How small is to small to ride?

[Whispering_Pines]

We haven't rode Ginny, shes 30" tall. My 6 year old has sat on her just to see if she could. Ginny could have cared less. How tall does a mini have to be to have small children ride, lets say less than 100#. Brynlea is 45# maybe. No saddle, just to pony around.

 

[Lil Eowyn]

I wouldn't put more than 20 % her body weight on her. I only let kids ride Éowyn bareback who are less than 50 lbs.

 

[rabbitsfizz]

At this height I would guess she really is too small to be ridden....

 

[disneyhorse]

I'd say 20% of a horses body weight sounds fair. That generally includes the saddle.

 

[dannigirl]

I would say that it would be ok up to 50lbs, but not more if she doesn't have a saddle. Also, you aren't going to have the child on the horse for hours at a time. You are probably only doing it for 10 or 15 minute spurts a few times a week or less. If your 30in. mini is very fine boned or frail looking, that would be another story and I wouldn't allow it then.

 

[Whispering_Pines]

She's not "riding her" to be honest its like plopping her up there while we walk to the mailbox, she hasn't been up on her since summer and it was less than 10 minutes. Brynlea weighs now 43 pounds, she was around 38 this summer.