what are yor feelings on a pony trail riding with an oversized rider? *pics added p2

[fleur de duc]

Okay so I have a bit of a dilemma.

I have a VERY sturdy 12hh pony who is about 4yro now. He is an angel to ride. I love the little bugger to death. I have had him for nearly 2 years now and I love him to bits. I started him under saddle late last year (lunging with tack on/etc) and he began real work this spring. He now does w/t/c very well and will start over fences late summer of next year.

I am 17yro, 5'6" tall, but only 101lb. I obviously look funny on him considering I can wrap my legs around him completely, but he really does not struggle in the slightest. I am the one who has put 90% of his rides on him. He has an incredibly well fitted saddle that is a 14" seat that I fit into surprisingly well (i have no butt:lol:) in all ways except the flap. He absolutely LOVES to get out on the trails. I dont get him out enough b/c I have to trailer out to them, but when I do he really enjoys himself.

So here is my problem. There is a paperchase coming up that I think he would REALLY enjoy going on. I would not be going for time in any way, just more for a casual ride with some friends. I could take him or my crazy gelding, but Flash would enjoy it more and I would enjoy it more on him. My crazy TB would be terrified out of his mind, it would not be fun for me b/c he is so spooky, and it would not be enjoyable for my friends either b/c they would have to deal with his shenanigans too. I know he needs the experience on the trails, but so does the pony. And with the chilliness making my TB feeling EXTRA fresh .. I am really not trying to deal with him. Plus the pony is PLENTY fit enough to do it, I will not worry at all about how he will fair. He has ridden the trails they take you on several times and does great. we will be mostly walking anyways with maybe a few canters here and there. I also wouldnt mind hopping off and hand walking him a bit, we both enjoy that.

Trail riding is a rarity for me b/c I have to trailer there. and my dad has to trailer me, and I also have to arrange a time with someone to go out with me (i hate going alone). It is just incredibly difficult to work it out, so this paperchase is a good time for us all to go.

so what are your feelings on a pony trail riding with a rider that is too tall for them (but I really dont way too much for him)??? I think I will end up taking him either way, but I just wanted to sort of prepare myself for what others will think.

[rabicon]

Who cares what others think. Go have fun and if anyone asks tell them the truth. That this is your pony that your training and he needs time on the trail. Your not to heavy for him so I wouldn't worry about it.

[citydog]

Take him. He's stocky, he's conditioned, you'll both enjoy it. :yes::)

[olympicprincess]

If he's sturdy, I wouldn't think anything of someone of your size on him. Not to mention you also sound like you know how to ride, so that will make it easier for him... not that I think he's struggling with you at all.

So can you literally "drag your heels in the sand"? :lol:
I tell my 2 young tiny lesson students that all the time. They tell me they can't really do that... which is true because they're on a stocky 15.2 Appendix and a 16hh TB. :winkgrin:

[Melzy]

You do not weigh too much for your young pony. Go and have fun! It doesn't matter what others think anyway. Enjoy your time together!

[BuddyRoo]

My friend and I ride the pony she got for her daughter....We haven't weighed 110 in a long time. LOL

I'm 5 8 and 130 and she's fine. Yeah, it looks goofy, but it's a fabulous time.

Go for it.

[Ambrey]

As long as you don't weigh too much, there's no problem!

[Tamara in TN]

Okay so I have a bit of a dilemma.

I have a VERY sturdy 12hh pony who is about 4yro now. I am 17yro, 5'6" tall, but only 101lb. I think I will end up taking him either way, but I just wanted to sort of prepare myself for what others will think.

kick and go...good grief you're tiny :) he's 12 hh not 10hh...any 12 hher who can't carry 100 pounds isn't worth his salt anyway...

best

[MistyBlue]

Go, have fun....and take photos. :D

[eventchic33]

We want lots of pics!!!!!!:D

BTW I am 5'9" 115# and ride a 12.1 hh pony that I jump 2'. She loves it and so do I and we have fun.

ENJOY and take lots of pics.

[petesperson]

Here's a photo of a group of us from this Sunday (photo # 591 if the link below doesn't work)... these ponies range from 12.0 - 13.3 ... none of us is short... and yours truly is certainly not 100 lbs... do we look silly? Sure, but we had a great time and the ponies did too! And we will be getting blue ribbons in the mail!

http://www.hoofprintimages.com/mp_client/pictures.asp?action=viewphotos&size=fullsize&pagenum=591&id=2264850&eventid=23858

[fleur de duc]

kay ;]

im pumped now! we are gona do it!
and there will be apro photographer there so hopefully pics will come! i will bring my little camera as well for the ride.

if anyone is going to the radnor hunt paper chase nov 9th .. you are VERY welcome to join our team!!!

