What size horse can I ride?

[JBM]

I am approximately 5’6/5’7 and weigh about 9 stone but I am long in the leg
What size horse do you think I can ride?
I usually ride around 15.3h but my rising 4yo is currently 14.2hh so if she only made it to 14.3hh I don’t know if I’d look to big on her?
Included is a photo of me on a 15.1/2hh horse

 

[Ali27]

I’m 5ft 6 and look fine on my 14.2 who takes up the leg. I’m 9 stone too but a year ago my weight had crept up to 10 stone 8 She is definitely happier now I’m lighter

 

[JBM]

I’m 5ft 6 and look fine on my 14.2 who takes up the leg. I’m 9 stone too but a year ago my weight had crept up to 10 stone 8 She is definitely happier now I’m lighter

Wow what a jump!! You look the perfect size for her! Gives me confidence thank you

 

[Annagain]

I'm nearly 5'7" and this is me on my old Sec D who was just over 14hh. He wasn't the chunkiest D around but wasn't fine either. I was only about 5'1" when I started riding him when we were both 13 but he had long stopped growing and I was just getting started. We were both 24 in this photo and I was about 10 1/2 stone. I was a bit tall on him by the end but he caried me happily enough. You look fine to me in the photo and I think you'll be fine on yours when the time comes.

 

[JBM]

I'm nearly 5'7" and this is me on my old Sec D who was just over 14hh. He wasn't the chunkiest D around but wasn't fine either. I was only about 5'1" when I started riding him when we were both 13 but he had long stopped growing and I was just getting started. We were both 24 in this photo and I was about 10 1/2 stone. I was a bit tall on him by the end but he caried me happily enough. You look fine to me in the photo and I think you'll be fine on yours when the time comes.

Thank you! Lovely photo!
I think I’m mostly just a bit worried where my leg would end on her if she ends up smaller than horse in picture as my leg might be below her belly!
she looks very small beside my retired mare

 

[splashgirl45]

They can keep growing till they are 6 so don’t panic yet. My mare was out of a 15hand cob by a half trakehner of 16 hands, she was 15.1 at 3 but finished at 16 hands at 6.

 

[ihatework]

It’s all about the horses frame/depth!
At your weight you are absolutely fine on any 14.2hh.
Visually it depends on the above

 

[Annagain]

Thank you! Lovely photo!
I think I’m mostly just a bit worried where my leg would end on her if she ends up smaller than horse in picture as my leg might be below her belly!
she looks very small beside my retired mare

I did knock the odd fence over with my feet on him, especially deep cross poles.

Do you know her breeding? (I'm guessing probably not given that she's a rescue?) That might give you an idea of where she will end up and how chunky she will be. At the moment, she looks like her head's a bit big for her body which suggests she has a bit more growing to do. The fact she hasn't had the best start in life might mean she does some catching up now or it could mean she ends a bit smaller than you thought she might be. The general rule is if you want them to grow they won't and if you want them to stop they'll keep going until they're 8!

 

[saddlesore]

I’m 5’8” and my boy only made it to 15hh- luckily he’s about that wide as well

 

[Tarragon]

Weight wise I would say you would be fine. How you look will depend upon how wide your mount was!
I think that having a long torso had more significance and a bigger impact on the pony when riding a smaller pony than the length of leg as it affects you centre of gravity. Your length of leg just affects where your aids are applied, and how ridiculous you feel!

 

[eggs]

I'm 5'8" with long legs and happily rode a 14.2 Dales pony. His width took up my leg and I never felt big on him.

Years ago when I was buying a horse my instructor thought I should look at around the 16.2 height but was surprised after seeing me on a 15 hand horse that I didn't look too big.

 

[JBM]

I did knock the odd fence over with my feet on him, especially deep cross poles.

Do you know her breeding? (I'm guessing probably not given that she's a rescue?) That might give you an idea of where she will end up and how chunky she will be. At the moment, she looks like her head's a bit big for her body which suggests she has a bit more growing to do. The fact she hasn't had the best start in life might mean she does some catching up now or it could mean she ends a bit smaller than you thought she might be. The general rule is if you want them to grow they won't and if you want them to stop they'll keep going until they're 8!

Not a clue on the breeding! But I was curious myself how her start in life would affect her growth! She’s 4 now in summer which I assumed would mean most of the growing is done height wise unfortunately I want her to grow so might not end well

 

[Fieldlife]

It is pretty meaningless to compare with other 5ft6 people as some have long legs and some have short legs and longer torsos.

Your leg length and your horse's barrel width and depth determine whether you are a good riding fit or not.

And it is hard (but not impossible) to ride well if your leg is below bottom of the barrel..

 

[Armchair Eventer]

I am 5 ft 7in and about 8st 10lb and I have long legs. My share during Covid was a 14hh Haflinger and she took my legs fine. I now have a 14.2hh Connie x TB and again no height issues from my side.

 

[limestonelil]

As long as you and the horse are comfortable with each other, that's the main thing. And you are content with the appearance in photos. (And look at clips particularly of William Fox-Pitt who manages to be effective with legs longer than barrel on some successful eventers.)

 

[cauda equina]

And Mark Todd on Charisma

 

[Cortez]

I'm 5'9", 10 1/2 stone, and have ridden 14.2 - 15.2 horses for at least the last 15 - 20 years. Prior to that I was riding 16.2 - 18h (won't ever be doing that again). Ride what you're comfortable on and don't worry too much about what you look like.

 

[Jenko109]

I am the same Weight and height and have regularly ridden a 13.2.

The horse will probably go up an inch or two yet. You will be absolutely fine.

 

[JBM]

Thanks for the confidence guys! Was just unsure as I’ve never ridden smaller than a 15.1hh since I was about 14! But happy to see so many partnerships where it works!

 

[Ali27]

Wow what a jump!! You look the perfect size for her! Gives me confidence thank you

She is my absolute pony of a lifetime! Had her since a delinquent 6 year old and now she is nearly 21 and still as whizzy as ever. I have a baby ginger (Irish Draught x Welsh) rising 3 year old who must be 15hh at least and needs to stop growing I like mine smaller

 

[Zoeypxo]

Im 5’9 mostly legs 9.5stone and only really like riding above 15.2 (ideally 16.2!) .. but can and do ride 14hh at times. My legs come way past the barrel on ponies and although its fine i much prefer bigger horses.
Its all preference really!l
You will be fine on new pony

 

[Barton Bounty]

I reckon she will grow to probably 15.2 ish she is still babyish looking for now but a year can really make them grow into themselves. She has settled in so well and I am so impressed with Judy! She has really taken to her! Friends for life

 

[JBM]

I reckon she will grow to probably 15.2 ish she is still babyish looking for now but a year can really make them grow into themselves. She has settled in so well and I am so impressed with Judy! She has really taken to her! Friends for life ♥

I hope that would be Just perfect
Ino she was so happy from day one! And Judys acting like a civilised member of society! Written in the stars I think!

 

[Barton Bounty]

I hope that would be Just perfect
Ino she was so happy from day one! And Judys acting like a civilised member of society! Written in the stars I think!

It really was…