Instead of 'I'm too big for my horse' how about the opposite!

Celestica

Celestica

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Although I don't have the privilege of owning my own horse, I still treat one particular horse on my yard as if he were my own. I'm about 5'5/ 5'4 and often ride a 17.2hh eventer and frequently get told I'm too small for him! It doesn't bother me at all because although he may be big, his heart is even bigger! I honestly feel safer up on him than I would on something 15hh or 16hh. Does anybody else get told they're too small for their horse? Post pictures if you like!


Meet Mackenzie ! I actually look taller in this then usual
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I get told it yes. I'm 5'3 and have a 16.2 "mans hunter" but my 12 year old daughter also rides him as he's so safe. I feel safer on him even when he's fresh than our 14.3 or 15.2!
 
This is my 17.1 hh Hannoveranian stallion who will be 6 in May. He is very gangly and I'm afraid he will grow even more :( But, like yours, he really has a heart of gold (touch wood...)

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Yes I am the same, I am 5' and bought a lovely ID/TB 2 y/o after losing my lovely mare last year.

She is now 3 y/o and has already measured in at 16.2hh, I am sure she has gone up again tbh. The general concensus is that she is going to go over 17hh.

I have laid over her 3 times now and she has been absolutely perfect. I think we will just have to be a bit inventive if I need to get off out hacking!
 
Not myself but the plan is for my daughter to move onto my 14.2 in 2 years when she's 9. She does ride her sometimes now, feet go halfway down her sides at the moment. A hand smaller would be better, but why spend a fortune on a safe 13.2 she'll grow out of when I've already got the ideal one.
 
1ST1 said:
This is my 17.1 hh Hannoveranian stallion who will be 6 in May. He is very gangly and I'm afraid he will grow even more :( But, like yours, he really has a heart of gold (touch wood...)

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Your horse is beautiful! I long to own a dapple grey and a Hanoverian some day! Although preferably a gelding..
 
Fueledbyaisling said:
Your horse is beautiful! I long to own a dapple grey and a Hanoverian some day! Although preferably a gelding..
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Thank you very much. I somehow ended up with him although I never dreamed of owning a huge, young, dapple grey WB stallion :D But I really love him and I am never bothered by his being a stallion as I am used to riding them (my other horse is also a stallion) and as he does act like a gelding really...
 
I have two 17.3 one westhalian and one Dutch
they look huge until I get on, then they look normal,.. my great big long legs.. will post a pic if I can find one !! im 5 ft 10, but all leg, and not much on the top half!!!!
 
Well this is Rocky, he's 18.1hh HW hunter whos been out of work for some years but in his early days was shown by robert walker himself. You could say i'm too small for him but at 5ft11! lol he's so easy to ride apart from being very very bouncy!
Please excuse my god awful position on the first picture, his movement is so big its very easy to tip forward!
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My boss has an 18.2 beast at work, both myself and head girl are 5ft5 and we ride him happily (with a few rolls in the stirrup leathers!)
 
Im 5'5" and I ride 18'2 and until xmas when I lost my shire I rode 17'1. I ride long legged as I find it more comforatble and better leg position. But I went to look at another clydesdale he was 18'3 last week but loved her 21' shire she had now that I would love to ride as for me personally the bigger the better. I used to loan a grey shire called badger who was 19'2 and was absolutely amazing I was hooked from then on
 
I certainly don't need an 18.2hh + monster either but mine goes back to when I got my first horse over 30 years ago (a mere 15.2hh ex pacer). I remember saying to my late dad that one day I would own an 18 hand black horse with a white star which he told me was his idea of his perfect horse. Dad died a few years ago so when I saw my new boy, nearly black with a white star I knew I'd found 'The One'. I know dad would love him so that's the reason I bought him. A bit soppy I know but dad would be rapt if he was still here.
 
I'm 5'2" and Affy was 17.1hh when we measured her at 4 yr old. she'll be 6 this year and has grown. I look like a pea on a drum (short legs) but she's the best horse I've ever ridden. I did once loose my hat silk on a gallop and had to leave it, as try as I might I can't get my foot in the stirrup from the ground!
 
This is an old photo of Bess a beautiful shire we had a few years back. Thats my mum (looking very young) on her but we all loved to ride her. Bess stayed with us until she passed away.

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I used to ride my daughter's 16.2hh shire x tb. I had to stand on a table or on top of a wall.to get on him. I'm 5'1".

I always felt safe on him but now I stick to 14.2hh.
 
Fortunatley I think I am right for my girl, and have been told we are 'well matched'. But, I think no matter how big or small you or the horse is, if you have a bond, are safe and both are happy, there is no issue! Don't worry about other peoples comments, go, have fun, be safe :0) they shouldn't have time to judge at the yard anyway,...I'm always way too engrosed in my girly to worry about anyone else! (unless said horse is obviously being ill treated!)
 
cambrica said:
This is an old photo of Bess a beautiful shire we had a few years back. Thats my mum (looking very young) on her but we all loved to ride her. Bess stayed with us until she passed away.

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What a stunning horse! It is my mission to ride a clyde or shire one day!
 
I'm 5'6 and my girl is 17.3, I ride quite long so don't look to bad on her but people are always commenting on how big she is.
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My other horse is 17.1 but feels much smaller than her lol
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I never quite made 5ft, but last year I used to ride a horse who was well over 17h at work. Everyone used to laugh, as I was the smallest person riding the biggest horse! Thankfully he used to put his head down for me to put a bridle on, and stood quietly next to a bucket for me to tack up.
On the getting on from the ground point, have you seen the stirrup extenders for that purpose? A friend of mine had one, and swore by it.
 
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