Am I too big/tall for this horse

[Sakuragirl20]

I tried an approx 15hh mare at the weekend only 6 years old so has some filling out to do. I think I look too tall on her, she takes up my leg well but i had my stirrups short as I always do trying new horses. In my head I always wanted something a bit bigger around 16hh mark.

I’m 5”8 currently weigh around 13-14 stone.

what do other people think? Ive had mixed opinions a lot of people saying absolutely not.

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had to put a google link as files were too big

 

[Sakuragirl20]

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[Sakuragirl20]

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[Abacus]

It's a bit of a blurry picture so quite hard to tell. The overall impression is that you don't look too big, and I don't think longer stirrups would harm this. Your body doesn't look too long, which i always find more uncomfortable as a rider, as it can feel very unbalanced. Did she feel small? Looks like her neck would feel short from your perspective, this may not be a problem but is disconcerting. However it may be worth holding out for a horse you feel more suited to, if you are doubtful. Unless you really loved her.

 

[sbloom]

I think it's borderline, she's very unbalanced, compensating by pushing her bum out behind her and her head up, and will need some help from the ground, from bodyworkers probably, to help her find a better way of moving and of carrying you. The saddle doesn't fit, and that may be the biggest struggle - croup high, short backed, moving downhill and relatively large rider and you could be in saddle fitting hell. Having her move in a better, more horizontal/uphill balance will improve things a lot even in terms of saddle fitting, but it may never be quite enough.

A great response from someone I respect massively (and interesting comments) on a post on fitting horses in downhill balance, a post which many will have seen https://www.facebook.com/equimetric...azmkk2QwyBajLZJ2cAHCvfvLmP5c1NkURGcFG93gnGfNl

 

[Sakuragirl20]

It's a bit of a blurry picture so quite hard to tell. The overall impression is that you don't look too big, and I don't think longer stirrups would harm this. Your body doesn't look too long, which i always find more uncomfortable as a rider, as it can feel very unbalanced. Did she feel small? Looks like her neck would feel short from your perspective, this may not be a problem but is disconcerting. However it may be worth holding out for a horse you feel more suited to, if you are doubtful. Unless you really loved her.

I did really like her. She didn’t feel small when I was riding her I think I’m just so body conscious when it comes to riding

 

[Goldenstar]

I think you are too tall for this horse .
it’s going to be very difficult in terms of saddles.

 

[Sakuragirl20]

I think it's borderline, she's very unbalanced, compensating by pushing her bum out behind her and her head up, and will need some help from the ground, from bodyworkers probably, to help her find a better way of moving and of carrying you. The saddle doesn't fit, and that may be the biggest struggle - croup high, short backed, moving downhill and relatively large rider and you could be in saddle fitting hell. Having her move in a better, more horizontal/uphill balance will improve things a lot even in terms of saddle fitting, but it may never be quite enough.

A great response from someone I respect massively (and interesting comments) on a post on fitting horses in downhill balance, a post which many will have seen https://www.facebook.com/equimetric...azmkk2QwyBajLZJ2cAHCvfvLmP5c1NkURGcFG93gnGfNl

Apparently she had a saddle fitted to her in September. Kenton masters. Which I find surprising as I know flat backed wide cobs struggle with this shape

she was very unbalanced to get in contact but she has only been used as a happy hacker. This was her 3rd time in the school

 

[saddlesore]

I’m 5’8” and my boy is 15hh and I don’t feel too big on him. She looks unbalanced and in a poorly fitting saddle so once that is addressed I think it’ll make a much better picture overall

 

[eggs]

To my eye you do look rather too tall on this horse but it really is down to how you feel. Is she really 15 hh or is this is just an estimated height? IME most people over estimate the height of a horse.

I am 5'8" and happily rode a 14.2 Dales pony

 

[Jenko109]

Yeah you look a little tall but if you like the horse then it should not stop you buying it as you are clearly not too big.

 

[FAYEFUDGE]

I tried an approx 15hh mare at the weekend only 6 years old so has some filling out to do. I think I look too tall on her, she takes up my leg well but i had my stirrups short as I always do trying new horses. In my head I always wanted something a bit bigger around 16hh mark.

I’m 5”8 currently weigh around 13-14 stone.

what do other people think? Ive had mixed opinions a lot of people saying absolutely not.

IMG_7078-min.PNG

drive.google.com

had to put a google link as files were too big

I think you look fine! Would say saddle is not doing you any favours, as others have said

 

[FREESTYLER]

Balance is key.
Considerations to take into account:-
saddle as said before by others looks like it needs addressing
a horse with a larger barrel will accommodate more leg length
your ability to balance on the horse if the horse is still young/unbalanced/muscle tone lacking
What are you intending to do with the horse
Hope that helps

 

[Barton Bounty]

I think you will be fine on her, the saddle is odd though, did you feel perched on it? Hopefully change the saddle and youll be good to go

 

[Barton Bounty]

Apparently she had a saddle fitted to her in September. Kenton masters. Which I find surprising as I know flat backed wide cobs struggle with this shape

she was very unbalanced to get in contact but she has only been used as a happy hacker. This was her 3rd time in the school

Kent and masters do a cob gp but that doesn’t necessarily mean it fits properly, the biggest thing to be comfortable for you both is the saddle has to fit you and the horse

 

[Cortez]

Yes, on this particular 15 horse I believe you are too big.

