

[fishiz3434]

I dont know if you'd feel cumfotable on an arab or not but they are smaller in stature but they are very flighty and powerful horses that have a lot of stamina, I ride an arab and they are really intelligent but you want to make sure your still the brains in th pair you could also try an arab X with sumthing dosicle and c wat it's like. With arabs you'd also have to know their ability because they thin they are the bomb and push themselve over the limit if you let them.:)

[sweuzo]

yes i like arabs but i've never ridden one :o its something to consider. BUT

at the moment at least i am really considering a connemara do you think they could carry me i mean they aren't very chunky compared to some ponies?

[notpoodle]

thought about Exmoors? they're dinky but very strong AND fun AND opinionated AND cuddly and very pretty, too :D

Julia
x

[Guest]

Connies are lovely...depends what sort of rider you are, I should think it would be ok, if not get a connie x

[back.in.saddle]

This is the horse I ride - a Connemara X Arab I think. Not sure exactly how tall he is - I'm about 5'2 and about 9 stone, but he's happy carrying more than that.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i223/MaryJq/Cuppers%202006/28MeandSweaty3.jpg

I'm standing next to him in this one, so you might be able to get a better idea of his size - I'd say 15hh - 15.2hh (bearing in mind I'm wearing chunky boots - so maybe a bit less, I don't know :o )?

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i223/MaryJq/Cuppers%202006/02Washing.jpg

He's really excellent at lateral work (such a show off!) and he loves jumping (but gets a bit excited!)

[sweuzo]

i've condsidered EVERY kind of pony pretty much but things like exmoors and smaller i always think are too small.... i did put my limit down to about 13.2 or 13.3 for a chunky pony but even thats too big for most of the small pony breeds... and me feeling how i am about my weight (11stone), i keep thinking bigger and bigger, and then even thinking a 15hh couldn't carry me :(

doesn't help that most ponies are advertised for children/small teenager or whatever.

[notpoodle]

or how about a heinz 57 native pony mix? :) theres lovely ponies in all shapes and sizes out there that are no breed in particular :D

Julia
x

[katieB]

As long as you get a pony that takes you leg up quite well you will look fine, and there are plenty of breeds that can carry you. Have a search through horsemart for some inspiration? :) The website Gill suggested, Native Pony Mart will give you a good idea too.

[back.in.saddle]

I wouldn't worry about being 11 stone! It isn't big really - I used to be heavier than that and ride 13hh ponies :o and they didn't seem to be bothered at all!

[sweuzo]

personally i don't mind what breeding it is, there are just things that make me lean towards like good confirmation, clean legs, nice head, but those are all in my opinion. :P

it just makes it easier looking for certain breeds or Xs at certain heights/colours/temperment (but you can only go on the description for this) etc. it narrows the search down else i'd be looking at any and every horse :O

[ShariN]

i've condsidered EVERY kind of pony pretty much but things like exmoors and smaller i always think are too small.... i did put my limit down to about 13.2 or 13.3 for a chunky pony but even thats too big for most of the small pony breeds... and me feeling how i am about my weight (11stone), i keep thinking bigger and bigger, and then even thinking a 15hh couldn't carry me :(

doesn't help that most ponies are advertised for children/small teenager or whatever.

You have Highlands, Fjords, Icelandics, Fells (at least the ones over here), Cob and then all the crosses. Have lots to choose from and all can carry your weight.

An Equine being taller does not mean it can carry more weight. I have seen some 16 hand horses here, that have more trouble carrying a heavy rider than a 13 hand one. Depends on the build of the horse/pony.

I would just go try some ponies out. They will tell you if you are are not a match for them.

Did you check out the links to the Icelandic horses in Iceland I post a while back? Look at all those very tall heavy people on small fiery horses! If that doesn't take away your worries, I do not know what will. These horses are from 12 to 13.3 hands tall.
Here it is again.

http://www.eidfaxi.is/syrpur/index.php?s_syrpa=16
&
http://www.icelandichorse.is/

[back.in.saddle]

What I love about Sweaty (the horse in my photos) is that he does look quite pony-ish, but he's a bit bigger and sometimes you can see more of the Arab in him - like in this one I think

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i223/MaryJq/Cuppers%202006/27MeandSweaty2.jpg

Not to mention that he's a complete gent :D However, there's another connemara X arab at the same stables who is very small and very Arab-y!

[Clipperchuck]

...

[Exmoorlover]

You have Highlands, Fjords, Icelandics, Fells Here it is again.



If you did fancy a Fjord though I have discovered it is a NIGHTMARE to try to find any!!
I have been loosely looking and seeing whats out there (for a few months time!) and thought of something bit bigger than an Exmoor so mum could ride him/her to - love the Fjords but it's just so rare to see any for sale! :rolleyes:

[sweuzo]

theres two fjords for sale on that native pony link earlier on this thread and i've seen 3 for sale a few weeks ago on horsemart :P also on in your horse a few months ago.

[baileysgirl]

I do not think you can go wrong with a fell pony. They are so underestimated.

They are good weight carriers, sure footed, hardy but most of all very versatile. I hack out on my fell mare and she is a total confidence giver and very loving. She is 13.3h and I am 5ft 6 and I think we look good together. After a break from riding for over 10 years she has looked after me so much...but by no means are they boring!!!

I ride my neices fell stallion too, he loves to jump and is very quiet to handle...they all seem to be made like that!!!

Oh and if you love to trot they are born to do it!!!:p

I would reccommend one to anybody!

If they are good enough for the Queen they hey off we follow suit!!!!!!!!

[back.in.saddle]

I love Dales ponies - I used to ride one all the time called Rosie, who was SO stubborn for most people, but we got on really well and she would behave perfectly for me :) That's the only time that's really happened for me :o so maybe I just have a soft spot for them

[Exmoorlover]

theres two fjords for sale on that native pony link earlier on this thread and i've seen 3 for sale a few weeks ago on horsemart :P also on in your horse a few months ago.

hmmm...they obviously know when I am looking and hide!! :eek: :p

[fishiz3434]

a connie sounds good, mainly cos they have such a size range but seeing "back in saddle"'s pics i like the look of her pony, i've neer sceen a connie in australia but the ones i saw in germany were adorable, well i think they were connies hehe

[beccylovespurpl]

The best ponies are New Forests! (OK, I may be a touch biased!) but seriously, they are great ponies, It is forest tradition that they carry a stone per hand. I am also 5ft 4, but about 10 stone ( I was nearly 12 stone at one point) and my 13:2 carries me without noticing, although she is a bit cobbier than the norm, but that would mean that a 14:2h would carry 14 and a half stone so you would be no problem. My mare, and the numerous others I've owned are all sensible and stop and go on command. Although naughtiness and stubborness are quite common, they are mostly good natured and willing to please when you have got their trust,