Am I too tall and will it hinder my riding?

EquestrianFairy said:
Thankyou to all who posted pictures, I'm on my phone so I can't reply individually without crashing and confusing myself.

I felt good on her, I didn't feel how I looked if that makes sense?
I never felt big or long on her and I was genuinely a little shocked at the photos. The saddle is tiny (my bum isn't that small that's for sure)

She is however in quite a lot of work, ridden twice a day Monday-Friday both flatwork and jumping (equine college) so I would have imagined any bulking she would have already done by now or am I wrong? Previous to this college stint she had no mileage whatsoever, just bred two foals so I think this is the first time she's ever been asked to work in her life so far.
She is the most sweetest little thing.
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There is improvement in the pony, her neck is a little upside down and she is long in the back. To be fair she is not a good example of a D. She looks a little hungry to me. The college would purposely keep her 'down' a little if she is being used for all and sundry to ride.

If she is sound and has the temperament you are after you will be fine. A decent saddle and plenty of long/low work will improve the picture no end. When she has a top line she will carry your leg nicely.
 
I actually thought you look nicely suited in the photo, saddle needs replacing yes but I personally wouldn't say you are to tall/big for her.
But thats coming from someone who rides 13h ponies!!! And loves every second ;-)
 
AdorableAlice said:
There is improvement in the pony, her neck is a little upside down and she is long in the back. To be fair she is not a good example of a D. She looks a little hungry to me. The college would purposely keep her 'down' a little if she is being used for all and sundry to ride.

If she is sound and has the temperament you are after you will be fine. A decent saddle and plenty of long/low work will improve the picture no end. When she has a top line she will carry your leg nicely.
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Agree with this, there is a lot of improvement to be had here in shape, she looks very lean for a D, her neck is upside down and she doesn't look to have much muscle over her back end. Nothing insurmountable but I would be wondering what she goes like on a daily basis as if she is being worked hard by experienced riders at a college I would not expect her to look like this?
 
I'm going to go against the grain and say, if she's perfect for you and you really gelled with her, get her. You're not massively tall on her and with a saddle that fits you both better, I'm sure you'd be very comfortable. My pony is a narrow little 13hh-er and yes, I'm tall on him, but I'm so used to riding him that I don't feel uncomfortable or out of balance, and my instructor says he goes very nicely with me up top.
 
Walrus said:
Agree with this, there is a lot of improvement to be had here in shape, she looks very lean for a D, her neck is upside down and she doesn't look to have much muscle over her back end. Nothing insurmountable but I would be wondering what she goes like on a daily basis as if she is being worked hard by experienced riders at a college I would not expect her to look like this?
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She is probably being ridden by people who may be reasonably competent but do not understand how to ride a horse properly to make it work over its back. Possibly a lot of jumping where the pony is not rounded etc.
 
springtime1331 said:
Although it is worth considering that she may change a lot temperament wise once out of the college routine and work load. Good feeding and less riding may find her a good bit sharper.
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This is something I am concerned about, she is so unbelievably quiet and is in a lot of work normally. However the owner has been very amenable and has said she will ride/help me and if for any reason we don't get on together she will help me sell her on because she also wants to find her the right home.
 
My palo is a d x c and a lot chunkier than this one so I'd agree and expect her to really change with proper work and carry you better. If she has been broken late as had been a broodmare then the chances are she will alter dramatically and is really more like a 5yr old just now.

If the college is shut over the hols maybe the owner will let you ride her when she isn't in work?
 
AdorableAlice said:
If she is sound and has the temperament you are after you will be fine. A decent saddle and plenty of long/low work will improve the picture no end. When she has a top line she will carry your leg nicely.
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I agree, she needs a lot of building up and the picture will be a much more rounder and stronger pony once the work is consistently correct

however I agree she is not a very strong looking welsh D, in fact I would say she looks more like a haflinger cross
 
FfionWinnie said:
My palo is a d x c and a lot chunkier than this one so I'd agree and expect her to really change with proper work and carry you better. If she has been broken late as had been a broodmare then the chances are she will alter dramatically and is really more like a 5yr old just now.

