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Post by Louise Dixon on Jan 12, 2013 13:06:06 GMT
My little boy's shetland is full up, a lovely chunky boy with excellent conformation. There is a local girl who is 15 who is keen to come and ride, and it would be much more use to me if she could ride him than the highlands, but I am not sure if she is too big. I don't know how heavy she is (although I am sure she'll tell me if necessary) but she is probably about 5' 4" and pretty average build - not skinny but certainly not over weight at all either, lucky thing! This would just be for hacking. Any advice?
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Post by sometime on Jan 12, 2013 14:10:38 GMT
I would have said up to 10 stone they are very strong pound for pound and did carry a lot of weight originally as shepherding ponies and gathering kelp. Not sure the modern ones are a tough. Old fashioned types will carry the most. Mind you shepherds in those days were probably a lot lighter than a young teen is now. My dartie can carry easily about 10 and a half stone he has 8- 9 inches of bone he is about 12.1 so a little bit bigger than a sheltie but not as short and compact. Problem may be height rather than weight as too tall and you out balance the pony's movement. Easiest way is to try and see if she is ok the pony will carry her normally if too heavy it will stagger and struggle to get its front legs out in front of it. a few seconds of too heavy shouldnt hurt and then you will know to stop
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Post by 09rebel99 on Jan 12, 2013 15:00:21 GMT
Will be interesting to see what people say as I have a chunky compact miniature. I know he's carried a small 18 yr old hacking.
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Post by Sasha on Jan 12, 2013 18:53:57 GMT
I think it's well worth remembering this is a Shetland pony we are talking about.. I have a feeling a Shetland pony may well let you know if the rider is too heavy by dumping them! Lol :-)
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Post by Louise Dixon on Jan 12, 2013 19:33:12 GMT
I think it's well worth remembering this is a Shetland pony we are talking about.. I have a feeling a Shetland pony may well let you know if the rider is too heavy by dumping them! Lol :-) It is possible, although this pony is a complete saint, but I don't want that situation at all, not a happy one for the pony or the rider, hence the asking for adfvice! My gut feeling is she would be fine, but just thought I would see what you guys thought. |
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Post by desktop on Jan 12, 2013 20:17:55 GMT
Im 5ft 4" and weigh 9 stone, I would say that not only am I too heavy but that I am also too tall  |
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lme
Junior Member
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Post by lme on Jan 12, 2013 20:23:00 GMT
I have a 36" MIDI he carries 7 1.2 stone with ease but struggled when we tried the extra stone - so we know his limit - if yours is full up with plenty of bone then should be okay - but pony will tell you - ours did! otoh he could just have been taking the mick  I am only 5' - I hope to ride him or try to just to keep him going for my grandaughter but we will see. |
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Post by Louise Dixon on Jan 12, 2013 20:59:00 GMT
thank you
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Post by chloelovesbumper on Jan 12, 2013 21:25:23 GMT
shetland's can carry fully grown men all day xx
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Post by nici on Jan 12, 2013 23:41:50 GMT
A very lightweight friend of mine (weighing about 7st) once got on my little 34" Shetland who promptly tried to take her for a gallop with her friends  She didn't struggle at all with the weight, and is a relatively slightly built Shetland. My bigger Shetlands have occasionally carried jockeys up to 9 stone with ease. |
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Post by muggley on Jan 13, 2013 19:00:28 GMT
I'm 5ft4" and choose to believe that I am 9st7lb but in reality I am more 9st10lbs ... And I ride my big shetlands not a bother. I don't ride them in the ring any more as I am too tall but provided the rider is good and rides light then I don't see there being a problem so long as the pony is fit enough for the work required of it.
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Post by catkin on Jan 20, 2013 12:25:13 GMT
Lots of factors to consider here. (I should caveat by saying I have broken and ridden many Shetlands). Firstly, there is riding and there is riding. A well built, mature shetland would carry quite a lot of weight at walk. However, for this discussion, I am assuming that you mean properly riding ie hacking out and schooling.
1. Is the Shetland up to height or not, Bear in mind that a 42'' Shetland is going to usually be able to carry a lot more than say a 36'' pony. However, build also comes into this.
2. Is it a mature pony, already broken and worked. Again, will make a difference if the pony is established.
3. I am 5'1'' and weight about 8.5 stone dressed. I would hack out and lightly school a good sized, strong Shetland.
4. Height is a massive issue. Leverage and point of balance do need to be considered.
If you think you tick most of the above boxes, I would give it a go and see how you get on.
Good luck
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Post by staranise73 on Jan 20, 2013 12:40:56 GMT
I am the same height and am 8 stone. I have ridden our 42" shetties.
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afe
Full Member
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Post by afe on Jan 26, 2013 21:54:05 GMT
I have a bang up to height 42" kerloch gelding, I'm around 5ft and weigh 8 stone, he carries me with ease. Although saying that he also dumps me with ease! Does this mean he's finding me
Heavy? Doesn't feel like he is just a little bugger!
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silvershadow
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<3 Silver Shadow <3 Horninglow Ennerdale Water <3 Kincardine Garry <3
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Post by silvershadow on Jan 26, 2013 22:22:44 GMT
I'd like to eventually ride my Shetland, I'm too heavy at the moment but still losing weight, I'm just 5ft2 so not tall, it's a nice goal to work too!
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I am only 5' - I hope to ride him or try to just to keep him going for my grandaughter but we will see.
She didn't struggle at all with the weight, and is a relatively slightly built Shetland. My bigger Shetlands have occasionally carried jockeys up to 9 stone with ease. 
