Am I mad to consider....

[~Perdita.M~]

A 10.2 ( 42 inch) standard shetland as a riding pony?:o I expect most replies will be yes:(

Having lost all that weight to ride Sham, the chiro thinks there maybe some mild neurological damage from his old injury. All early days yet, she is coming back next week for another treatment and we will have a 6 week fittening programme before we re-assess. If the worst comes to the worst, I would be looking for something to else to ride, he can retire and be happy eating all day. I have totally lost my nerve, scared of heights and definitely feel happier the closer to the ground I am. I would also like to share said pony with my children ( 10, 8 and 4) Oh, and my budget is tiny!:rolleyes:

The pony would be used for lead rein and first ridden, some local shows, and me to have a giggle on during the week when children at school. Hacking about the farm mainly. Have seen a lovely full up gelding, nice and sturdy, owner says he will be fine with me at 5'2 and just under 9 stones. She is sending me a video of a 5'4 person riding him.

Silly idea?:confused:

[teabiscuit]

you need to get Wally's opinion on this one i think-she has loads of shetland experience:)
eta no i don't think you're mad to consider it, shetlands are very strong and hardy
keep us updated :)

[~Perdita.M~]

Yep Wally was the first person I asked:D She said carrying wise fine, but that I would be laughed at. A lot. And told I was cruel etc:o

[teabiscuit]

oh i see :rolleyes:
well i don't know how thick your skin is Perdita, but if you want to go for it, go for it.
shetlands are good fun :)

[MelanieD]

Carrying that much weight isn't a problem for a shetland and since it's for the children as well you have a very nice excuse if anyone wants to be silly about you riding a shetland, he can carry your weight and you have to school him and excercise him to make sure he's safe for the children :D I've ridden one that size before and it was really fun, would have been tempted to have a shetland to play with if I didn't already have enough horses.

[~Perdita.M~]

Very true:D

[notpoodle]

i think esther D used to ride her shetlands :) if i remember rightly, esther is 5ft or so -> about your height :D might be worth asking her as well!

Julia

ps: if i was 5'2 i'd do it!!!! sadly, im 5'5, so there would be severe foot-drag-age :D

[~Perdita.M~]

foot- drag-age concerns me too:D Can't wait to see vid of 5'4 person on him. And what on earth would you use for a saddle?:confused: I mean small enough for pony and big enough for me? I have a size 0 cheyenne, but even that would be too long wouldnt it?:confused:

[Aphrodite]

hi perdita.

go 4 it i reckon. as long as both u and the pony are comfy, who gives a monkeys what anyone else thinks?!

Maybe a torsion would fit? I know they do them as per rider butt size not horse size, but not sure if would be too long. I'm sure someone on here would have some advice re this for you.

Good luck!!

[BeachRiding]

I think you would be fine!

[Zingy]

Weight-wise you should be fine. In terms of saddle, I vaguely looked into getting something I could ride the ponies in (I'm 5'8 and they're 11.2/ 10.3). I was told be some treeless people that the likely to be best solution was the cashel soft saddle (think that's right). A 'proper' treeless was likely to be too long for them to get something to fit my bum in :rolleyes: :D Failing that, a pony pad, though you'd be rather limited in terms of what you could do.

I think Chev used to ride May in one of those little Wintec pony saddles, so you could try one of those.

[Pink's lady]

Shetland would carry you fine BUT you will forever spend your time fretting about it. You're not a huge amount of weight of a shetland to carry, but you are still a bit 'big' for one and you will looks silly;)

If you were to get something a little bigger (i.e 12hh), all your worries would be solved. And small ponies are cheap.

[MelanieD]

I've seen some pics of a barefoot cheyenne size 0 saddle on shetlands on one of the websites, think it was the dutch one that has loads of pics on? Looked okay.

[Wally]

We use Thorowgood Pony Club saddles on the Shetlands, 15 inch ones.

Our Swiss lass, rode, or got on the stallion today, he's 38 inches of chunk, she's 5 foot 10, and her feet didn't come near the floor.

[LokiSofi]

well I ride Harley, he is a 10hh shetland x falabella and I'm 5'3" and 7 stone 9 and he carries me easily and still manages to throw in bucks and attempt to tank off with me:D :p

[ShariN]

Wish we had real Shetlands over here.

The ones on this side of the pond, are so refined they look more like little Saddlebreds with pencil thin legs. Not my cup of tea, thats for sure.

[ambatt]

I think you would be fine, if said Pone was a chunky good proper up to height Shetland. You could always ask Wally to keep an eye out for an over-height Shettie for you;)

Or an Exmoor..

