Hi, Is my horse too small 4 me

[Loo]

Hello. Ive just bought my horse, a 15.3hh grey mare called Milly. She is five, quiet and well schooled. She is a mixture of Connemara, TB and cob.

I wanted a horse too give me confidence after some bad experiences with a 16hh TB ex race horse.

The trouble began by the stigma (although not nasty) in the yard Millys stabled at. All the girls have large cobby types. They have expressed their disappointment that I chose a smaller finer type. I have had comments on how young she looks (she has got a baby face) and I get the feeling I ve made a wrong decision.

I have started questioning pxchange for a larger horse as I feel now I look silly. Im 5'7 ish 34yo medium build, my ankles hang just under Millys girth.As shes young I also worry my novice approach may teach her bad habits.

My husband thinks I should keep her for a year then change, but I feel I will get too attached to her.

Please could you help me decide what to do. Am I being stupid, I feel a total idiot at present.
Thanks Loo

[eml]

Milly certainly doesn't sound too small for you and dont forget at 5 she probably still needs to muscle up and fill out, particularly if she has irish/connemarra and cob blood as these types often carry on growing until about 7-8 years. You dont say how inexperienced you are but most irish horses seem to be born sensible and as long as you have any help you need to school her (not the well? meaning people in the yard but someone who likes you and your horse) you should be fine. Good luck to you she sounds lovely....by the way I am the same height, by no means as young or slim as I would like and much prefer 15hh cobs to my daughtere 16.3 TB...easier to get on for a start!!!!!!

[floppy]

we dont buy horses to make other people happy and live up to their expectations.

When i bought my horse i had a choice between a big 17hh showjumping/dressage fine boned mare or a 139cm icelandic mare....as much as both horses were great i chose the icelandic as that was really where my heart was. Im also 5'7.

you can say i would look absolutely daft on my small little friend but i wouldnt swope her for the world.

a good horse for yourself should be as big or as small as you want it to be. Big doesnt neccesarily mean its a better horse.

as for its age i wouldnt worry too much about it. If you got people - i.e a riding instructor or a knowlegeable good friend - to help you i wouldnt worry too much about it.

I would also give your horse a chance and not worry about what the other people say. I think she sounds great. as you said you wanted a horse to give YOU confidence and thats all that matters!

it wont be long before other people find yoru thread and tell you about them being over 5'7 and riding smaller horses than you do.

if you look at the mature Riders forum you will notice a little sub forum underneath in small writing called Adults who ride ponies

there you will find a few threads about adults riding small horses and even pictures.

[maverick927]

don't care what other people think. If I did I certainly wouldn't have a pony, although my problems were much tougher, not just being too big. now I'm too big for Maverick but even with him and me being novices together, we have grown and he has lost any bad habits he slipped in while I have owned him. you and your horse will grow together so don't think you have made the wrong decision.

[Horsey Bird]

At 15.3hh the horse does not sound too small for you. Particulalry with that breeding. If you look in Heathers book you'll see a couple of Connemaras although I've no idea what height they are.....Connemaras are officially ponies arent they, so they'd be under 14.2hh?? Anyone??

I'm 5ft 3, 32yo and have ridden little 14.2hh ponies. At first they felt tiny as I was used to 15hh+ types, but whats most important is how YOU feel on your horse.

I also agree with the comment about getting good instruction. And for your own sake, figure out who at your yard you can trust and whose opinions are worthwhile listening to because if you listened to everything you "should be doing", you'd be bamboozled in very short order.

I've just bought my new baby last week, have moved into a lovely friendly yard but find I'm constantly being told (in a nice helpful way) that i really "should put her on hard feed", or you "should keep her indoors" or you "should put her outside when you muck out the stable". Personally, I dont want her on hard feed - the haylage is sufficient for her right now, I want her to experience life outside the stable, and I like having her around so I can talk to her when I muck out (and having her munch in my ear and follow me around at times).

I wont tell you what "you should" do....it'd be slightly hypocritical given the tone of my post (:) ) but remember than other people might be well intentioned but each horse is an individual and the relationship you have with her is unique....you need to decide what the best way forward is for you and your new horse.

As one new horse owner to another .....CONGRATULATIONS (and isnt it great!!)
M

[HairyCob]

Deleted as repeated, have no Idea why... didn't want to bore you all by leaving it here twice:D ;)

[HairyCob]

I am 5'8"(ish!) and ride a 15hh cobby type- who my cob owning friends call ' fine' for a cob. I think HorseyBird who has met him and thinks he is huge would disagree with this, but compared to the REALLY chunky cob on the yard, I guess he is 'fine'!! Compared to HorseyBird's mare however he is a sherman tank!!

