17.1hh for a 5 foot 1

S

sallypops

Well-Known Member
Joined
28 May 2007
Messages
1,332
Visit site
i am going to go and see that mare in manchester really excited!! i have also had someone contact me about a horse they have, sounds lovely has even been ridden by a 9 yo girl, but she is 17.1hh!! i am only 5 foot 1 so this tends to put me off when i see the numbers if you kno what i mean??

but would it be worth going to try her and see how i feel??instead of saying no just because of her height? i am used to riding horses up to 16.2hh.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!
 
I am 5ft 7 and ride a 17.1hh but pickle has been known to be ridden by smaller riders without a problem think it does just depend entirely on the horse, I definetly wouldnt dismiss it because of its size. Feel free to pm me could probably find some piccies of some people that ride pickle!
 
I have one at 17.1 and he is so well trained and wonderful his height really doesn't come into it. I also have a 5 year old and said I'd never have a youngster and he is fabulous and so well produced his age is irrelevant so my point is his temperament, history and ability are the things to assess. good luck!!
 
Just go and view you dont know until you try, Some big horses feel very pony like anyway Have noticed that on some I have rode I have rode 17.2 + and felt like I was on a 15.2. Its not that bad if you feel comfy then it wont matter.
 
I would have to ask what you plan on doing with it?

I am also 5'1" and will not ride anything over 15.2hh purely because I find that anything bigger than that renders my legs useless so I don't think I would be able to do the horse justice (I'm an eventer). However, if you were wanting to hack, I would still be very wary of riding something that big. Regardless of how "bombproof" it is, you can't guarantee anything and, to be honest, when something's that big, if there's a fight between something that's probably over half a tonne and you/me (little people), it's not rocket science to work out who would win!

On a serious note though, it could be dangerous, not only to you and the horse but to anyone else around you. Sorry to be negative but if it were me, I wouldn't waste everyone's time by going to see it.
 
It really depends on how you feel ?
Personally myself I dont feel comfortable riding a bigger horse, its not that I cant but just dont feel as If I look right :S

Really is up to you
smile.gif
 
i would have to take a step ladder lol!!! i would just hate to pass up on a nice horse just because of its size, for me it also depends on the horses build tho. i find it alot easier to ride fine horses which are taller, i managed to get on a 16.2 TB from the ground but not onto a 15.3hh fresian X lol
 
at 5.9 I'm pathetic getting back on mine if I have to get off which is rare, as i'm really conscious of hurting his back. I have done it but have pulled a muscle doing it. If I can find a log or something much better! Mylittle friend who's 5 2 throws herself on and makes it look easy!
 
I know people who are 5ft 2 or less who can get on pickle fron the ground really depends how agile you are. Definetly test that before buying!
 
I cant (and wont anyway) get on my 16.1 from the ground and im 5ft 11, so i personally wouldnt let that worry you
tongue.gif


Tbh, i wouldnt be put off by the initial height. Its quite easy to draw up criteria of what you want but this can mean you potentially pass up something perfect because he doesnt quite fit them.

Hes undoubtedly a large horse for someone of your height, but you dont know how you will get on unless you try him/
 
It's not just riding - you also need to bear in mind how you'll manage day-to-day handling, tacking up etc. A horse that size can be very physically imposing, especially if there is a difference of opinion going on.
 
I'm 5'2 and quite happy to ride 17h+ horses but I wouldn't want to buy/loan one. The overall picture would be wrong and as I plan to keep horses a long time it seems daft to buy one that I'd look a bit daft on. Personally I'd hang fire and wait for something to come up that's a bit smaller. Good luck and I hope you don't mind, I'm going to pm you about a dodgy dealer's in Manchester that sometimes poses as private, just in case you wind up there!
 
It is entirely dependant on the horses build as well. A 17hh narrow TB does not feel as big, to ride, as say a wider warmblood/ID, etc.
I never really thought of what I looked like, whilst riding the larger horses (I am 5'1) and it is not as important as what I feel like whilst I am riding the horse. That shouldn't be something to hang your decision on.
I do agree, with the people who caution about the general day to day care of the larger horse, as I struggled (without stepping blocks) to be able to tack up and groom. No problem with the riding but it does make me weary of buying another taller horse.
I tend to look at 15-15.2hh now, purely as they are more manageable for my size, and perhaps you may want to look for towards that size.
smile.gif
 
the other horse i am going to see is 15.1hh which i think is a gd height but i had ideally been looking for 16hh but i'll just need to wait and see
 
I don't think you should discount it because of its size. I am 5'6, but have short legs for my height. I used to have a 16.3hh tb, but he was so narrow I didn't have any problem getting my leg round him, but the 16.1hh warmblood I was schooling for a friend was much harder, as he was wide and round!

Go and see it and give it a try!
 
Your'e entitled to your opinion but sorry to say I totally disagree. I am also 5 feet 1 and weigh less than 8 stones. My horse is a big built 16.1 warmblood and I do BSJA and showing with her. I have never had an easier horse, very pony like, and I hop on and off her all the time as I know she will stand next to something high or a gate to let me on. OK, so my legs dont come all the way down her sides but she has adapted happily to where I give her the aids. Yes it would be nice to be able to wrap my legs around her but adaptation is the name of the game. And the advantage is that she is competing with a lighter weight to carry than virtually every horse we compete against. We had a fab day's hunting today without any difficulties at all.

