A few questions.... size of horse and price of backing/breaking in

S

showjump2003

Well-Known Member
Joined
1 March 2006
Messages
2,599
Visit site
Nothing urgent as I don't plan on getting another horse just yet but I have been looking at a few ads to get an idea of what I'm after and what I can get for my money. I don't have a very strict criteria for a new horse, just want something to try my hand at dressage with and not older than 10. So after looking at adverts it got me thinking about what size horse I want. I saw two that I really liked, one was 15.2hh and the other was 17.2hh, a bit of a difference! After reading someone elses post the otherday about a smaller rider and large horse I'm thinking 17.2hh might be too big for me but also think 15.2hh might be too small? I'm 5ft4 ish and my current horse is 15.2hh and I always planned to get a bigger horse next ..... but for flatwork does it really matter?

Just to give you an idea...

Me on my 14.2hh

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v359/showjump2003/caernarfon3.jpg

Me on my 15.2hh

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v359/showjump2003/ttoday4.jpg

Me on 16.2hh

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a38/Showjump2006/Other%20horses/263139276oUGorB_ph.jpg

Me on a 17hh

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a38/Showjump2006/Other%20horses/webpic.jpg

Secondly, one of the horses I have seen isn't backed yet. How much does this cost roughly nowadays? It's been 4/5 years since I had an unbroken horse here.
 
I don't think height has a huge part to play, it totally depends on the build of the horse as Im sure you know. I look quite big (IMO) on my 16hh because he's a fine build but look fine on a very sturdy 14.2hh I had not long ago! I dont see why a 15.2hh would be "too small" for you? And for flatwork, no it doesn't matter IMO, in fact height shouldn't matter in most disiplines unless you're into bigger jumping stuff in which case it can be harder to make distances with a smaller horse etc. but for dressage, as long as you can get your leg round them then thats all that matters. Which may be difficult on a large horse such as a 17.2hh. I imagine a normal dressage arena would also seem very small in something that size!

I would forget about the size, just go and see anything you think suits otherwise?
 
[ QUOTE ]
I don't think height has a huge part to play, it totally depends on the build of the horse as Im sure you know.

I would forget about the size, just go and see anything you think suits otherwise?

[/ QUOTE ]

Totally agree.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I don't think height has a huge part to play, it totally depends on the build of the horse as Im sure you know.

I would forget about the size, just go and see anything you think suits otherwise?

[/ QUOTE ]

Totally agree.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ditto.
 
i totally agree with that statement. I have a 16hh TB which i look bigger on, and just 15.1 arab x welsh D which i don't look as big on, its just what you would feel comfortable on.
 
Any horse can do flat work and dressage, my Welsh D was 14.2 and a great little dressage horse. You need to find a horse that you feel comfortable with.

Ralph my rescue was 16hh and under par when I took him on as a 3yo, he's now 10 and 16.2 (as wide!) I'm only 4'11! We do very well and despite a little hiccough this year, we compete in dressage and affiliated show hunter.

Take your time and try out a few horses, or even ask your friends if you can have a sit on their horses to get the feel of different sizes, also a good exercise, to ride other horses
wink.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
i totally agree with that statement. I have a 16hh TB which i look bigger on, and just 15.1 arab x welsh D which i don't look as big on, its just what you would feel comfortable on.

[/ QUOTE ]

Absolutely, Lance is 16.2 and Beau is 17.3, Lance looks the bigger horse because he is broader and chunkier, whereas Beau is more narrow, so I look about the same on both of them.
smile.gif
 
I agree with the build of the horse, as in first pic you are on a chunky 14.2 then the next pic is finer horse, It totally depends on the horse to be honest, I am 5ft 11 and get away with riding my friends 15.2 highland x many other things, and I look fine on him, but put me on something finer and I look ridiculous. Hence why I have an 18hh lol.
There are some at college that make me look tiny and some little chunk ponies that I look fine on its totally on the build of the horse.
 
Agree with everyone else, I am 5ft6 and have ridden from a 12.2hh in the summer to 17.2hh, and pretty much everything in between! I think I look big on my 15hh because she is a very narrow build, but on a chunky 14.2hh cob, I look smaller!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top