If the college is shut over the hols maybe the owner will let you ride her when she isn't in work?
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Can that happen then? Regardless of age, horses can change/mature depending on work? I always thought that horses would fill out/mature at a certain age regardless of what work they had done. (I'm quite possibly wrong, I usually am 😊)
 
Horses can improve and change out of all recognition even late in life, if they are fed and worked correctly.

How long has she been back in work after having the foals? I am surprised that she is so poorly muscled after working 10 hours a weeks at the college. When I got back into horses as an adult, I got a skinny 10 year old 15.1hh section D and kept him at working livery for a year at a local, but very good, riding school. He muscled up and improved a great deal whilst he was there but improved massively again when I took him out of the school and started having lessons and working him properly, and we ended up competing successfully at affiliated dressage elementary level. I'm surprised that she looks so scrawny while in that amount of work, I would hope that college riders are a bit more clued up than general RS pupils.

He was a much chunkier model than this from the outset, though. I am 5'10" tall and he never felt small to me. I previously posted on this thread that I think that she is too small if you want to jump, I said that from experience as I tend to ride smallish horses and if you are kicking them in the elbows when you ride, then that is not good for you or the horse!

Perhaps if you Pm Sbloom on here, she would share her thoughts with you re saddle fitting to suit the pair of you? She is very helpful and is used to natives ridden by adults.

Is it very important to you that she is very quiet? I agree with others that she may be a very different proposition with decent grub and less work. However, my lad was fine when I took him out of the RS.
 
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EquestrianFairy said:
Thankyou to all who posted pictures, I'm on my phone so I can't reply individually without crashing and confusing myself.

I felt good on her, I didn't feel how I looked if that makes sense?
I never felt big or long on her and I was genuinely a little shocked at the photos. The saddle is tiny (my bum isn't that small that's for sure)

She is however in quite a lot of work, ridden twice a day Monday-Friday both flatwork and jumping (equine college) so I would have imagined any bulking she would have already done by now or am I wrong? Previous to this college stint she had no mileage whatsoever, just bred two foals so I think this is the first time she's ever been asked to work in her life so far.
She is the most sweetest little thing.
Click to expand...

Don't assume that because she's at equine college she'll have been worked correctly. Far from it I should think. Agree with what's already been said, the saddle is pushing you into a weird position. If you like her, go for it!
 
If you are buying from scratch, is there any reason you can't just buy something around the 16hh mark? I do think you look too big for this horse, and I can't see any great advantages in buying such a horse unless there is some important reason for you to do so. The horse also has an upside down neck which makes her look quite weak.
 
Mithras said:
If you are buying from scratch, is there any reason you can't just buy something around the 16hh mark? I do think you look too big for this horse, and I can't see any great advantages in buying such a horse unless there is some important reason for you to do so. The horse also has an upside down neck which makes her look quite weak.
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I had a break after having my daughter and I am now very nervous. I did take on a 16hh horse a few months back and whilst initially she was fab, she started to play up and crushed whatever else I had left confidence wise.
I feel safer on a smaller horse so
I was looking for 15.2hh initially, but I liked the sound of her and she stands just shy of 15hh so I thought it worth a viewing. I know it's only a few inches but it makes all the difference to my nerves for some reason.
 
I'm 5'7" and rode a 15hh for many years - she was great fun and so easy to get on to. So long as you feel OK and balanced there is no reason why either of those ponies shouldn't be fine for you.

You have placed yourself badly in the saddle on the Palomino - if you look at where the stirrup lies you can see that you have actually placed your leg too far forward - it's not the saddles fault.
 
