Am I too tall for ponies?

[ChoccyWoccyDoDa]

Looking at horses and ponies and have to say my preference is for something smaller, mainly because I am looking for something that can live out (native) and also they eat less, cost less to keep etc. I'm also not the most confident and do feel more confident on the smaller ones .

I'm not particularly heavy (9 stone) so not too worried about weight, but I am 5 foot 7 inches tall. Realistically what size should I be looking at?

I am just a happy hacker btw, might pop over a small fence but that is my limit. I'm not going to be doing any serious competitions, cross country or anything.

[ellenjames]

my mum is doing a horse share she is 5 ft 7 and about 13 stone and rides a 14.2hh pony! He is a cob though x

[chocolatecakeystuff]

Thought about maybe a welsh d type? Usually around the 14.2/15 mark. Or a connie x?

[SaggyOldClothCatpuss]

Anything you like. You are probably to heavy for a mini shetland, but anything larger will carry you. The main issue is whether you care that you look daft with your feet on the floor!

[50BalesOfHay]

I'm 5'10 and 10st. Mine is a 14hh fell/cob. She's wide so my legs don't dangle. Like you, I wanted low maintenance and to feel safe and she's perfect for me. I'm assured that I don't look big on her, so you'd be fine.

[lovebeansontoast]

I'm 5ft 8in and my horse is a 15hh welsh section d. I look fine on him. My first horse was a 14.3 middleweight cob. Again, He took my leg up with no problems. A fell or dales, or a gentle highland (have you seen miggy's thread?) would equally suit you really well.

[Littlebigbum]

True in fact 12-2 up, yes I know. Icelandic ponies have 24 stone weight limit. I miss my 12-2 dales pony and love highland they are so sure footed.

[higgle]

I went on an icelandic riding holiday 2 years ago, still remember 6'4" Svenni who was there to round us up and keep us going in the right direction on his 13.2 20 year old Palamino going flat out all day. DH is 5'10 ish and had a 14 handish New Forest pony for years, he had been ridden by the verderers in the New forest, competed in the New forest Pony point to point and was quite a handful.

[Butkin]

You could ride anything from a Section B upwards. However at your height it may be a good idea to look at Welsh Ds, Connemaras, Dales, Fells or Highlands (the latter three will take up your leg as they are rounder in the body).

You mention Connie X - certainly worth a look if you know of anything nice in your area.

[BlueChampagne]

I'm 5'8" and had a 15.1hh light cob, though I used to ride smaller riding school ponies when they needed a firmer hand than the kids! Wouldn't have minded a bit more height as I ride long, but if you feel comfy, anything from 14hh.

[NotGoodNotBad]

I am 5'7 and 10 stone, and dpony is 14.2. However, no-one will believe this unless they see me measure him, and most people put him at about 15hh (maybe because he's fat or something!)

I find that if I ride anything under about 14hh I feel unbalanced and likely to tip off sideways, unless they are quite wide. Lots to hang on to with dpony.

Having looked at lots of ponies of allegedly similar size when horse-hunting, I'd say -

1. Don't trust the seller as to the height of their pony
   
2. One 14.2 is not the same as another 14.2 of dissimilar build
   
3. If they have high withers/low back or vice versa this makes quite a difference

[Elansofar]

Hi depends on breed of pony. Consider Fell Pony or Dales, Welsh C or D or a heavy cob if you want a pony. Don't look at under 13.2 HH at your height. Bear in mind that more serious showing people will of have the pony measured without shoes and this can make a slight difference as can also the Pony's head carriage and way of going. Good luck.

[LittleBunnyFeileFooFoo]

So I have a question too, if I may, totally ignorant about pony breeds (in the US and we have a dearth of good pony breeds). I am considering a welsh mare, she's 13 hh, and the owner (she is a rescue) says I should suit, I'm about 11 stone and 5'4". I know about barrel sizes and all that, but in general I shouldn't be too big, if she's not a delicate flower, of course!

[MrsMangoBiscuit]

My last was a welsh section C, 14hh and I'm 6'. She was like an unstoppable barrel on legs!

[Mirage]

I'm 5ft 8 and weigh between 9-10 stone [I think] and sometimes ride our 13hh section C.I probably look a bit odd,but don't care.

[MousyMouse]

I'm 5.9 and (in my teens) would ride a welsh c. but I was a skinny and light.
I would say it depends what you want, really. competing wouldn't get you anywhere but pottering for yourself and hacking/hunts should be fine.

[NotGoodNotBad]

LittleBunny, I'd have thought you're both a bit too heavy and a bit too tall for a 13hh pony. Have you ridden her? Do you not feel unbalanced? Welsh ponies are not all that solidly built. (Never met MrsMango's Welshie of course...)

[LittleBunnyFeileFooFoo]

NotGood, I haven't ridden her, am in the process of getting a proper riding bra for my ginormous lactating breasts and I thought that may be a bit too small for me. I have been looking for another horse as my quarterhorse has navicular syndrome, and if I do need another I'd like a small horse! My DH's horse is only 14.2, but he's build like a rock, and 13 sounded too small for me if she's not hefty.

[LittleBunnyFeileFooFoo]

Oh and no competing for me, just trail rides and mountain riding. Not even that much speed riding anymore, as DH is more of a potter through the woods kind of guy.

[princesssmartypantss]

Have a look at icelandic horses, small very hardy and don't need much food! Some are slighter than others and worth getting to know the breed a bit before buying. There is quite a small icelandic community shows etc, which are lighthearted. Worth popping along. You will pay more for one that is five gaited but if you are just hacking then you don't probably need the equivalent of 6th gear. Icelandic horses tolt which is very comfortable pace great for long rides. Might be worth considering going on icelandic holiday a friend went with in the saddle.

[DolomitesDonkey]

If you need to wear roller skates rather than boots, you're too tall.

Have you seen mark Todd or William fox-Pitt lately? They always look capable of kicking a cannon bone if they're not careful.

[DolomitesDonkey]

Fwiw I had a 13.3hh haflinger who wore a 52" girth and when my 5'10" friend rode him her feet were not quite at his girth! Didn't require much feeding either and was laminitis free!

[Ariela]

My 13 year old daughter is 5ft7 and 9st or a touch under (solid muscle, she's very sporty) and she rides a 14h New Forest. I would say NF are a good breed to look at, as they are quite hardy, live out and are often a fair bit cheaper than eg WelshD or Connemarra which tend to be a bit trendier/more desirable - after all you're not intending to show or jump or do dressage at a high level. Having said that although NF aren't as popular for showing or jumping they're more than capable, the NF pony enthusiasts dressage team usually do really well in the Quadrille at Olympia and my daughter's pony is quite a star at jumping - here she is qualifying for Royal Windsor, the jumps are 2ft9 + I think

I'd look at a 14-14.2 NF. Should be small enough for your confidence yet big enough for you. Something like this: www.horsemart.co.uk/pony_club_ponies_horse_6_14_2_hh_chestnut_somerset/Horses/269542 or something a bit older like this: www.horsemart.co.uk/all_rounder_horse_13_yrs_14_2_hh_bay_hampshire/Horses/268188