What size

[hairymolly]

After deciding to sell my current horse I have been doing a bit of virtual shopping. I was originally looking for something about 15.2HH but I have seen quite a few smaller ones that I like the look of. So the questions is how small is too small? I am five foot three and about eleven and a half stone. Want to do dressage and a bit of showing so I dont want to look silly.

 

[LindyLulu]

14.2 + i'd say, depending on breed.

 

[RSL]

I don't think anything is really to small for you, I would say if you find the perfect horse but smaller then go for he/she.

I ride my 13hh/13'2hh/15hh/17hh, I'm 5'3.

 

[ester]

I am 5'5 and have a not very wide welsh cob, he looks wider than he is but is only a medium saddle. I never look big on him, and we do lots of dressage, less showing

this is in drsg saddle so my stirrups are longer than when I am jumping etc.

I certainly wouldnt discount something smaller I have never felt big on him.

 

[Vikki89]

I'm 5'3 and sometimes ride my mums 13.2hh Dales pony and don't look too big on her, we used to share her till i got my own, i now have a 14.1hh irish sports horse on loan and a Traditional Cob who is 14hh currently (he will be 3 in march so not sure what he will make height wise)

 

[fliffkins]

Hi, i am also 5'3" and have a 15'3 Friesian x TB, quite a chunky boy and deep in the girth, i look just right on him as i have long legs for my height, as i do dressage i couldn't really go for anything smaller or slimmer, i personally would try a few out and see what feels comfortable but do take into account that if you are taking part in dressage you will ride with a longer leg then with a pleasure/jumping horse.

 

[Magicmillbrook]

It so depends on how its put together. I am a smidge under 5'4 and ride a 14.1, see pic of the skewbald. I dont feel big on her, my daughter, who used to share her with me is now 5'9" looks a bit flagpole like on her and her kness are a bit too far forward when at jumping length, but she doenst look silly. Bizarely when daughter went onto a 15.3 TB, she took the same rug size and saddle, and daughter knees are still too far forward. Best thing is to go and try.

Smaller horses or even better ponies are much easier to get on and off when you are feeling stiff and creaky and it less distance to fall!

 

[Georgie1989]

I think you could get away with anything from 14hh upwards but it depends what you feel happy on. Im 5'11 and ride 16hh horses just because i prefer the smaller ones compared to big giraffes- would much rather feel comfortable than being overhorsed just because its the "right" height for me doesnt mean i like riding that type of horse!! so i guess what im trying to say is its just trial and error when you start looking again what height/breed you like!!