Am I really too small for my horse?

charliehands

charliehands

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I am sorry I know this has been done so many times before. But so many people have told me that I am too small for my horse but I don't think so? She's 17hh and I am 5'6 about 9 stone.. Opinions please (I know I need to sit up more please don't tell me :X )
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charliehands said:
I am sorry I know this has been done so many times before. But so many people have told me that I am too small for my horse but I don't think so? She's 17hh and I am 5'6 about 9 stone.. Opinions please (I know I need to sit up more please don't tell me :X )
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You look absolutely fine. I would never have guessed she was 17 hands.
 
thank you all!! Just comments from people saying I should sell her and get something smaller! Sometimes I do have a hard time because she's so strong but im sure even something thats 15hh could be just as strong!
 
You look much too small. She would be much more suited to someone about 5ft 10. Oh that's how tall I am send her over!!!

(I love chestnut mares - she is gorgeous)
 
Yes, you are too small in the 'traditional' terms. It used to be said that your feet should be level with the horse's elbow. However, IMO, you can't have a horse 'too big' for you, so long as you can ride it effectively and it causes no detriment to either horse or rider. Though, in certain instances, ie showing, it could look unsightly. You don't look at all bad on your horse though, so no issue!
 
You look good together- and your legs reach below the saddle flaps which is helpful.

Friend rode a 13.3hh pocket rocket that none of us on the yard would get on ! Sometimes size doesn't matter.


Ps, do you think your saddle is tipping you forwards ? Not a criticism, more an observation.
 
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lol hoggedmane I am taking her to our local hunts newcomers meet on saturday if it doesn't go well you can have her hahaha!! :P

It could be my saddle but I also think it is probably a bad habbit of mine that I need to work on!
 
If you place your saddle slightly further back, you will look even better. It is over her shoulders in the photo. This will place you in a better balance. I think you are getting a good 'tune' out of her. My only gripe with overhorsed people is when they can't get the best out of the horse. You look as though you cope very well with her size. You look good together.
 
Al (my sister) is smaller than you and rides her 17.1hh x-racer out eventing at BE100 happily, she does look little on him at times (and we can really see it now she has a 15.2hh who she fits perfectly!) but he listens to her and respects her and they make a good team.
 
I am probably too small for my boy, he's 17.1 irish x and I'm 5'4 and 9 stone. I'm sure I don't get 100% of the best out of him and a tall bloke who could really wrap his legs round would ride him better. But I don't think it does either of us any harm so I don't worry about it!!
 
You look like a fantastic combination.

You want to see 'too small on a horse'? Me at 5'3 riding a 18hh.

My last horse was 16.3. The horse I loaned for a short period before that was a tad over 17hh, and I regularly rode an 18hh+.

Some people simply can't help themselves..........
 
My friend has to ride her OH's horse whilst he's away. She's 4ft 10 and about 6.5 stone - horse is 17.2. It looks hilarious. But they get on well together and she can manage him. But she does look for too small. You don't. You look fine :)
 
My old share horse was 17.3 and I'm 5ft 3, imagine how small I must have looked! I never cared what people thought about our height difference ;), we made a great partnership, I loved riding him and enjoyed every minute with him, he was a real gent and we had lots of fun together.

At first he was strong, but smaller horses can be strong too - you just need to learn how to overcome the strength issue. I found with mine give and retakes of the reins were the way forward, even though it felt totally unnatural to be chucking the reins at a horse when we were doing a wall of death canter - a give and retake quickly made him realise I wasnt pulling anymore, he couldnt lean on me and the canter slowed down. I only needed to ride him in a snaffle and we went on to score some 8's for our canter at Novice dressage :)

Forget about what other people think, as long as you and your horse are happy then sod everyone else ;) And get a decent instructor to help you learn how to deal with her strength, once you have that nailed you will never want a small horse again!
 
No, you seem to have long legs, which help!
I'm about the same size as you and I have two 17hh horses. One is a TB type and doesn't look 17hh, so in pictures I never look 'too small' one is my new ID who is chunky and the pictures of my riding her I really do look like I'm over horsed!
However, I love big horses, they make me feel safe. I would struggle with something like a 15hh TB as I like a good neck in front of me!
 
I'm just over 5ft and regularly ride a 17.2. I don't feel too small (even after riding a 13 2) although I do look tiny. Would I buy one that size? No cause I need a mounting block to tack him up :L
 
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