Ideal height for 14.2/14.3hh?

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emily.connie

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I'm about 5'3 and 7 stone and have been riding horses about 15.2hh/16hh in the past year however I'm looking to full
Loan a 14.2/14.3hh.
My friends who are my height are also
On horses now and just a bit reluctant
To look at a pony .
What do you think?
He's not finely built either just looking
For a horse to do riding club with .
Thanks
Emily
 
I am 5ft 4 and weigh more than i am prepared to say! but i feel fine on my 15hh and do all riding club activities and western riding with him . my previous pony was 14.2 and before that i rode my sons 18hh! They are cheaper to feed, easier to look after, nippy round courses. Go for it!
 
Just borrowed a 15hh pony for daughter, (a bit taller than you), nice and deep, takes up her leg and she's having tremendous fun on him doing all the things her fancy 16hh dressage horse can't!
 
Look at the benefit of having something smaller, less feed and most other costs are lower than keeping a big horse, you will be able to bomb round jump offs, a good pony will usually beat a horse, ponies can be great fun and at your size you should take advantage of being able to have one, I much prefer riding 14.2's and can see far more positives than negatives for you.
 
I'm 5"4 and about 9-10st (roughly) and have a just-about 15hh lw cob.

I find I look fine on 14.2hh ponies and am actually more comfortable riding them as I feel more balanced and like I can get my leg round them! so at 5"3 I think you'll be more than fine on a large pony/small horse.

I've found my little cob is a lot more manageable to work with in the stable as he isn't so big that I struggle to reach with tacking up and grooming I don't need a stepladder!

Smaller horses definitely have their benefits, and I know that if I found a 14.2hh pony that was suited to me and what I wanted to do then I wouldn't let the fact friends are on horses and I'm used to horses put me off - ponies are just as good (and definitely better when jumping against the clock sometimes!) as horses and if you like this one then there is no harm in trying it :)

good luck!
 
It totally depends on the build of the horse. My 14.1 looks bigger than most 15.1s and is -apart from her short legs! I'm 5ft8, she weighs 508kgs and could carry me and a half ;)
 
you'll be fine!!!! I'm 5'7 and ride and own a 13.3hh forester. We do everything together, and yes we look a little silly but who cares :')
 
I'm 5.1, 9 stone and, to be honest, until I read this post, I've never even contemplated that anyone would think I was too big for my 14.2!
 
I'm 5' 4'' and weigh a lot more than you! My cob was sold as 14.2 but I think is closer to 14.3. I don't feel or look small on him. Its so much easier to do gates and hop off and back on when you are out and about! I had been riding a 17.3 before I got him, who I looked stupid on, and it was great to be close to the ground again. That said my old mare when I was a youngster was also 14.2/14.3 but was a fine TBx and I did outgrow her, so I think it depends a lot on the build and type.

If all your friends have taller horses and you will be riding out with them do bear in mind stride length, some are fine (a 12.2 on my previous yard easily keeps up with all the larger horses) but my boy does struggle to walk out enough which can get frustrating when we are in company and have to keep jogging to catch up or everyone else has to wait for us.
 
FfionWinnie said:
It totally depends on the build of the horse. My 14.1 looks bigger than most 15.1s and is -apart from her short legs! I'm 5ft8, she weighs 508kgs and could carry me and a half ;)
Click to expand...

This although hes never been on a weigh bridge so not 100% about his weight. He will be in the ballpark of FWs mare having seen the photos though :)
 
I'm 5'7 and average build and my horse is a 14.3/15hh cob. I definately don't look/feel too big for him and really wouldn't want a bigger horse with all the low branches around here!
At 5'3, a 14.2 should be absolutley fine.
 
I'm 5'9", 11 stone and this horse is 14.3hh.
CastleLeslie-Cortez_zps1c1ed171.jpg
 
If I could go back I would have stuck to my guns and got a 14.2 or there abouts. I'm the same height as you and a stone heavier my horse is 16.3 :|
 
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I'm 5'4" and probably around 8.5st. I do all RC activities on my 14.2 Welsh and wouldn't ever trade him in for a bigger horse :) he is such fun, cheap and easy to keep and not too far to fall ;)

That height sounds perfect for you and your plans.
 
5'7 & very leggy & less upper body!

Have a 16hh id x tb who dwarfs me when i have my jump saddle on haha she's so muscly she takes up so much of my leg!
I also have 2 3 year olds 1 was 14.2 is now closer to 15hh, 1 was 14.3 now 15hh & still growing!

I have broken & turned away the 14.2 & i looked fine on her :)
 
My daughter rode a 14.2 connie/Tb she was 5'7 and weighed (well quite a lot!) more than you. He did PC senior horse trials and 2 years of FEI pony trials with her. We are talking seriously big tracks here and he always made the time, bless him. I don't think you have anything to worry about!
 
I'm 5'4" and about 8.5 stone... One of my favourite horses to ride is a 13.2hh pony. You're fine.

I don't know how old you are but I find teens go through a phase where they want an ever-bigger horse and really it needs to be 15.2hh+ or they feel inadequate. Some people never grow out of it. Really, most people can ride a larger pony and not be too big for it. Size only really matters if you're very tall, very heavy or if you want to do an activity where a small horse is a disadvantage.
 
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