This is dependent on a couple of things, stockiness of the pony, your balance, etc.
If you are a decent rider and able to balance I don't see this being a problem, even on a daintier pony, but the less stocky the pony is, the more careful you would need to be. I'd be more concerned with height than weight. At 5'9" you are pretty tall, and on a pony you might have the problem of legs hanging below the pony's belly, if you have longer legs, or looking too tall if you have a long torso.
Hi, yes, I'd say you're very likely fine for the pony. You might be on the taller side, but you're relatively light for your height. While it can only be a rough guide, ensuring you're no more than 20% of a horse's weight is a good 'rule of thumb'.
But as above, it depends on many factors - if you're well balanced, whether the pony is a lightweight or 'big boned' horse, whether the pony is fit and sound, esp through the back, the weight of your saddle(wouldn't be using a heavy western for eg), what you want to do with the horse... So for eg. light riding is almost definitely fine, but depending on those other factors you might not want to do 'high impact' stuff like barrel racing, showjumping, or long, hard trails.
But as above, it depends on many factors - if you're well balanced, whether the pony is a lightweight or 'big boned' horse, whether the pony is fit and sound, esp through the back, the weight of your saddle(wouldn't be using a heavy western for eg), what you want to do with the horse... So for eg. light riding is almost definitely fine, but depending on those other factors you might not want to do 'high impact' stuff like barrel racing, showjumping, or long, hard trails.
Ponies in general can carry a greater ratio of weight then other horses, often for the fact that they have quite a bit of cold blood, thus lots of bone, short coupled and sturdy
Good run by your student, S.H,. Also shows how pictures can be deceiving, as the horse appears taller, and the rider's legs aren't hanging down as much as I would have expected to see!
Is he the fjord looking thing in your avatar Ember? If so, no worries at all! I'm a fair bit heavier than you & I'm happy to ride - & he's happy for me to ride, more to the point - my daughter's 13.2hh haflinger x brumby.
There are different "sections" in classifying the ponies, I believe specifically the Welsh style of pony.
Section "A" is the fine boned, smaller petite framed "cute, cute, cute" ponies.
Section "B" is a heavier bone and larger framed pony...
Section "C".... not sure where the pony fits in this classification.
Section "D" though is the heavy boned, larger frame and size pony that has some mixed blood in usually generations back. Weight carriers and work, work and more work they can do.
Regardless...
So much depends upon build, their body condition and muscling and you as the rider and how quiet you are.
You describe yourself as a quiet rider...so a huge + in that.
I look at so many breeds of horses that are and were smaller in stature and they sure did carry a rider heavier than you all day long doing a hard days work in the field.
Today pure-blood Paso, Quarter and Arab still commonly have smaller sizes and all of them carry adults far heavier than you who are not quiet riders. They ride well and without issue for many hours at a time...
So in answer to your, "Can I ride...." Heck, YES...go enjoy your ride!!
Must say loved the video and what a fine example it was shared!!
:runninghorse2:..... jmo...
You can easily work this pony. I was the same height and weight as you (those were the days!) and thought nothing of getting on a naughty 12.2 to sort it out.
We had a 13.1 pony, cobby type, and I actually took her out Fox Hunting she was perfectly fine.
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