Rider height and horse height

[Stella-fy]

Random question but is anyone around 5’9/5’10’ and have a medium barrel horse 15.3hh??

if so can you share pictures on your horse? I am 5’9.5’’ to be precise ? and I have a horse coming next week who is 15.3hh and I have this possibly irrational fear that I am going to look like a monkey on a unicycle!! I didn’t get any pictures when I tried her and would welcome some reassurance ?

 

[Tiddlypom]

What build and type is your new horse? That matters much more than height. A short coupled horse could make you feel that you are sitting over her ears, but as you have tried her and presumably felt ok, this is unlikely.

A 5'9"rider on a 15.3hh sounds pretty standard, tbh. I'm taller and have owned smaller .

 

[twobearsarthur]

A 5’9” rider on a 15.3 will look absolutely fine. I’m 5’8” and look fine on anything over 15.1. So don’t worry.

 

[Pinkvboots]

My 6"2 instructor used to ride my 15.3 arab and looked ok his legs were really long as well.

 

[Stella-fy]

This is her. She’s quite narrow front on but still in a M width saddle. I think - hope- I am overthinking it ??‍? I didn’t chose her over on how I look/she looks I chose her on temperament but would have naturally said I wanted something over 16hh given my height.
If anyone does have any pics for reference with a simile horse I would appreciate it!

 

[Stella-fy]

Front on

 

[eggs]

I am 5’8” and regularly rode my daughter’s 14:2 Dales pony and ever felt under horsed. Currently riding a 17:3 but he doesn’t ride big.

 

[ycbm]

5ft 8 on a big barreled 15.1 3 year old, both participants measured not guessed ?

 

[Stella-fy]

5ft 8 on a big barreled 15.1 3 year old, both participants measured not guessed ?

View attachment 85912

You both look great together ? thnks for your response

 

[Stella-fy]

I am 5’8” and regularly rode my daughter’s 14:2 Dales pony and ever felt under horsed. Currently riding a 17:3 but he doesn’t ride big.

thanks for the reply Eggs

 

[Coffeeandcakeandchocolate]

I’m 5ft 8 and have a 14.2 cob…I look fine on him

 

[silv]

I am sure you will look fine, very nice horse btw, super type.

 

[SatansLittleHelper]

I'm 5' 10" and have a wide 15.1 cob and a med weight 16.1 cob x Connemara...I look fine on both and have frequently ridden a 14.2 chunky cob

 

[dixie]

I’m 5ft 8 and horse 15.2hh. My legs are quite long and I worry I’m too big on him until I see the photos !

 

[spotty_pony]

I’m 5ft9 and my boy is 15 hands ?

 

[alexomahony]

5’9 on a 14.2

 

[Stella-fy]

I am sure you will look fine, very nice horse btw, super type.

Thank you

 

[Stella-fy]

I’m 5ft 8 and horse 15.2hh. My legs are quite long and I worry I’m too big on him until I see the photos !View attachment 85922

You look amazing together…thanks for sharing!

 

[Stella-fy]

5’9 on a 14.2
View attachment 85925

I am clearly over thinking things…wow you look made for each other

 

[Cortez]

I’m 5’9”, horse in avatar is 15.1h.

 

[LouisCat]

I’m 5ft9 and my boy is 15 hands ?

?

 

[VRIN]

Well it doesn't hinder William Fox Pitt!

 

[Surbie]

5ft9 on 15.3hh - I have long legs but it all seems to be fine. My 6ft4 friend doesn't look out of place on him either.

 

[Stella-fy]

You look fab ?

 

[Leam_Carrie]

5’9” on 16hh

 

[FourWhiteSocks]

5'9" on a 15.2hh.

 

[TheHairyOne]

5'9 here too!

14.3 (and tiny bit!)



15.2



16



17.3



All about how they are built!

 

[Hallo2012]

im 5'7 and my ponies are 13hh so a much closer height range.....you'll be fine

 

[Kat]

I'm 5ft8" my horse is not quite 16hh, and quite fine. I'm fine size wise on her and wouldn't particularly want a bigger horse. My husband rides her too and he is 6ft2", he looks leggy on her but is fine.

You will not look remotely out of place. Remember that the small but mighty Charisma was only 15.2 and Mark Todd is a bit over 5ft9" at 6ft3" and no one ever thought he looked daft while winning Olympic gold medals.

 

[Tarragon]

I think that a lot depends upon your body-length to leg ratio, as two people of the same height can look very different on the same horse depending how much of the height is made up by legs
looking at all the lovely rider and horse combinations in the photos above, I don't think it will be a problem.