Exmoor Ponies

[EnduranceAli]

I have been offered an Exmoor Pony on loan. He is 12.2hh and a typical chunky sort. I am 5'5" and just under 9 stone. I assume that he would quite happily carry my weight, but would I be too tall for him?

I have ridden smaller ponies in the past - but people make jokes about being able to put my feet down etc! I do ride with quite short stirrups anyway, but just wanted your advice/experiences :)

Any Exmoor piccies (particularly riding) and general advice on the breed would be lovely, as I think this is about the only breed I haven't got prior experience of.

Thanks.

Ali xx

[lor]

I am also 5'5" 9st 2lb and my 5 year old 12.3 exmoor mare carries me with apparent ease. We are doing betweem 9 and 11 miles per ride about once a month. we are only doing about 5 mph at mo coz she is young and want to build her up slowley, but as you prob know exmoors are very very strong. If i can work out how to put pics on i will try. I think from some angles i look long in the leg on her, like from front on, but otherwise i look fine on her coz exmoors are quite stocky with a barrel body that sort of takes an average height adult. They are a breed with tremendous staminer as well so very suited to endurance. Lor

[horse__obsessed]

Im 5ft3/4 and ride a 12.2hh. I personally think I look ridiculous, and everyone laughs at me until I offer them a ride:D:D:D

Go for it! Not so far to fall.

[lor]

Have a look at the exmoor pony web site, there is a fantastic new vid/dvd out all about exmoors that you can get through them. well worth looking at, will tell you all about the breed and has loads of adults riding exmoors all looking perfectly acceptable. There will always be narrow minded people who think that due to their height they are only suitable for children. :confused:

[notpoodle]

me! me! pony is an exmoor and 12.3hh :D am your height. exmoors are built like brick sh*t houses - plenty of barrel for legs to wrap round!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/toyracer/Picture400.jpg

ive even jumped her over little jumps :D

JUlia
x

[Afellpony]

Angel looks lovely Julia. Where did you buy your bridle?

[Afellpony]

Sorry Julia, meant to ask you. that wouldn't be the old Frithesden Manor Stables your are at would it? If it is, my friend and I used to go there in the 60s.

[notpoodle]

@afellpony: bridle is from Libby's Tack :) the picture isnt at Frith Manor (we used to be there though!) but at thwe Farm down the road from there where we are now :)

Julia
x

[Afellpony]

Thanx for that info about the bridle (and livery yard). A coloured one would look good on Falcon. How's Angel getting on?

[notpoodle]

@ afellpony: have pm-d you :)

[EnduranceAli]

Thanks for that. You don't look too tall on your lovely pony :) I have had a look on the Exmoor Pony Society website and there are some wonderful piccies - even one of an adult doing endurance :D We are off on holiday for a week on Monday - but hopefully I will find out more about the possible loan pony after that. Keep your fingers crossed for me - he sounds like the sort of character I will enjoy (reminds me of many ponies I have ridden in the past - I prefer a pony with a mind of his own ;) ).

[kyanya]

Just thought I'd ask since this has come up - I'm 5'5'' and weight from 9.5st-10.5st (I have seasonal weights!). Would an Exmoor be too small for me? Everyone around me thinks I'm mad for wanting a Fell cos they think they are little ponies, so I just can't imagine what they'd think of an Exmoor.

Just to add, this is all highly hypothetical. I'm off to uni in Wales in September and there is no chance of me becoming a horse owner any time soon! But you never know, I might find a random Exmoor pony somewhere :)

Also, how about Welsh ponies? What is the smallest section that could put up with me?

[lor]

Your weight and height would not be a prob for an exmoor, especially a larger 1. They can easily carry 12.5 stone for hours, its to do with their bone density and angle of shoulder which no other breed has, exmoors are truly ancient and pure and having no man made influence to 'improve speed' or 'action' are exceptionally strong. They are a wonderful breed and not that many left, so you always get people interested in them where ever you go. But, be warned. even though they are more than capable of carrying adults, there are quite a few folk who think that due to their height, they should only be ridden by children, if you decide to get one, you will get silly comments, but usually from people who really arnt that knowledgable. You may need a thick skin from time to time.:p

[notpoodle]

@ kyanya: youre about my height - that should be fine :D i'd quite happily get on a smaller exmoor as well if given half a chance :D exmoors arent really kids ponies anyway. if people laugh about you, laugh back at them :D

Julia
x

[lindz]

My sister is about 5'5", this is her on an exmoor she used to own:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v684/linz123/Our%20horses/riddenwolfie.jpg

[EnduranceAli]

Not the one I was offered on loan - but a 6 year old 12.2hh mare (paying for her in instalments). She is registered, so will be showing her next year. We are moving house at the end of the month, so will be collecting her in early September :) I am so excited :D

ETA - I will have to change my signature now!

[lor]

Yay! thats great:D and Sept not that far off! look forward to hearing how it goes and seeing photo's! you can get envolved in the exmoor pony society forum now:p

[EnduranceAli]

Signature changed!

Will register on the Exmoor Pony forum today hopefully.

[notpoodle]

cool :) now i want to see piccies :D

[Afellpony]

Yep, they sure are super tough little ponies. Some of them are not for the faint hearted tho!!!

[jenren!!]

I used to own an Exmoor X. They sure are lovely, but can be very cheeky at times !

Jenny xx

[faye123]

Im 22, 5ft 3 " Ive Had Clippy (my Exmoor) For 10 Years And I Still Ride Him Like I Did When I Was 12!! He Can Carry Me Fine, They Are So Stong And Tough, My Loan Who Rides Him Is A Bit Bigger Than Me And He's Fine. Im Also Taking On 2 12.2 Welsh Ponies To Show And They Just As Strong As Exmoors.
Fayex