BIG horses. Is there a market out there for them?

i think it depends what your aiming them at really, 17.3 wouldnt put me off at all other than needing a wagon to transport them but im pretty tall and ride an 18.2 but he is a heavy weight hunter he is never going to beat some of the dressage horses but he has his area and neich and he will do well in it, he is an absolute dobbin to handle and his owner is about 5ft and he is a totally sweety
 
I've been trying to sell my 17.3 quality ISH and the number of people who've come to see him who've said "gosh he's big"....... no really?? What did they think he'd be like?

I've had a variety of people ring about him - including a 5'6 woman who just liked big horses

He eats horse & pony nuts - 2 scoops a day - and hay. He takes 7' rugs - currently wearing a Fal I bought off ebay for £15 :) - cheap to keep lol!

I love big horses - he feels so safe even if he spooks, there's so much horse, he's impossible to fall off!
 
If I was looking it definitely wouldn't put me off! I prefer bigger horses (though have never had one quite that size). I feel more secure with a big neck and shoulder in front of me, and though I ride all sorts I feel least comfortable on the little nippy types. And I'm only 5'5''. I'm sure there are plenty of others out there who feel the same.

Poor manners on the ground or certain ridden traits would put me off, but that would be true of a horse of any size.

My only concern would be the level of wear and tear on his joints. I know it isn't true of them all, but bigger horses do seem to be more prone to joint issues. So if I were a prospective buyer I would want to know about his history and 'mileage', and would possibly even consult with my vet about taking x-rays if the price warranted them. So that could be something that is putting buyers off - just a thought :)
 
One of my Clients has an 18.2hh and he is the easiest horse to ride and completely bombproof in traffic. He isn't a plod though and events to inter level.

Can you imagine the surprise at Pony Club when the lady arrived with her Ifor Williams 510 trailer and unloaded this giant for her son to do his showjumping rally on!!

He is well mannered and a joy to do anything with, expect pick out his feet, they are soo heavy!! It takes a little time for somethings to register though, like if you ask him to move over in the stable you can almost see the message travel to his brain and then travel to his feet and there is a bit of a 'satellite delay' before he actually MOVES LOL!

Another bonus is that every other horse I ride seems small in comparison!
 
Maybe its to do with feeding bigger horses and being winter? I know I wouldnt buy anything as big at the moment as my 17.2 is eating so much! lol But in summer when I forget how bad winter is I probably would LOL

I know alot of people are put off by biggies and I think its a smaller market, but fingers crossed for him to get a great home.
 
We have a 17.3HH and apart from him putting his head in the air when I was to comb the mud baubles out of his mane, he is quite a gent. We've been lucky enough to move him into a 24' x 17' stable, which is great, as at 22 years old and a hard life's hunting behind him, he is on bute for his athritis.

As regards rugs - we've found loads here:
http://www.equestrianclearance.com/..._special_rugs_7_3_7_6_/index.html?clearance=1

Travelling - well, he doesn't much - but the other two boys are both over 16.2HH, so when we can afford a trailer, we will just buy a big one - personally I like the Bateson Ascot.

So yep - we love big horses!!!
 
QR:

It hurts more to fall off a tall horse :p So though I am pushing 6ft and look in proportion on a big tall hunter type, I'll stick with my shortarse native or cobby types :p Sorry! :o
 
Im only 5'2 and my lad is 16.3hh, when I first bought him EVERYONE on the yard was -OMG why did you buy such a big horse - but whos laughing now because he has turned out to be the most well mannered kind genuine boy you could meet and is better behaved than all the ponies on the yard. Yes, he can get a little strong sometimes BUT he has his moment then its forgotten. His tack and rugs cost me no more than if he were smaller, and Ive taught him to lower his head for me when I put his bridle on and brush his mane. I do agree big horses have to have manners and you have to be consistant with this which I am. I do think I look small on him (OH disgarees with this but I think he's being kind) but I feel safe and thats the most important thing to me. He isnt costing me anymore to feed than my old boy did (smaller) and he's keeping his weight on really well. I agree with the transport though, it can be difficult to fit them on some lorries and trailers!! :rolleyes:
 
I have a 16.2 3/4 shire on LWVB.

I have to be honest the day I went to try her, I did look up and think 'foook'!!!

but once on board she doesnt actually feel much different to my 15.1 shire cross.

I do think it put off other potential buyers though, and I think that she has got away with murder in the past as people where intimidated by her size, so I do think a big horse isnt for everyone but I love my big chunks.

It can be a pain finding rugs that actually fit (round neck & shoulders etc) but I dont find her 7fts & 7ft3s much more expensive than other sizes - you just have to shop around, I would be surprised if that was putting people off??If the horse was right surely people are willing to shop around for equipment etc, although I agree on the feeding more issue - my giant beast is a good doer and doesnt eat much more than the 15.1 - but I do remember mother, who has owned horses for 30 years commenting on how much it will cost to feed her over the winter, so I do think that for even the most experienced horse person that willl be a concern.


Am sure the right buyer will turn up in time, I think its hard to sell anything at the moment
 
I have horses for sale that range from 16.1 - 18hh! I think it's more about finding the right horses for the right people though! Some biggies actually ride a lot smaller. And it always seems that when you havn't got a biggie in, then someone will ring for one!
 
one of my boy's is 18hands and I'm probably only 5ft5 ish but for some reason and feel much more safe and secure on him than my 16.3hh even though the big lad is by far the naughtiest!!

I would dearly love to have another "biggie"...............
 
I too have a tall chap, and I disagree falling off does not hurt more, I broke mine in and when he was around 4 I used to hit the deck on a weekly basis, somehow lucily I never injured myself, always said it was because I took longer to hit the ground I had more time to relax, and hence lesson the risk of injury.

