What size horse/pony could I ride?

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I'm looking round for something to ride after having to sell my boy, and wondered what size pony or horse I could get away with?

I'm 5'2" and currently 9 stone, I aim to reduce to 8st 7lbs as I am running 1/2 marathons now but of course that is aspirational at the moment :) I have been riding for over 20 years and am a reasonably well balanced and light rider, and I would avoid tiny little British Riding Pony types :D

Any thoughts please?
 
A 14.2 arab would suit you just fine!! I'm 5'1" and weight about 8 and a half stone or just under (like you, I run and so the weight depends on training and how many doughnuts I've eaten!!) and I wouldn't want anything any bigger. Easy to get on, easy to open gates and not too far from the ground if you part company!!
I would feel at home on a good substantial 13.2 as well!!
 
It does depend on how they take your leg up, and indeed how long that leg is I guess! Primary thing is to feel comfy and not perched (I've been horse shopping for the past few weeks and have been able to formulate the above!).

For instance I am 5'4" with a 34" leg. I've tried a 14hh who wasn't broad enough, and I was too perched and squishing him. I've got away with a 13.3 fell pony who was very broad, no worries. I've tried finer ones at 15.2 who have been a good fit. My Arabian was 15hh and very fine; I looked ok on him but an inch shorter and my legs would have been dangling. Today I tried a 14.2 who rode very big, but was still ponylike... And she was just right!

In short you have to try 'em but anything from a chunky 13.2 to a fine 15.2 would be fine for you imho. I like them as small as I can go! Lots of choice if you're smaller!
 
LOL I've ridden up to 17.2hh Irish Draught hunters :) My last horse was a wonderful 15.2hh TB, but before that I had a 16.3hh Selle Francais so I find the idea of riding smaller ones a bit odd - I want to keep my options open though :)

ETA - I've got a 29" inside leg
 
Also depends on what you want to do

For example if you want to do a little jumping the. You need to know how many, if any of your local venues allow adults to ride 14.2 and under. In my area we have a few. But I know a friend online has none near her

The rest comes down to how you feel about individual horses. I always at least get a couple of photos of me riding when I try horses so I can see how the overall picture looks ;)
 
I've loved reading your threads - how people differ. I'm only 5ft 5" and weigh a heafty 11st and my lad is a 16.1 7/8ths TB. He is quite deep girthed with a lovely neck and with my inside leg (bare feet wearing jeans!) measuring 30" I feel my leg just about takes up his deep girth. I also ride my daughter's TB x who is 15.1 and despite me feeling 'big' on her I actually look OK. It's just her slightly short neck that makes me feel slightly vulnerable. I've happily cantered, galloped and jumped her, but her ears are just that bit too near my face and I feel because of this I could not happily compete on her; - I feel too 'big!' I personally prefer bigger rather than smaller.
 
LOL FlaxenPony - obviously I have always been the same height :p but I have lost over 2 1/2 stone since the beginning of May through taking up running :) I can recommend it, and it has certainly opened up my options with ponies :) :)
 
Well done on the weightloss. :)
Ride ponies they are way more fun. I'm 5ft2 and Herbie is a 12.2-13hh new forest. we have a blast and compeat in dressage,jumping, showing and go hunting. We also love bombing round the forest, it's much more fun when you don't have to duck under the trees :P
 
SadKen said:
Ahhh I thought you wanted to go small! If you're wondering how big you can get away with, the answer is whatever you feel comfortable on!
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Oh no, I was asking how small I could go :) It feels so alien to me because I've always had bigger ones, so I have no idea what I could get away with :)
 
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