Do we overhorse ourselves?

I am 5ft 7 and my horse is 17.2hh Polish Warmblood. In no way do I feel over horsed with him, he is not strong, he is extremely kind and gentle and he knows just what to do to look after me!

I prefer bigger horse's always have, I don't think I have ridden anything under 16.3hh since I was 16 and that was a decade ago! I feel more secure on a big horse can't really explain why, I suppose I just don't like the feeling of being so close to the ground as its whizzing by!

But I think it's each to their own with this some people prefer big horses others prefer small. Its generally just personal preference when your height and weight have been considered! I know I wouldn't ever swap my big fella for something smaller he's just perfect the way he is!
 
I'm 5'6 and mine is a 16.1 -16.2 (haven't measured him in a few years!
blush.gif
) Luso x TB. I feel the right size on him, and he can look big when he stands up properly.

Although for me 16.2 feels an average height - he feels tidgy when we go BSJA though, some horses there are massive!
tongue.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
As far as iam concerned 'best things come in small packages'! Wouldn't go over 15.2hh if you paid me!! IMHO I think your all mad on your 'over 16.2hh's'. Its ok for a man, its ok if your really tall like 6ft + but if your ''only 5'7'' '' (its tall compared to some) on 17.2hh + I think it is overhorsing. The picture has to look right and if your feet are only just blow the saddle flap, if you can't get on unless a step ladder is about or if you can't put a rug on unless you are practicing the caber toss - why do you do it? Smaller horses are easier and great fun. Smaller horses can do big strides in jumping classes and they can jump big too!

[/ QUOTE ]

The thing is, somehow i DO look right on my boy. People comment, with shock, how he seems to shrink to fit me when I get on. You could say the same for people my height who choose to ride ponies - they don't look right. But who's business is it of anybody elses to say you shouldn't be riding a certain horse or pony becuase you don't look right! Overhorsing is IMHO, nothing to do with height, and everything to do with being able to control the horse. I can control my boy, we have fun, and I love him to death. What does it matter if we don't look quite right together!
 
I always thought the term overhorsed applied not so much to the height of the horse but whether the rider is in control of the horse at all times. A tiny rider on a huge horse that has full control is not overhorsed.
 
Im 5'8 and ideally I like horses from 15.2-16.3,
smile.gif
To be honest I dont care whether I go on a 14hh aslong as its a fun ride but I am out of my comfort zone above 17hh, maybe its because I have to have a great big crate to get on
grin.gif
tongue.gif
x
 
In the 35 years I have owned horses and kept them at a number of different yards I would say that the majority of horse owners are terrified of riding their own horses - not because of size but because of temprement. People tend to go out and purchase a 'cool' looking horse rather than one they can ride and have fun with.
 
We have 2 x 16h2" horses & never really gave a thought to exactly what their size is, it didn't matter to us as they were what we wanted. We did however not really want anything much bigger purely for logistical reasons. With a bigger horse you need a bigger stable, which we haven't got & you are more limited on which trailer/lorry you buy if you have bigger horses.
frown.gif
 
I Love ponies as they a economical
wink.gif


However I did ride a 16.2 hh warmblood last winter but sadly couldn't afford to buy him when his owner decided to sell him. He was expensive to keep too though - shod all round, needed hard feed, ate lots of hay and did elephant poo's so more costly on bedding and those huge rugs don't fit in the washing machine so had to pay for washing and reproofing !!

So give me a native anytime
wink.gif
 
Now if anyone should be riding big horses it's me! But I don't!

I'm only a fraction under 5 foot 11, so am tall with long legs. But the biggest of my horses is just about 16 hands (the brown/black one in my siggy). The Arab on the left is 15'2 and the Arab in the middle is 15'1. I feel perfectly at home on them, don't think I look too big or am too big, and I much prefer my "little" horses.

Anyway, they're much better for getting under low hanging branches when out on an endurance ride!!!

I read somewhere that "big" horses are very much a European thing, and that in the US the great majority of riders go for smaller horses (look at your typical Western horse/rider combo for example).
 
I think your auntie is right with what she says about larger horses and soundness.

I don't ride large horses well at all. If I'm doing serious stuff I get the best from something between 15hh and 16.2hh. I am 5'9 and have a 14.2hh highland x and a 16hh Irish mare. It's been a few years since I've ridden anything bigger than my mare though but I'm defintiely happy with her height. My highland is great and takes up alot of leg though!

I have a friend who has just bought an 18.3hh! Long way to fall...!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top