Question for those of you with BIG horses

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itsmyparty

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We went to look at a 17hh ISH yesterday and he seems like a lovely boy, very gentle natured and easy and not too strong. But he seems HUGE to me (OK I know there will be plenty of you out there with bigger but bear with me, I like to stress about the most minor details). Are there any issues I should be aware of owning such a big lad ? eg trailers ?? Cheers
 
Once you get used to the size, then I don't think that there is any issue at all.

The only thing I would say is that obviously everything is bigger - that includes the jump!
 
Obviously you'll need a trailer which can carry something of that size (e.g. Ifor Williams HB 510).
Only other thing I can think of is possibly tack, if it has a massive head then you may need an extra full bridle but apart form that I an'tsee you having a problem with anything.
My lad is 17.1hh and I don't have any issues with him
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well only the obvious, like the biggest of everything , from girths, rugs, xf bridles, bits, you name it ! lol..and dont forget the extra tall mounting block....mine are all 16. 3 hh and i am only 5'3'...but , also further to fall ! but don't let all this put you off if you really like the horse.
 
Having biggies is great when the sales come as your size is always left!

Travel can be a problem, Beau is actually too big for quite a few lorries even, and Im yet to find a trailer he can fit into.


Obviously it depends on the breed, schooling etc, but Beau has vey big paces, powerful, they did take a bit of getting used to, luckily though he is so balanced and comfortable he is pretty easy to ride.

Im not sure how big he is because Ive actually just posted about him still growing, but he is off the measuring stick, so around 18hh. He is ISH x WB.

Also stables, my stables arent big enough, I really want one about 16x16, and this has been an issue when considering other yards.
 
Mine is 16.3. I agree transport can be a problem, there are about 15 trailers on our yard, only one is big enough for him so we can not share lifts anywhere (I had to buy my own box).

They cost a lot more to feed and also make a hell of mess in the stable as the poos are bigger and then they squash them all as they take up the whole stable to lie down.
 
All of the above apply to Ru (17hh WB)

He eats a lot, poos a lot, drinks a lot. His head isn't huge so that's been ok (generally fits full or extra full). He has 6'9 or 7' rugs. Needs a big trailer/lorry. Has a big stable (12 x 18).

No probs for me tacking up or getting on as i'm a reasonable height (just use a standard mounting block).
 
Funny enough had to buy new medium weight stable rug as he has had another growth spurt since I last put his old jim jams on. I just look at him sometimes bloody hell he is a bit big. Oh yes picking his feet out they are huge. Oh and sometimes when he just has to sniff the the top his stall as its so interesting when I am trying to put his bridle on.
 
My chap is 17.1 and like everyone else says the bigger rug sizes are left after sales (hes in mainly 7ft3)

Im lucky with transport because if I do need to go anywhere my mates lorry is big enough but a poll guard is a good idea.

The other thing I find is he eats way more hay than anyone else and with feeds etc youll find you are always having to give the biggest portion possible (which can be pricey when it comes to suppliments too
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However, I absolutely LOVE having a big horse especially on hacks when you can be nosey and look over all the hedges
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NB - when they are big its even more important to have good manners IMHO
 
OH's mare is 16.2/16.3 but she is BIG for her height (wide/long). She doesn't fit in standard trailers, just about goes in the 510 but prefers a lorry. Rugs are big....and therefore heavy to put on her if you are short like me! X full bridles fit, as do full size headcollars on last holes!
Poo is an issue....I believe she may have an elephant in her ancestry somewhere!
The main thing I have found though is that as long as she is behaving her size isn't a problem, its only if she gets het up that I have any trouble. Or if I have to get off without a mounting block close by to get back on again!! Luckily she is very well mannered so never barges or anything...my 16hh LW mare is half the size yet twice as strong when she gets in a strop!
ETA Forgot to say, with getting on and off, width can be as much of an issue as height...I can get on friend's 16.2 TB no problem from the ground, but no chance of getting on our big girl!! Also, haven't found she eats masses cos of her size....well, she would if I let her but she is an extremely good do-er and gets so fat so easily. Supplements though I would agree with Dublinbay above, she does have the larger amounts of those which uses them up quicker!
 
Only trouble I can think of - Jack is 17.2hh and I'm 5'3" - is getting back on if you come off and there's no mounting block or leg up person on hand. I bascially can't - shouldn't be an issue if your taller though. And I have just bought a 9kg washing machine so I can do his rugs at home. Not possible to fit a 7' rug in a normal domestic washing machine no matter how hard you kick said rug into the drum!
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My boy is a 17hh Irish Draught and he is mega. He takes 6ft9 rugs, wears a X full bridle (normally on the ends of the straps), has an X wide saddle - but I would never go back to a small horse. He is fab! He is like an arm chair to ride and there is so much horse you never feel like you are coming off.

He fits an IW 510 with ease (loads of space for him), he does have a large stable but has been in a very small one and coped fine. He doesnt eat a huge amount for his size, but he is a VERY goodoer. Only issue I have found is that if you ask someone else to turn out or tack up, and they are short he takes the p**s and sticks his head just out of reach, so they have to stand on a stool! Very amusing to watch!
 
Rugs tend to be cheaper in the sales! They do take a bit more feeding in general, getting on can be an issue. I bought a 17hh mare, got her home and discovered she hung about 2 feet out the back of my trailer so ended up buying another trailer! Other than that I loved her, wouldn't go back to something a great deal smaller after getting used to the bigger horse. When I was looking for her replacement after she died I found it hard to get comfortable on smaller horses, strides were so short and choppy! Although the distance between jumps seems longer on a smaller short striding horse!
 
We've got a 17.1hh and my main gripe is he eats so much!!!Other than that, he's great and no issues at all. Jumping's so much nicer on something a bit bigger!

Ditto what's been said about picking up rugs at a good price.
 
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oh and i find my 20 x 40 m arena on the small side for them too due to their size , cud do with a 20 x 60 m.

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Agree with that one - could have really done with a bigger school when teaching Ru to canter and will prob be even worse when we start jumping
 
Big feet really muck the field up in winter - I couldn't believe how much! Bigger trailer. Lots more poo. Getting on - someone tried to give me a leg-up yesterday and I got half way up. Three of them ended up shoving me into the saddle, most undignified, but what a star my lad was as he stood there and didn't move a muscle.
 
I have shared a few big horses and they are great but issues can include transport & getting tack to fit. But it's something that you have to consider and not impossible to get around. If the horse is what you are looking for, go for it!
 
I have an 18hh. He only takes 6'9" rugs so I don't find that side of things to be a problem.

I would say as a word of wanrning they take longer. As they are bigger the balance can take longer to develop. also they tend to take longer to put weight on. If you have a problem such as a sore back etc then it tends to take longer to fix.

I do dressage and when he is going well he is amazing but with a big horse it is harder to hide the eveidence when it is not going so well.

Also make sure you check out the joints on him. Bigger horses have more wear and tear and don't tend to last as well.

To be honest if I wasn't tall with long legs I would much rather buy a 16hh. Also if you should want to sell him on for any reason it is a smaller market as not that many people will want a bigger horse.
 
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