16.3hh too big for 15 year old ?

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emily.connie

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I'm looking at viewing an ex racer who is about 16.2/16.3hh and was wondering if I would be way too small.
I'm about 5ft3/5ft4
This horse is tall but a real gentleman.
Has kids riding him and will do a course with his eyes shut.
My last horse was 15.3hh who was perfect height for me.
Just want opinions?
Thanks in advance
 
A friend of mine went from a 14.3hh cob to a 16.2hh thoroughbred and although he looks big from the ground she looks perfect on him - she would be about the same height as you or slightly smaller. It depends what you want to do though - wouldn't be too good for mounted games! ;-)
 
I like big horses so it's a matter of choice ... You don't win a strength battle with a Shetland so I always think the 'not strong enough' is a daft argument... Try him then try rugging him up and saddling him and remember you'll have to do this with wet muddy rugs if that doesn't put you off then I can't see an issue.
 
blitznbobs said:
I like big horses so it's a matter of choice ... You don't win a strength battle with a Shetland so I always think the 'not strong enough' is a daft argument... Try him then try rugging him up and saddling him and remember you'll have to do this with wet muddy rugs if that doesn't put you off then I can't see an issue.
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I have my parents to help me tack and rug up so not the problem ahaha. I think I will view him anyway but just wanted to hear what people thought
 
When I was 17 I shared a 17.2hh ex hunter. He was well behaved and we got on well. I did have a stool so I could tack up though! Getting on/off out on a hack could be problematic but you can normally find a wall or a gate somewhere. I don't think size matters too much so long as you are safe on him. I am now 5ft 7 and ride a 14hh!!!!
 
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It depends how you feel on him. I moved on to my 16.2hh (he's 16.3hh with shoes on!) when I was 13 off my 14.1hh. My cousin who's 5'3 moved on from her 14.2hh to her 18.1hh at 15. Both of us got our big boys as 5 year olds and have them years later. If you feel safe it's not too big.
ETA I was 5'3 when I got Bud, I've grown in to him at 5'7 though!
 
Depends on the horse. I competed and rode a friends 17.2 along side my 15.1 from age 14 - 16 I was fairly tall 5'5 funny I have only grown 0.5inch from age 13 lol. If the horse has a nice attitude then yeah no problem x be warned it could start a life long love affair of tall horses though ;-)
 
At 21 and 5'4 I went from 14hh pony to 16.3 4YO WB- he was too big for me at his age. I'm happy riding even bigger, but that's not the same as bringing on your own. I felt safe and he was very kind and loving, but our progress was limited past a peak doing some 5YO classes.
 
I'm the same height as you and find that size horse perfectly fine. I also ride much smaller and a bit bigger too. Never found it was an issue. Your age is irrelevant in my opinion... You might grow a tiny bit more but that height horse would be fine then too.
 
Sit on it and see. You won't know till you try; height isn't everything. I rode horses upwards of 17hh at 13, didn't perceive a problem. You can't win a strength battle with a horse anyway.
 
equi said:
Its not the height that matters its the head.
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Exactly this I think it really depends on the horses personality.
If it was difficult to handle and ride i would say no but if it is an easy going type then shouldn't be discounted
 
A narrow tb will ride smaller than a less tall, wider type. If he's a big old fashioned chaser he might ride quite big but those types are less common now...
 
My daughter was 15 when we bought her a 16.1 dwb, she was about 5ft4 at the time, now 8 years later our dwb is 17.2 and she is now 5ft8/9. Dont forget you may not have stopped growing and if you want this horse for a long time then keep that in mind.
 
I'm 16 and went from riding a 14.1 cob to a 16.2 warmblood. I have had no real problems but my horse is very sensible and I'm a confident rider. Im around 5ft8
 
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