What would be a suitable horse for this rider?

[tabithakat64]

Following on from the how fat is too fat post I'm curious to find out what size, breed of horse you would pick for my friend who is looking for a new horse?
She is 5' 5, 14 stone, a good novice rider who wants a safe but not ploddy horse or pony compete in dressage, local SJ, le trec and possibly show and hunt as well.
She is planning that the horse will be turned out as much as possible, hacked 3 times a week, have two weekly lessons and be lunged once a week. She would also like to feed a forage based diet.
She has no preference on breed, height or build and would like to try a range of horses.
What would you pick for her to try/buy? (posting pictures or links to suitable adverts that I could show her would be great)
(& yes I have her permission to post this

)

 

[vieshot]

14.2-15hh (ish) medium/heavyweight cob type.
xx

 

[YorkshireLass]

What height is she looking for? A MW-HW cob, a Dales Pony, a Warmblood (in the fullest sense of the term) would all be fine. 14 stone is not THAT heavy, most men weigh about that and they don't have trouble finding horses because of it.

 

[loobiloo]

I was in a similar situation to your friend a couple of years ago. At the time I was a bit wary height wise (longer to fall theory!) as I had taken a nice tumble whilst at uni and opted for a small but safe (very small, she's only 13.3 but VERY cobby! - 15.2s body and 13.3s legs!) pony. I'm 5'6 and a bit big for her but believe you me she has no trouble bombing around like a nutter! However I now really want one around 15.2hh as when jumping I feel like there's nothing in front of me which is really scary

so I'd go for about that height - not too big and not too small

 

[Cobland]

Im just over 13 stone and i ride a 14.1hh heavy cob, i always ask people if they think im ok for her lol

 

[JamilaParr]

umm something chunky/native which is good for living out. maybe a welsh d crss they ar elively and generally make good all rounders, a 'classy' cob somehting like that xx

 

[metalmare]

Something like this:


http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/marketplace/classified/details.php?id=101518&category=4

or this:

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/marketplace/classified/details.php?id=100518&category=4

or this:

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/marketplace/classified/details.php?id=101847&category=4

Or this:

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/marketplace/classified/details.php?id=101473&category=4

Just for some ideas

 

[tabithakat64]

You've all suggested pretty much the same as me height and breed wise, I'm pleased I haven't given her bad advice

She's worried that people will turn her away as she's too fat if she goes and tries smaller cobs or a large native pony.
Any more feedback and links to adverts would be much appreciated

 

[rara007]

She could always tell them on the phone her wieght before and see what the seller thinks. Less embarrasing and time wasting than being turned away or being worried about being turned away.

 

[lucylemon]

any mw-hw cobby/native type around the 15 hands mark.

 

[Ottinmeg]

im 5ft 5 weigh around the 13 stone mark and recently bought a 15.1hh dales x.she has no problem carrying me and has hunted with a 6ft bloke before now !

 

[conniegirl]

a show cob would be ideal for her!