Big Horses

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PC Steele

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My new horse at work is 18.1hh has got a lovely temprement as you would expect from a police horse however it is young and can be sharp at times!!! Has anyone got any tips for riding such a big horse?? I am 5'5 and 9 stone but quite an experienced rider.
 
I would have expected a bit more experience from the Police Service frankly! What are they thinking about, putting you on a horse this size at your height and weight? There must be male riders who are much taller who would be more suited to a horse this size?
 
If your not happy with it, speak to who evers in charge. It's pointless going out on patrol on a horse you can't control, because you wont be effective in your role. :)
 
PC Steele said:
There are but the ones at our stable are begginers and couldnt ride a hoof pick!!!
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Fabulous - that the funniest saying i've heard in ages.

Seriously though - good luck with your new mount - I'm 5'11" and I feel anything over 17hh is too big!! I'm guessing it's an warmblood cross too so got some substance as well as height.
 
Would ask to change if you don't feel comfortable - however would say that more often than not it's a case of riding the horse exactly like you would any other horse.

Am 5'6 and used to ride an 18.2hh heavy weight hunter, only ever felt overhorsed once and that was when on our way back from a hack on the roads we ended up in the middle of a cycle race and after 50 cyclists wizzing past him he began to lose it a bit , however continued to hold him and apply leg as you would any horse and thanfully we made it back to the yard.

Often find with these big lugs that they are actually easier to sit too if they do do anything as it is a huge amount of horse to move quickly - so they dont tend to as much say, as a smaller TB which can whip around at speed, not saying that they don't do this but generally takes them that bit longer!!!!
 
Thankyou for that I dont feel nervous riding it at all just wanted any tips from people that have ridden some biggies!!!!! Before people start slating the police mounted branch I wasnt forced into taking this horse on I volunteered just looking for advice really!!!
 
Are you worried about riding it or is it just a ":o Not been on anything that big before" thing?
As has been said,if you are worried or uncomfatable see if you can ride another,but TBH he big ones tend to be easier-I put it down to thoughts being lost on way to the legs :D

I'm 5 ft 11 or 6 ft depending on who measures(stopped growing in between :p ) and have only ever felt overhorsed on a 14HH games pony that was,quite frankly,a nut job :o The 18hh plus dressage horse who was far too much for me on paper was too nice an animal to misbehave when ridden and we got on fine.
 
PC Steele said:
Thankyou for that I dont feel nervous riding it at all just wanted any tips from people that have ridden some biggies!!!!! Before people start slating the police mounted branch I wasnt forced into taking this horse on I volunteered just looking for advice really!!!
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It's rude to answer before I have time to finish posting you know :p
Treat it like any other,and don't eb tempted to ride too long-your leg will be nowhere near as effective if you are searching for you irons so better IMO at least to be a bit shorter and usable.
 
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I love big horses!!! You are so lucky!!! I expect that you will find that he has a fantastic temperament and when you learn to trust each other he will actually look after you! You will probably also find that his sharpness is much easier to ride as he will have more substance than a TB etc and that you won't actually have many problems at all! Hopefully as he will be well schooled the size ration will become irrelevant!!
 
Tbh, I don't see the difference between a 16.2 (which would be quite small for a police horse) and 18h. You won't win a strength fight with either. I am sure he is well trained to do his job and will be a nice ride for you. When you say he is sharp, do you mean he just reacts quickly to situations? My mare can be quick and can spin on a sixpence. She is a finely built 16.2 tb so it happens very quickly. Something your horses size and substance probably won't do anything that fast as it is harder for them obviously. The only difficulty you might find is that it is a bit more difficult to mount from the ground.
 
chestnuttymare said:
Tbh, I don't see the difference between a 16.2 (which would be quite small for a police horse) and 18h. You won't win a strength fight with either. I am sure he is well trained to do his job and will be a nice ride for you. When you say he is sharp, do you mean he just reacts quickly to situations? My mare can be quick and can spin on a sixpence. She is a finely built 16.2 tb so it happens very quickly. Something your horses size and substance probably won't do anything that fast as it is harder for them obviously. The only difficulty you might find is that it is a bit more difficult to mount from the ground.
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I have to agree with Chestnuttymare completely on this one! I found a 17.3hh easier to ride then a 14.3hh :D and I'm 5ft3 lol
 
chestnuttymare said:
The only difficulty you might find is that it is a bit more difficult to mount from the ground.
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And don't you find because of this you develop the best seat ever!!!! As you will do anything to avoid falling off at all costs - not just because the ground is sooooooo far away :eek: but also the prospect of the dreaded mounting from the ground!:D
 
I absolutely love big horses and from my experience they behave a darned sight better than the smaller fiestier models half the time. Having said that, I can't say I'd be particularly happy riding a sharp and/or young inexperienced one as I'm 5'3.

