Pony Tack and Gear That Fits
Filtrar y ordenar
7 productos
Most new pony owners get stuck on the same thing: the word Pony on a label does not mean the same size from one brand to the next. Shires runs XS Pony, Small Pony and Pony before it gets to Cob. Cashel calls its small sizes Weanling/Small Pony and Yearling/Large Pony. A 13 hand Welsh cross can wear a weanling halter in one brand, and a 14.2 can need a pony bridle with a cob browband. This page pulls together halters, boots, fly masks and a saddle pad that come in real pony sizes, plus the measuring habits pony people swear by.
What Pony Owners Are Actually Asking
What size halter does my pony actually take?
Go by measurements, not by the pony's height. Pony owners point out that halter sizes are tricky to figure, and that the same pony can be a Pony in one brand and a Yearling or Weanling in another. Measure around the nose where the noseband sits and from one cheek ring over the poll to the other, then check those numbers against the size chart on the listing. Once it is on, you should fit two fingers under the noseband, and the cheek pieces should sit clear of the eye. If you are between sizes, a halter that adjusts at both the head and the nose, like the Shires ARMA, gives you more room to get it right.
Should a child's pony wear a breakaway halter for turnout?
For turnout, most pony people say yes. A pony that rubs on a fence or gets a hoof through the halter while scratching needs something that gives before the pony panics. A leather headpiece or a breakaway point is the usual answer. Keep a separate sturdy halter for tying and trailering if your barn prefers that, and check the turnout halter often. Pony owners on the forums warn that halters wear out faster than you expect; one owner had a pony snap one inside six months, so plan on replacing it.
What size bridle and bit does an 11 to 12 hand pony need?
Owners of Welsh Section A ponies report a wide range. One 12 hand pony went in a small pony bridle with a 4 inch bit, while an 11.2 hand pony needed a Shetland size bridle with a 12 to 13 inch browband and a 4 to 4.25 inch bit. Section A ponies vary a lot, so measure. For the bit, lay a piece of twine across the mouth where the bit will sit, mark the width, and add about half an inch. Wide-browed ponies often need the browband one size up from the rest of the bridle.
Do pony boots run too big on a small pony?
Often, yes. An owner of an 11.2 hand pony found most boots labeled Pony were too big, and only small sizes fit. That is why it pays to look for brands that offer a Small Pony size below Pony. The Shires ARMA Air Motion Brushing Boots come in both, and the Cashel Fly Leg Guards come in Small Pony and Large Pony. Measure around the cannon and from just below the knee to the fetlock, and make sure the hook and loop closures overlap fully without running out of strap.
Do fly masks come small enough for a Shetland or a Welsh A?
Some do. The Shires FlyGuard Pro comes in Extra Small Pony, Small Pony and Pony, so you can step down for a fine head. A mask that is too big slides back, and the eye area stops sitting where it should. If your pony has an unusual head, with a broad forehead and a small muzzle, a stretchy lycra mask like the Professional's Choice Comfort-Fit can follow the shape better than stiff mesh. For riding, the Cashel Quiet Ride goes over the bridle and comes in Yearling/Large Pony.
Mini, pony or cob: which size range am I shopping in?
Miniature horse sizes are their own range and usually run smaller than any pony size here. Small ponies and Shetlands tend to land in XS Pony or Small Pony. Larger ponies around 14 hands often sit between Pony and Cob, and many end up in Cob for some items and Pony for others. One owner described a pony with a head made of mixed-size parts, which is common. Measure each piece of tack on its own and do not assume one size fits everything.
How to Choose the Right Pony Tack
- Measure the part, not the pony: Height tells you very little. Nose and crown for halters, cannon for boots, forehead width for browbands and masks.
- Learn each brand's size ladder: XS Pony, Small Pony, Pony, Yearling/Large Pony and Cob mean different things from brand to brand. Check the chart on each listing.
- Give turnout halters a breaking point: A leather headpiece or breakaway point for the field, and a sturdy halter for tying, is the setup most pony barns use.
- Pick gear a child can manage: Hook and loop closures and a clip throatlash are quicker for small hands than buckles, and easier to check at a glance.
- Buy pony-cut, not cut-down: A saddle pad or blanket made for a pony sits right. A horse item in a small size is often too tall or too long for a pony's body.
What This Page Is Not For
This page is not for miniature horses, which have their own size range, and it does not cover saddles, girths, bits or rider clothing. If you are shopping for a pony with a health or soundness issue, ask your vet before choosing boots or a muzzle.
Brands Riders Trust
Shires has the deepest run of pony sizes we carry, from XS Pony through Pony in the FlyGuard Pro masks and Small Pony through Pony in the ARMA boots, plus the ARMA breakaway halter in Pony. Cashel sizes its masks and leg guards by foal, weanling, yearling and large pony. Professional's Choice makes its Comfort-Fit Lycra Fly Mask in a Pony size, and Back On Track makes its Airflow All-Purpose Saddle Pad in Pony.
Measure first, buy for the pony in front of you, and keep the size chart open while you shop. Happy Tails, Happy Trails.