[vxf111]

You're skinny and light. It's fine. If it's anything list last year at Radnor-- that is WAY too much for a really high stung greenie, IMHO. It's long and people whip by you and sometimes the trail is narrow. Donkeys, a dog park... not an ideal first trail riding experience IMHO. Take Flash and have fun.

[blaeberry001]

Here's a photo of a group of us from this Sunday (photo # 591 if the link below doesn't work)... these ponies range from 12.0 - 13.3 ... none of us is short... and yours truly is certainly not 100 lbs... do we look silly? Sure, but we had a great time and the ponies did too! And we will be getting blue ribbons in the mail!

http://www.hoofprintimages.com/mp_client/pictures.asp?action=viewphotos&size=fullsize&pagenum=591&id=2264850&eventid=23858

Are you with the others riders on the icelandic ponies. Pics 593/4 They are so much fun. I love all the native breeds.

[spaghetti legs]

take him.. I know a girl who is about 5'8'' orr 9'' who is extremely slim, who rides a welsh pony with ease.

[petesperson]

Are you with the others riders on the icelandic ponies. Pics 593/4 They are so much fun. I love all the native breeds.

We were riding 2 Dartmoors, a 1/2 Dartie (a dun not in that photo), a 1/2 Connemara, and a 1/2 Welsh... they're not my ponies, so I'm not sure what the other 1/2s are! But I LOVE the Darties... strong, sound, sane, and game for anything!

Not sure if I saw the Icelandics, but I have seen lots of other adults (and tall teens) on ponies at the various paper chases... at St. Malachi, there was a group of mothers and young children on Welsh ponies, and the moms were on the smaller ones!

Maybe we'll see you at Radnor! Have a great time!!

[BigHorseLittleHorse]

As others have said, it's not the height, it's the weight that matters (as long as you're a well-balanced rider). 101 lbs is certainly not too much for a stocky 12-hand pony. Go and have fun, and don't worry about what other people say :)

(By the way, what i remember of pony club games is that the weight limit for a small pony is 117, and those ponies did the equivalent of a lot more work than a paper chase!)

[ReSomething]

We rode our ponies till our feet dragged on the ground (almost). Go!

[Ted the Peep 'Ho]

...wear roller skates when in the saddle...?

[SarahandSam]

If your weight is appropriate for the pony, and it sounds like it is, go for it. I ride Shetlands sometimes since I'm an adult who's child-size, so I get to school crappy ponies for people's kids. This is me trail riding on one, bareback because I don't fit his saddle:
http://inlinethumb21.webshots.com/29012/2608086780103168069S600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb45.webshots.com/40812/2371527440103168069S600x600Q85.jpg

Clearly it's not exactly picturesque, but my weight's comfortable for him and he's happy. d;

[fleur de duc]

I am def going up with at lest one friend of mine.

just to give an idea . here are some pics of me and my little man:D
http://inlinethumb20.webshots.com/43987/2383118520102941000S500x500Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb02.webshots.com/20737/2551453300102790529S500x500Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb05.webshots.com/12548/2506432720102790529S500x500Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb33.webshots.com/44000/2633729810102941000S500x500Q85.jpg

and an "aw" shot that shows the difference in size of my normal mount compared to pone-pone:D
http://inlinethumb06.webshots.com/8453/2667998660102790529S500x500Q85.jpg

[asb_own_me]

He is precious.

IMO anyone who looks that happy riding + any pony who looks that happy doing his job = A GOOD PAIR! Have fun with him!

[shakeytails]

I absolutely LOVE that third picture! What a darling pony, and you look like you truly enjoy each other.

You're so lightweight I wouldn't think anything bad, though I might joke with you about being able to use your feet for brakes!

Take him and have fun!

[amdfarm]

Awww, you two look great together. He's a cutie and you're very pretty. :)

I ride an 11 1/2hh (44 1/2") pone-pone (I call her that, too!) I'm 5'2" and 115 lbs. I wished I had pics of us from 4-H county fair this year. I would ride her when my 85 lb son wasn't. One of his 4-H buddies and friend of ours decided to lead me around on her and make her go faster and faster to see if I'd fall off (bareback.) I never did, but baled myself just in case.

So I say go for it and have fun!! I love PONIES!!

[petesperson]

I can see why he's your favorite ride! What a sweet pony!!

[Chardavej]

Yes I think you are too big for that poor pone pone and that you should IMMEDIATELY give that cute little guy to ME.


So, when can I pick him up??


(Just kidding! About your size that is....not about picking him up. SO when can I come and get him??)

