[PressForTime]

Originally Posted by 2horsestoride

Not weird, as with many things, it's just a personal preference. In my opinion there is no bigger adrenalin rush than running a cross country course on a big horse - I love the powerful, long, ground covering strides! I think of them as the "cadillac" ride while the smaller, shorter stride horses feel like the "chevy".

Believe me, I've ridden all sizes. Not saying that a smaller horse can't be a great jumper, it's just MY personal preference to ride the bigger horses.

Oh I know, I didn't think you were saying that about small horses at all. I just thought it funny you saying you won't look at a horse under 16.2 and I won't look at a horse OVER 16.2, haha.

Secretly, I've always wanted to ride a cross-country course one time on a huge horse. I bet it's a rush!

-Chris

[PressForTime]

Originally Posted by 2horsestoride

I disagree with this statement. Size is relative. Meaning - yes, a smaller horse is, well, smaller, but so is the foundation that carries them. Understand what I'm getting at? Typically a 15hh horse would not have the same size feet, legs, etc as a 17hh horse - it's proportionate, or should be, to their size. If not, then it's a conformational issue.

Yep, I agree and not only that, but if you have a smaller horse jumping bigger fences, that's a lot of strain put on the legs that a bigger horse probably wouldn't have to endure, or at least edure as much. I think this is a big reason people shy away from small horses jumping big jumps. Most are afraid of soundness issues later on in their career.

-Chris

[Meggilyn]

Originally Posted by magic_rider

well my horse jumps 1.20m I had never seen him actually do it when I got him but I saw pictures so I knew he could. Although he had been taught to jump at a flat out gallop with his head in the air he is very enthusiastic, when I first got him I often had trouble controling him near jumps and I remember in a hack workout he bolted and started trying to jump things. His general attitude shows that he enjoys it.

Haha sounds like my horse. I'm really working on control right now. Did you find anything that worked to bring your horse back?

I didn't know that this thread would get so many replies!! lol
I was really just wondering if my horse would be able to do some higher fences eventually.
He does like to jump. I was cooling out and talking to a friend and there were some 18" fences set up. We were just walking along and I wasn't really paying attention and my horse just wandered over and jumped it lol.
He's done that with my dad. And free jumping you don't need to chase him. So I guess he likes to jump. =P

[Berlunz]

I saw on Animal planet one time, a woman fell off her horse and the horse kept jumping the course without her. Don't we all dream for that one?

Look for good feet and legs. Longer legs are easier for jumping and you dont want small hooves or big clunky ones. The horse needs to be able to tuck their legs under easily and land easily. Shoulder movement is great as well so look for that. As far as height goes I dont think jumping smaller horses over bigger jumps ever really hurts them, I just think the bigger horses never reach their full potential as the jumping world stops at a certain height. I have seen tiny 13hh ponies jump almost 4 foot (almost as tall as them) with ease with kids on their backs. Now once you add more weight to a rider yes jumping gets harder and there is a limit to how high a horse can physically jump. I thinka 15hh horse could jump in the big circuits no problem but the 'look' for most h/j is big and the theory is the bigger the horse the higher they jump. This is true but if you consider the limits of the jumping world you don't have to necessarily get a monster of a horse to jump decent jumps. Get something with a good attitude and personality who is willing to please. My horse is willing to do what I ask of him as long as I ask politely and I am patient. If I start to get forceful he gets upset. He loves to jump, judges tell me all the time they can see it when he jumps that he loves to do it. I can't imagine what would happen if I threw a tantrum on him, he would probably completely shut down or rebel.

As far as personality, just a horse that is willing to learn and not afraid of things. I had a horse who had perfect jumping conformation but never got over a fear of the jumps. Its best to buy one who has already jumped before if your serious about this. Training a horse to jump is fun, I have done it many times before and would do it again, but if I wanted to go into jumping I would buy a horse I knew could jump. Just because you never know.

[kellidahorsegirl]

^That was Beezie Madden I believe Crazy cool vid.

I have a 15.2, 16 and a 16.2 hand horse. So far, the 15.2 has jumped the highest,,,but haha the 16 is young and the 16.2 is green

I like them all but really don't think I should go over 16.2 because I'm not that big..and there's a LOT of power.

[Berlunz]

yeah I thought it was Beezie Madden but couldn't recall for sure. I saw two shows with her. She won one and fell off her horse in the other (she was the favorite to win). I think people should also look into convenience. I can get on a 17hh horse with ease but I am young and used to getting on tall horses. But someone who doesnt want a struggle to get on their horse might look at something smaller. Smaller doesnt mean it can't jump, it will hit a height where it can't jump but considering the show world atm I doubt there is a height a decent sized horse can't jump. The shows I go to top the jumps at 5' and the ones I have seen don't go much higher than that (except for national and international level riding competitions). I like em big and thats just me but if you want a smaller horse go for it. Small doesnt always mean they can't jump

[NotFadeAway]

Originally Posted by 2horsestoride

I disagree with this statement. Size is relative. Meaning - yes, a smaller horse is, well, smaller, but so is the foundation that carries them. Understand what I'm getting at? Typically a 15hh horse would not have the same size feet, legs, etc as a 17hh horse - it's proportionate, or should be, to their size. If not, then it's a conformational issue.

Yes but still, horses arent really meant to be 17.3 hands, And many horses with that size DONT have the bone to back it up. And height doesent make REALLY determine how big a horse is. A horse can be 17 hands but be really lanky and have no stride. Plenty of smaller horses still have the stride, and the build.
I guess what Im saying is that the freakiskly huge ones probably dont have the best chance at staying sound because thy are more likley to be disporptionate.