Adults riding shetlands
- Thread starter carla7
- Start date
If I was your weight then yes, I'd jump on
as long as its a "proper" sized Shetland and not a mini then there shouldnt be an issue.
Wally on here has I think posted pics of adults riding Shetlands - she'd be the best person to ask.
as long as its a "proper" sized Shetland and not a mini then there shouldnt be an issue.Wally on here has I think posted pics of adults riding Shetlands - she'd be the best person to ask.
I see no problem with it - even if you are a little big for the pony it's not like you are planning to take it round badminton 
(now that I would PAY to see!!).
Get yourself on and sort the cheeky monkey out!
(now that I would PAY to see!!).Get yourself on and sort the cheeky monkey out!
I have a shetland which I plan on riding - he's 41 inches and I'm 5'2 and just over 8 stone. He's not broken in yet though and I think I may be a little heavy to break him in but once he's matured a bit and has got a bit of muscle I think he'll be ok.
There's a fab forum just for shetlands, there are some fab pics of adults riding ponies on there, someone even took their hunting!
I'll try and find the link for you
There's a fab forum just for shetlands, there are some fab pics of adults riding ponies on there, someone even took their hunting!
I'll try and find the link for you
Native Lover
Native Pony Fan
Shetlands are well up to your weight, they are very strong little things esp if a standard shetland capable of being ridden by an adult. Take a look in my albums to see my 14 year old daughter riding ours not quite and adult but you will see. shes about 5 ft 1 and 6 and 1/2 stone aproximately and they go off hacking and cantering about and Sweep is approx 9.2 or 9.3 not quite a full hieght shetland
Last edited:
I have a shetland which I plan on riding - he's 41 inches and I'm 5'2 and just over 8 stone. He's not broken in yet though and I think I may be a little heavy to break him in but once he's matured a bit and has got a bit of muscle I think he'll be ok.
There's a fab forum just for shetlands, there are some fab pics of adults riding ponies on there, someone even took their hunting!
I'll try and find the link for you
After taking a look at that website I'm so up for riding him think i'll be fighting my son for him now!
This has opened me up to a whole new shettie world
I'll keep you posted with some pics of me taking my first tuck and roll.
This has opened me up to a whole new shettie world
I just completely misread shettie and spat doritos across my bed. I really do need to pay more attention - or maybe I just need reading glasses.
Ponies are more fun!
Couldn't agree more! I've never had my own pony (boo hoo) owing to raging allergies. Never stopped me riding though, and 5'3" and between 8.5 and 13st (read into that what you will, folks) over 40+ years I've always found the smallies to be fun.
You can ride the tricky, awkward ie characterful ones that kids can't manage, plus I find ponies quicker minded, sharper footed (not literally) and so manageable to keep together while doing something fun.
I currently ride at RS a smashing 13.1 fell (sometimes lazy, sometimes whizzy, sometimes convinced the boggart in spooky corner is going to get her) - a 14h fjord (tricky little article, great ride but nosy & spooks at nothing) and a silky smooth 14.2 gyspy vanner type. I love them all, even if they often get the better of me.
I love bigger horses too, but for all their bigger scope they are often falling over their own feet..................
Couldn't agree more! I've never had my own pony (boo hoo) owing to raging allergies. Never stopped me riding though, and 5'3" and between 8.5 and 13st (read into that what you will, folks) over 40+ years I've always found the smallies to be fun.
You can ride the tricky, awkward ie characterful ones that kids can't manage, plus I find ponies quicker minded, sharper footed (not literally) and so manageable to keep together while doing something fun.
I currently ride at RS a smashing 13.1 fell (sometimes lazy, sometimes whizzy, sometimes convinced the boggart in spooky corner is going to get her) - a 14h fjord (tricky little article, great ride but nosy & spooks at nothing) and a silky smooth 14.2 gyspy vanner type. I love them all, even if they often get the better of me.
I love bigger horses too, but for all their bigger scope they are often falling over their own feet..................
I have posted this so many times now you must all know it by heart, but you did ask for photos! 8 1/2 stone 5ft rider (me...years ago) on 39" pony, happy to do 8 mile fast hacks with galloping and popping little logs in the woods and coming back fresh and ready for more (he was very fit at the time, doing driving trials, obviously wouldn't start off with that).
Hi I was wondering if you could help me , my daughter is 17 yrs old , 4ft 11 and 6stone 1 in weight . She rides about on her 9.1hh Shetland and competed for 4 years . My daughter has a few disabilities (hidden) and was advised not to ride big ponies. Judges kept asking why she wasn't doing ridden classes so she has done so this year and is now taking a lot of backlash from sideline and organisers. Is she too big /heavy to ride pony? My daughter looks about 12yrs old and constantly being and asked if she's in the wrong class.
So 90 pounds and roughly 2 foot taller than the pony's height. Quick math on my part. Id say if the pony is sturdy and has a neck she would be fine. Especially if its a pony it and conditioned, used to your daughter. Dont know what the rules are there but here you'd get flack as well.
As with anything horse, its an - it depends. In your case I'd say fine.
5.11, at my heaviest 240. 14.2 hand bulldog build QH. The horse carries me well, takes up a bit of leg and has a long enough, well built neck that I don't look out of place. I feel better at my current weight of 200 but he had no issue with the extra 40. Gets ridden 6 days of the week, sometimes twice a day, if not by me then by someone else. I wouldn't jump him but one of the much lighter girls that rides does.
As with anything horse, its an - it depends. In your case I'd say fine.
5.11, at my heaviest 240. 14.2 hand bulldog build QH. The horse carries me well, takes up a bit of leg and has a long enough, well built neck that I don't look out of place. I feel better at my current weight of 200 but he had no issue with the extra 40. Gets ridden 6 days of the week, sometimes twice a day, if not by me then by someone else. I wouldn't jump him but one of the much lighter girls that rides does.
newrider.com