What Do YOU Think Is Too Big?

[trickivicki]

well, until today I thought I looked fine HOWEVER this pic makes my horse look tiny!

BUT in this photo I don't think we look to out of proportion:

different photos can show things in very different lights!

 

[tabithakat64]

This is Fudge and I both at our fatest (we've lost weight since).

He's 14.3hh and I was very heavy to say the least and definietly the maximum he could carry even for light work.

& at my current weight on a 15.1hh, (I know I still need to lose more though)

& at 10 stone on a 13.1hh, I think I was probably the maximum weight and height for her too

 

[Leah3horses]

This is Fudge and I both at our fatest (we've lost weight since).

He's 14.3hh and I was very heavy to say the least and definietly the maximum he could carry even for light work.

& at my current weight on a 15.1hh, (I know I still need to lose more though)

& at 10 stone on a 13.1hh, I think I was probably the maximum weight and height for her too

Don't know if it's just the pics...but the lovely Fudge in your first pic..looks more of a weight carrier than the taller horse in your 2nd pic?Think you look fine on Fudge, he looks quite a chunky, well boned cob type.14.3hh is a decent sized cob,2 inches in wither height may mean you are actually riding at 14.3hh on a 15.1hh, if that makes sense?I had a 16.2hh ID and he rode smaller than my 15.3hh Clydesdale cross..when I measured them both to their saddle areas, my 15.3hh rode at 15.3 as she was flat withered. My 16.2hhID rode at...15.2 and a bit!!Due to high withers...it's not always about the height of the horse..


My opinion is that since the fashion for huge horses in dressage, this fashion for people to be 'over horsed' has filtered down to general horse owners...along with little interest or knowledge of what certain types of horses were originally bred for...so people have got a tad bit precious and unrealistic about what horses can actually carry healthily and happily. All the native types can carry more than most seem to think..it's just a question of common sense,and knowing your horse. According to some of the comments on here, all working Quarter Horses/Paso Finos/Appaloosas in North and South America, and Polo Ponies here..are carrying riders that are too heavy/big for them!

When even draft type owners think they were originally bred for pulling, it does make me despair

Conversely:
If a draft horse is crossed with, say a TB...you often lose the bone and strength of the draft..so, even thought the horse may look like a draft type..under the hair and feathers, the draft bone isn't there.So the horse may be saddled with a heavy rider when they are not a true heavyweight horse. Think Breton/Ardennes for the true heavyweight type..massive build, short legs, ten inch bone.My draft x is this type, and a true heavyweight..


We are all different shapes and sizes, whatever we are, from 7 stone to 22 plus (yes, really!)..there is a horse for everybody..we have to research and educate ourselves on the history of a type and what it was originally bred for...and use experience and common sense. Can't see any 'too heavy' riders in these pics, thanks for sharing your lovely horses