 

[scats]

I actually don’t think you look too big, but your balance and positioning isn’t probably helping the overall look. It may be that the saddle isn’t right for you.

 

[Highmileagecob]

If the horse was older and working well under saddle, I would say go for it, but with a relative youngster that you intend to school and bring on, your height/weight distribution may cause some balance issues for the horse. Simple physics, if you are a little too tall, then your body is exerting more force when turning then a shorter rider. At six years old, this is a still a baby in cob terms. They don't tend to mature until much later. Lovely looking cob though, I can see why you are tempted!

 

[Widgeon]

I don't think you look too tall by any means, although I can't really comment on the suitability for her of your weight. If you really liked her and don't mind setting aside quite a lot of money for a good saddle fitter to find a properly fitting saddle (for you both) I wouldn't count her out. It's not a very comfortable photo to look at but as others have said, that's down to the saddle and her current way of going, both of which you can improve.

 

[sbloom]

If anyone clicks on the link I posted above you can see from the post, and from the Equimetric page, that the horse is the bigger problem right now than the saddle, fitting saddles to poorly balanced downhill horses is fraught with difficulty and is always a compromise. The saddle is on the shoulder and tipping back, avoiding that could be very challenging unless the horse improves, and the larger the seat size the more likely this is, even if it's correctly "small enough" on the ribcage.

Groundwork and bodywork, then probably a temporary saddle and lots of saddle checks as you sort her balance, posture and musculature out.

 

[Poppy+MrDarcy]

I honestly think you look perfect on her! I do think that the saddle could be ill fitting, but if she's going smoothly and isn't misbehaving then I would say she's the perfect hight for you! As you said she will fill out over time

 

[Sakuragirl20]

so I thought the saddle was big for me. It’s a 17inch which I usually ride in.
I’m going to go back and ride her again with longer stirrups.

 

[Barton Bounty]

so I thought the saddle was big for me. It’s a 17inch which I usually ride in.
I’m going to go back and ride her again with longer stirrups.

I would actually say the opposite you should be comfortable in the seat, you look kinda perched. I am roughly the same as 13 and I have a 16.1 horse and a 17” saddle but my bum fits in it and it sort of hugs round it. Is it a square cantle by any chance? Its really blurry to zoom in. It possibly isn’t the right fit of saddle for you, everyone is different and you both need to be comfortable.
Your weight doesn’t come into it as you dont look heavy for her anyway. There is no doubt about that. Just the saddle I wouldn’t say fits you

 

[GrassChop]

Amazing how much can be seen from a couple of very blurry pictures from far away...

 

[Tiddlypom]

Amazing how much can be seen from a couple of very blurry pictures from far away...

What we can see is a very unhappy and uncomfortable looking horse. There are many possible causes for that, just one of which is that the OP could indeed be too big and/or too heavy for the horse.

 

[sbloom]

so I thought the saddle was big for me. It’s a 17inch which I usually ride in.
I’m going to go back and ride her again with longer stirrups.

Do read my post again for some pointers, I'm a professional saddle fitter .

Most 17" saddles would be a bit small when fitting in the normal way - the saddle is in the wrong place, though it may have moved there, it is out of balance too.

The horse has a wide ribcage which will be sending your knees forwards, but the saddle may be making it worse. You may not need a larger saddle (though a 17.5" would be more usual for your height/weight they do vary) if the right saddle allows your leg to drop and rotate in more, do you see how much it's rotating outwards? This puts all your weight on your seatbones which are alread right at the back of the saddle and either contributing too, or being worsened by, it tipping down at the back.

Lengthening your stirrups might help a teeny bit but is nowhere near a solution for you as a combo.

 

[sbloom]

Amazing how much can be seen from a couple of very blurry pictures from far away...

All the basic parameters can be seen, for saddle and the horse's way of going and balance.

What we can see is a very unhappy and uncomfortable looking horse. There are many possible causes for that, just one of which is that the OP could indeed be too big and/or too heavy for the horse.

It's amazing how much difference a saddle in correct balance and in the right place, allowing the rider's leg to drop and rotate in, can make. There is definitely too much weight on the back of the saddle but too much weight overall is much more debatable. Edited to add - too much weight on the back of the saddle can look like too much weight full stop in terms of the effect on the horse and could contribute to hock, suspensory etc issues.

 

[gallopingby]

I agree the saddle isn’t right but you do look too tall in the photos. Normally l’d say at your height on a deep cob you should be fine but you need to be able to sit into the horse more than seems possible due to a combination of the saddle fit and your body length. It might be interesting to see a photo of you riding a better schooled / balanced horse with a different saddle.

 

[Zoeypxo]

Horse doesn't look comfortable from those pictures
A video may help us see more if you can get one

 

[nagblagger]

I am no expert.
I don't think you look too tall however, as stated above, the saddle is a problem so that would need addressing in price negotiation if she comes with tack. Obviously not schooled so it depends what you want her for as appears uncomfortable schooling. (my cob would be the same). If you are interested i would definitely get her vetted as something is making her uncomfortable. could you or the owner ride her bareback and see if she is less 'tense'.