Really big horses

BigRed said:
I am very tall, and I like big horses, but someone has offered me a horse on loan, with a view to buying him, who is 18 hands. I would normally consider this a bit OTT. But, he sounds very nice, and it's a huge bonus to be able to have him for a while before handing over the money.

Who has a horse this big and what are the downsides ?
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I have a horse who is 17.3, so a smidge under 18hh!- if he's nice, you like him then go for it!- big horses are often very kind too- mine puts his head down to have his headcollar and bridle on and loves to open gates for me too, with his nose when we're out hacking!

it's great you can try him out as well- downsides, none really, he doesn't cost me any more to feed than my 16.2hh as quite a good doer, shoes cost the same £85 as my other horse-he gets thru a bit more bedding but thats ok. Have had to bring him on v v slowly due to his size and am careful with surfaces, and warming him up slowly etc etc.

Just a bit further to reach to tack up and groom/when clipping but i'm used to it now- to me he just seems a "normal" horse, but when a lot of people have met him for the first time, they always say wow what a massive horse you have! i'm not tall either only 5ft4 ish!

it's personality first and foremost?!..

good luck!
 
my 4yro is 18hh.

only downside is transport.

he wears 7ft rugs which are as easy to buy as other sizes, his feet aren't enormous as he is a sports horse, he wears normal sized tack.

he is extremely polite and most people would rather handle him than my bolshy 15.3hh mare!

he does like to play with novice people though and will lift his head *just* out of reach when they go to put his headcollar on but is fine with anyone remotely horsey :)
 
I'd rather put up with a few little' size issues' with a large horse that was ideal for me than other problems/restrictions in a horse that was smaller.

If he's right for you and does what you want, don't let his size put you off. :)
 
I also quite liked that one but I thought it was just for sale and I never like adverts that dont show the people riding.

Bigred let us know what you decide to do?

Liz
 
Thank you for the photos - each and every one of them is gorgeous! I do have a thing for speckled greys though Jhoward... I've never seen horses so big - it's incredible! They all have kind eyes and faces too. Good job, as I imagine that's a lot of horse to get under control when mischevious! lol.
 
Vixen Van Debz said:
Thank you for the photos - each and every one of them is gorgeous! I do have a thing for speckled greys though Jhoward... I've never seen horses so big - it's incredible! They all have kind eyes and faces too. Good job, as I imagine that's a lot of horse to get under control when mischevious! lol.
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my lad had been badley treated and under fed. I didnt know about the badley treated side.. until i entered his stable to muck out and he dived at me.. 18.2 diving with ears back and mouth open is not pleasent!

we then have the time I thought id lead him from the stable to his field.. only a few paces.. but he wanted to go to his girlies.. my fatal mistake was just using a rope around his neck.. he actuly lifted me off my feet! :eek:

all good though with a lot of work he over came his issues and was a gental giant, tiny 3 year old kids used to sit on him in the stable and hed put his head down for them to brush him. :)
 
Captain, 17-3hh Gelderlander.
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FDC
 
Vixen Van Debz said:
Thank you for the photos - each and every one of them is gorgeous! I do have a thing for speckled greys though Jhoward... I've never seen horses so big - it's incredible! They all have kind eyes and faces too. Good job, as I imagine that's a lot of horse to get under control when mischevious! lol.
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J would like to point out he is a ferocious beast not to be messed with :D
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Or maybe not...;)

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Spot is 17.2 hh and I love having a big horse, I have always prefered them, being that I am 5'9. We have an 18hh shire at the yard, who is lovely, we had a bit of a problem getting some larger rugs she takes a 7ft6 rug! And getting a heavy rug on a horse that size requires muscles! :) Feet are HUGE, like dinner plates, and she doesnt hold them for you! haha!
I would say farrier costs (our shire is barefoot)
Trailers (most trailers only take up to 17.2hh)
Size of your stable (if your stabling of course)
every is obviously larger (tack, headcollars etc) and sometimes the larger items are more expensive
Hope it works out for you :)
 
So J has an unfriendly face too... but looks like a sweetheart really!

Sounds like you were made for eachother Jhoward. It's amazing how the right person brings out the best in a horse, no matter how bad life's been to them already. I can only imagine the terror of a giant preparing for attack in a stable: scary bickies!
 
I'm 6ft, my gelding is 17hh, I always said when I looked for another one it would be at least as big... I bought a 16.1hh. She was unbroken too, so I didn't even know how I would feel once I was on her, but she was the right horse.
I've just sat on her for the first time and she takes my leg up really well, I don't feel big at all. So being tall doesn't mean you need a big horse, just one you feel comfortable on.

My gelding is a midget in comparison to some of these horses, but I would say the biggest problem with big horses is their joints. They take a hell of a hammering, just doing normal things with them. My lad was retired at 16 with arthritis in every leg, and that despite being on joint supplement since I first got him, only jumped on good going, never jumped big, not hammered etc etc.

But, I do love big horses, as long as they've been handled correctly, they are big softies! :D
 
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