lucyhross
Member
Definitely! Especially since I have been looking for so long! Is this a case of being too heavy and too tall? Thought I would look for 15hh and above but maybe I should up it to 16hh
Am I too heavy for my horse?
- Thread starter lucyhross
- Start date
Definitely! Especially since I have been looking for so long! Is this a case of being too heavy and too tall? Thought I would look for 15hh and above but maybe I should up it to 16hh
lucyhross
Member
Yep these definitely could not have been worse! they were taken by the girl I was hacking with on her other 16.2, but I thought picture would be better then no picture... I am 5ft6 and horse is 12
ycbm
Overwhelmed
Sometimes it's useful to have appalling broadband
! It stuck just at the right point, where you can see that the mare has her fetlock flat to the floor on the last stride before she takes off. I hope you find a bigger version soon.
ycbm
Overwhelmed
I think that if you are five six then it's unlikely the mare measures fifteen one. Loads of horses are advertised as much bigger than they are.
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I actually think the pictures can be discounted. If that is you riding in the videos then I think you look fine....I wouldn't look at you at a show etc and think that you were too big
cobgoblin
Bugrit! Millennium hand and shrimp.
Sorry OP, but I think you are both too tall and too heavy. Buying a horse where you are near its weight carrying capacity is never a good idea as you are committing yourself to a permanent diet....don't forget that you have to add at least 1.5 st for tack and clothing, so you are riding at 14st.
FfionWinnie
Well-Known Member
Did you measure the horse? Really she looks a lot smaller than I would have expected in the jumping video too which I've now seen, if you are only 5ft6. You look rather like I do on my daughter's 13.1 Welsh C and I'm 5ft8!
It's not the height I think more she's a very fine type with no front and perhaps she has very high withers which makes her taller on paper than she really is. You should easily find a 15-15.2 that is a better match you just need something that has a touch more width IMO.
It's not the height I think more she's a very fine type with no front and perhaps she has very high withers which makes her taller on paper than she really is. You should easily find a 15-15.2 that is a better match you just need something that has a touch more width IMO.
lucyhross
Member
I'd like to think the videos are a better representation. However if I am putting stress through her fetlocks when jumping then that can't be a good thing...
FfionWinnie
Well-Known Member
Fetlocks are meant to bend so I wouldn't read anything into that aspect, they bend an amazing amount without a rider on too. If you are really keen why not have a second viewing and have someone take decent photos and videos plus weigh tape her and measure her. Get them to hold the phone landscape not portrait as well and follow the horse round keeping it in the middle of the video. My 7yr old daughter would do a better video for you than that 
Mongoose11
Well-Known Member
How can she possibly be too tall/big for the horse? That comes down to personal preference, surely? So no, not obvious at all what you meant. At 5.6" and 15h I wouldn't think she is 'actually' too tall. Are they an aesthetically pleasing match? Not quite.
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be positive
Well-Known Member
I don't think the OP is too big or too tall but that the horse is too small, knowing how so many horses are nowhere near the height they are advertised as then my original guess of 14.2 still stands, if you can find a proper 15.1 you should be fine on it so don't rule them out just look for one that is up to height and is a bit chunky rather than a narrow one. At 5ft6in you would be fine on anything about 15 hands but on that mare you look far taller because she is so tiny and has a narrow front.
Crackerz
Well-Known Member
May i ask why you think she'd need a bigger horse even if she lost weight, just to do all the stuff she plans?! Ponies can do all that stuff with adult riders!
OP, that mare looks much smaller than 15.1hh to me, have you measured her?
You don't need to move your horse hunt to something bigger, just something with more bone (And that doesn't have to mean cobs if you don't like them!)
Pigeon
Well-Known Member
I think she must be smaller than that! My tb's 15.2 and I'm 5'9 and I think she looks smaller than him in comparison to your height.
I would say I'm borderline too tall for mine, but it doesn't matter much in dressage - if you're jumping it's probably better to have a bit more in front of you.
