Too Small For Your Horse?

Mithras

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I actually get quite a few nasty comments about being too small to ride my horse. I'm 5 feet 1, 8 and a half stone and ride a 17.2 middleweight hunter type. A very powerful horse. Constant comments about how tiny I look on him, which is fine, but also remarks about how I can't hold him and along those lines. Remarks which simply wouldn't be made if I was the same height but carrying an extra 5 stones.

In actual fact, I'm a very fit athlete who does regular gym work, I'm extremely strong, have a high power to weight ratio and had to change from a metal to a soft plastic bit as I want my horse to go forwards when jumping and take me into the fences. I also used to ride National Hunt horses.

So can we hear less of the judgemental comments for those of us who never come near to straining our horse's backs, who ride with balance and core strength and aren't afraid of big powerful horses, and whose horses probably find it easier to jump because they are carrying what must seem like a featherweight to them?!
 

BlizzardBudd

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i'm 5"1 too and often get told that i am overhorsed.. but i feel that if i can control the horse etc. then i can obvs ride it safely.
just because someone is tall doesnt mean that they can ride better does it
 

lexiedhb

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Comments would be justified if you had demonstrated that you could not hold said horse, but to be honest even the fittest strongest human alive will never be able to hold a horse if it really wants to go- half a ton + V's 10 stone??? Simple science

Why is it ok for you to be judgemental about those who weigh over 9 stone, if you do not like it when the shoe is on the other foot?
 

*hic*

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had to change from a metal to a soft plastic bit as I want my horse to go forwards when jumping and take me into the fences.

. . .

whose horses probably find it easier to jump because they are carrying what must seem like a featherweight to them?!


Firstly, the first comment does is not really in accord with the second one as your horse is not taking you into the fences.


Now, had you said you were 18 stone not 8 the obvious comment would have been made that you're too heavy. As it is there are various conclusions that can be drawn.

Either you're too heavy in the hand, an issue no matter what your body weighs, or you're not strong enough in the leg, again an issue whether you are light or heavy but not, presumably, in your case attributable to pads of fat on the inner thigh preventing you getting your leg on correctly.



As for people commenting - well for every time you have looked at a larger rider on a small horse and thought "that picture doesn't look right" someone has possibly looked at the combination of you and your horse and thought exactly the same. If it's ok for you to have those thoughts why not for others?

Edited to add: Having had my daughter riding I've seen several of her peer group moving up to much larger horses, and she did herself. They do indeed look like peas on drums and until they have had a chance to develop the core muscle necessary they had been unable to properly "ride" the horse, whilst being perfectly able to poddle round on it. So I don't have a problem with smaller riders on large horses but equally having seen fantastic ponies woefully ""outgrown by their teenage riders until a suitable horse comes up I don't have a problem with that, nor with parents then riding said ponies until next child is ready for them. Just to point out I really cba to be "sizist".
 
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Devonshire dumpling

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I actually get quite a few nasty comments about being too small to ride my horse. I'm 5 feet 1, 8 and a half stone and ride a 17.2 middleweight hunter type. A very powerful horse. Constant comments about how tiny I look on him, which is fine, but also remarks about how I can't hold him and along those lines. Remarks which simply wouldn't be made if I was the same height but carrying an extra 5 stones.

In actual fact, I'm a very fit athlete who does regular gym work, I'm extremely strong, have a high power to weight ratio and had to change from a metal to a soft plastic bit as I want my horse to go forwards when jumping and take me into the fences. I also used to ride National Hunt horses.

So can we hear less of the judgemental comments for those of us who never come near to straining our horse's backs, who ride with balance and core strength and aren't afraid of big powerful horses, and whose horses probably find it easier to jump because they are carrying what must seem like a featherweight to them?!

Lets face it, if you or i got on a 12.2hh pony and it really wanted to P off, it would and could! Even little shetlands are bloody strong, i don't know where people get it into their heads we need muscle and strength to ride a horse, I really don't see a problem with you riding something big as long as its schooled and obedient and you use your legs too! xx
 

Mithras

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Firstly, the first comment does is not really in accord with the second one as your horse is not taking you into the fences.

Now, had you said you were 18 stone not 8 the obvious comment would have been made that you're too heavy. As it is there are various conclusions that can be drawn.

Either you're too heavy in the hand, an issue no matter what your body weighs, or you're not strong enough in the leg, again an issue whether you are light or heavy but not, presumably, in your case attributable to pads of fat on the inner thigh preventing you getting your leg on correctly.

