Too fat for a pony?!

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hayl

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Nov 22, 2008
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I'm 5'4" and although I wouldn't say I'm fat (size 14 at the moment), I'm wierdly heavy for my size - maybe it's a combination of being big boned, having big boobs and a fair bit of muscle (apparently muscle weighs more than fat ;) ) - but I'm 14 stone!!! Didn't even realise until I got weighed at the docs the other day - even he looked suprised, so he double checked. He said I must have lead in my veins! :D

At the moment I ride a 15.1hh cobby type at a RS, and we get on fine - no problems on long hacks every week with lots of canters and galloping. But I'm hoping to buy within the next year, and at 15.1hh I think she's a bit too big for me - the level of her back is just above my eye level, and sometimes I struggle lifting her saddle up that high, and I think I'd struggle with grooming properly, and sometimes she can be a big bargy and I find her difficult to control on the ground. So I was thinking of something smaller, maybe 14hh or 14.2hh.

My husband says if we buy, he would like to learn to ride too. But he's 5'10 and 16 stone (again, stocky / muscley build rather than fat) so I don't know if that would be possible.

We live in Scotland so we've been looking at Highland ponies, and I know they are great weight carriers, but how heavy is heavy? I hear a lot of people talking about weight carriers and then saying they are 10st, so I'd be interested to hear of anyone larger who gets on ok.

Do any other larger ladies (or men) ride Highlands or similar?

Thanks! :)
 
hayl said:
My husband says if we buy, he would like to learn to ride too. But he's 5'10 and 16 stone (again, stocky / muscley build rather than fat) so I don't know if that would be possible.

We live in Scotland so we've been looking at Highland ponies, and I know they are great weight carriers, but how heavy is heavy? I hear a lot of people talking about weight carriers and then saying they are 10st, so I'd be interested to hear of anyone larger who gets on ok.

Do any other larger ladies (or men) ride Highlands or similar?

Thanks! :)
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20 stone stags get their first - and last - ride of their life, or rather death, on steep Highland mountainsides on Highland ponies, who seem to easily manage the unstable dead weight of the stag and the heavy, bulky packsaddle and rigging while clambering up and down heathery slopes in dreadful weather, being pestered by midges.

A traditional type of Highland would both carry your husband's weight, AND take up the length of his leg, without any problems at all.

As for you - you would be a mere pea on a Highland's back.

I strongly suspect any working Highland pony would think that being ridden by you and your husband was a rest cure!
 
I don't want to sound horrible, but you really should be looking for a pony that can very very easily carry your weight. Not one that 'might' handle it. There are some super ponys that come a little bit bigger (14-14.2hh as you've said) and a lot of bone.

It would be horrible to go out and buy a smaller pony and then find that you feel weird on it because it can just carry you. Really hope I don't sound harsh, but I've seen a lot of ponies lately carrying more than they should be.
 
Having had troubles with my pony and too much weight when ridden I think Chelsea Skye is correct. I would look for something that can easily take your weight so you never have back trouble because of you both riding, that and for your partner riding a smaller pony at his height is harder because he will struggle to remain in balance at least at the beginning, perhaps you should get a step for tacking/mounting, I need one for mine and have no problems using it
 
Thanks for everyone's opinions, it's really helpful. I just wanted to clear up though, I never said I was looking for a pony that "might" carry my weight, I'm not sure where that came from. I am most definitely thinking of something that can easily carry me (or hubby) plus tack etc, so don't worry about that! If I thought I would be even slightly too heavy, I would never do it :)

I think I'll do some research on the highlands, they sound very capable and it's also good to know they can laugh in the face of our scottish weather! :D
 
The other bread you could try would be Icelandics. They are incredible weight carriers and their tolt pace is wonderful for people with back problems. I'm larger too and I've lusted after an Icey ever since I rode a freind's. They're not cheap though!

I would seriously go for a pony. I am large, a bit taller than you too. When I first rode a pony I felt like I'd look really stupid with my great long legs dangling off him and I worried that people would think I was abusing him.

Now I wouldn't go back to a horse. When I came back to riding as an adult I started with a 15.1 heavy cob. Moved onto a 17ish shire cross and gernerally remained with taller horses becuase they could "carry my weight". Now I ride a 14.1 cob type who takes me easily. I can reach his back. He can't put his head up if he wants to avoid the bridle. He can lean on me for a cuddle and I don't fall over. I can even mount form the ground on a good day! Yes - we do get some odd looks. We don't jump or hunt anymore - but thats becuase of my back, not his ability to carry me. We pootle about the countryside and do some light dressage or le trec if I'm feeling competative. Don't let height - or weight - put you off a pony!
 
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Most of the UK natives will laugh at your weight, and scuttle off not knowing you are up there. Old woman, don't forget to aff the weight of that enormous pack saddle to your 20 stone stag! :D :D

Then there's the Icelandic and the Fjord if you want to branch into exotic foreign breeds. ;)


None of my horses is over 14hh at the most, I am a bit over 14 stone these days, Icelandics and Fjords have no bother with me or my weight.
 
Highlands are lovely and your average one (fit, decent conf etc) will be fine with you or your husband. Whereabouts in Scotland are you? theres a riding centre near Glen Affric (sp?) in the Highlands which have a 'herd' if highlands that they take you out trekking on

Have you looked at Haffies? the old fashioned sort would be fine too .... good luck

xx

PS - My 5'11" 14stone husband looked/felt absolutely fine on a 14.1 highland - the pony didn't even notice him mounting!!
 
Im glad i read this, as Id rather ride a pony than a horse:)
Im 5ft6 and 11 stone, (still losing weight too) and would hope next yr to loan something about 14.2, mind you, Id ride anything Im not fussy! But i always felt more confident on a smaller horse/pony
 
All in context as well....a highland IS capable of carrying that, buttt, if they're used to carrying a 8 stone twig (No offence to twigs, I am one myself;)) then they may not be able to cope. Just something else to think about...

ETA:I'm very proud, I didn't use any exclamation marks :D I always use about 60 each post :p
 
But if you bought a Highland that was used to carrying a twig all he needs to do is get fitter.

I can carry a twig, but I can also cary a 25kg bag of feed happily enough, I'd just need to get my stamina going to carry it further, doesn't mean I am not capable of doing it.
 
Touche, I think I worded it very badly...I meant you would need to do all the fittening up work blahblahblah, not just expect to get on and go. I'm not exactly eloquent at this disgraceful time in the morning :o :p
 
Try a Highland, mine used to carry my father in law, also shared her for a time with a lady who was a size 18 so she was no light weight. They take up a lot of leg and are super comfortable to ride, like sitting on an armchair. Size of a pony but the feel of a horse.
 
my daughters pony is a highland and she is used to carrying all eight stone of her, but she will quite happily carry my slightly heavier (13stone, 5ft 9) body!!! they are cracking ponies, would def recommend!!
 
Chelsea_Skye said:
Really hope I don't sound harsh, but I've seen a lot of ponies lately carrying more than they should be.
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And I hope that I don't sound harsh, either, but if you are in Melbourne then you probably have little idea of how a traditional British (or indeed European) native pony should be, and often still is, built, and the sort of weight they can easily carry and pull.

Having lived in Australia for several years, most Australian ponies, and even horses, that I have seen can't compare with a European native in weight-carrying ability (although there are some very cobby strains of the much-neglected brumby) - hence the propensity in the old days for using Clydies in the breeding of packhorses, to get more bone.
 
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