Horse/Rider Sizing

[rsinclair101]

Just a quick question. Going to a new barn for a hack since my usual one is closed at the moment. I’m 5’8 and wanted to know what size horse would generally be too big? I was asked about the size of horse and I‘ve said 14.3 to 16.1 but I’m a bit worried they’ll put me on a 16.1 horse and it’ll be a bit too large. I understand it really matters on the partnership between horse and rider but I’d prefer not to be on a massive horse at a new place where I don’t know the horses, especially on a hack where things can get a bit wild at times. Thank you in advance!

 

[cobgoblin]

You'd be fine on a 16.1 horse.
Worry if they bring out an 18 hh.

 

[rsinclair101]

You'd be fine on a 16.1 horse.
Worry if they bring out an 18 hh.

Definitely lol. Bit of a nervous rider when it’s a new horse and at my current place there’s this huge 17.3/18hh gelding who’s apparently an absolute sweetheart but you’d have to pay me a million pounds to ride him!

 

[Auslander]

Id far rather ride a nice big horse than a little whippetty thing. More to grab on the way down!

 

[Equi]

Depends on your own preferences. Im 5'8 and my horse is 17hh but sometimes i would like him to be bigger. I rode a 15.2 cob a few times in lessons and whilst she was lovely, my legs hurt after cause i was always either in a chair seat or had my toes touching under her lol i have very long legs though.

 

[rsinclair101]

Depends on your own preferences. Im 5'8 and my horse is 17hh but sometimes i would like him to be bigger. I rode a 15.2 cob a few times in lessons and whilst she was lovely, my legs hurt after cause i was always either in a chair seat or had my toes touching under her lol i have very long legs though.

I read somewhere that my favourite horse at my usual place was 15.2hh (not 100% sure on that, seems smaller than the other 15.1hh I ride) so 16.1hh wouldn’t be a push. Thanks all for your help, a bit nervous going to a new place even just for one hack and I’m always a bit nervous on new horses so it’s nice to have a bit of a confidence boost!

 

[Equi]

I get the struggle totally! I had never ridden anything bigger than about 16.1 but the 15.2 at the yard was sold and the new horse was 17hh (i was too big for the other ponies they had) and it took me a few weeks to get the balls to get on her. Since then i haven't ridden anything smaller than 17hh and won't entertain the thought of anything smaller hahaha

My friend actually bought said mare and said i can ride her but im like noope shes tiny.

 

[rsinclair101]

I’ve consistently ridden this 15.2hh Cob type horse for around a year and a half, an absolute sweetheart who I’d buy if I had the money but I’ve grown a bit recently so my barn is pretty much passing me around all the bigger horses, at least I’m getting used to the bigger sizes lol

 

[deb_l222]

The only drawback to big horses is remembering to get off in super slow motion, rather than bounce off otherwise you will be needing a total hip and knee replacement well before your time

 

[oldie48]

TBH it's not the height of the horse, it's the size of their paces and how comfortable and mannerly they are. When I was looking for a new horse several years ago I had some lessons at a really good riding school just to get the feel of different types. They had one called Orbit who was huge but a really kind sort of chap. I did however discover why he was called Orbit, he had an absolutely massive trot and the trainer who was a FBHS had noticed at an earlier lesson that I tended to lean forward a bit in trot instead of using my pelvis. Orbit soon sorted that little habit.

 

[FrostKitten]

I'm 5'4 and just purchased a 16'3hh... but I wanted something with a great personality and settled on an Irish Draught. I'm going to look tiny on her, she's 7cm taller than me at the shoulders but she's just so calm and kind! We think she's a tad bum high so may reach 17hh before she stops growing too.