Those that have made the change from a small horse to a big horse....

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Nicki85

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I'm looking at another horse to share this weekend, a Dutch Warmblood. But he's a big boy at 17.2hh. I'm used to riding a short striding 15.2hh (and she is high withered). Is it going to be difficult to adjust? Also jumping wise i just can't imagine its going to be easy on such a big horse?!?!

So any advice/ experiences much appreciated!
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In my experience each horse is different- you may find that you get on with him just as well as th e15.2. I had a 15.3 cob and a 17.2 ID X for a while and whilst they had different strides etc they were both comfy and i didnt feel that i was making a huge change. Go and try him amd you may be suprised the only real differrence will be how much there is in front and behind you to collect and ask to work.

good luck xxx
 
I had only really ridden cobby type horses at the riding school, max height 15h - ish. Ended up buying a 16.3, but George is a bit chunky and doesn't ride big at all, sometimes it's difficult to keep him all together. When he jumps he is very economical and will only jump as bis as the jump and I always feel like I've got lots to hold on to! (Doesn't stop me falling off sometimes mind!)
 
I guess thats it really! All horses are different. Maggie's jump is normally pretty big and she can get very deep and it can feel awkward. I'll just have to try him and see
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You'll be fine. I have a little 15.2hh pony on legs welsh cob and have just started riding a 17.2. It's a bit like being on a spring board in trot and canter but he's got such a smooth jump you hardly notice the height difference. Each horse is different- my mums 15.1hh mare rides the complete opposite to my gelding. If he's calm enough just ride round on a loose-ish rein in walk and get to know him, see what he makes of you and what you make of him before asking for anything.
Let us know how you get on
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I went from riding a 15.2 Friesian x TB to a 17.2 TB x WB, they are poles apart. I love riding the 17.2 so much more than the 15.2, he is a gentle giant! Jumping is no problem either, he is a little untidy over smaller jumps and will jump far better if the jump is a bit bigger but either way he is still far easier to jump than the 15.2 I shared.

I think it's all down to the temperament of the horse, whether he knows his size and strength and whether you have the confidence to ride him like you would any other horse. I rode an 18.2hh mare once and for the first 20minutes of the lesson I rode like a sack of potatoes as I couldn't get her size out of my head. Once I relaxed and forgot about how big she was, she worked beautifully
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Ooh Sorry to butt in here I hadnt realised his gorgeousness was 16.3.

And in answer to OP I dont think size makes any difference its the character of the horse that is important.

Apart from returning to the saddle after an emergency dismount so if you get a big horse Lesson one is stand still by whatever I choose when I want to get on.
 
I went from a 14hh Section D to a 16.2 IDx. You soon get used to it, although my Sec D rode quite a bit bigger and my 16.2 is quite compact and short striding so I may have a different experience to others! Jumping took a little while in terms of seeing strides, but my boy is a bit quirky when it comes to jumping so that probably made it more difficult. The best thing is that jumps look a lot smaller when you're that much higher up! The downside is you can't get under low branches like you used to! The thought of getting back on a pony now would be very strange I think, I'd feel like a giant and I'm only 5'6"!
 
I went from a 15.3hh WB mare to a 17.1hh IDxTB last year. I won't lie and say it was easy because it wasn't. He is a big horse, and not a fine horse either. Took me a while to get used to it but I don't notice the size really now, unless I look in the mirror while riding or look at pics, when I do realise how big he is.

He doesn't really feel any different to jump than any other horse, apart from he makes things feel smaller because he's so big.

It will probably take time to get used to it but I like my big horse now I'm used to him so would def say give it a go
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I've a very short striding (read mincing!) 14.2 (at a push) pony and a 16.2/3 TB - I do find the difference startling, but once I'm on I quickly get used to the size difference.

Lu has big smooth strides and River has little fast ones...

I don't know about difference in jumping because River can't anymore and Lu hasn't started yet!
 
I'm used to riding a 14.2hh Sec D and went for a hack with a friend on a borrowed 16.1hh

Once I had got over the fun and games of mounting her
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I got used to her height fairly quickly
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Even had a couple of canters on her too which was when I really noticed the difference
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the only issue I have is getting on and off, I really wish I was 15 again and could mount 17hh from the floor. But otherwise I find the bigger horses have an effortless stride and so comfy

its jut the strength thing, but then if a horse is gonna go its gonna go.
 
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