paint horse too small??

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hollyflower

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Hi, after a horrific experience buying a 14.3 heavy cob who kept running away from me, my husband persuaded me that I needed a big ID hunter, a gentle giant who would look after me. Went to see a huntmaster who said he had a gelding 16.2 who was quiet as mouse and fazed by nothing. When I got on him I instantly felt really vulnerable and aftera few minutes I got off, this horse was actually very sensitive and was picking up my nerves. Really dissapointed about it I was about to leave when he said, this isn't for sale but maybe you should ride him for a minute, to give you a boost. Brought out this beautiful 14.2 paint gelding and I sat on him,he felt much more like 15.2, I had tried a few before him and felt vulnerable but felt wonderful on him, the guy brought him for her wife to get her nerve back and actually he would sell him to me. My husband cannot believe I am even think of buying something so small and thinks I am insane, I won't hear the end of it! I am 5 ft 6 and weigh 11 st... is he too small? My brief was 15 hh up, it seems silly not to buy the perfect horse for the sake of that 1.5 inch difference.
 
Go with what makes you happy, not what makes your husband happy. Maybe he is angling at you getting something bigger so he can ride it too ;) No point buying something that will ultimately only dent your confidence further. If the little paint gelding is the one you want, then go for it - you only live once and you sound as though you will regret it if you let it pass you by.
 
This particular horse sounds small for your size. But there are paints, quarter horses etc 15hh+. Was this one Western trained? Personally I wouldn't want anything that was only *just* big enough... you need some leeway to up the work as you gain confidence/have some xmas treats!
 
I am 5ft 10 and have not weighed 11 stone for years (at my weightwatchers goal weight I was 12 stone). I had a 14.2/14.3 pony as my second pony and was still riding her when I was 28. That year she was 23 and won the cup for the horse with the most points over the year in the riding club. You don't sound too big to me. Did you feel too big? How did you look?

I think if you lack confidence then it is most important to find the right horse.
 
Sounds a little small - how's the horse built and put together? What size saddle can he take? At that height and weight you would probably want a 17/17.5 inch perhaps to put you in the right place in the saddle and distribute the weight over a decent area. can he take that?
If he's got good conformation and can take a saddle that would work for you both then it may be a good purchase?
 
Go for it, you don't sound too big for him and if you get on with him then great - it is meant to be an enjoyable sport
 
well I'm 5'5 and have had a 14.2 welsh for the last 8.5 years. I am also heavier than 11 stone these days :p. If you like it go for it ;) :D I'm not a fan of bigger horses though I have come across a couple I have been confident on (surprised myself!)
 
Its actually quite hard to find a qh or paint horse bigger than 15hh, He would only be an inch and a half taller if he was15hh, it seems to me not to be much difference, in America they use this breed to carry grown men from dusk to dawn over the mountains. Its not a breed thing, I would happily have a14.2 cob without blinking about weight. This pony is a little lionheart, he has been rounding up drift ponies and cattle on bodmin moor with a grown man on him for the last 3 years, on his own and barefoot, doing the job he was bred to do, I don't think there are many for sale right now who could that, I need a bit of that bravery in my life!
 
You've done your homework on the breed and your right, Paints and Quarter Horses are usually no bigger than 15-15.2hh, and are more than capable of carrying your weight all day long. I had a QH, she was 15.2 and I weigh 12 stone, no problem to her at all. I rode in a Circle Y synthetic western saddle. It was brilliant, so comfy but light for me and my horse to carry!!
Go ahead, and have years of fun riding!
 
I wanted a 15.2 gelding and got a 14.3 mare. Needed something to get my confidence back which shes perfect for although nicely schooled and responsive. Wouldn't change her for the world.....
 
Its only in the UK we have an obsession with riding big horses! QH's and paints are used by fully grown men to round cattle up all day, trek for hours over rocky terrain etc. Pretty sure she can handle you :)

If you felt a connection with her don't let it go!
 