EquestrianFairy said:
I had a break after having my daughter and I am now very nervous. I did take on a 16hh horse a few months back and whilst initially she was fab, she started to play up and crushed whatever else I had left confidence wise.
I feel safer on a smaller horse so
I was looking for 15.2hh initially, but I liked the sound of her and she stands just shy of 15hh so I thought it worth a viewing. I know it's only a few inches but it makes all the difference to my nerves for some reason.
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I am going to throw a spanner in the works at this point. You know your limitations and acknowledge a confidence issue, I would just steer you away from a Welsh Cob whilst you are lacking a little confidence. I am not anti welsh cobs, I had a wonderful one for 27 years, who had the temperament of a saint, however he was a welsh dragon to ride, no naughties just fast forward, up for anything and very strong. OP, even though the little horse is very quiet now you may find her to be different when she picks up in a different environment. Have the college said why they are letting her go.

I am really sorry if that has disappointed you, but given your confidence issues (I have been there myself) I think you should look at other horses, maybe with a little age to them to help you back into the saddle and to enjoy riding again.
 
AdorableAlice said:
I am going to throw a spanner in the works at this point. You know your limitations and acknowledge a confidence issue, I would just steer you away from a Welsh Cob whilst you are lacking a little confidence. I am not anti welsh cobs, I had a wonderful one for 27 years, who had the temperament of a saint, however he was a welsh dragon to ride, no naughties just fast forward, up for anything and very strong. OP, even though the little horse is very quiet now you may find her to be different when she picks up in a different environment. Have the college said why they are letting her go.

I am really sorry if that has disappointed you, but given your confidence issues (I have been there myself) I think you should look at other horses, maybe with a little age to them to help you back into the saddle and to enjoy riding again.
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She's not owned by the college, she's just there while the owner is at college there. She's for sale because she's too big for the pony (she's much taller than me) the Riding for the disabled wanted to buy her as they use her weekly but the owner feels it's a little injustice for a youngish horse (she's rising 9 now)
She is supposed to be full D but I think she's a cob x however I don't know that for sure. The passport doesn't allow for any clarifications but the owner has contacted the old owner to ask them.
 
EquestrianFairy said:
I had a break after having my daughter and I am now very nervous. I did take on a 16hh horse a few months back and whilst initially she was fab, she started to play up and crushed whatever else I had left confidence wise.
I feel safer on a smaller horse so
I was looking for 15.2hh initially, but I liked the sound of her and she stands just shy of 15hh so I thought it worth a viewing. I know it's only a few inches but it makes all the difference to my nerves for some reason.
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Out of interest, what riding are you doing in the meantime? Most areas have a big yard or two that need help with exercising horses. Maybe you could put the feelers out for just helping out by exercising horses?

Alternatively, take some of the budget you have set aside for buying a horse and invest it in a mixture of lessons and trekking. That's honestly what I would do in your position I think. Have regular lessons on a variety of horses and when you have the time to take a bit of a drive, go to a decent trekking centre where you can go for half day or full day hacks across the countryside.

Take the pressure off riding for a while. By the time you hit early summer, you'll probably have your buying budget topped up again, but you'll be looking at horses as a happy and confident rider.

The main issue I find in buying a horse when you are in a place where your confidence can be easily ruined is that the situation almost creates problems. Most horses need a good settling in period and most horses will try it on with a new rider, especially if the rider is nervous. This can mean that a horse that was perfect at viewing, can quickly become a horse that shatters confidence further. However, if you get your confidence back first, then buy a horse, if and when your new horse has moment of trying it on with you, you'll be confident enough to give It a quick "kick on and get on with it" and you can move forward with much less stress.

Hope that makes sense. I just get the feeling (partly from PM as well) that you might be persuaded by a clever seller to buy a horse that isn't exactly what you want, just because there is nothing better on the market at the moment.

I can honestly say that the lady I told you about always has lovely horses going through her stables, many are younger, greener types just starting their competitive lives, but she always has been there and done it safe as houses types as well or the contacts to know of them.