[ShowMeTheGlory]

You both look very happy! Go for it!!!

[Wigwag]

Oh my goodness, he is adorable! My vote is to take him and not think a thing off it!

[kcmel]

Awwwwww. I want a pony!

[fleur de duc]

I love when people reassure me its not just a momma's eye I use when I look at him:D I just cant help but smile every time I lay eyes on that hairy little beast! I got him Feb. 10, 2007 thanks to COTH! And It was the best decision I ever made. He made my beloved mare's last year her happiest. I still remember the day I got him. I adopted him sight unseen from Celtic Rein Rescue in MD, I had seen a few photos of him and just fell in love. I thought he would be the most awkward little fella in the world. If you told me then that he would grow up to look like he does today, I would have laughed in your face:lol: he was delivered all alone in a BIG stock GN trailer. he just looked so funny in there! lol. We had decorated the barn with "welcome home flash" signs:lol: and had a uncle jimmy hanging ball waiting for his freshly made up stall. and since then its just been history.

these are the photos I adopted him off of..
the photo that stole my heart (http://inlinethumb53.webshots.com/38068/2494178170069184612S500x500Q85.jpg)
http://inlinethumb18.webshots.com/34705/2150240100069184612S500x500Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb40.webshots.com/36839/2687091290069184612S500x500Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb58.webshots.com/35833/2974209990069184612S500x500Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb30.webshots.com/6109/2107956590069184612S500x500Q85.jpg


that was late 2006-early 2007 .. this is now

how many 3yro ponies can do leadline?
http://inlinethumb53.webshots.com/16372/2167515230102941000S500x500Q85.jpg
he has pretty much been broke since the day i put a saddle on
my all time fav. pic!
http://inlinethumb57.webshots.com/6840/2755620170100142051S500x500Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb48.webshots.com/5743/2200575620100142051S500x500Q85.jpg

He is just growing up more and more each day. In fact, the past 2 weeks I have ridden him every day. I just hop on him in the field, no saddle, just a halter and one lead. he does w/t/c (and knows his leads) and will halt and back up all on voice command. Sometimes his canter needs to be refreshed, but he really does "get it" after a few rides. All i do now to back up is sort of just pull ever so slightly on my rein and say back, and away we go. this is in a halter mind you, not even so much as a bit. He is just so good. I love him to death:D he does tricks too .. smiling is his favorite but he knows a few others too.

and that pony will be pried out of my dead cold hands lol. I cant legally sell him even if I wanted to, but regardless, he has a home for life with us. I bought him strictly as a companion for my mare, and all his talents are just a plus! I am having so much fun with him, I think I want to get into ponies for a living! I would love dealing with those little beasties!

**okay sorry .. brag over:winkgrin: **

[HuntJumpSC]

OMG!!! Get off that poor pony immediately before you break his back and send him to me! NOW!!!! :winkgrin: My unborn child is insisting that Mommy get him this pony for his first Christmas! ;) That is the cutest little bugger, he must come live with me!

[Indy]

That pony is re-freaking-diculously cute. I want to reach through my computer screen and smooch his pink nose.

[chai]

He is the cutest little pone pone and I think he looks very happy carrying you. I'm glad he has such a good home.

[fleur de duc]

you guys are the best ;]

I will be sure to post photos as soon as we get them

[paulosey]

I've always wanted a pony! Not that I need one..just want! He's a cutie pie delux..send him to me if you get tired of him!

[LookinSouth]

FDD- your pony looks pretty hardy! I wouldn't be worried in the least about a 100lb rider. There are plenty of KIDS on ponies who weight 100+ lbs:) You actually sound like the ideal "pony jock" size.

I am 5.5 and weigh around 130. I ride Mediums and larges all the time at my friends pony barn. None of them have ever seemed winded or strained when carrying me. The medium I ride on occasion has NO PROBLEM galloping up hills and jumping fences with me on board:winkgrin: He keeps up with 16 hand horses at all gaits.

Ponies are fun and so much less intimidating (to me) than a 16h horse. There are alot of timid adult women riders that I think would be so much better off on ponies! The only downside is the jumps look bigger on a pony. If your slim and not too tall there is no reason why you can't.

[Trot Left]

He is just so precious!

[Just My Style]

Go for it. I am a 35 year old that rides a 14h haflinger. You are totally fine. And really, good ponies get even better when they are ridden by more experienced people and exposed to a lot of things. Then you can turn them over to a kid and know that they are rock solid. That is the problem with some small ponies. They never get someone big enough and skilled enough to school them and then the ponytude comes out blazing.

[talkofthetown]

Awww, he's so cute!! Makes me miss my little pony. Have fun with him!