Does height matter if temperament is good?

[LondonEventer]

Hi all - I’m lucky enough to be on a horse hunt again!

I’ve found a horse I think looks absolutely lovely but is a 5 year old 16.1hh so possible a bit more maturing to do whilst alas I have matured at a stately 5ft 2. Would this put you off? He’s described as very polite, always snaffle mouthed and very mannerly. Any other sparrows Eventing successfully on bigger horses? Am I being delusional? Thanks in advance.

 

[Squeak]

Hopefully at nearly 6 they wont have much growing to do so I wouldn't be put off if you feel ok on it now.

 

[Roxylola]

I'm similar height and I've ridden and jumped all sorts. 16.2 wouldn't worry me at all in a blood horse - a full ID, or a cob or heavier sort would be harder work as my legs stick out ?

 

[Season’s Bleatings]

I am about your height and am regularly riding a 17hh ISH. He is very mannerly so we don’t have any issues in that regard ?

 

[ihatework]

Plenty of sparrows event big horses. Some with great success.

What I would say is do those sparrows ride them as effectively as a taller person, or as effectively as they would ride a smaller horse?

16.1hh at 5 could stay 16.1hh and just bulk out, or it could become 16.3hh. Add to that it’s not just about wither height, it’s about their frame, movement, natural ability to engage etc. That sort of thing you won’t really know until you sit.

I do a lot of observing out Eventing, and I would generally say a more petit rider will do better with a more petit horse. There are of course always exceptions.

 

[dorsetladette]

I'm the same height as you. I have always ridden ponies. I have schooled/jumped/hacked bigger for other people, but only ever owned ponies. I generally feel uncomfortable on anything over 15.2hh this does depend on build. I'm not a fan of a fine built horse as I've always ridden natives so like to have a big set of shoulders in front of me. But, if I ride anything very stocky over about 15.2 I don't feel I can ride effectively ie. leg on, gather them up etc. I feel much more a passenger.
Having said that, the jumps always look so much smaller from up there!! I am from a showing back ground so slightly different view point (the one thing I ever jump is a rustic fence in WH ) but that height (and potential to grow up and out) would put me off.

But, if the horse ticks all your other boxes I'd go and view/try him. He may not ride like a big horse.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

Have a look at any of Louise Harwoods eventing videos.. not always tidy or enjoyable to watch, but effective

 

[Bernster]

Haha i like the idea of the jump appearing smaller from a height. But the downside is the landing, if it doesn’t go right ?

Have had this same debate myself and I’d say the jury is still out. I’m 5’3 ish with short legs. Probably more suited to 15.2 type and have ridden that in the past. Currently have a 16h ID who’s fine as he’s such a good fella, but my legs are a bit too high to wrap around him properly and I do feel like I’m flapping around his ribs at times.

And then I went a got a 16.3 on loan, big moving mare with super long legs. She’s narrower though so actually I don’t feel as perched as I expected, but still getting the hang of her.

My ins recommended I stick with smaller horses who are better suited to my frame (not just legs, but arm length too) but that was before she met the mare, and temperament and attitude counts for a lot!

 

[Bernster]

Oh and also meant to add - Ros Canter does it!

 

[splashgirl45]

Have a look at any of Louise Harwoods eventing videos.. not always tidy or enjoyable to watch, but effective[/QUOTE

really??

 

[splashgirl45]

i nearly didnt go and look at my loan horse as she was 16 hands and i had set limit at max 15,2, mainly due to putting rugs on bigger horse and mounting as i have arthritic shoulders...i am so glad i did because her temperament was brilliant and she stood stock still while i clambered on. so temperament is most important IMO

 

[Leandy]

Ros Canter is 5' 2"! 16.1 is not in any event a big horse by competition horse standards. If you had said 17.2 or over I'd have said the horse is likely too big for you but not otherwise. I'm a couple of inches taller than you and feel uncomfortable on anything over about 17hh but all horses and riders are different. Some horses ride much lighter than others and it is not necessarily aligned to their size. It is also about training and natural sensitivity. Riding is not about strength. Coordination, balance and expertise are much more important.

 

[doodle]

Robin is 16.2, he is in a medium saddle though and dosnt feel hugely wide. His paces feel big until used to him. I bought him from a very tall guy, I had to put stirrups up 8 holes at the viewing! He was evented by someone smaller than me (weight and height) and they did really well together. He has his moments but he is actually quite polite. Another rider did find him a lot of horse tho. First ride had had a horse his size previously so was used to it while the next one was moving from a 14.2 so it was quite a change.

 

[AdorableAlice]

No, my best 2 horses were 18.1 and 17.2. If the foal to 5 education is done properly you will be fine for temperament and manners. Health and soundness is a different matter with the real big boys.

 

[LEC]

Ros Canter is 5' 2"! 16.1 is not in any event a big horse by competition horse standards. If you had said 17.2 or over I'd have said the horse is likely too big for you but not otherwise. I'm a couple of inches taller than you and feel uncomfortable on anything over about 17hh but all horses and riders are different. Some horses ride much lighter than others and it is not necessarily aligned to their size. It is also about training and natural sensitivity. Riding is not about strength. Coordination, balance and expertise are much more important.

Ros is one of the most disciplined horse trainers out there which is why she can make it work for her. She will correct them for the slightest thing which IMO most amateurs are not good enough at doing. Just looking at Ros and saying well she does it is a gross understatement of the effort and training which goes in to make those big horses work for her.

I am tall and once rode a 17.2hh produced by a 5'4 girl. I could not ride one side of that horse. She made it look easy and I am no slouch at riding strange horses or big ones. So it will depend on the horse. I can feel underhorsed on a 16.2hh and fine on a 15.2hh - it depends on the horse. One thing I will add is that smaller horses give you more bang for your buck though. They are cheaper......

 

[honetpot]

My daughters first horse at fourteen was a four year old 16hand maxi cob, she was never over horsed as he never realised how strong he was. Always ridden on light aids and a plain snaffle bit. A nice horse is always an asset.

 

[Littlewills]

Bear in mind hes probably actually only 15.2hh. Most people vastly over estimate how big their horses are.

 

[Cob Life]

I’m 5’1 and I m happy on anything up to about 17hh, it’s at that point I feel I can’t ride as effectively and struggle to ride the bigger moving horses.

I’ve never had an issue riding my friends leggy 16.2 and was even fine in trot on a 17.2 I just struggled with sitting trot and canter.

 

[BronsonNutter]

Go and try the horse - some will 'ride big', others not!
I'm 5ft1 (maybe 5ft2, at a stretch) and have a 16.2hh 5 year old. Shes's not overly wide or long though, just giant spider legs! I used to occasionally ride an 18hh and he was the same - normal sized horse on super long legs and wasn't a flashy mover - quite often you'd forget how big he was riding him until you came to get off.

 

[LondonEventer]

Hi all - thank you very much for all your replies. After everything I have since found a lovely 15.2hh who is just a gem!