18.1 is huge! I bet he's lovely! But I agree, surely a larger male (or female I guess) would be a more appropriate partner???
 
PC Steele said:
There are but the ones at our stable are beginners and are quite in experienced!!!
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By the sound of this, i'm guessing your group of riders are at the beginning of your (I think, six week) in which case, you'll have six weeks and longer to learn to ride this horse effectively, and if needs be they'll swap you over by the time you pass your training and go out on patrol. And remember you'll also receive refresher courses through your time in the branch, so you've still got plenty of time to learn, as have they. :) Notably, if this horse is 'young and sharp' he'll also be ridden by your instructors and his training bought on further.

In short, by the time you come to active duties, you'll be fine ;)
 
Thanks I have been a mounted officer for 5 years and have ridden since I was six just after some tips for riding big horses really!!! Not scared etc just after some useful advice
 
Yeah sorry sharp maybe the wrong word!! Its just that they are stabled 24/7 which brings its own problems!!! Its just he gets excited if I take him for a canter etc.
 
Sorry am new to the forum thing not really getting the hang of it!!!! Have just realised I have to press the Quote button if I want to reply to a specific comment is this right????????
 
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Dont worry you will get the hang of us! we aren't all bad ;)
Can I ask how old he is? He probably has a lot of energy being stabled for long periods of time and cantering will be a good release. I would suggest transitions to make sure you keep that control, I had a good seat control on my old boy but I am a tad heavier then you :D
 
What about loads of warm up and schooling with him. To get to know each others moves and build up a bond. If hes sharp or fresh, and being stabled 24/7 im sure hed love the excercise. :)

Just ride him like you would any other horse. Your size and weight vs his makes no difference as they are all bigger and stronger than us. Its the trust and training that makes the difference.

Ive got a video of me on a bucking 18hh, heavy weight. It looks like im riding a rocking horse, his big movements are smooth and easy to follow. I definately find the bigger ones easier to stay on :D
 
I have a 18.2 shire that I used to ride until he retired. I used to ride him like I would a smaller horse. Don't treat him any different. Just be warned its a hell of a long way down. Infact I prefer to ride him than I do my 15.3hh youngster
 
I think the only tip is to ride him as you would any other horse! Normally a 16.2hh is my height limit, but I have ridden an 18hh hunter at work and the only thing was it was a bit hard to hold him together and get him tracking up and working in an outline properly...but other than that I just rode like I normally would!

Your height and weight should make no difference, you have as much chance as being bombed off with him as you do a 12hh pony! I prefer riding the bigger ones sometimes...as if they spook or spin around etc...it's just like slow motion and doesn't surprise me!
 
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mytwofriends said:
I absolutely love big horses and from my experience they behave a darned sight better than the smaller fiestier models half the time. Having said that, I can't say I'd be particularly happy riding a sharp and/or young inexperienced one as I'm 5'3.

18.1 is huge! I bet he's lovely! But I agree, surely a larger male (or female I guess) would be a more appropriate partner???
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He is gorgeous but sadly as I said before most of the tall males at our stable cant really ride that well!!!
 
Hi, I have an 18.2hh Irish Draught, I am 5ft 8, I love riding big horses, the only downside is falling off, it is such a long way down and I hate getting off. i cannot fault him in any way, he is quite sharp for a big horse and very agile, although people presume he is a plod. 99.9% of the time he would make a great police horse, its just that 0.01% He will stand stock still for me to mount off any thing i can climb on, the only thing i have to watch with him is he can whip round if something un-nerves him,so I have to maintain a good rein contact and never switch off.
 
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