Or an ICELANDIC:p

[lor]

my daughter is 5'5" about 8.5 stone and she occasionally rides a shetland. She has a childs saddle with a handle on the front, which she fits in coz she's slim. She spends most of her time grinning :D (daughter not shetland) and that cant be bad! I think shetlands like to be taken seriously, they are very strong and enjoy getting out and doing things:) Having said that, you commented that you have lost confidence and shetlands have a round body and its very easy to slip off the side! you may feel more secure on something slightly bigger. If you get the opportunity to have a few practice rides, give it a go, as long as you feel happy and comfy dont give a ...... what others think or say. :cool:

[~Perdita.M~]

Thanks guys. Im definitely not ruling it out. I have seen the video of the 5'4 person on him, and yes, she looks a little large, but certainly nothing laughable to be honest! And I am even shorter and smaller so hopefully we'd just about pass. I think, if he is as lovely as he sounds, he might do wonders in restoring my confidence by having fun about the farm. I am one of these people that the more I do something, the more relaxed and confident I get about it. If by him being little and fun, I was inspired into riding most days and having a giggle, then it would be a great thing.:) Will let you know if anything happens, but in order to be able to find a riding pony, I have to sell my youngster.:(

[notpoodle]

id be really interested in seeing a picture of a 5'5 (or thereabouts) person actually riding a shetland (not just sitting on it bareback in a field) :D

Julia
x

[~Perdita.M~]

Ah, would pm it to you, with persons face cut out of course, but its on a video! A proper VHS tape:confused:

[notpoodle]

aww :)

[Showjumper]

Just found this picture of a Shetland being ridden by an adult - looks ok to me!! :D

http://www.equinestudio.com/Events/adelaide%20Royal%2003/day%202/shetlands/tn_adelaide_03_321_JPG.jpg

[Mehitabel]

i wouldn't, personally. you will find people will laugh, accuse your of cruelty etc, and also you'll be limited in what you can do. why not find a smallish, narrowish pony that is a bit more sensible to look at, and you'll have more options on what you can do with it? a 13.2 would be fine for the kids and you'll find it easier - on a shetland you'll need a very good and secure seat not to overbalance, go out the side door on sharp corners, and not to unbalance the pony. also the concern about the saddle is very valid - to not be sat on its bum, you'll need a tiny saddle which will concentrate the weight on a small area. a friend's pony has white marks on its back from this - the saddle fitted the pony, but was too small really for her adult weight.

i am your size - 5'2 and 9 stone, and my normal ride is 13.3hh. i also ride her 12hh daughter. on either of these i can jump, dressage, show, hunt, hack for miles - not things i'd be able to do on a shetland.

[~Perdita.M~]

Oh Mehitabel you really think so? Depressed now:( I have £1500 max to spend after...I just can't find anything safe and bombproof enough in a slightly larger size! 12/ 12.2 ish would be fine....but then it can't be a fine type for an adult can it.....and the larger they get the safer i need it to be as I can cope with quirks the nearer the ground I am! Just not seen anything small but bigger, strong enough and first pony material for that cheap!:confused: :(

Will try and post pic of shetland in question, it is the one in their advert.

[neen]

He does look quite big! Why not go and see him and see how you feel then? In the picture that showjumper posted, it does look as if it would be hard to balance -- but a lot depends on how tall you are.

[~Perdita.M~]

Yeah....the other shetland looks weeny is it a mini or is the person very tall:confused: Here is this one again...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/fenellamaxwell/373830270133_0_BG.jpg

[palmerlover52]

If not, i found these two in your budget, both really nice....

<<<:)>>> (http://www.horsemart.co.uk/AdvertRef/HM6209657/ID//Web/DisplayHorseDetail.asp)

_________________________________________________________________

12.2hh Bay gelding 11 years old

Perfect Pony Club / Games / Fun Pony

Would also excel M&M showing classes (beautiful natural self carriage) or WHP

Attended Pony Club Camp summer 2006

Wasted in present home as jockey only at walk / trot stage

Loves to hack out, very quiet heavy/farm traffic

Previously used as jumping pony

Has lots of get up and go! Very safe genuine 2nd pony for child wishing to have lots of fun

100% farrier, box, catch etc

Sad sale to good home only
950 pounds. (Which leaves you some money for tack etc.)
_____________________________________________________
Have attached picture for second, he's really pretty.

Both look quite sturdy, so could carry you easily I guess??

[~Perdita.M~]

Oooh yes would love to see a pic of the bay please, and thank you for looking for me:)

And Neen... who is the strawberry for sale in your sig?:D

[neen]

Have PM'd you Perdita. Don't know how tall the guy leading him is, but that shetland looks huge!

[~Perdita.M~]

Have no idea how tall the man is! the child is 5 i think. On the 5'4 person the pony's back/withers was waist height approximately:confused:

edit - Oh and replied Neen, thank you!

