small humans- what size is your horse?

[montevxcii]

I'm just under 5ft5, Henry is a 16.1hh ISH (mostly ID) and I don't look ridiculously small on him! Though I'm not sure I'd like to own anything much bigger, I think 16.2 would be my limit. Rosie was 15.3, and she was a good size for me. Though I've ridden everything from 12.2-17.2!!

On my instructors 17.2 ex national hunt horse

16.1 Henry

15.3 Rosie

15hh connie I borrowed from a friend whilst I was horseless

connemara's and ISH's- how lovely <3

 

[Crazy_cat_lady]

I'm 5'2" and have a 15.2hh Welsh D. I feel fine at that height though when my what ifs developed over jumping I started to think this is quite a way to fall. I do like having the solidness between my legs (yes I know that sounds really rude but can't think how else to phrase it!) And wouldn't want something very fine.

I rode a fairly fine horse in Spain who I'd probably say was 14.2 and didn't notice much difference.

If I were to get another one after H (unlikely) I'd probably go for something slightly smaller but would still want a decent neck and shoulder in front.

When I worked for the rs I'd always be the one to be called upon to get on the naughty ponies to sort them out. I'm probably a little heavy for them now.

I've also ridden horses over 16 hands and felt fine but if I were to do it now I'd only feel fine if they weren't misbehaving (as in no bucking or dramatic!)

 

[Dave's Mam]

Yes, the lack of "Front" on a smallie can be disconcerting at first, but you get used to it.

 

[AlohaCob]

I am 5'4 1/2" and after retiring my 15.2hh mare a year and a half ago, had decided that a 15.3hh would be my minimum. I ended up with a 14.2/14.3 ish Gypsy Vanner.

Warning: Butts look larger in the photo for both pony and rider lol We are both working on getting our weight down.

 

[cobsarefab]

Yes, the lack of "Front" on a smallie can be disconcerting at first, but you get used to it.

I think cobbus is an exception to the rule

 

[Bernster]

Interesting the range of heights yet riders look absolutely fine! Just goes to show that it's not just height but rider and horse propositions too.

Niki - you two look really well suited, a really nice picture.

See if this pic works, I'm just under 5'4, probably suited to smaller horses around 15.2 mark depending on build. My boy is around 16/16.1 not too wide but my legs are a bit short on him. I do find it harder to give a proper leg aid, so he has to put up with me squashing his sides instead &#65533;&#65533;

 

[stencilface]

I'm 5'6 and my horse is 16.1. I've just started using him as mini sf lead rein ride, she's 4

I've just started to sit on our 12.3 to continue riding him away after being backed. I actually look fine on him, he rides big. I just need to lose some weight before I do more than 5 mins in walk on him

 

[holeymoley]

5ft1(nearly 2!) and have a 14hh. I ride very long but he's got a decent enough build that he takes up the leg. I prefer his height for everything- no need to leap in the air to get a rug on!

 

[Hallo2012]

im not that small i dont think....5'7.....pony is 13hh now to mature 13.2hh but is an old fashioned solid sec B with a leg at each corner and a table top back lol!

 

[meleeka]

5'4" on a just about 14.2hh. The older I've got, the closer to the ground I prefer to be

x

Same here. My cob is 14.1hh and I’m 5’3”. He’s as wide as he is tall so obviously takes up a lot of leg.

 

[Cortez]

This is me (5'9") on 14.2h mare who was very wide....I'm not small and neither was she

...and I'm wearing a helmet for once!

 

[MotherOfChickens]

I have a 13.2h Fell and a 12'3h Exmoor. I am 5'5 (I thought I was 5'6 but actually got round to measuring myself). The Fell has a huge shoulder and front and rides much bigger than he is.

 

[Adonissaan]

I'm 5 foot 4 inches - currently regularly riding a 16.2hh TBxID

Rode a friends 15.1hh Welsh D at the weekend and she felt absolutely tiny lol! Actually feel much more comfortable on the big boy!

Was thinking when I would be buying that I would look for something about 15.2hh but now maybe I'll go for 17hh

 

[Antw23uk]

I LOVE threads like this, you all look so in proportion for the types you are on. Being a guy at 5'7 (Ok not that short?) I always feel too big for my 16.1 mare although she is a leg in each corner type of girl and more than easily carries me (very handy because shes a keeper) and I feel just right on my gelding at 16.2 although he feels massive after riding the shortbum mare in comparison.

I have to say I am very jealous of those on smaller mounts. I'm not sure I would like to ride anything smaller than 16h but I think thats more down to my paranoia about weight and my body dis morphia but there is a small part of me that would love to bomb about on a smaller ride

 

[Ceriann]

5'4" on a just about 14.2hh. The older I've got, the closer to the ground I prefer to be!

And I disagree about the lack of neck on ponies as long as they are built fairly uphill which mine is. Plenty of shoulders and neck in front of me. x

Lovely pony!

 

[HufflyPuffly]

I'm 5'3" ish and ride a 14.3, 15.3 and we dont talk about the height of the baby horse

On my 14.3hh show horse, I did always feel a little big on her I think because most of my 'height' is in my torso rather than legs, meant our sidesaddle career was short lived as I did look too big .

Topaz however makes me look small , she's just under 15.3hh but is quite solid (and fat for most of the time ).