Eh? I have a 14 year old, which started BS last year. He is now jumping 1.15s. Hopefully Foxhunter soon. I don't have any problems with my jumping and can't see where I said I did? Horse was too strong for previous rider and went rushed his jumps but if you don't fight with him and let him go in his own rhythm he is nice to ride. Hence he needs a milder bit because it gives him confidence that he won't be held up and he relaxes more. There is a limit to how much reschooling of a 14 year old you can do in 18 months.

When you are small or short, you have to adapt. Ideally my leg would come further down his sides. However horses adapt well to getting a leg aid in a slightly different position. Considering that Paralympians such as Lee Pearson manage perfectly well, I fail to understand your comments. Are you suggesting that short people cannot use their legs?

As for people commenting - well for every time you have looked at a larger rider on a small horse and thought "that picture doesn't look right" someone has possibly looked at the combination of you and your horse and thought exactly the same. If it's ok for you to have those thoughts why not for others?

I haven't commented on any rider's weights on any threads.

However recent threads have made me wonder how some horses do manage with the weights they are asked to carry and how much more successful they would be in the more competitive elements of our sport if the riders were actually fit and the horses not literally handicapped by excess weight.
 

charlie76

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I am 5ft5 and my horse is 17.3hh, i don't think I look to small on him:
IMG_6601.jpg


However, as with all the other threads, if people want to think I am too small/tall/fat/thin etc ect ect for my horse then let them, I couldn't care less as long as I enjoy him!
 

Dab

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i don't know where people get it into their heads we need muscle and strength to ride a horse, I really don't see a problem with you riding something big as long as its schooled and obedient and you use your legs too! xx

^^agree^^ and add balance and harmony....and about the leg bit if i ever dare to mutter to my instructor that my legs just aren't long enough (and they are, but just not as long as his :rolleyes:)...he barks back "i teach an RDA rider who has no legs up to BD Medium...now bloody well get on with it" :eek:
 

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Oh Mithras...its always down to weight with you isn't it? I've seen several of your threads/posts about larger people- whether they be riders or not....and how supremely athletic, confident and competent you are.

Good for you.

Take it on the chin- ignore it - whatever....do what you expect the 'larger' /less confident people to do when you're always holding forth and passing judgement.....
 

MissMincePie&Brandy

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I only believe a person is overhorsed if they can't hold or contain their horse easily or safely, and that is generally only due to their own riding abilities and not the physical height of the horse.

I know plenty of people (relatively tall, average weight) who have purchased, (not especially large) sports horses who scare the living daylights out of them, and the size of the horse isn't really in the equation. If I was asked I would say these people are overhorsed.

I personally like riding large horses :D I have a 17.2 TB and a chunky 17hh Middleweight warmblood. I also ride my warmblood in a straight bar nathe, as he is very light in the hand.

An old family friend ( now in her 80s) competed and hunted her 17.2 warmblood into her early 70s and she is really tiny at 5ft, and very slim. Her horse was an impeccably mannered gentleman.
 
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Devonshire dumpling

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^^agree^^ and add balance and harmony....and about the leg bit if i ever dare to mutter to my instructor that my legs just aren't long enough (and they are, but just not as long as his :rolleyes:)...he barks back "i teach an RDA rider who has no legs up to BD Medium...now bloody well get on with it" :eek:

HAHA I love it!! True tho innit!!
 

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There are a lot of giant horses (17 - 18 hands) on our livery yard at the moment, all owned by small or middle sized women. Its not doing anyone any harm, so no point making an issue out of it, but it does seem a bit odd when they would all actually look better on 15 - 16 handers. OP, at your height and weight you can probably ride anything from 13 hands to 18 hands, but wouldn't it make the most sense to buy something more in the middle? :confused:
 

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When I was 13/14 ish I had an 18.3 shire on loan. I'm 5'9 now, but I think I was about 5'6 when I had him. Yes I looked like a pea on a drum, but I always had full control of him (apart from when the numpty spooked at a bird rustling in a tree, tripped over his own feet and fell on top of me!! :D). For a big horse he really could shift himself out hacking, but I always had control and felt safe. I'd school him on the flat and over jumps and it was great! He was ridden in a snaffle at all times
 

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Well, I'm hardly a toned athelete and I can hold Dorey... in fact, she stops dead at the mere twitch of the rein (and in a french link snaffle, aside from going back to the rubber bits, you can't get much milder!)

So your point is what exactly?

All humans are overhorsed. Just because you happen to have one that is responsive to the mouth doesn't make you a genius, a better rider, too small, too heavy or perfect for it... it just means your horse has a good mouth.

I would very much like to see how being a toned athelete would help you if he did ever bolt with you though... I couldn't stop a 12hh dartmoor when I was 5ft 7 and 11 stone...
 

Mithras

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I personally like riding large horses :D I have a 17.2 TB and a chunky 17hh Middleweight warmblood. I also ride my warmblood in a straight bar nathe, as he is very light in the hand.