[Afellpony]

Why dont you try a Fell pony,they're quiet? Their maximum height is 13.3hh - occasionally they make 14hh. Dales and Highlands are quiet as well. They make up to 14.2hh. I rode a Shetland some years ago and its trot felt as though I was sitting on a pneumatic drill!!!! New Forests, they're good as well. Remember, the small the pony the sharper it is and the more easy it is for them to twist and turn quick. If you're too tall, then you can be in danger of falling off that if you were on a bigger one.
I've just looked at the picture of the person on the Sheltand. It looks perfectly ridiculous and towers above the poor little pone!!!!

[palmerlover52]

MONTY

13.1hh dun gelding, 4 years

Excellent in all ways and ridden by 5-18 year olds

Has done cross country, show jumping, Pony Club, Riding Club, beach rides

Monty is very quiet and has experienced a lot for his years

Has won M&M championships

Would suit a family or varying abilities as almost anyone can ride him! Excellent home only

£1,500


Off www.horsequest.co.uk ------Highland, No picture :D

Sorry, I tend to go overboard on the searching thing :p

[Mehitabel]

scrtoll down to ravens wizzard - http://www.newforestpony.com/sales/isales.htm

and further to millersford magnum, amberwood ember, priory petrina...
look in the horse and hound under 1k section.

i just think a shetland is really going to limit what you can do. you may well not always be nervous, and if you want to jump, school to a serious level, compete at all, a shetland will struggle.

[~Perdita.M~]

Thanks will have a look, just wanted to say quickly shamrocks's fieldmate is Millersford Woodstock:D

[H & Bailey]

I am 5ft3 and even if i was light enough to ride a shetland i personally wouldnt consider it for a main riding horse.Bruno is 11hh but not as sturdy as the eager looking fellow in the piccis but still his height would be my worry.If it was just a pony for kids etc and needed a quick jog out out on occasion thats different,you could always take up driving with a shetland though.
he does look a wide sturdy thelwell type best go see him and get someone to take piccis to settle your mind as you wouldnt want to buy him then be paraniod at the stares and comments you probably will get from ignorant people.
I would look for an exmoor or dartmoor type or how about a sec c.the bay pony looks nice in palmerlover52s ad you will find that bombproof small ponies are hard to find so dont limit yourseld to a size:(
on the saddle front a felt type bareback pad or kids felt saddle with handle will do the trick ive seen them on ebay for about £25

[vimto92]

http://www.horsedeals.co.uk/horsedetails.aspx?horseid=16144

[neen]

Oh, I like him, Vimto, he looks like loads of fun.

[Purple Hugs]

Good for you!! :D

Erin has started riding a shetland at our new yard, and had great fun yesterday.. must admit he's a lot quicker than me! hehe i have to lead reign him as he doesn't like being kicked.

They are strong that's for sure!

As I tell Erin.. shorter and taller horses.. they are all horses just got longer or shorter legs! ;)

ok.. some'll say ponies now but you get the gist of what i'm saying!

[vimto92]

Perdita, what do you think of the pony whose link I put up?

Of course your not mad to consider a 10hh pony!:rolleyes: But would you really feel comfortable?:o Go and try him.:)

[~Perdita.M~]

Oh he's lovely yes thanks! Now if he was *first pony* instead of *second pony* he owuld be perfect! Nice and chunky too.:D

The new forests on the other link were lovely, did like the dapple grey. Two had only just been sat on though and one was in foal, and the other needed bringing back into work, so not ideal for nervous novice mum and kids me thinks:D

[Rips]

Good Luck in your search, there are lots of reasons to get a shetland, but I'm not sure if being close to the ground is a good one :p just get yourself a safe solid pony. You looked so happy and confident in your last pictures of Shamrock - you will become more confident in time :)

13h/10h a fall is not going to be much different!

[Lucyad]

My neighbours have a shetland and their grandaughter finds him very difficult to ride due to his trot which is so short and choppy. Her RI has told her she would find things much easier on something a little bigger. I agree re. the toppling / saddle sliding thing as well, not withstanding that you are closer to the ground, I think you will be more likely to fall off a shetland! There are loads of quite chunky larger ponies who would carry you easily, be safe for your kids, and have more to offer long term as well.

Again re. size, I had a very nervous 8 year old rider popping cross poles on my 16.3hh, who refused to ride her 11hh off the lead rein. It all about the horse, not the size!

[notpoodle]

i dont think perdita m wants to get another pony, but was thinking about riding the shetland she already has :)

Julia
x

[flump1967]

What about this one? He is on www.nfed.co.uk in 14,2 and under offred section.
A very pretty bay boy. I would have him if I was your size!
01202 488827
Description
Peppie is a Bay gelding and has done riding for the disabled and is now in need of a loving home. Would be ideal lead rein/companion pony. Very gentle and used to children, loves being pampered and fussed over. Fully vaccinated and passported good to catch,box,shoe etc easy going pony. Approx 18 years old. To experienced home only. £550 ono