I know it's a pain when you find one that is otherwise perfect
I would say I'm borderline too tall for mine, but it doesn't matter much in dressage - if you're jumping it's probably better to have a bit more in front of you.
I know it's a pain when you find one that is otherwise perfect
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Fetlocks are meant to bend so I wouldn't read anything into that aspect, they bend an amazing amount without a rider on too. If you are really keen why not have a second viewing and have someone take decent photos and videos plus weigh tape her and measure her. Get them to hold the phone landscape not portrait as well and follow the horse round keeping it in the middle of the video. My 7yr old daughter would do a better video for you than that
I agree, the fetlock thing is ridiculous! Look at any video of any horse jumping and the fetlocks bend a lot.
lucyhross
Member
Fetlocks are meant to bend so I wouldn't read anything into that aspect, they bend an amazing amount without a rider on too. If you are really keen why not have a second viewing and have someone take decent photos and videos plus weigh tape her and measure her. Get them to hold the phone landscape not portrait as well and follow the horse round keeping it in the middle of the video. My 7yr old daughter would do a better video for you than that
I have been riding for 15 years but I'm definitely still no expert! Especially when viewing horses- this is my first time, i have no car so have to rely on friends- whether they are horsey or not! The horse industry is a minefield which is what ive learnt through this whole experience- Thank you for the advice- might have to ask your daughter to come instead then!
Red-1
I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
I also think that at 5ft6, and 12.5 st, you would be able to find a 15.2 that would suit you just fine. As mentioned before, the photos are difficult to interpret, and the horse does look smaller than this. On one of them your torso looks bigger than her head and neck put together, so she either has a very small front, or is not in fact 15.1.
A measuring stick can give different measurements depending on who wields it, plus did they discount 1/2 inch for the shoes?
I do know that even at the same height, some horses will take a rider with ease, whereas others will look too small. I guess you have to kiss a lot of frogs to find the prince!
A measuring stick can give different measurements depending on who wields it, plus did they discount 1/2 inch for the shoes?
I do know that even at the same height, some horses will take a rider with ease, whereas others will look too small. I guess you have to kiss a lot of frogs to find the prince!
alainax
Well-Known Member
She just looks very fine, and less than the height mentioned. If you were doing quieter work, I am sure you would be fine.
I let an amazing opportunity pass me by to buy the horse that I loved, and was helping to bring on for the owner. As although I felt "ok" on him, deep down I knew I was right on the brink of what would be fair for him to carry during long term harder work, and would be constantly worrying about it, wouldn't ride at shows in case someone commented etc.
I let an amazing opportunity pass me by to buy the horse that I loved, and was helping to bring on for the owner. As although I felt "ok" on him, deep down I knew I was right on the brink of what would be fair for him to carry during long term harder work, and would be constantly worrying about it, wouldn't ride at shows in case someone commented etc.
lucyhross
Member
This is how I feel at the moment, I could maybe get away with doing 20-30mins in the school most days, but as soon as take her somewhere I would be worried people would judge me. I think she has the wrong conformation for me, its a shame because she is otherwise everything else that I'm looking for
FfionWinnie
Well-Known Member
Yes it's not easy. I went to try a 15.1 which was really a 14.1 with big withers and I said it's too small as soon as I saw it. 3hr trip and they insisted I rode him told me I looked fine on him but I didn't like his choppy action and he was too small. Bought my current mare unseen meant to be 15.1, got here and she was 14.1 (see the pattern here lol). However she is a very big 14.2 now with plenty of bone and muscle and people think she is the same height as my finer 15.2.
Best thing to do is post the adverts on here before you go, that will mean you never view anything by the time it's been shreaded bt the HHO massive but still save you a bit of time
cobgoblin
Bugrit! Millennium hand and shrimp.
