Rider height vs Horse height

I'm 5'10" (slim, mainly leg) and my mare is 15.3hh, yes my legs hang below her belly but it's at least 45 years since I've ridden a horse where they didn't - even my 17.3hh warmblood x dinosaur (my farrier's description).
 
Cortez said:
Who cares? What looks the worst is some teeny little shrimp on a massive mountain with their silly little legs barely clearing the flaps. I'm 5' 9"; my horses range from 14.2 all the way up to a mighty 15.1.
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i agree with this ^ im 5'6 and my pony is 13.2 (fell type build) i look fine on her as does my 5'8 sister although any taller would be pushing it
 
Rapidash said:
5 ft 10 on 12.3hh. Never understand why people need any taller!
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Because i feel big on anything below 15h? I can ride smaller ponies but I don't particularly like it. I'm much happier on my horse (17h) as he doesn't ride big & is a gentle soul. I was looking for a 16.2 max but he fit the criteria in every other way & we just clicked. 2 inches wasn't going to put me off!!

Eg. This is me on an ethopian pony - approx 13h. Bit like a shetland on steroids & very intelligent but stubborn things.
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My upper body is too big on her but she takes up my leg well - plus she was comfortable. I felt very big on her!
 
I'm 5'10 and look and feel small on anything below 16hh. My TB is 16.2 and the WB 17.1. I look right on the bigger horse as he takes up more leg. My 16.1hh CB was quite stocky though so was just about ok. OP you'll be fine.
 
5ft 2in. There's not a lot of advantages to being 'petite' but being able to ride ponies is definitely one of them. I cannot understand why some riders are obsessed with riding tall horses. I like to 'fit' a horse regardless of their height.
 
Rapidash said:
5 ft 10 on 12.3hh. Never understand why people need any taller!
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Cause frankly eventing something that height the fences would look huge & i would catch my legs on the fences!

I have rode & jumped a 13.2 nf up to 1m & he was an awesome little pony. I didn't look that big but jumping i felt far too tall & unbalanced

I shall stick to 14.2 plus :)
 
I'm 5'10" and I ride whatever I like, but I like smaller horses - my biggest is 15.3 hh and my smallest is 14.3 hh, but I used to get wet feet crossing rivers on her.
 
5'1 and have a 12h and 13h. I love tiny ponies although I am long legged so if they're too narrow I feel silly. Having said that I find narrow tb types can feel too small for me. The biggest I've ridden was 18h, which I found bloody hard work to keep together, much prefer ponies that can hold themselves. My ideal height is 14.2, but the 13h is my first pony and the 12h is a project welsh - I just love little welshies!
 
I'd rather look like this on a horse
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than this!
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Both lovely horses, polar opposites mind! 15hands at a push V 17.2+ I can ride the smaller, but just feel a passenger on the bigger. I'm 5'4, 10st.

BUT, personal opinion.
 
I'm 5'6 and I don't feel overly tall on my 14hh pony, but he takes up my leg quite well despite not being stocky. However I probably look better on my 16hh tb or my friends 17.2 wb - but I'll always prefer riding my pony!
 
5'6 and own a 14.3 arab (crabbed so well put-together but not chunky) and a 15hh PBA. As I ride in a western saddle, I ride long so sometimes I feel like my legs are a little long but otherwise we do fine :-)
 
I'm 5ft 10 and my lad is 15.1. I feel very confident on him and we have a lot if fun. For me riding and handling anything over 16hh frightens me to death having completely lost my nerve 4 years ago on a 17hh monster... Even though he prob was the right size for me.
 
Well I am just totally jealous of women under 5'4 because I would LOVE to ride ponies. I much prefer smaller horses and don't understand the appeal of huge 17 handers. At 5'9 I probably look best on a 16.2 but I look okay on a 15.2. I will look tall on my girl unless she puts on lots of width and height.
 
I'm 5ft 4 and ride a dinky 15.2 TB and he is plenty big enough for me :D My instructor who is 6ft2 occasionally rides him but doesn't look massive on him
 
I'm around 6ft2 and ride a 13.3hh Dales x regularly with no hang ups. It may not be very pleasing to the eye but both him and I love our time riding so why not.
You will be fine, I assure you!!
 
I am 5ft1 and I have a 13.3 NF pony. Although I am an adult I am quite nervous around big horses so I prefer having a pony. It also makes things like tacking up and putting on headcollars, rugs and groom easier for me as he is small.
 
I am the same height and build as you, and I would say you would not look out of place at all, Both my girls are 15,3. So lets here no more of the petty minded people that are saying this stuff to you. You are fine
 
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