In the course of a collaboration between equestrian and pony, there comes a time when the rider inadvertently outgrows his steed. This will mean a variety of things, and not just that the equestrian has grown in physical proportions to be too heavy or to cumbersome on his pony. Here are three questions you should ask yourself to discern whether the time’s come to part with one mare and move on to another:

Is your horse easily and comfortably able to carry your weight? This question is more about the physical size of the rider in contrast with his steed. If in normal horse riding sessions your mare is unable able to carry you around, then it’s time to move on to a bigger pony. If during jumping over rails your feet hit the obstacles, then it’s pretty much certainly that the requirement for a larger steed is a pressing one.

Is your horse’s size in contrast to your size a factor that is having an effect on the sport or show you need to take part in? Obviously, this question is for the equestrian actively taking part in sport or shows. Depending on the sport or activity, how you look on your horse may have an impact on the result. There are sports like endurance riding, Western riding, and competitive trail riding that focus mainly on how well your horse carries you and not how good you look. But when taking part in shows or sport where you’re not sure if the size factor counts toward your accomplishments, be at liberty to ask a judge, an expert, or any esteemed equestrian well-oriented in that particular discipline if your rider to pony proportion can indeed affect the result of the show or competition.

Is the horse you are currently riding the best match for you as an equestrian and rider? Occasionally it isn’t that you are too big or too tall, it is not even that your steed to rider proportions are affecting shows and sport—sometimes it’s just time to bid a steed farewell and move on to another to enhance your level of horse riding skill.

If a certain steed can only take you so far, then it’s totally OK to move on to a pony with higher level abilities and more talent. A mare OK for horse riding might not have what is needed to challenge in dressage events. Dressage and other higher level sport require a stud or mare to be terribly gifted from the “get-go”, and some equine partners just can’t cut it.

Horses are Heather Toms’ passion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100’s of articles with other horse lovers… like all things about stable rugs