I'm 5'6 and weigh about the same as you. For years I had a 14hh (just) Section D. I was considerably shorter and lighter when I got him as I was 13 (same age as him) but we were together for 14 years before he died unexpectedly. I probably looked a bit tall on him but he was more that capable of carrying (p*****g off with) me and I always felt 100% safe on him. This is far more important than whether your legs look a bit long!
This is us when he was 25 and I was fully grown!
http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz49/annalmiller/Ebony/badminton2jpg-1.jpg
 
I have a couple of taller paints and quarters who stick at 15.2hh but the majority of mine are around 14.2hh. I ride them all; I'm 5'8 and weigh 130lbs however my husband is 6ft and around 220lbs and the quarter horse he usually rides is 14.2hh. Although you can get APHA/AQHAs who are 16hh - 16.2hh, it's uncommon as that size is not particularly desirable as working horses, they're too big.

If I were you, I'd go for it! They're great little horses :smile3:
 
annagain said:
I'm 5'6 and weigh about the same as you. For years I had a 14hh (just) Section D. I was considerably shorter and lighter when I got him as I was 13 (same age as him) but we were together for 14 years before he died unexpectedly. I probably looked a bit tall on him but he was more that capable of carrying (p*****g off with) me and I always felt 100% safe on him. This is far more important than whether your legs look a bit long!
This is us when he was 25 and I was fully grown!
http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz49/annalmiller/Ebony/badminton2jpg-1.jpg
Click to expand...

What a lovely lad :)
You looked great together.
 
Hippona said:
What a lovely lad :)
You looked great together.
Click to expand...

Thankyou - he was arrogant, bolshy and opinionated on the ground. Certifiable at times to ride when he got himself in a tiz, but had the heart of a lion and always tried his best. I trusted him totally. I was too tall for him by the time we were 18 (I was a later developer!) but there was no way he was going anywhere as I felt so safe on him despite the regular (but always very controlled!) rearing :D Size really doesn't matter as long as they and you are comfortable.

ETA - He also rode much bigger than his 14hh (in fact my current 16.2" doesn't feel much bigger to ride - but he rides more like a pony than most 16.2s!) which helped so your comment, OP, about him feeling bigger is very valid.
 
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Half the battle in finding a horse is finding something you feel happy to ride.

Why don't you go and try it again, and take a trusted, experienced friend with you, who will give you an honest opinion, with no hidden agenda? We have only ever bought a horse on one viewing, once, and that was more of a worry to me, than the person who was going to be riding it! It sounds as if the owner is genuine, and as such, should be perfectly happy that you want to be certain, and not risk the horse ending up in the wrong home. When we have sold, we have arranged that the horse is tried at home, away, and in company (clinic/competition if possible) - that way, the prospective purchaser can see it's behaviour in unfamiliar environments, plus loading etc.

If your husband wants to ride that much - tell him to get his own. It's not often one size fits all, and it's more important, surely, that you feel safe, than he has 16 hands between HIS legs!
 
I'm 5' 11" I am 12.5 stone, none of my horses are over 15.2, so, no, I don't think people need big horses, providing you are fit enough not to be a burden, if you get what I mean, lol.
 
I have absolutely loved reading your posts and hearing your stories, also seeing your pics Anna ( you look great on him!) I have also grown up riding Welshies so feel most comfortable on ponies, bless I think my hubby wanted to take the big lad home! I think even though he is 14.2 he is probably stronger than a 16hh tb! I am going on Monday for his 5 stage vetting and am going to take him for a hack, I have asked the vet to asses wether he thinks he can happily carry me, mainly to shut my husband up!! If two people out of the 20 odd who have replied say that size isn't important, that is good enough for me! When trying lots of horses it is such a relief to find the one who feels 'just right' and I didn't want to dismiss him over him being an inch shorter than I would like!
 
annagain said:
I'm 5'6 and weigh about the same as you. For years I had a 14hh (just) Section D. I was considerably shorter and lighter when I got him as I was 13 (same age as him) but we were together for 14 years before he died unexpectedly. I probably looked a bit tall on him but he was more that capable of carrying (p*****g off with) me and I always felt 100% safe on him. This is far more important than whether your legs look a bit long!
This is us when he was 25 and I was fully grown!
http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz49/annalmiller/Ebony/badminton2jpg-1.jpg
Click to expand...

What a gorgeous picture - you look brilliant together! I'm another pony squasher. I'm 5'4 and was originally looking for a 15'2....until I tried my girl. She is 14'1 and I just love her. Wouldn't swap her for anything! If you feel safe then buy! Life is short. When you find one that you think you can click with dont hesitate! There have been a few threads on here about adults riding ponies - search and have a look at the fabulous photos :-)
 
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