Practical problems of having an 18.2hh?

[MarinaBay]

I would say rugs may be cheaper as in the sales etc, you often see a section of big rugs in the sale! T

he question I would be asking is how to get the rug on the horses back! I mean I struggle putting a rug on the 16.3 at the yard! You either don't have enough umph or to much and it goes over the other side!

 

[Walrus]

I used to ride a beautiful (well to me anyway - others did disagree!) IDxTB (I think), reckon he was about 17.3hh maybe 18hh, he went off the top of our measuring stick! I adored him, although we did call him Paddy pea-brain as he sometimes did give the impression of being a bit dopey. He also struggled to comtrol his legs - when we jumped he got so enthusiastic but he would just crash through fences trailing his front legs, then he's come round all excited again! Not that that really has anything to do with his size, more his upbringing. Size-wise I'd say he was messy, his stable was always really dirty! In terms of transport his owner used to use a transporter occasionally who had a huge lorry so that wasn't an issue with him. I think the other couple of things were that out hacking he had such a huge stride he tended to leave other horses behind and then got a bit grumpy having to wait - I think his owner always felt like she was being run away with because he went lots faster than her friend's horses! Also he did have a habbit of sometimes throwing himself around and he was a big horse to have do that, although I felt more secure on him being silly than a 16.1. anglo-arab I also rode who was like sitting on a radiator!

I think as long as your schooling is ok and you can hold him together and he has good manners it'll be fine.

 

[Darkhorse007]

... oh dear, my big lad survives on hay and hifi nuts ... am I neglecting him? ... it is the welshie that gets all the good stuff - to get some energetic work out of him hahahaha

 

[Tia]

I used to have a stonking Danish Warmblood who was 18.2hh.

Rugs were never a problem I have to say.

I taught him to drop his head and take the bit whilst keeping his head low. If you don't do this then you'll have to make sure you have a stool close by.

Mounting was probably the biggest thing. No problem at the yard as there were mounting blocks but if I ever had to dismount out on a ride then I had to make sure there was a bank in which to climb up on to remount him. I am 5'8" so not entirely a midget. Dropping the stirrup leathers doesn't work as then you can get your foot in the stirrup but can't swing your leg over.

Stables, again no issue. He lived in a regular 12 x 12. Can't imagine most yards would have a problem with a horse this size, unless it was a HW horse, which mine wasn't.

Farrier, vet; no extra charges.

Good luck - hope all works out well for you.

 

[Cluny]

The biggest WB I have is 16.3h and he's big enough for me!!!! (I'm 5'6").

The one thing I would do if buying a horse of that size is get his joints X-rayed as there will be quite alot of strain on the joints of a horse of that size, and you want to be doubly sure there is no signs of changes.

 

[Dizzle]

Well, jumping isn't an issue. He's great at it! His flatwork needs work as he likes to poke his nose out but it's getting better, his canter is WOW.

Dealing with him I'm fine, he does have a habit of sticking his head up in the air if you go for his ears, but I'm working with him and this is getting better, he's worse on one side??? This is understandable though for various reasons. He's a very honest horse, just needs a one-to-one I think.

Luckily I'm quite tall so me dealing with him isn't too much of an issue. He is a total wimp though quite spooky but in a very sweet way, we'd deff have to start 'bombproof' training.

Fingers crossed for an interview for this job now, checking my emails every half an hour!

 

[Walrus]

Aww, he sounds great. I think if you already know the horse the size is less of a problem. I wouldn't neccesarily go looking for an 18hh horse but if at the time I'd have been in the position to get a horse I would have definitely considered mr paddy pea-brain! (Despite his faults).

Good luck with the job stuff.

 

[moodymare1987]

I had an 18.1 and I had no problem what so ever with him, He was in full size headcollars and bridles. Rugs he was 6ft9/7ft.
Never got charged any more for shoes or for vet etc.
He would jump anything, was very easy to ride in the school /jumping etc. Was very safe anyone could ride him,

Never had any injuries touch wood, didnt have problem finding a stable either.
I never bothered to travel him in a trailer, always put him in horseboxes much easier.

I found my horse was not expensive to keep at all. he was clean to muck out, Didnt have any special requirements at all was one of the easiest horses I have ever had.

 

[nicolaread]

i have a clydesdale that is 18hh3". what breed is this horse? mine is kept in a large stable but i wouldnt say nehtin that couldnt be found on most yards, it can be tough 2 find saddles to fit, but a web site called equestrian clearence usually has 7ft+ rugs at very good prices!! because they dont sell many of them!! shoes r usually more expensive, mine isnt shod but my sister pays around £120 a set for her shires (both 18hh2"+) any other questions just message me back, ive had heavy horses for bout 20 years so could probably answer a question or 2!!

 

[LM59]

I would echo the others- it depends on build. I have a 18.2hh (+) shire, which means increased costs for wormer due to weight and farrier because of the size of his feet. Tack can be difficult to find too. Vet costs etc are generally the same. He isn't rugged that much, but the ones that I have, I have managed to get cheap as 7'6'' isn't in too much demand. If the horse is a lighter build, none of these would affect you.

I keep mine at home, but have been looking at livery due to moving soon, and none of the yards have had a issue with his size, although needed to be reassured about his temperament! The main problem was finding somewhere with big enough stables and head room. Other than that, it can be really difficult to find suitable transport- particularly as more people are using smaller lorries.

But despite the added costs he is still cheaper to keep than my 17hh thoroughbred!!