Good size for me

naturalhorsegrl · 08-26-2005, 08:43 PM

Ok, I'm 5'1, would it be a bad idea for me to look into buying a 17 hand horse?

OrangeRikki · 08-26-2005, 08:45 PM

It really depends. What are you planning on doing? What is your build like? Do you think you would be able to be in control with a horse that size? Just some of the questions to consider.

arabgirl15 · 08-26-2005, 09:02 PM

Agreed!! It really does depend! I am going into jumping and am 5'4 and want a 16.2hh + horse. I have a "boyish" build. Like, I have long legs, broad shoulders, nice arms.. Lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by orangerikki4

It really depends. What are you planning on doing? What is your build like? Do you think you would be able to be in control with a horse that size? Just some of the questions to consider.

arabiangirl171 · 08-26-2005, 09:43 PM

I think it might be a bit big for you, but it all depends on your build. Like i'm almost exactly like Mon up there and I ride a 15.3 arab. It all depends.

arabgirl15 · 08-26-2005, 10:03 PM

You stold my build!

Haha.. just kiddin..

Quote:

Originally Posted by arabiangirl171

I think it might be a bit big for you, but it all depends on your build. Like i'm almost exactly like Mon up there and I ride a 15.3 arab. It all depends.

SugarPony · 08-26-2005, 10:04 PM

Oh goodness...sorry if it sounds rude, but these questions drive me NUTS!!! :O

An 12hh pony can be just as difficult to stop as an 18hh Clydesdale or WB, size isn't really a big deal unless *you* make is a big deal. You best bet is simply to hop on with your helmet buckled on good and just ride him around, if you have trouble stopping him and don't want to buy a project, then don't buy him, but don't rule out a horse just because it's big.
When I was 13 I used to ride a 17.3hh Standardbred, and it was really no different than riding a smaller horse...she was a little hardmouthed, but so was her her half-sister who was 15.1hh, neither was really more difficult to ride.
These are the only real differences with big horses >> small riders:
-harder to mount from the ground
-little farther to fall if you get pitched
-bigger stride to adjust to (but it's usually just as nice)
-might be harder to find a saddle that is small enough for you but big enough for him
-jumps might be "bigger" and harder to sit
-more intimidating for the beginner (and a bit more painful to be stepped on by, but surprisingly not very much so)

But, I gotta say I'd take a large horse over a small one any day, if they had the same personality of course. A bigger horse can usually carry more weight, and doubling is so much fun

Jess! · 08-26-2005, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SugarPony

Oh goodness...sorry if it sounds rude, but these questions drive me NUTS!!! :O

An 12hh pony can be just as difficult to stop as an 18hh Clydesdale or WB, size isn't really a big deal unless *you* make is a big deal. You best bet is simply to hop on with your helmet buckled on good and just ride him around, if you have trouble stopping him and don't want to buy a project, then don't buy him, but don't rule out a horse just because it's big.
When I was 13 I used to ride a 17.3hh Standardbred, and it was really no different than riding a smaller horse...she was a little hardmouthed, but so was her her half-sister who was 15.1hh, neither was really more difficult to ride.
These are the only real differences with big horses >> small riders:
-harder to mount from the ground
-little farther to fall if you get pitched
-bigger stride to adjust to (but it's usually just as nice)
-might be harder to find a saddle that is small enough for you but big enough for him
-jumps might be "bigger" and harder to sit
-more intimidating for the beginner (and a bit more painful to be stepped on by, but surprisingly not very much so)

But, I gotta say I'd take a large horse over a small one any day, if they had the same personality of course. A bigger horse can usually carry more weight, and doubling is so much fun

Well put SugarPony!!

PS - are you from TWP, too?

linds · 08-26-2005, 10:16 PM

Well its not all about how hard the horse is to stop either. I agree that it does completely depend on the horse but a short rider may have a harder time getting a taller horse to come off her leg, etc and it will be harder to communicate very precise/technical cues with the horse. Not saying it cant be done though but make sure you thoroughly try out this horse and try riding horses of all different sizes before you buy! goodluck!

SugarPony · 08-26-2005, 10:19 PM

Jess!
Yes, I am

And Linds I agree about the leg thing, but if it's good horsey s/he should be able to adjust pretty quickly

08-26-2005, 08:43 PM	#1
naturalhorsegrl Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Nebraska Posts: 513 Images: 23	Good size for me Ok, I'm 5'1, would it be a bad idea for me to look into buying a 17 hand horse?

08-26-2005, 08:45 PM	#2
OrangeRikki Senior Member+ Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Indiana, PA Posts: 4,704 Images: 328 Blog Entries: 4	It really depends. What are you planning on doing? What is your build like? Do you think you would be able to be in control with a horse that size? Just some of the questions to consider. __________________ Rikochet::Conspiracy::FutureStorm::Swing Vote "In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different."

08-26-2005, 09:43 PM	#4
arabiangirl171 Senior Member+ Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: in my guitar amp, it's quite comfy in here. Posts: 1,107 Images: 25	I think it might be a bit big for you, but it all depends on your build. Like i'm almost exactly like Mon up there and I ride a 15.3 arab. It all depends. __________________ WET PAINT This is not an instruction

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08-26-2005, 10:04 PM	#6
SugarPony Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 394 Images: 84	Oh goodness...sorry if it sounds rude, but these questions drive me NUTS!!! :O An 12hh pony can be just as difficult to stop as an 18hh Clydesdale or WB, size isn't really a big deal unless you make is a big deal. You best bet is simply to hop on with your helmet buckled on good and just ride him around, if you have trouble stopping him and don't want to buy a project, then don't buy him, but don't rule out a horse just because it's big. When I was 13 I used to ride a 17.3hh Standardbred, and it was really no different than riding a smaller horse...she was a little hardmouthed, but so was her her half-sister who was 15.1hh, neither was really more difficult to ride. These are the only real differences with big horses >> small riders: -harder to mount from the ground -little farther to fall if you get pitched -bigger stride to adjust to (but it's usually just as nice) -might be harder to find a saddle that is small enough for you but big enough for him -jumps might be "bigger" and harder to sit -more intimidating for the beginner (and a bit more painful to be stepped on by, but surprisingly not very much so) But, I gotta say I'd take a large horse over a small one any day, if they had the same personality of course. A bigger horse can usually carry more weight, and doubling is so much fun

08-26-2005, 10:16 PM	#8
linds Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 388 Images: 19	Well its not all about how hard the horse is to stop either. I agree that it does completely depend on the horse but a short rider may have a harder time getting a taller horse to come off her leg, etc and it will be harder to communicate very precise/technical cues with the horse. Not saying it cant be done though but make sure you thoroughly try out this horse and try riding horses of all different sizes before you buy! goodluck!

08-26-2005, 10:19 PM	#9
SugarPony Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 394 Images: 84	Jess! Yes, I am And Linds I agree about the leg thing, but if it's good horsey s/he should be able to adjust pretty quickly