Skylla is 'about' 15.3hh *glares at anyone who disagrees* but as shes yet :eek3: to fill out I think she's a good size for me currently.

 

[Bernster]

Interesting pics AH, I have to say you do look like you could easily ride a taller horse. I think Skylla is just growing tall enough to match you

 

[sheep]

I am about 5ft 3 and ride my OH's mare, she is probably around 15.2hh, about the same size as my mostly retired gelding.

My OH looks fine on her too, he is 6ft and she is quite a solid ISH.

 

[GoldenWillow]

5'4" and have 14.2 traditional cob. My height is all in my body so although I'm happy riding up to about 16.1hh my legs can look ridiculously short.

 

[Cowpony]

Am I the only person to be a teensy bit narked about all the tall people hijacking our (ie small people's) thread? Yeah, lovely pictures of you at 6'8" with your 4' long....... slim.....beautiful......legs (I'm not jealous at all!) on your 11.1hh ponies. But this is meant to be about SMALL people and the size of horses we ride! If you can walk into a shop and buy trousers that you don't have to get turned up you are TALL! Sorry, rant over. Walks back under her rock. Doesn't need to crawl. Not tall enough.

 

[FestiveFuzz]

I'm 5'4" and M is just shy of 16hh. Before him and Pops (15.3) I had a connie x who was 14.3 on tippy toes, but I much prefer the small WBs over ponies these days...much easier to sit a spook when there's more between your legs

 

[montevxcii]

absolutely festivefuzz- this girl spooked in slow motion (i look tall on her because of dressage length stirrups!)

 

[albeg]

5'3 (almost) and pony is 14.2.

This is jumping length

 

[HufflyPuffly]

Interesting pics AH, I have to say you do look like you could easily ride a taller horse. I think Skylla is just growing tall enough to match you

Yeah, I think it's because I'm tall through my torso with little stumpy legs :lol:, plus I am not erm that 'finely' built .

 

[DabDab]

Am I the only person to be a teensy bit narked about all the tall people hijacking our (ie small people's) thread? Yeah, lovely pictures of you at 6'8" with your 4' long....... slim.....beautiful......legs (I'm not jealous at all!) on your 11.1hh ponies. But this is meant to be about SMALL people and the size of horses we ride! If you can walk into a shop and buy trousers that you don't have to get turned up you are TALL! Sorry, rant over. Walks back under her rock. Doesn't need to crawl. Not tall enough.

Because we all wish that we were small like you so that we could ride all the fun equines!!!
When I was a kid, all I ever wanted was a Connemara pony, it was my absolute dream. But parents had neither the inclination nor the means to buy me a pony, and then when I was able to afford one of my own I was all stupid and tall and supposed to be riding serious horses. I rode many but never had my own. So earlier this year I bought one of my very own, because I decided that I don't care anymore that I'm too big. My friend did roll her eyes at me and ask "and why exactly have you bought yourself another undersized horse".

Although I have just backed my inky dinky fine 15.2hh horse and was very surprised that she didn't feel small at all. Although she did put her head down to sniff the ground the other day and I almost slipped off the front

 

[montevxcii]

Because we all wish that we were small like you so that we could ride all the fun equines!!!
When I was a kid, all I ever wanted was a Connemara pony, it was my absolute dream. But parents had neither the inclination nor the means to buy me a pony, and then when I was able to afford one of my own I was all stupid and tall and supposed to be riding serious horses. I rode many but never had my own. So earlier this year I bought one of my very own, because I decided that I don't care anymore that I'm too big. My friend did roll her eyes at me and ask "and why exactly have you bought yourself another undersized horse".

Although I have just backed my inky dinky fine 15.2hh horse and was very surprised that she didn't feel small at all. Although she did put her head down to sniff the ground the other day and I almost slipped off the front

you can still have this feeling when you're small - i wish i'd been allowed to ride when i was small enough to fit on a shetland ! they're just so cute and teeny tiny

 

[ElleSkywalker]

you can still have this feeling when you're small - i wish i'd been allowed to ride when i was small enough to fit on a shetland ! they're just so cute and teeny tiny

I've ridden my shetland

 

[DabDab]

you can still have this feeling when you're small - i wish i'd been allowed to ride when i was small enough to fit on a shetland ! they're just so cute and teeny tiny

Haha, true, although I do have a slim 5' friend (weighs about 7st), who bombs her Shetland around the countryside. Makes me very jealous

 

[AandK]

5'3.5" and I have a 15.2hh (retired) and a 16.3hh who I ride. I look better on a 15.1/2hh horse but my 16.3hh does not ride big and is not strong.

ETA pics:
Me on a 15.1hh (not mine)

Me on my 16.3hh

 

[Bernster]

Am I the only person to be a teensy bit narked about all the tall people hijacking our (ie small people's) thread? Yeah, lovely pictures of you at 6'8" with your 4' long....... slim.....beautiful......legs (I'm not jealous at all!) on your 11.1hh ponies. But this is meant to be about SMALL people and the size of horses we ride! If you can walk into a shop and buy trousers that you don't have to get turned up you are TALL! Sorry, rant over. Walks back under her rock. Doesn't need to crawl. Not tall enough.

Quite. And whilst we are at it, what's happened to all those 'petite' sections on the high st? My M&S petite trousers are about 2" too long