Big horses!

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Arniebear

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random question! :D

But for those of you who own big horses (anything bigger than 16.2!!) what height are you?? and what do you and your horse do? also what breed are they??

Bored in work and cant concentrate!!! :)
 
I am 5ft 8 and I just love riding big horses :D

Horse 1 is a 17h middleweight Heinz 57 shire cross, who I bought as an unbroken 6 year old and hunt.
Horse 2 is a 17h Hanoverian/Westfalian dressage bred lightweight who I bougth at 4 and do dressage with.
Horse 3 is a 16.3h middleweight 10 year old KWPN showjump bred barefoot rehab recovering from 4 years lameness who is now sound and will shortly be starting a career of dressage, showjumping and occasional hunting.

I had a devil of a job finding an "amateur rider's" young dressage prospect over 16.2, but in general big 4 year olds that will make hunters in time are cheaper than the smaller ones, which is one reason why I bought them in the first place. Then I just found I loved them!
 
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I'm the opposite. I'm 5' 10" and though I like watching big horses, and hacking big horses, I really don't like schooling them. I like horses that are 15.2 hh to 16.1 hh middleweights, especially TBs. I don't understand why so many small women like riding big horses, but then I guess they don't understand why I like small horses.

I would love to be much shorter, then I would just have ponies. :)
 
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Monty is 18 hands and full thoroughbred, Tiger is 16.3 full thoroughbred and Sam is 17.2 full thoroughbred. I'm about 5ft5. Went looking for a 15 cob...............

Mine have done everything from side saddle to western, eventing to weddings, hunting to gymkhana and everything in between.
 
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17.3hh KWPN and I am 5'10 sadly his career ended before it really began and he is now retired due to injury but we were aiming at affiliated working hunter.
 
Mine is 16.2hh and i'm 5'6ft. However because he's quite narrow and typical, slender tb build i feel quite big on him, even though it's a long way down! I'm hoping my next horse will be a MW 15.2hh :) we're just happy hackers
 
17.1hh (poss bigger now, daren't measure!) rising 4yo WB who will be backed this summer. Difficult to say but I think she will do a bit of everything but predominantly Dressage. And I've just (as of this morning!) bought subject to vetting, a 16.3hh&1/2inch irish sports horse who is eventing at Intermediate (eek! :D) I'm 5ft11/ 6ft and the new mare is spot on perfect for me size wise :).
 
Wagtail said:
I'm the opposite. I'm 5' 10" and though I like watching big horses, and hacking big horses, I really don't like schooling them. I like horses that are 15.2 hh to 16.1 hh middleweights, especially TBs. I don't understand why so many small women like riding big horses, but then I guess they don't understand why I like small horses.

I would love to be much shorter, then I would just have ponies. :)
Click to expand...

This is me too!

Merlin is 15.2hh welsh and Blue was only 16hh ISH!
:D
 
I'm 5'10 with 36" legs. I did have a very long & rangey 17.2, & rode others 17hh plus regularly. Unfortunately when I was pregnant I had to sell one, & I kept my childhood 14.2, through love not practicality. Buying for me though I'd go for 17-17.2, I do like bigger but anything over that is a pita for equipment, standard stables, transport etc. But I like big & rangey, being long limbed I find they suit me to gather up, rather than big & very chunky.
Also see Wagtails point, I used to exercise an 18.2 hw hunter sometimes, my legs could have grown another foot without being in vaguely the right place, & whilst I had no difficulties, as a permanent ride I would have struggled to make as much of my own riding as I would on something smaller & finer.
 
I've just started riding an IDxWB who is 17.1 ish:eek: I'm 5'5" and after riding mostly 16s and a14.2h cob she seems very big. I've long legs so I can still get a good grip on her, just. Had to get a stool to stand on to groom her though but must admit being able to walk under her neck is a benefit as long as I have my hat on of course, and getting her bridle on can be , er interesting! Think I feel more comfortable on something nearer to 16.
 
I'm 5'8" and own two 17.1hh. One is a Dutch Warmblood x TB and the other is a TB.

The Warmblood is a showjumper, although retired from Grade A a long time ago now. He hunts and does a bit of competing. The TB is an ex racehorse that I'm currently re-schooling to event.

I lost my big lad in November last year, at just 6yrs. He was 17.3hh, Andalusian x ISH and was being brought on to event.

ETA - I've always had big horses, and would never buy anything under 17hh unless it was absolutely perfect in every other way. I love big horses!
 
16.1hh (rides much bigger) 7yr old Dutch Warmblood gelding and I'm just about 5ft! Pea on a drum...gives you an idea of what I look like :rolleyes:

We compete in showjumping and I have produced him from a Novice 5yr old to jumping Foxhunter(1.20m) I always get the dig "small people can't ride big horses" but, I love him and he always jumps his heart out for me :)
 
17.1hh irish mutt, I'm 5'4 and don't think I 100% get the best out of him but I'm very happy with how we get on and he never uses his size against me. I've had up to 5 at once (another 17hh, and 2x 16.2, plus a 14hh) the only one that's every given me trouble was the 14hh! He's much too strong should he feel inclined to not do as asked - so unless competing at high level where small differences make a real impact I'm not sure size makes much difference as long as their attitude is right
 
I daren't measure my horse, but I am guessing she is around 17.1-17.2!!! I am 5'6 and when I was looking, wanted something around 16hh. 16.2 was my maximum when looking and this is actually what it said on her advert!! When we saw her, we knew she was bigger, but I rode her and loved her!!!

She is Irish Draught, and has extremely long legs!
 
17.2hh ID x. i'm 5'7" but seem to be more leg than body (if that makes sense!). i love riding the bigger horses because i like to ride with long stirrups and i can't do that on smaller horses/ponies.
when i'm allowed to ride my horse i do just hacking. my 6yr old son has taken over the 'ownership' of him though so i have to ask 'permission' to ride his horse! he says i can have his pony to ride instead! :D

i would put a pic on of my son riding him but can't work out how to cover my sons face (public forum etc).
 
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