How detrimental is it being too tall a rider for a horse?

lottiepony

lottiepony

Well-Known Member
Joined
5 December 2011
Messages
1,337
Visit site
Potential new horse. Pure bred Arab, is technically 15.2hh at the withers but is small and unfurnished, 8 years old.
I'm tall, 5'8 with both longs legs and torso. Weight wise I am within the 15-20% rule working on a rough weight estimation for him. Carried me with no issues at all however I do look tall on him. He took my leg up well but in essence I look like I'm riding someone else's pony. (my mums comment lol)

It is just as bad as being too heavy as being too tall for something?

I will add saddle wise he can take the correct size for me so shouldn't be any knock on issues from that. Would be looking to do hacking/fun rides/dressage/riding club stuff, just a horse to enjoy after my last one who sadly wasn't a fairy tale time.
Completely torn as he ticks every other box argh! I'm very aware of welfare issues and wouldn't want to be ignoring something that really should a be make or break no need to debate.
 
I’m 5’7 and very long everywhere (think: stick insect) and I’m within the 15% (of ideal weight) for my 14hh cob. I do look a bit tall on her but I’m well balanced and she is very comfortable with me, I am also very comfortable. It took some adjustment for me as I’m used to 15hh+ horses, but once I got used to smaller ponies I had no trouble.

Then again, she’s a leg in each corner cob so she’s more like balancing on a table rather than a fence.

I think you will have to ensure that you are well balanced and it would take some getting used to, but as long as you’re within 15%, I wouldn’t worry.
 
Stability and balance are key, and a saddle that truly supports your pelvis will be a game changer. Your are a metre long lever above the horse adding extra load to any imbalance they have. Most horses rotate their ribcage more one way than the other, and/or over-rotate the ribcage both directions, especially in walk. The better your saddle supports your actual pelvis the more easily you'll be able to resist that rotation/asymmetry and help the horse stabilise. It will also help to really understand how to lower your centre of gravity through how you use your body and breath. If you draw up you emphasise the leverage effect of the upper body.

It's not talked about a lot and will be poo-pooed by some, but is a significant physical force on the horse and I see the difference when we find the right saddle for the rider which also allows the horse to move correctly of course!
 
lottiepony said:
Potential new horse. Pure bred Arab, is technically 15.2hh at the withers but is small and unfurnished, 8 years old.
I'm tall, 5'8 with both longs legs and torso. Weight wise I am within the 15-20% rule working on a rough weight estimation for him. Carried me with no issues at all however I do look tall on him. He took my leg up well but in essence I look like I'm riding someone else's pony. (my mums comment lol)

It is just as bad as being too heavy as being too tall for something?

I will add saddle wise he can take the correct size for me so shouldn't be any knock on issues from that. Would be looking to do hacking/fun rides/dressage/riding club stuff, just a horse to enjoy after my last one who sadly wasn't a fairy tale time.
Completely torn as he ticks every other box argh! I'm very aware of welfare issues and wouldn't want to be ignoring something that really should a be make or break no need to debate.
Click to expand...
William Fox Pitt and Mark Todd on some of their 5* ‘ponies’?!
Can you get your lower leg / heel properly onto the Arab’s sides without scrunching up, a lot of effort?
Arabs are renowned for carrying full grown men considerable distances, if your weight (inc tack, clothing) is definitely within, and you are both comfortable and happy with each other - great.
If you want a proportioned picture for showing, or possibly dressage, competitions, probably not.
 
Exasperated said:
William Fox Pitt and Mark Todd on some of their 5* ‘ponies’?!
Can you get your lower leg / heel properly onto the Arab’s sides without scrunching up, a lot of effort?
Arabs are renowned for carrying full grown men considerable distances, if your weight (inc tack, clothing) is definitely within, and you are both comfortable and happy with each other - great.
If you want a proportioned picture for showing, or possibly dressage, competitions, probably not.
Click to expand...

Not exactly commenting on balance/leverage etc, but if he is forward going it may help - needing less leg on to get a reaction is probably easier if your leg is hanging low, and will prevent you from the scrunching and kicking that would put you off balance.

