Proportions (horse size / rider size)

[arizonahoney]

If you're looking at a horse and rider in profile, how do you tell if they're well matched in size?

I'm probably explaining this badly, but where on the horse's side do you expect the rider's foot to be - and how about the rider's upper body?

Feel free to post photos of over-horsed and under-horsed (heightwise) horse and rider combinations!

 

[Degan]

To me I am a little underhorsed proportion wise with Pagan because im so tall (ridiculously long legs) however not underhorsed weight wise (well I think he manages my weight fine )

Sorry bit of an overload!

 

[Abbeygale]

I don't think you can necessarily use where the riders leg is on the horse to say if they are over horse / underhorsed. I think there is a lot more to it, such as the horses build etc.

For example I wouldn't say Degan was underhorse, as although her feet are a little under her horses belly when they are in the stirrups, as she is so slim, and he is quite well built, the proportions don't look out.

I have a 14.3 pure arab, and am about 5'10"

Again my feet are a little below his belly line - but I don't think I look overly out of proportion, as I have a slim build. Granted I do ride him shorter than I do my mare:

My mare is 15.2hh welsh D x - and is big in the barrel.

I think my body may look a little tall on my arab - but not overly so. I think a lot of it is down to personal feel. I am happy riding smaller horses, and have a good sense of balance so that I can stay with them. however, I know a lot of people don't feel happy on the littlies, and need to have bigger horses to feel comfortable on them.


ETA - Whatever I am riding I do usually aim to have my feet level with their belly line (mainly dressage rider here!!) but for me that's more about making sure that I have something to keep my legs on to keep my balance.

 

[arizonahoney]

Just trying to work out if at 5' and slim build I would look ridiculous on a 13.2hh. I have been used to riding a 15hh cob, so it's a bit different to have less upfront...

(PS: entirely different horse to the tail on one side one in my other post)

 

[emm0r]

I am 5ft5 and here I am on a 17.2

a 16.1

a 15hh

and a 13.1

 

[**Vanner**]

I think it is down to personal preference. Prior to getting my boy i was used to riding 17hh + hunters and when I first got him I was worried I had underhorsed myself although others said otherwise. Now I don't feel underhorsed - is what I am used to

 

[Jesstickle]

I am a midget (or at least have very short legs so look over horsed on anything over 15hh but I feel alright on big horses so I go with it.

15 hh

15.3

15.3 again

oh and about 13.3 for reference (I am too fat so no need to point it out) I am about 5'2 so you won't be big on a 13.2 unless it is particularly fine!

and definitely over horsed at 16.3 ish

 

[TheEquineOak]

I am seriously overhorsed

This is me on our 17.3hh

 

[Twizzel]

I'm short too (5'3")... and ride anything from 13.2hh to 17.2hh at the moment.

13.2..

15.1... I look tiny here but was riding short for hunting so that might be why.

17.2...

I think it's more down to the build of the horse along with how it behaves when ridden as to whether you're over or underhorsed, I feel comfortable on all 3 of the horses above even though proportionally I might look over/underhorsed

 

[sarahann1]

If I knew how to post pics I'd put up a pic of me on my fav wee pony who is 13.2hh, I'm 5'10 He could carry me with no bother at all, but then we did get a few funny looks along the way, especially if I was with a rider who was shorter on a much bigger horse, lol!

 

[dibbin]

I really don't think you'll look daft on a 13.2, tbh. I'm 5'8" and can ride a 14.1 without looking like I'm squishing it

On my boy (who is 15.1), if I let my legs hang they're about the same level as his elbows, maybe just below; with stirrups they're level with his belly.

 

[Jesstickle]

Another of me on a 13.2. You def won't be too big!

 

[tallyho!]

I think you you just "know" when you yourself or someone else is over/under horsed. It also takes into account whether control is an issue not just physical proportions.

As long as you're under 8st it's fine...

 

[Starbucks]

Think I look a bit over horses on Badger.. I’m 5’7’’ and he’s only 16.3 but he has a very large/deep body witch I think makes me look a bit little.

 

[ShowJumperBeckii]

Im 5.9/10 and own a 15.1hh
http://s762.photobucket.com/albums/xx270/beckii123_2010/?action=view&current=LOLk.jpg

And i re schooled a little 12.2hh http://s762.photobucket.com/albums/xx270/beckii123_2010/?action=view&current=Checkendon3.jpgwelshy

 

[sam4321]

Starbucks - ONLY 16.3!! im 5'7 too and feel like a pea on a mountain when i ride anything over 16hh!!

 

[Starbucks]

Suppose it’s just what you get used to – I had another big horse before him so I feel a bit weird on smaller horses now! On the pics though I think it looks like either I’m about 5’3’’ or he’s about 17.2!

 

[only_me]

It depends on the build of the horse as well tbh. My friend has a sports cob (lighter than a LW cob, and looks like a overgrown pony type) and he is 15.2 - I feel fine on him.
I tried a 16h fine tb when looking for a horse - I felt too big as all my "weight" is in thighs and I like to have some horse in front of me


I am 5f7 (on a good day)

Me on a 14.2

Me on a 16.2

Me on a 17h

 

[steph91]

I think you have to take into account, horses build as well. Sometimes i feel a bit big on my 15hh cob mare, but then i remember she used to have a fat man owner so i then feel a lot better about it.
But in reality people should ride the height of horse they feel comfortable with, whether you look to big or small on the horse, it's about feeling safe.

 

[bigboyrocky]

im just under 5'8 and this is me on my 16.3
(excuse the looking down, ducking under the tree!)

 

[LucyLily]

I think it totally depends on what you are doing with the horse and their build.
I am a well built 5'7 and I occasionally ride a 13.1/2 NF who rides like a little tank, and I dont look overly bad on her.
However I own a [now injured] 17.1 ISH who I dont look bad on either!!

 

[Llewellyn]

I looked over horsed on everything I ride. (unless about 12hh)

17.1hh definitely over-horsed size wise but we had an understanding.

Still look a bit over-horsed on 14.2hh worse if he stands up straight.

Over manned, Just to prove how small I actually am. 5 foot nothing.

 

[tallyho!]

Llewelyn... Pea on a mountain!!! LOL!!!

However, you are clearly demonstrating that size is not everything!!

 

[Toffee44]

Im 5ft 6 ride and own a 14.1hh

bareback I look OK

under saddle I look under horsed and v top heavy

 

[grinners88]

Yeah this is quite interestig guys , cos im 5'7 and ive bought a 14.1hh black arab who is onyl about 2 and a half heading towards 3 and i want to break him in next year but i desperately dont want to look under horsed especially as atm i have a 16.1 hh dutch warmblood ! I weigh about9 / 9 1/2 stone what does everyone think ?

 

[monkeybum13]

I'm 5'4 and ride a 16.3.
She always looks smaller under saddle.

In gp saddle

And in my dressage saddle

I think she looks fairly small in the red

 

[pixiebee]

im 5ft and my horse 17hh!

 

[pixiebee]

another pic

and a 14.1

and the 17hh can be a complete g*t!!!

 

[KVH]

I'm 5'2 and I have a 14.2hh, and have just sold a 17hh who I looked rediculously over horsed on!!

ETA: I am currently looking for a new one, who will be between 15-16hh! Nothing that big again!

 

[Ruth_Cymru]

grinners88- Your situation sounds quite similar to mine, I'm 5'7 and weigh a little more than you, and went from a 16.1hh DWB to a 14.3hh arab

16.1hh

14.3hh

Yes I look a little taller on my arab, but I feel just as happy on him as I did my DWB. Your arab will have some more filling out to do, so at your height and weight I think you'll be fine.