I've never yet ridden a horse I couldnt stop - I used to ride racehorses for a living, and neither did any of the small lightweight other people working with them find it a problem!

A lot of people are far more dangerous on small fizzy ponies! A lot of big horses are a lot easier.

I am very tempted to get a 17hh plus second horse, my 16.1 being so convenient.


[ QUOTE ]
I would have to ask what you plan on doing with it?

I am also 5'1" and will not ride anything over 15.2hh purely because I find that anything bigger than that renders my legs useless so I don't think I would be able to do the horse justice (I'm an eventer). However, if you were wanting to hack, I would still be very wary of riding something that big. Regardless of how "bombproof" it is, you can't guarantee anything and, to be honest, when something's that big, if there's a fight between something that's probably over half a tonne and you/me (little people), it's not rocket science to work out who would win!

On a serious note though, it could be dangerous, not only to you and the horse but to anyone else around you. Sorry to be negative but if it were me, I wouldn't waste everyone's time by going to see it.

[/ QUOTE ]
 
As long as you're competent and confident in a bad situation with a horse that size, I don't see a problem. I'm 5'5-6" ish, 8 stone and petite and many people think my horse is a bit too big for me (she's 15.3hh but built like a tank - middleweight ID X - and most people think I "should" have a 15hh or a finer 16hh) but Maiden is THE sweetest, kindest, most sensible horse ever. I sat on her bareback and in a headcollar yesterday having not been sat on since March and although she jogged on the spot I trusted her completely (and I'm a nervous rider!). I also used to ride and handle a 17.1hh Trakehner X ID who was fab, at college I regularly used to jump an 18.2hh without trouble (although I struggled to get his saddle on! lol) and at work we have a 17hh ish warmblood who is just the sweetest and most gentlemanly horse ever and I have no qualms about riding him.
Go and see - if you don't feel right you can always say 'no thank you' as with any other horse!
 
I would personally say that just from a practical point of view he may be bigger than you want. The other thing to think about is that if you do go and try him and then turn round and say he is too big for you, most the posters on here would consider you a timewaster!
 
I just thought I'd add... this is me stood next to the 18.2hh:
beauracheljumplesson1212200502.jpg

This is me on him:
beauracheljumplesson1212200504.jpg

I don't think I look too small on him, although he was the limit of what I could ride! I used to have a 13.1hh who I had less control on!
 
No, definitely don't do it. Sorry to be so negative, but you have to think about what actually entails in feeding, rugging, handling (when horse is being piggish), etc..

I have recently experienced all this on behalf of a friend at 5 foot 4 with a 16.2, and believe me, it's no joke.

Let alone falling off. It's a hell of a long drop before you hit the ground. If you're in any way nervous, I would definitely recommend you to go for something smaller. At 5 foot 1with a big bugger you would be seriously overhorsed. (Sorry)
frown.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
No, definitely don't do it. Sorry to be so negative, but you have to think about what actually entails in feeding, rugging, handling (when horse is being piggish), etc..

I have recently experienced all this on behalf of a friend at 5 foot 4 with a 16.2, and believe me, it's no joke.

Let alone falling off. It's a hell of a long drop before you hit the ground. If you're in any way nervous, I would definitely recommend you to go for something smaller. At 5 foot 1with a big bugger you would be seriously overhorsed. (Sorry)
frown.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

I would agree if the horse is yes ''Piggish'' with regards to feed, mine does not cost anymore than it would to feed a 15h TB, with regards to Rugs you get them very cheap!! Mine are 7ft6 rugs, but I find I get them all cheap! as they can not sell them!

Falling off - yep I have done that from Ren, and yes it hurts but it does when you get old and dall off any horse LOL!

With regards to riding the horse you may struggle as I do on the flat, and the main problem I have is getting Ren Round as he is so big and I do not have the legs to get round him.
However after a few lessons with a top Dressage Trainer I now have him where I want him, and I know it will make a bit difference in my dressage tests next season.

You will def need to have some lessons as you are not used to riding such a big horse.
I went from a 15.2 TB to a 17.3 TB X Irish.. The other thing I find is warming him up before my dressage test, because he is so big I need to get him soft and bending which does take time, but I stick him on the lunge with bungies for 20 mins and he is fine.

Good luck.x

You can be part of the BFG Group LOL!
 
FWIW, I'm 5 ft 1 1/2 & size 8, & the horse in my avatar was a v strapping 17hh. When I was looking for him, I intended to buy 15.2 to 16.1, ie small but big enough to make the distances bsja. When I saw Catembi, I dismissed him out of hand as too big & was quite cross when the dealer insisted on showing him to me, but as soon as I saw him move, I fell for him. And my goodness, what a jump.

So I just bought a HUGE mounting block!! I used to hack him in a french link & he never ran off with me. I jumped him to 1 m 25 & got some dr points. He could be tricky because he was by Cruising, but I never felt his size was an issue & in the stable, etc, he was actually very careful not to tread on me or barge me.

He was my dream horse & the partnership totally worked, & I'm sooooo pleased the dealer insisted on showing him to me. We were blissfully happy & were only wrenched apart when he came down with an incurable illness.

PS just try not to drop your whip out hacking!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top