:D ;)

I don't give a damn about what anyone else thinks- he is right for me and we are doing fine! I am also a relative novice, and H.C. was 3 and a half when I got him... I have proved everyone who said 'too small', 'too green', 'too much for you', 'not enough for you' etc etc wrong, and I am sure you will too- go with what your heart is telling you!

...Of course if your heart is telling you that you have made a mistake and you aren't happy with your new mare, then maybe it wont work out, but think about giving it time before making that decision!

H.C.'s Mum

P.S. I am very privileged to have met Horsey Bird's baby, and I have to say she is drop dead gorgeous!!:D

[Horsey Bird]

HC....if you keep writing things like that, you're welcome to see my baby any time! Your HC might be a Sherman tank compared with my little girl, but I betcha he feels like a jet aeroplane when he decides he's cantering!!

My cheeky monkey has discovered there's fun to be had in finding my nice warm glove and dropping it into her water bucket....I only just caught her in time before the second one went in! Then she looked at me all innocent and wide-eyed as I sqeezed the water out....as if to say "you think I could do such a naughty thing???"

I think HC is a lovely chappie and he's so chilled out. I got plans for a big wedding whenever we can get our 2 to meet....dont be planning on much of a dowry though.....my bank account is looking distinctly sorry for itself!!
:D

[Yann]

Your little horse sounds lovely, don't worry what other people say. I'm a whisker under 6ft tall and ride a 15hh cob, apart from a broodmare's tum she isn't overly heavy in build, I certainly don't feel too big for her and she has no trouble carrying me. At the end of the day it's you and your horse, noone else, if you're happy with her then ignore all the so called 'advice' you're being offered. I'm a novice owner, go with your gut instincts, it's surprising how often they turn out to be right:)

[Loo]

I think your right and Ill give it more time with Milly. She really is special. Ill keep you posted how I get on.

Thanks again, Loo and Milly x

[taffy]

u should be fine for milly. She sounds lovely. Dont worry about what other people say, if you love the horse you will ignore it all.

[HairyCob]

Aww... HorseyBird... wouldn't that be lovely... tho' I wonder if H.C. may feel that your babe is just a tad tall for him!!;) Your'e right about the jet aeroplane bit when cantering... it's times like when he took off that I am so very glad he is so wide- its much easier on my hips than a TB type 'razor blade'!!

I have no Idea why my last post went up twice- I previewed it, corrected some spelling and posted as usual... and there it is twice! Sorry folks!

Loo- stick with it with Millie...it sounds like love to me and that comes in all shapes and sizes!!;) :D

[kedwards]

Well it's all been said here quite adequately already, but please don't let these people at the barn let you second guess yourself. Your horse sounds lovely and it doesn't sound like there is any reason why you shouldn't fit her perfectly.

For whatever reason, it seems there is a bias toward big horses these days among many circles. Frankly, such people often spout their opinions about rider versus horse size without ever bothering to check on whether their opinion is based on any real knowledge. Ignore it and enjoy yourself. 15.3 is most definitely not too small a horse for someone 5'7".

[Peace]

it wont be long before other people find yoru thread and tell you about them being over 5'7 and riding smaller horses than you do.

floppy's right.;) I'm 5'9", 150 lbs., and ride a 14.3 hh American Paint Horse. What's more, he's younger than your girl (will be 4 in June), and I'm a novice rider.:)

When I first bought him, he was barely 14.2, and lots of people thought he was waaay too small for me. But now, when I'm out with him, I mostly overhear people murmuring "You know, they actually look about right for each other.":)

[Dressage_Luvr]

i didnt have tme to read the posts,
but

NO way are u too big for your horse! im 5'7 and have ridden a 15'2 horse for 5 months, and now i ride a,,,13'2 pony and a 12 soemthing pony!! i do feel a little big on the littler one, but i dont care! hes really green, so like only one of the tinier riders can ride him.

Dont listen to what ppl say, they dot know what theyre talking about, they just want to make themselves feel better.

