nettle
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Post by nettle on Dec 19, 2007 22:15:29 GMT 1
I have recently started riding a friends 14h Highland pony - a very solidly constructed equine. I am 11st 4lbs - I would imagine this is pushing the upper limit, but is it too much? I am not a wobbly novice. I'm NOT going to get any heavier, either - if I do I can't ride any more. She certainly doesn't feel like she's struggling to carry me. She is unfit but we have only been walking on hacks, and short periods of trot in the school. The reason I am wondering is that the last two times I have saddled her, she has pulled grumpy faces ....... she wasn't doing that when I first started riding her. As far as I know her saddle fits, she has a wide, wide WIDE fitting - her back looks like a table ;D ( we could both do with losing more weight ) I am thinking of asking owner to get saddle fitter out to check. If new saddle recommended, could a treeless be suitable? Would a treeless 'work' on a very wide no withers horse? Thoughts, anyone?
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Post by jes on Dec 19, 2007 22:22:43 GMT 1
I would have thought you were fine on her, especially as you're only walking with a bit of trot at the moment whilst she's unfit.
I weigh about the same and I used to ride a 13.2 Fell (who frequently went a lot faster than I really wanted him to!), a 14.2 Dales/Welsh and a 14.2 Welsh x. All of whom never struggled with me in the slightest.
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Post by suewhitmore on Dec 19, 2007 22:23:56 GMT 1
No, you are not. And I'm one of the ones that is always wingeing about peole being too heavy!
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Post by butterfly on Dec 19, 2007 22:30:03 GMT 1
oooooo I will give a careful answer cos I know this subject has caused abit of hooo har lately on the DG
I dont thing weight matters (putting on my tin hat and hiding under the table) Horses were originally ridden by men and most men weigh at least 11 stone .... many weigh much more.
What is important is how you ride. If you sit on your horse like a sack of potatoes bouncing around then he will be in pain. However if you are balanced and ride in tune with your horse then you will feel like an 8 stone fairy to him.
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chitori
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Post by chitori on Dec 19, 2007 22:33:48 GMT 1
Our highlands would easily easily carry me and I've always been around10.5/11stone. They would occasionally include Highland Airs-Above-The-Ground in their repertoire whilst being ridden to demonstrate this lol!
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Post by horsey123 on Dec 19, 2007 22:41:07 GMT 1
no highlands are very sterdy and strog weight carriers your nothing its fine
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bliss
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Post by bliss on Dec 19, 2007 22:46:23 GMT 1
My 14.3 cob takes me easily at 13 stone with a lightweight treeless saddle, The max shes taken is 14 stone and a leather treed saddle I wouldnt have wanted her to take that weight for long periods although she didnt complain Your weight cant be the issue I would def get the saddle checked, as she is telling you somethings wrong She would suit a treeless, my cob has very little wither and is too wide for a xxwide treed saddle hence me going treeless, and its the only saddle ive had on her that hasnt moved check out: www.scallywagsequinesupplies.co.uk/p/category/0710037502-Sensations+Treeless+Saddles/I have used my english trail for 2 yrs and love it
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Post by ukshowjumper on Dec 19, 2007 22:53:08 GMT 1
In a word...no!
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polly
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Post by polly on Dec 19, 2007 22:56:09 GMT 1
Absolutely not! Highland Ponies were bred to work, to bring stags off the hill, amongst other things. They`re hefty weight-carrying beasts of burden. As for pulling faces when tacking up - my Highland does that as soon as he sees the tack appearing from the boot of the car! tl on here can probably reassure you more, if needed.
Carry on as you are doing and gradually build up fitness. You`ll be fine! In regard to the treeless, I`d be interested to know how you get on if you do persuade her owner to go down that route - my Highland has a table-top back too and almost no wither, just shoulder.
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Post by Louise C on Dec 19, 2007 22:56:22 GMT 1
Agree with the others!
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Post by joto on Dec 19, 2007 23:16:47 GMT 1
should be fine. highlands are weight carriers and are used for taking shot stags down off the mountains, and they are very heavy.
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Nicola
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Post by Nicola on Dec 19, 2007 23:23:42 GMT 1
If she is pulling faces at tacking up then I would definatly get the saddle checked, doesnt matter how wide the saddle is, its how wide she is in comparison to the saddle
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nettle
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Post by nettle on Dec 19, 2007 23:52:15 GMT 1
Thanks all Good to know I'm not too heavy for her, she's great fun and has been well schooled. I'll persuade owner to get the saddle checked.
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Cheryl Walmsley
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Post by Cheryl Walmsley on Dec 20, 2007 0:42:45 GMT 1
how old is the pony?? I don't know if everyone will say it doesn't matter but i've ridden a few youngsters and got the impression that although a mature pony of their breed and stature should easily carry me, they are not at their happiest and i've always wondered whether that is my weight.
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Post by Geordie Horse on Dec 20, 2007 1:14:40 GMT 1
I'd get her back checked-not because of your weight, but because she's pulling faces when you tack her up. I've had flak in past threads when I've made comments about heavier riders, so I'm not going to go there......
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