Jericho Stables said:
Just want to point out that a horse/pony can carry a rider who can ride better than a rider who flops around like a sack of potatoes. I've always been heavier and our last horses were 14.0 and 14.2. Neither had an issue because I can ride. But I know of a qh growing up struggled with his rider and had sway back because she was heavier and flopped around on the poor guy. So how the weight is handled is just as important as how much.

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.

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.

Corazon said:
Ah I see :)

Thought like breaking them in and have it as your main/only horse.

Ayeee Haffies are the best <3

And they come in two types.. the small stocky type and the slender sport pony lol

Scythe said:

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.

Thanks for the information! I had no idea o.o If I were to ride one, I'd make sure it was veryyyy stocky :)

Tricksters Choice said:

You have horse background so trust your instincts :) Look for a heavier boned oversize shetland and I think you'll be ok. The horse will let you know if it's too much. I just wouldn't use a saddle except with your kids. Good luck! Share when you've found "the one"!

Scythe said:

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.

Thanks for the information! I had no idea o.o If I were to ride one, I'd make sure it was veryyyy stocky :)