[Janette]

Hi, had to join in this one.
I'm 40, 5'9", and carry 'condition' - I'm sure you know what I mean.........:rolleyes:
I share a horse with my mum who is only 5'2". Star is a 15hh version of a middleweight hunter, infact I was advised to do small hunter classes with her. I do know and understand how you feel about the 'am I too big' thing. Is your beauty showing any distress? Does she struggle at all? Are you both having fun? There is a 'thing' about riding bigger horses, but the people who promote this 'thing', probably havn't realised that its a lot higher up, and further to fall, from a 16.3, compared to a 15 hh. this is an important factor for me, I can't afford time laid up because of family, work, horses etc. Besides which, it would probably hurt more.
If you have bonded with your horse, and have confidence in her abilities and her potential, then I have every confidence in you to rise above other peoples doubts.
My mumused to ride a 13.2 partbred welsh pony, and she had the same feelings, but look at the photos, and everything is just fine.
Please don't worry, and keep having fun. - BOTH OF YOU.

[Wally]

Loo, goodness knows what your friends would think of my horses then!:D :D ...but guess how much I care about opinions like theirs?

Buy and ride the horse that suits you and the area you live in.

My horse is 13.1hh ish, I have 20 altogether and the biggest 3 are all about 14.1hh.

You mentioned in an earlier post you had only had her a week, this is no time at all to even allow her to settle down, but start as you mean to go on, she's young, make sure you have ground rules in place on the ground and you'll have less trouble in the saddle.

[Retty]

Unfortunately when you are on a yard with others you will get lots of "advice", I have had lots of different people tell me that I shouldn't have bought a 16hh TBX as I'm a nervous novice, or that I would have been better suited to a cob or such and such horse etc etc, however, we have a really strong bond and she does things for me that she just won't do for others. It has taken me a year to ignore any so called "experts" at the yard and just enjoy my horse! Luckily there are some nice people there that just want to help but the others I ignore. If you feel happy with your choice then ignore the others!

[Anne G]

My advice, ignore them all. Im 5ft 3 and started riding recently on a 14'2 cob which I was told looked much too small for me. You need to try somethng larger was the concensous of opinion at the school. Sigh, ok then so next lesson I was ceremoniously dumped onto the back of a Dales type mare at 15'2. Half an hour into the lesson my dear husband remarked - You look like a sparrow sitting on a rhino dear.

If your pony/horse has the build to take whatever weight you are, then size doesnt matter. Big is not always best. Excuse me while I go and book another lesson on my little cob.

[Fraggle]

I'm 5 feet 9 inches tall and ride a 14.2hh Dales pony. He is certainly not too small for me and I've had losts of compliments from people about how great we look together whilst out hacking.

The nasty comments tend to be from people who have only ridden huge horses and can't understand why I love Native ponies.

My advice is.....
As long as you are happy & the horse/pony can carry you without any problems then just enjoy yourself. After all....Size isn't supposed to matter is it????? :D

[Waikato Valuta]

I have 2 horses at either end of the horse size scale. A 17.3hh and a 14.3hh. Both are great it realy depends on what each horse is like. When i was looking for my new horse it was to be bettween 15.1-16.3hh 6-8yo any colour any breed. I ended up with a 17.3hh tb 4yo I had trouble with a few people but they can all swollow there words now as we have progresed past there level of education.

[cvb]

they are only jealous !:D

Being a "shorty" of 5'4, I always have trouble on bigger horses because (a) the stirrups won't shorten up far enough unless I twist them or take my own and (b) my little legs struggle to hit the magic spot on the horses side to make them go well !

I Soooooo envy people with longer legs. Your height on a 15.3 sounds fine (green with envy) I have a 15.1 and love watching other people ride her - most are taller then me, look great on her, and have the length of leg to look elegant whilst getting great results (*sigh*).

As others have said, the ONLY issue is whether you and her are happy, forget other people's opinions.

(You wouldn't buy the same house, car, clothes as these people - because everyone has different taste, needs etc. )

[Esther.D]

I'm a bit shorter than virtually everybody else on here at a huge 5ft tall:D But I am not skinny and Rupert is a 13.2(ish-maybe slightly smaller) NF type, he is fairly light weight but he carries me fine. I too have had comments about size, but mine was more connected with age - the 12yr old I bought him from was only about an inch smaller than me and everyone said he fitted her - because I am 25 people say he is too small for me?????:confused:

Ignore them and have fun, 15.3hh is huge:D I have ridden my shetlands plenty of times and they are 39" (9.3hh) and we had great fun:D In fact one got rather over excited and ran off with me:o - I managed to stop by directly getting hold of the bit rings (he was only in a mullen mouth snaffle) rather than the reins - not many horses you can reach to do that with :D :D