Maybe just spend a few months making riding about enjoyment again, rather than the pressure of finding the right horse.

:) xx
 
EquestrianFairy said:
She's not owned by the college, she's just there while the owner is at college there. She's for sale because she's too big for the pony (she's much taller than me) the Riding for the disabled wanted to buy her as they use her weekly but the owner feels it's a little injustice for a youngish horse (she's rising 9 now)
She is supposed to be full D but I think she's a cob x however I don't know that for sure. The passport doesn't allow for any clarifications but the owner has contacted the old owner to ask them.
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That's fair enough then. Not being a full D helps and the fact the RDA have considered her is interesting and a credit to her character. She is a nice age at 9, although having been bred from she would be educationally younger than 9.

You could do with putting a saddle on that fits her and you and seeing how you look/feel.
 
I would say you do look too big for her. However, you certainly don't look too heavy for her, or remotely like you will detriment her at all. I think though the fact that you have your stirrups quite short in those pics it appears that you are sat in a chair position. I agree with whoever said that you should pop your stirrups down a hole or two, and make sure you are sat in the deepest part of the seat.
 
Being a small adult pony owner for a long time now, wouldn't part with my boy now for anything,but I do find myself longing for something a little bit bigger, like a 15hh to a 15.1, just for show jumping strides ect, even though my pony has quite a long stride he still struggles towards the end of a round of jumps, also xcountry even though he goes like a rocket a horse can catch us fairly easily, so op do think long and hard before u commit, as when u fall for a pony u won't ever want to part with him/her.
 
I actually think the pony will fill out. She's soft in her top line and has not been working correctly using all the appropriate muscles. She's weak behind the saddle which is a really good indication of this. I have a 13.3 pony with a 16.5 inch paneled saddle but with a 17 inch tree to help me fit as well as possible. I think he will take up the leg a tad more once her top line improves and with a correct saddle your legs will look to be in the right place. Did you try jumping her? How did it feel when folding over a jump? I only struggle in gallop on my boy as it feels there is nothing in front once the head drops and he goes!!
 
Absolutely, here is my horse at eight years old, the first time I sat on him:

pb1.jpg


And at ten:

IMG_8369_two.jpg


I still sometimes feel a little big on him, but there is so much more in front of the saddle now, if that makes sense. I'll admit though, if I could change one thing about him, I would make him a couple of inches bigger! But I fell in love with that tiny little pea-head the moment I saw him, and even if he was 11hh I probably would have still bought him and learnt how to drive haha! So if you have fallen in love with this mare, and you're anything like me, not much will change your mind. ;) If not, definitely go for something you feel 100% the right size on :)
 
Personally i think you look fine - you just need to find a better saddle.
My D although still has growing to do is around 14.2hh - i am 5ft9.5 and 10st with long legs (36")
I need a bigger saddle as the one he has is only 16.5 - he is being fitted the end of jan and am going for a 17". I am hoping he will make a chunky 14.3/15hh. He rides alot bigger which is a good thing :)

This is me on him:

2a95k08.jpg


This is my cob, she is 15.1hh - i always thought i would be far too tall for her, but i think we look okay together :)

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The saddle is a little too far forwards which is making it tip back, it is probably too curvy for the pony which has made it unstable and move forwards. A flatter tree will give you more room, even if it measures the same as this saddle, will be more stable, and should sit in balance if the rear gusset is the correct depth.
 
My worry would be a pony being ridden 3 times a day not looking too well fed would go ape on good feed and less. Recently my friend lost all her nerve, was totally overhorsed, dreaded even having to handle yet alone ride her yobbish animal and he'd been in an rs before, but less work turned him into an absolute creature. He was horrific, absolute thug of a horse, only was he was rideable was for him to be doing about 4 hours work a day,

I'm not trying to be mean but I'd be far more worried about that than the height of the horse.
 
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