An old family friend ( now in her 80s) competed and hunted her 17.2 warmblood into her early 70s and she is really tiny at 5ft, and very slim. Her horse was an impeccably mannered gentleman.

Its also a Nathe bit I use on my big boy. I think its a genius bit, so kind compared to a metal bit.

I find it is the horse's shoulder that is important to me, rather than the actual size. Being short, I like to sit behind a nice generous, sloping shoulder. Whether that shoulder is on a 17.2 or a 15.2 is neither here nor there but I prefer that build of horse to a narrow shouldered one. Although I have to say, once you get used to it, theres nothing like the feeling a big powerful horse gives you.

But no, I really do get constant comments about my size and how small I look on my horse, particularly from show judges, often implying there is something wrong with me riding a horse that size. People seem to formulate opinions on you rather than look at the way you ride and the results you get. Riding is the only sport I know where bigger size is automatically assumed to equal greater strength, as opposed to power to weight ratio which is what matters in any other sport.
 

Serenity087

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Do you watch the same sport as the rest of us, Mithras?

I'd hardly have said the tiny Pippa Funnell riding the not so tiny Supreme Rock was a show of size = strength = superiority!

But then, riding isn't about strength... unless you're carrying your horse over the jumps yourself... confused.com

(don't get me wrong, a fitter rider is a better rider and balance and poise are affected by inner core... but short of "worlds strongest men" there's not too many humans who can physically drag a horse to a standstill from gallop using strength????)
 

Mithras

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There are a lot of giant horses (17 - 18 hands) on our livery yard at the moment, all owned by small or middle sized women. Its not doing anyone any harm, so no point making an issue out of it, but it does seem a bit odd when they would all actually look better on 15 - 16 handers. OP, at your height and weight you can probably ride anything from 13 hands to 18 hands, but wouldn't it make the most sense to buy something more in the middle? :confused:

I didn't deliberately go out to buy a horse that size; I got him in a deal and intended to pass him on, but turned out to be such a good horse and so well suited to what I needed, decided to keep him. Would now consider a similar sized horse in the future as its not an issue when you are on board and it has advantages (makes big jumps look small, can see over the tops of small buildings, covers the ground out hacking...)
 

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I have had a lot of comments over the years about T being too big - including on dressage sheets! He is however the nicest, easiest horse I have ever ridden; I could take him xc bareback in a headcollar if I wanted, he hacks, dressages, TRECs, team chases, you name it!

tamht.jpg


The funny thing is, he is only 15.3hh on tiptoes. Yes, I really am THAT small :D
 

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Everyone comments on me at 4ft 11 on my just over 17hhs from stupidly ridiculous to dangerous riding something that big! Why, he is as good as gold. A gentle giant.

162-1.jpg
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pardalis

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Do you have a photo of you not jumping over something? Difficult to judge with your legs halfway up his sides. Well, actually I could state that is a sign he's too big for you but it's not conclusive
 

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as one of those middle sized [ 5'7 ish] ladies with a giant horse - full up 17hh HW cob - i find the real issue is not just the height of the horse but also the width - much as i love the big girl - i actually ride better & look nicer on a MW 16 - 16.2 - its not just asthetics
 

KittyJay

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I have had a lot of comments over the years about T being too big - including on dressage sheets! He is however the nicest, easiest horse I have ever ridden; I could take him xc bareback in a headcollar if I wanted, he hacks, dressages, TRECs, team chases, you name it!

tamht.jpg


The funny thing is, he is only 15.3hh on tiptoes. Yes, I really am THAT small :D

how tall are you?? you do make him look huge but not a bad thing, you also look perfectly suited and clearly ride him nicely!
 

skewby

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Why are there so many threads lately on riders weight and height, am I missing something? :confused:
My exact question. OP either you posted this in genuine confusion, and if people are constantly making comments then either you are not riding the horse well enough, or you look like a pea on a mountain. Or a lot more could be got from the horse, perhaps, if the rider's legs went further down its sides. I don't know. I do know a lot of tiny women who have a penchant for massive horses. Apols if this is not you. Only other motivation behind your post is to advertise your teensy weight! If so, well done you are clearly minute!! :D
 

skewby

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All humans are overhorsed. Just because you happen to have one that is responsive to the mouth doesn't make you a genius, a better rider, too small, too heavy or perfect for it... it just means your horse has a good mouth.

I would very much like to see how being a toned athelete would help you if he did ever bolt with you though... I couldn't stop a 12hh dartmoor when I was 5ft 7 and 11 stone...
You don't stop a horse with its mouth. You stop it by putting your leg ON.
 
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