All
Well-Known Member
any one know how to size a rider to a horse
or have any Gide lines for doing so
or have any Gide lines for doing so
how to size a rider to a horse
- Thread starter All
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J&S
Well-Known Member
Height and weight would be the criteria.
Skib
Well-Known Member
Apart from height and weight, older riders like me will have difficulty sitting astride a wider horse like a cob or one that has a broad flat back. My first lesson horse whom I loved dearly fell into this category.
But at that point I didnt know how to test it.
You test suitable width by looking at the position of the rider's knees aganst the saddle in halt. They should mirror each other.
If a horse is too wide for the rider, the rider will sit on the horse crooked. One knee will be further forward. I explain to student staff that an elderly person can take a long stride forward and back, but it is harder to spread ones legs open side to side.
But at that point I didnt know how to test it.
You test suitable width by looking at the position of the rider's knees aganst the saddle in halt. They should mirror each other.
If a horse is too wide for the rider, the rider will sit on the horse crooked. One knee will be further forward. I explain to student staff that an elderly person can take a long stride forward and back, but it is harder to spread ones legs open side to side.
Lipglosspukka
Well-Known Member
A lot of it is just down to preference.
I'm 5ft8 but feel most comfortable on a chunky 14.2. I bet there are lots of riders my height that prefer something considerably bigger.
Likewise, I have short friends who prefer to ride horses instead of ponies.
I'm 5ft8 but feel most comfortable on a chunky 14.2. I bet there are lots of riders my height that prefer something considerably bigger.
Likewise, I have short friends who prefer to ride horses instead of ponies.
coblets
Well-Known Member
• Weight (roughly 10%-20% of the horse's bodyweight depending on how they're built, and the type of work)
• Height (more personal preference but imo you can tell if you're too tall when it feels like there's no neck in front of you)
• Saddle fit (seen sbloom talk about this in the past. You may not be too heavy for a native pony but it can be difficult to fit a saddle if you're 'big' for it otherwise)
A lot depends on the horse though - is it a short-backed native which rides like a horse, is it a draft with a long back and wide barrel, etc
• Height (more personal preference but imo you can tell if you're too tall when it feels like there's no neck in front of you)
• Saddle fit (seen sbloom talk about this in the past. You may not be too heavy for a native pony but it can be difficult to fit a saddle if you're 'big' for it otherwise)
A lot depends on the horse though - is it a short-backed native which rides like a horse, is it a draft with a long back and wide barrel, etc
SO1
Well-Known Member
People always talk about weight but when I was looking at 5.2 and 8 stone I did not want too tall a horse otherwise day to day handling would be difficult putting rugs and tack on is easier for me with my 13.3 pony than it would be with a 16 horse. I also like to be able to get on and off from the ground in case of emergencies.