How big a horse?

Spudlet

Spudlet

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For a rider of 5'10-ish, 10.5 stone-ish?

Balanced rider with independent seat/hands, if somewhat rusty and unfit:D
 
depends on the horses build but anything 15.2 upwards even if its built lightly should carry you without looking silly quite happily.
 
Height-wise (in terms of how it would look) I would go for something from 16.0hh upwards.

Weight-wise, 10.5 stone is not that much really, so most horses that height should make do.
 
errr I know just the one, a middle weight steel grey 16.1 gelding. :D actually I recon you'd look rather big on him (not weight wise of course) when I say big...I don't mean big in the wrong way, just mean super dooper long legs!

Actually at 5'10 I'd say a good middle weight 17h type, depends I guess, do you like something to wrap your legs round? (no rude replies please!)
 
17hh! Ruddy Nora, I'll never manage to get back on if I come off something that size:o:D

I do prefer a slightly bigger horse to get my leg around, can't be doing with legs flapping about, they get right in the way:p As I found out when I got bunged onto a 14hh pony for a hack from a riding school once - although judging by the antics it had no problems with carrying me - in fact it was probably an advantage being a bit on the large side for it, helped to squish it into submission:D It was happy to be out and about in the lovely sunshine, put it that way:D

Just prevaricating about whether to look for a ride, and if so wondering what size to be going for as it's been a while! Probably need some lessons first off to get back into practice anyway:o
 
I am 5'8" and a little over 11 stone at the moment and I ride a 16.2 which seems to suit me quite well. However, I also rode a HHOer's 14.2 cob recently and, even though I have fairly long legs, I didn't look silly at all.

I would say to go for whatever you feel most comfortable with - you should have plenty of options with your weight and I think your height wouldn't look at all silly on anything 15hh up.
 
I know someone your height/build that rides a fine 15.2 and looks totally fine and they compete and do well :) Look at 15.2 upwards - I'm sure something will catch your eye
 
I am 5"9 with a 36" leg and about 11 stone and had always had 17- 17.2h TB / ISH type horses and felt the right size. I've just bought a 15.1 cob who is built like a tank and I feel and look fine on him so I think its probalby more to do with the horses build than height.
 
Excellent - so now I just need to find a sensible horse of about 15.2+ to hack out, in return for chores, in the local area. Doesn't need to be perfect, doesn't need to be a worldbeater - just a nice, fairly sane horse in need of some exercise and willing to take all the TLC I can fling at it, with associated mucking out and poo picking! So no challenge at all there then:p:D

I haven't missed riding for ages, but now the weather is nicer and I've managed to make it out of work on time every day for weeks, I'm starting to miss it more and more:o
 
I'm on the Norfolk / Suffolk border:) Can't emphasise how much I need some lessons before I get let loose on some poor unsuspecting privately owned horse though, it's been more than a year since I last sat on a horse! I'll probably get on and end up facing backwards:D

I would probably look good on a range of horses too, were I as good as Zara Philips:D
 
I am 5"8 with a 34" leg and always seem to settle at 11st :rolleyes:

I have had always had 16.2- 17.2hh ISH type horses and felt the right size. However now I've now got a 17hh Cob x WB (according to passport of questionable credibility) and I look like a pea on a drum :o :D

I agree that breed / barrel size and how a horse 'takes up your leg' has a lot to do with it :D
 
Spudlet said:
I'm on the Norfolk / Suffolk border:) Can't emphasise how much I need some lessons before I get let loose on some poor unsuspecting privately owned horse though, it's been more than a year since I last sat on a horse! I'll probably get on and end up facing backwards:D

I would probably look good on a range of horses too, were I as good as Zara Philips:D
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Lessons aren't a problem:D in fact, sitting the wrong way round might be an advatage:D:D:D but the distance is I think as I am near Sleaford in Lincolnshire:o
 
Yes, that might involve quite an early start to turnout before work!:D

Are there people looking for this kind of thing? Most shares seem to want a financial contribution - it's not that I want to freeload but money is really really tight:o My last share cost me £80 p/m and I just can't afford that any more:( I'm more than willing to pull my weight with stable chores but I really have no spare cash at the moment:(
 
I don't think you are being unrealistic at all, I haven't been able to find anyone to ride/share my horse. I'm not even looking for any money, just someone who will make a fuss over my horse and exercise him, he's the nicest easiest horse I've ever known! The last person was getting on really well but decided they were too busy (which is fine but they must have known that anyway) so I now have a rather unfit pony..

Unfortunately in Dundee so maybe a wee bit far for you!
 
Spudlet said:
Yes, that might involve quite an early start to turnout before work!:D

Are there people looking for this kind of thing? Most shares seem to want a financial contribution - it's not that I want to freeload but money is really really tight:o My last share cost me £80 p/m and I just can't afford that any more:( I'm more than willing to pull my weight with stable chores but I really have no spare cash at the moment:(
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I'm sure there are people out there looking for this. If I was too busy to ride Belle and I could find someone suitable then I would let them ride in return for help poo-picking or anything else that needed doing. As long as it was someone really trustworthy and I could see them ride sometimes and keep an eye on them. :)
 
I'm 5'7" with a 32" leg and I would have anything between 16.3 and 17.2 but I am slight build also so I can get away with small horses, just wouldn't buy one as I feel more comfortable on big horses. I think the most important thing is choosing a size that you are used to or feel comfortable with but as you are quite light you could get away with something as small as 15.2/3hh. A better picture if you have a long leg would be about 16.2hh but also, if you found the perfect horse at 17hh+ you could get away with it with your height. :) Good luck!
 
I am 5ft 10/11 and I ride a 16.1hh heavyweight maxi cob, but this is the smallest and chunkiest I look ok on! and then everything else is over 17hh! (also hunter type!)

I weight a little more than u (12st) and am quite broad shouldered too so I look like a gimp on skinny twiggy TB types (no offence to TB owners! i do like them! I just don't suit them!)

Are you looking for a new horse?
 
I'm 5ft 10 and 11st and have a 15hh mare and a 17.1hh gelding and have no problems with either. I don't think you should rule out something smaller just because of height my mare is very deep through the girth so takes up my leg pretty well.
 
Just thinking about looking for a share Lucy:)

I know a place with many, many Shetlands - I will suggest the roller skates idea to them:D
 
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