FfionWinnie;13396712 Best thing to do is post the adverts on here before you go said:
asterope
Well-Known Member
I second everyone who's said that she must be smaller than advertised - from the photos I thought she'd be around 14hh!
cobgoblin
Bugrit! Millennium hand and shrimp.
A good tip for estimating a horse's size when viewing...
Get out a tape measure and measure how many hands it is to your shoulder, chin, nose, eyes, and the top of your head....then stand next to the wither. It's not perfect, but gives you a good idea...you will certainly notice a couple of inches out.
Get out a tape measure and measure how many hands it is to your shoulder, chin, nose, eyes, and the top of your head....then stand next to the wither. It's not perfect, but gives you a good idea...you will certainly notice a couple of inches out.
Nudibranch
Well-Known Member
Personally I would not be comfortable on a horse that size/build. I am the same weight (though 5'10) and my riding horse is a 17.3 middleweight who weighs 700kg. You need to factor in tack as mentioned, and I know that my vet would definitely not be happy. As he says, if you want a horse to "last" then pick something which is capable of carrying more than the limit.
Wellbeing comes before political correctness imo.
Wellbeing comes before political correctness imo.
be positive
Well-Known Member
That is going to extremes, no one needs a 17.3, plenty of tall people ride ponies, it is how the equine is built that matters not how tall it is, a big horse may be up to weight, not that around 12 stone is actually that heavy, but usually a smaller horse will last longer if it is well put together.
PaddyMonty
Well-Known Member
OP - it's not so muc the height of the horse you should focus on, rather the build.
These pics are all of me but very different horses.
What height would you put each at? (I'm 5'10")
Ooops forgot last one
These pics are all of me but very different horses.
What height would you put each at? (I'm 5'10")
Ooops forgot last one
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Nudibranch
Well-Known Member
It's hardly "going to extremes"! I stated he was a middleweight, BP, which is the point rather than his height although if one is tall then it is preferable to have something on the taller side also. I actually look just right on him, and come in at 14% of his weight including saddle, which is plenty imo. The 20% rule is too much, and I suspect the OP would come in at 20% or more on the horse in the pictures.
Luci07
Well-Known Member
OP - it's not so muc the height of the horse you should focus on, rather the build.
These pics are all of me but very different horses.
What height would you put each at? (I'm 5'10")
Ooops forgot last one
Varying between pony (chesnut) coloured...around 16.1? And I do like your coloured!
Friend has a middleweight 16 hand (just). OH is 6" and around the 14 stone mark. Horse carries him easily and OH does not look at al big on this horse,
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PaddyMonty
Well-Known Member
Which coloured? There are 4 different ones and you are at least a hand out on top end.
HandBR
Active Member
I have done the percentage calculation on my ponies, as my daughter and I are both (small and light) adults riding ponies that range from 14 to 14.3 hands. We come in at around 14-15% on all of them including tack.
Our 14.3 is very similar in build to the horse in the pictures and weighs in at approx 490 kgs (we had a weigh in with a feed company and got them all on a portable weighbridge) so the horse you are contemplating is going to be somewhere in that region.
At 12.5 stone plus a bit for a saddle you would be somewhere around 16% (if my calculations are correct) - but that horse doesn't look 15.1 and therefore I would question the weight.
Our 14.3 is very similar in build to the horse in the pictures and weighs in at approx 490 kgs (we had a weigh in with a feed company and got them all on a portable weighbridge) so the horse you are contemplating is going to be somewhere in that region.
At 12.5 stone plus a bit for a saddle you would be somewhere around 16% (if my calculations are correct) - but that horse doesn't look 15.1 and therefore I would question the weight.
be positive
Well-Known Member
I agree that 20% is too much but my point was that a 17.3 or anything near that is not necessary for any one, a middleweight 15.2 is plenty big enough for most average people, the OP is relatively average in height and weight, the owner of the 14.2 I have in livery is about 5ft10in and at least 13 stone yet looks fine on him because he is a deep girthed, well put together native pony, just because someone is tall does not mean they have to have a tall horse.