If I compare myself on my 15.1 connemara and my 17.2 ISH, I actually find it easier to get my leg on the little one. On the bigger horse my heel is probably too high to be in the right spot, which is harder to alter than if it's a bit low.
 
Tiddlypom said:
There’s a lot of difference being at 20% weight inc all tack and your clothing, and at being at 15%.
Which are you nearer to?
Click to expand...
Nearer the 15% mark, your right it is a staggering difference between the bottom and top figures - 22.5kg potentially. It would be a definite no if I was near the top figure, it's what makes it harder to decide!
 
Exasperated said:
William Fox Pitt and Mark Todd on some of their 5* ‘ponies’?!
Can you get your lower leg / heel properly onto the Arab’s sides without scrunching up, a lot of effort?
Arabs are renowned for carrying full grown men considerable distances, if your weight (inc tack, clothing) is definitely within, and you are both comfortable and happy with each other - great.
If you want a proportioned picture for showing, or possibly dressage, competitions, probably not.
Click to expand...
I tried him in a dressage saddle and was able to have a very comfortable stirrup length, didn't need to hoist them up to find his sides so to speak!
I do think that he will change shape and look with good conditioning work, I'm a big fan of groundwork to develop good core strength etc.
 
Abacus said:
Not exactly commenting on balance/leverage etc, but if he is forward going it may help - needing less leg on to get a reaction is probably easier if your leg is hanging low, and will prevent you from the scrunching and kicking that would put you off balance.

If I compare myself on my 15.1 connemara and my 17.2 ISH, I actually find it easier to get my leg on the little one. On the bigger horse my heel is probably too high to be in the right spot, which is harder to alter than if it's a bit low.
Click to expand...
Beautifully forward, once in his pace quite happy to stay in it, no nagging required. I will say he was a joy to ride considering we were both carefully working each other out. Could of cantered him for days!
 
I'm 6'1" with long legs and ride a 15.2 (am within the weight range), backed him as a youngster and he's now 15. Always preferred riding smaller horses to big horses. Very happy on Mongolian horses (12.2) and Icelandic horses (13hh). If you like him, go for him and enjoy him.
Can easily get on from ground (though I'll always use a ditch, fence or mounting block if possible for their backs and saddles).
 
lottiepony said:
Beautifully forward, once in his pace quite happy to stay in it, no nagging required. I will say he was a joy to ride considering we were both carefully working each other out. Could of cantered him for days!
Click to expand...

I'd say if you felt happy and comfortable on him then go for it! Life is too short
 
Do you FEEL like you’re riding “someone else’s pony”? I’m currently lightly backing my 4yo section c who was 13.1 on a stick last January.. so hopefully slightly larger now with a lot of squaring out left to do. Similar to you I’m very light but around 5 foot 6. I thought I’d have to back him and then find a little rider to loan him as I’d look ridiculous, but the picture is actually ok - my legs aren’t too low (although I do have short legs) & I don’t FEEL like a string bean over top of him. I’m not sure why, maybe it’s length of neck/the structure of him but I’ve definitely sat on others similar height and felt totally wrong so I do think there’s a little bit of “you’d just know if it was wrong” involved 🙈

ETA - obviously we see combos going around who don’t “just know” but the fact that your musing this says you’re self aware enough !!
 
If it doesn't bother you, go for it. I rode a friends 14.2 the other day for size, I'm 5'4 but quite long in the body and I felt I looked stupid (and not comfortable) so have said going forward I'll look for bigger.

It all depends how you feel. It sounds like you're smitten with him..
 
As a pony rider, I would say that if you are well within the weight limit and the saddle fits both horse and rider, the only issue with being tall is that your legs are not necessarily in the right position for applying the aids, but for a forward going endurance type Arab I don't see this as a problem.
How do you feel? I have sometimes just "felt" too tall on a pony. Perhaps it was the length of neck in front of me, or the amount of pony beneath me.
 
I didn't feel too big and didn't feel like I was riding a pony, he's got a good length of rein which I think helps massively. Plus the fact my legs were round him and not dangling underneath knocking his knees lol.

Thank you all for your comments, really helpful and makes you think hard. I've always been of the 'life is too short camp' so guess it's time to rob a bank..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top