Am I too tall?

[mumof3]

Hi, I’m 5ft 9 and looking at a lovely horse tomorrow that sounds perfect for me. Only thing is he is only 15hh. Stocky ish - Irish draft x Irish sports horse 4years old.

I know it will depend on what I look like and if I feel comfortable when riding tomorrow but wanted opinions.

thanks in advance

kirsty

 

[teapot]

He could be 16hh in two/three years time so I wouldn't worry too much

 

[mumof3]

He could be 16hh in two/three years time so I wouldn't worry too much

Very true ? thank you

 

[Zoeypxo]

Im 5’9 and ride 13.2+.
15hh is an ideal height for you especially if a bit of a stocky type.
Good luck!

 

[pistolpete]

5’6’’ on 13.2 anything with a decent barrel takes your leg up.

 

[Red-1]

I am 5'7 and feel too big for my 15.1. He is the one in may avatar, although I look OK in that photo.

He is old and dipped back though, and slim so doesn't take up the leg.

I don't think you can tell until you go and sit on the horse, but it is young enough to grow some more.

 

[dixie]

I’m 5’8 with long legs and have just bought an 4yr ID 15.2hh. He felt a bit small at first but has filled out and takes up my leg and I’m feel fine on him now.
As he was young I thought he would fill out and probably up a bit and he has done a bit already.
I think you’ll know when you sit on him.

 

[Widgeon]

5’6’’ on 13.2 anything with a decent barrel takes your leg up.

Yes - I'm 5'8" and used to ride a 13.3hh Highland. That worked fine and I felt comfortable on her because my legs just went around her barrel!

 

[sbloom]

As I always say so much is down to the saddle. If you're doing dressage then often it's easier to get the saddle you need on a short backed horse but if the horse has muscle loss making the shoulder buldge (and very prominent shoulders at the top tend to be related to posture if not muscle loss) then add in a short back and you may struggle to get a GP or jump to work. If you have a reasonably long leg then you may have to ride fairly long, and of course this takes your lower leg so low that it can be hard to make contact on a smaller barrell.

Really look at the saddle they have on him, does it give you room to ride how you'd like to ride, and is it sat with the tree points 2" behind the back edge of the shoulder blade AND not beyond the back rib? Only by assessing this, or knowing more about saddle platform length and how long your favoured type of saddle might be (https://www.ahsaddles.com/post/2019/04/30/horse-shopping-saddle-length-part-1), can you be sure that your saddle fitter won't be tearing their hair out if you want a treed saddle. Treeless doesn't work for everyone.