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Some shetlands can weigh in excess of 300kgs, which is more then some 13hh riding ponies. Shetlands used to carry fully grown men as way of transport, that was their original purpose, then they were used as pit ponies in a coal mine. There is nothing wrong with an experienced adult rider having a quick hoon or a leisurely stroll on a shetland. If your shetland breaks down from carrying an adult every so often it must be poorly conformed and poorly bred, because these little things are tough as heck.
I'm 55kgs over weight, I'd love to be light enough to sit on a shetland and stroll around my farm bareback, but that probably will never happen, I don't intend on buying a riding horse again unless the kids outgrow their ponies and ask me for a bigger pony. I just sold all of my big horses.
Corazon said:
Icelandic "horse" / Gypsy Vanner / Haflinger could be a good breed for you :)I certainly don't recommend a shetland if you intend to ride.
@ Summer that doesn't sound nice tbh.. C 'mon girls.. this is coming from someone who is overweight(gained 20kg during pregnancy) so I know it's painful to hear: but we can't sit on a 10.2hh pony.
Scythe; you're certainly not overweight and a shetland can carry you but they will be ruined in the end. I don't know if you want a pony because you're scared? But the bigger the horse the nicer they get lol.
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Moderator |
Everywhere I look it says Shets weigh 200kg with 250kg being on the heavy side already
It's 15% of the horse weight in Europe (even a law in the Netherlands, you get disqualified if you are too heavy for your horse) but even if one takes the 25% measurement of a heavy shetland that's 62,5kg (136lbs)
I agree they are tougher and stronger than a slender taller pony but that doesn't mean that it's healthy or comfortable though. You just can't put 85kg (or 75kg for that matter) on a 10.2h pony.. Please don't take it offensive, I just think its a really bad idea. I weigh 90kg now and I dont want to sit on any pony lol.( I quit riding all together after pregnancy until I hit under 75kg again) Learn to drive with them though? |
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Just saw your edit x]
Well I think driving sounds great for you! It's actually pretty fun, it surprised me lol |
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I've got myself a long reining set so I can learn how to break ponies to harness.
I just need a buggy :D
Corazon said:
Just saw your edit x]
Well I think driving sounds great for you! It's actually pretty fun, it surprised me lol
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?? I dont know if it's just country verbiage differences or not but anything under 14.2 hands are ponies and all minis have shetland influence. Falabella miniature horses were derived from various origins, which include a heavy dose of American Shetland (Arenosa shetlands in particular). People like to deny their miniature horses are ponies for some reason. Those shetland breeders did an excellent job in their marketing all those years ago. Anyway, neither here nor there. We're past what is appropriate for this thread so I'll leave it at that.
Eta: I weighed my shetland stallions tonight (both also registered mini). My bigger boy is 40" but lighter boned and came in at 475 lbs. My 36" that is heavier boned is 450 lbs. Most US shetlands over 38" are going to range in the 450-600 area I'd reckon. Find one at the higher end and you're good :)
Summer said:
Miniature PONIES came from shetlands, miniature HORSES derived from falabellas.
Miniature horses are not the same as miniature ponies.
We have APSB which is for purebred shetlands, MHAA for miniature horses and AMPS for miniature ponies in Australia. Miniature horse is up to 34", small horse is up to 38" and little horse is up to 42" which is 10.2hh. Miniature pony is up to 34.25 ", small pony up to 38" and little pony is up to 42".
Tricksters Choice said:
My great grandparents helped establish the miniature horse registries back in the 70's. Minis ARE shetlands. When the Shetland market crashed, Shetland breeders got smart a d took their smallest horses and decided t I create the "miniature horse". Many got rid of the Shetland papers and denied, denied, denied that they were Shetland, but that's exactly what they are. Throw in some other small pony breeds and that's that. As long as they're 38" or under at the last hair of the mane, it's a mini. Conformation differences between minis and Shetland depend on what country you're from. In the US, Shetland have 3 categori es, but they're all beautiful, small horses in conformation. Minis have come a long way but still still need work on refinement and let length in many cases.
It's 25% of bodyweight max for riding. If you have a very fine bones horse, obviously that will be less.
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I wasn't saying they weren't ponies, what I am saying is miniature ponies and miniature horses are their own recognized breed in Australia, as are shetlands. Each breed has their own registry and breed requirements. I am talking about real UK shetlands not American shetlands BTW. Edited at January 13, 2019 10:05 PM by Summer |
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I mean a small can work, when I was maybe, 10 I was 4ft 6in and 65-70lbs and I rode a 12.3 over 1ft 9in to 2ft Jumps. |
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I say I 15.2 hand horse - horses like that are dang nice, not too expensive and they can do nearly anything. |
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Coldwater Ridge Farm said:
I say I 15.2 hand horse - horses like that are dang nice, not too expensive and they can do nearly anything.
I agree, between 13 and 15.2hh is a good all rounder size :) |
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Our gelding was 140cm ( 13.8 hands ) and was able to carry any adult a whole day long ( in western tack ) without any problems - and he was the sweetest pony for kids, too!
https://i.postimg.cc/ZndfRPq8/IMG-2666.jpg
As a child/ teenager, I had a Shettland with 114cm ( 11.2hands) and she took me anywhere I wanted.I was about 120pounds and 164cm high then. It looked funny, but did not cause any health problems to Fossy who was way over 20yo when she passed ;)
https://i.postimg.cc/VvRknZD3/Fossy1.jpg
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