Two weeks ago I came of step daughters 16.1 and I ache still!

It would not put me off, if horse buying you should have flexible criteria in what you are looking for and go for the best most genuine horse that matches that criteira whatever height ( within reason ) that may be.

I am always suspicious of adverts though that claim the horse is for sale as it grew too big, as in my experince it is the schooling of the horse not the size that matters as to who can ride it. My horse is snaffle mouthed and very responsive, it is technique not height or strength that gets him going correctly.
He will go as well for a short rider as a tall rider as long as they ask the right questions and push the right buttons.
 
Naturally said:
QR:

It hurts more to fall off a tall horse :p So though I am pushing 6ft and look in proportion on a big tall hunter type, I'll stick with my shortarse native or cobby types :p Sorry! :o
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I'm not sure if that's necesarily always the case. I had quite a few nasty falls off my 17.2 last year, but none of them caused any serious injuries. All my broken bones have happened falling off ponies. I think I landed better when I fell off my big boy, compared to landing on an out stretched arm or something, which I hadnt had time to tuck in when falling off a small one?

Or may be I was just lucky last year? !!!!
 
i bought a big horse a year ago to event, we have a horse that i know is def 17 2 in our yard, and he is bigger! i knew the lad that sold him to me and he tried to say he was only 16 3! but i got on him any way, and tried, and bought him. he is the kindest most genuine boy we have in our yard, people often say 'god how big is he?', i really dont know, and dont care, as he moves nicely, (bit wobbly still in grass 20x 40 arena!!) can shorten or lenghten down any distance, and has the heart of a lion, and i am about 5 foot 7 and average weight, he s going to be super at the job i want! maybe advertise him at slightly smaller? some people may kill me for saying this, but i prob would nt have looked at my horse if i went there knowing he was prob near on 18 hands!
 
i'm looking for one, i'm 6ft and feel happier on 17hh+ so its a needs must -

just in case i'm after a youngster (gelding) that i can look at starting next year if anyone thinking of selling ........ :)
 
I have no problem at all with my 17'2 hes a real gentle giant, so much more sane than alot of 5 year olds!! His rugs are 7ft and are always abundant if not on offer, as 6ft6 is prob the most popular size ish and more in demand and less available on offer!! MY chap cost me no more to feed than my 16'1 did, and the only time i feel he is taller than most is when people say " my goodness what a big chap"!!!!!! (and mayb getting on and off, esp in this cold weather and my feet get 'foot freeze')!!! Would deffo buy another big un if it was polite ect!!!
 
i think it is a huge preconception to say that bigger horses are more expensive-

my 18hh 4yro eats chaff and a handful of Topspec, has no need for shoes, wears normal sized tack and 7ft rugs which are as easy to buy as smaller ones.

the only niggle is that he doesn't fit in smaller trailers- but my 15.3hh tb refuses to go in little trailers anyway so it is a moot point for us! :)
 
I'm currently backing a 17.3 ID gelding for a friend who is 5'9". TBH she looked far too big on her old horse who was about 16.2. People who come on the yard always comment on his size, but to us he looks normal :D He wears 6'9" or 7' rugs, normal tack (although she has bought him an XF bridle) and he doesn't eat any more than the other horses on the yard. Since he was delivered in a cattle trailer :confused::eek: I don't think he will have a problem fitting in a large IW which is what she has. He is a delight to do, and I am hoping he will have a long and happy life with her, but if she decides to sell him I am sure she won't have a problem as he is a quality chap who would do well in many disciplines.
 
I hope they are selling - I've got a 2 and a half year old TB x Friesian gelding and he's just over 16.2Hh at the mo so will be well over 17Hh when he's finished growing!!:D
 
NW1 said:
Having had a few biggies,the things that stick out in my mind... the real biggies eat loads - all their stuff costs a fortune (tack, rugs etc) and grooming, clipping, washing legs, bathing takes a lot longer quite simply becuase there is so much horse!!

QUOTE]

Actually Captain is 17-3hh, eats less than Fany, who is 14-2hh and certainly takes a lot less grooming the pone that thinks she is a hippo! His tack and rugs are the same price.He does cost more in supplements, but that is because he is a stressy WB rather than his size. The only extra thing is a bigger trailer is needed.

I think what happens with big horses that you actually forget how big they are once you have them for a while. :D

I hope your friend finds a lovely home for her big boy.

FDC
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Hey,

Havnt had time to read all the posts so sorry if already has been said! Personally I love big horses however it would be more difficult to sell a 'big' horse as a competition beastie. XC is getting more and more technical and big horses can struggle with distances over the bigger SJ tracks. Don't know if it affects stressage as much.

Did see someone mention about cost of a big horse. Had a 16.1 before my current big girl and there is a marked difference in costs of feeding and time it takes to clean up a grey 7/8 Irish TB 17hh girl who loves to roll!

I'm a bloke and would much rather a big horse. Most of the guys I know agree. We tend to be taller and heavier (all muscle honest!) so a bigger horse is better. Also makes all those fences look smaller...! There is a market!
 
Just to say in reply to orginal post I wouldn't worry, just sold my still growing 17hh Appy. Sold within a week, phone and email just not stopped. Amazed at how many tall kids there are, I had parents phoning for kids as young as 13 as they were almost 6' tall. He's in H&H tomorrow and as I'm on nights tonight going to stick phone on mute in morning as fully expect it to ring cont. Did not expect this sort of responce and did under price him but my experience showed there is a market for big horses.
 
No, if it's the horse I think you mean mine was breed at same stud and had done more as in took championships at County shows, won RC stuff etc but advertised at a sixth of the price of Dominoe. The horse in my avator is same age, by same stallion as Dominoe
 
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