Is he too big for me ?

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Hampshire

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I have been looking at a horse for loan / possible sale and he is a 16.2 hh TB but I am only 5' 3" tall.

I know we have had a discussions on here regarding tall riders on ponies but I am curious as to peoples thoughts on "shorter people on tall horses" ... Thanks
 
I'm 5'3 and a smidge. My horse is 17.0hh Dutch Warmblood. He is all leg though. It all depends on the shape and build of the horse, and also how long your legs are in comparison to your height. A lot also depends on how disciplined the horse is. I'd say if you like the look of the horse, go a try him/her and see how you get on. There'd be no harm in trying surely? :)
 
If your comfortable with that height then go for it, providing the horse is suitable for what you want :) .

I myself am not tall, 5ft 4 and my rising 5 year old is 16.2hh ISH, I'll hoke out a pic to let you see :)

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And me standing beside her ....
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Depends on the horse! And you!!! Think practically - will you be able to safely tack him up without having to chuck the saddle up, if you came off or had to get off while out hacking, would you be able to get bck on (i.e. will he stand still by a fence if you can't vault up from the ground). Is he good to handle on the ground?

I don't think that height matters so much as riding ability when you're on board.
 
I am 5'3" and ride a 17.2hh (the coloured in my signature), looks slightly out of proportion but he is the most fantastic horse and we get along very well. Go try the horse out, 16.2hh will be fine :)
 
Wow that's fantastic thank you everybody! I would love to see pictures if any of you have them :-)

I am going to see him on Monday as he belongs to a very good friend of mine and she has kept him for me to go and have a look at. He sounds lovely. I shall let you all know how I get on :-)
 
Sorry my head was chopped off, I also looked taller in the new dressage saddle. But as a rough idea (I'm 5'3 and he's 17.0hh):

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I look forward to hearing how you get on! :D
 
Wow thanks Eventer96. You look fantastic on him ..... even without a head LOL

And Colleen_Miss_Tom you don't look small against your mare at all .....

Lovely photos guys, thank you :-)
 
My daughter is 5ft 1in and this is her on my 16.2. She does sometimes have difficulty getting his bridle on, but apart from that no problems at all.


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Wow Lyndy

Great pictures and thank you. I haven't seen anyone who looks over horsed at all !!!

I think as you have said people it's more to do with being able to reach up and tack up / mount etc

Very Excited about meeting my potential new best freind :-)
 
Hampshire said:
I have been looking at a horse for loan / possible sale and he is a 16.2 hh TB but I am only 5' 3" tall.

I know we have had a discussions on here regarding tall riders on ponies but I am curious as to peoples thoughts on "shorter people on tall horses" ... Thanks
Click to expand...

I'm 5'3 and my horse is 16.2hh and my last horse that I had from 15 and i was only about 8 stone then was a 17.2hh hanovarian. As long as you can ride and cope with them- personally i feel under horsed under 16hh.
 
Hampshire said:
Wow thanks Eventer96. You look fantastic on him ..... even without a head LOL

And Colleen_Miss_Tom you don't look small against your mare at all .....

Lovely photos guys, thank you :-)
Click to expand...

Trust me the cutting off of my head is a definate improvement! ;)

Best of luck with the viewing! :D

I'll also add that I was 13 there and was just under 8 stone. A year on I am an inch taller... It's suprising really, as I would feel out of palce on anything under 16.0hh now!
 
In my opinion, no horse is too big for anyone if they can ride it!

I have owned a fab 17.1hh IDxTB mare and showjumped her to foxhunter and I am only 5'1". Always had problems getting on but could ride her so whats the problem.
I then bought a 15.2hh ConnemaraxID as the next one and hated her, could not get used to little horses so have now a 17hh full ID gelding, he is only 4 and a star.

I have had all my life people saying to me "why have you bought such a big horse for you when you are so small?" I say "well I dont have a problem with it and I can ride it so the problem must lie with you!!!"

Good luck and dont let the height of the horse put you off...its the character, action and potential thats important!

BIG HORSES RULE!!!
 
Hampshire said:
I have been looking at a horse for loan / possible sale and he is a 16.2 hh TB but I am only 5' 3" tall.

I know we have had a discussions on here regarding tall riders on ponies but I am curious as to peoples thoughts on "shorter people on tall horses" ... Thanks
Click to expand...


Totally fine as long as you feel comfortable on him. I think how fine or chunky the horse is always makes a difference. I'm also 5'3 and I'm going to look at a 16'2 tomorrow to maybe buy but I'm out of proporation I have to buy long leg trousers!!
 
I'm 5'2'' and a bit and my old mare is 17.0hh and a proper MW and ver long! I bought her as a 2 year old, broke her and showjumped her successfully at Grade A level. Occasionally she could be a bit of a madam to bridle but I never had a problem. If you feel happy I wouldn't worry about it all! At the same time I was riding Grade A's and others who were only 15.1hh - I did like to ride her first at a competition if I couls as I found it easier to swap down to the shorter stride :-) Good luck!
 
Thanks guys some really interesting stories ... they have shown me that in this case size doesn't matter LOL

Frozzy I was particularly interested in your comment. I am now 39 and many, many years ago applied to be in the Mounted Police but back in those days there was a height restriction .... :-(
 
personally im not particularly short im 5'7 and ride anything from 17.3 clyde x to 13hh ponies and i feel most safe and confident on the 17.3 who i have ridden since i was 12 who really gave me confidence although getting the bridle on could be tricky as she was quite head shy, have also fallen off far many wee ponies cheeky things. my old boss who is tiny could vault onto 17.2 plus warmbloods personally think it depends on your relationship with the horse and you confidence even a tiny shetland has the ability to drag you round if they so wish :D
 
Tbh it's how you feel on the horse that matters. I'm the opposite, I'm 5ft 8 and own a 14.1hh chunky connie, but I feel good on him. If you feel good on your big 'un then go for it!!
 
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