Outsized

[Maisie]

I just came back from a riding lesson, and it totally went wrong. I got this large horse, a stocky blue roan, who was incredibly tall and had a very long neck. I'm not a very tall person at only 1.5 m, and he was about 16 hands or more. It was terrible because we were doing jumping and my instructor kept asking me to 'shorten the reins', and I landed up half-pulled onto the horse's neck. Frankly speaking, I KNEW I could have done MUCH better if I had gotten a smaller horse, but changing horses was out of the question. The riding schedules were fully-booked. So I goofed up everything including sitting trot, canter, and some tiny little 1 1/2 foot jumps. Do you think it was right for them to place tiny riders on gigantic horses?? :( I personally don't think so, but I'd like somebody's opinion on this...

[Maci]

I think that a person should be fitted with a horse around their size, so that they have better control over the horse. But you said the riding schedules were fully booked, so maybe that was the only horse your instructor could get for you.

If you get stuck with that same horse next lesson, talk to your instructor. If you can't switch horses, explain to him/her that the reason why your riding's so off, is because of the horse, and its size. Tell him/her that it will take you awhile to adjust to that size of horse.

Don't Give Up!
Maci :)

[Sharon H]

Always remember that you are the one who is paying for the service that the riding school provides!!!!! If they can't accomodate you with a suitable horse, go elsewhere. I spent years and a lot of money at a riding school in my dim and distant youth, which I now realise was not interested in teaching me anything, just getting their hands on my money. It wasn't until I went elsewhere, that I learned how much I didn't know, if you get my drift. If you are not happy with the horse that they try to give you, tell that that you will postpone your lesson until they can provide you with a suitable horse.Good luck.

[Wally]

Big horses and small riders can be a problem, especially when you are learning. I would agree that a big horse like you describe can be a problem to ride if you are a small rider.

I also agree that as a paying cutomer, you are in a strong position. If you feel intimidated by such a big horse tell the management and get something more suited to your build.

I'm a big lump and none of my horses are over 14 hands, Except one who has grown more than I anticipated she would, and she's only 14.2 (whichever way you want to measure her)

[Louise]

Hi Maisie. If my sums are right then 1.5m is about 4ft 11" in ye olde English, so a +16hh is mighty tall. Can understand your problems because I'm 5ft 3 and sometimes get to ride a 17.2hh.

There was a similar discussion a while back about this. General opinion was it's usually OK for an experienced small rider to ride a really big horse. But when you're still learning you need all the help you can get , so it needs to be the right size for the rider. Difficult to give the correct leg aids when your feet barely reach below saddle skirts, and cannot stop the horse because you're so light the horse doesn't know you're in the saddle !!!!!


I should say straight away that I don't fall (oops - bad choice of word there !!) into the experienced rider category. It's that my neighbour owns the tall beastie, and kindly lets me ride it, and I get to look after it when she's on holiday. Fortunately the horse is well behaved (usually !!), otherwise I'd never be able to control it. The only problem I do have is getting on it. Have already mentioned this here so won't bore anyone again with these embarassing moments

[Maci]

Louise,

While you have trouble getting on, I have trouble getting off! My horse is tall enough for me and 'fits me', but dismounting him can be scary! A few days ago, I was dimounting him, and I forgot to take one foot out of the stirrup, and I fell on my butt and back. I think I have a few bruised ribs! My instructor agreed with me that it was a long way to fall!

Maci :)

[Maisie]

*Groans again* I agree with not being able to control the horse! You can hardly fit your legs around the barrel and sometimes the horse just takes off, thinking there's no rider there! I'm beginning to be a little bit more confident on big horses, but I'd still prefer smaller ones...that's why when I've got the chance to have my own horse, I'd go for an Arabian... :)

[Roz Morris]

Maisie, I think there is nothing wrong with you telling your stables that you want to ride a smaller horse. Too many people are intimidated by riding schools into not standing up for their rights as a customer. Don't let them make you feel silly, or embarrassed, or that you're being feeble. You're there to learn, and you've already got quite enough on your plate without feeling uncomfortable with the horse you're riding.
As for the size debate, of course big horses can feel small riders! You're going to weigh at least 7 stone, which is not inconsiderable, and they can feel a fly irritating their skin easily enough. As for strength, you don't ride a horse with strength - the smallest is easily heavier and stronger than we are. The length of a rider's leg is more of an issue, and their ability to keep their balance on big movements and to keep their seat if the horse tries to pull them forwards. Also, if you feel comfortable with the horse's size you may feel more like insisting you get your way! By the way, I'm 5ft5.5, weigh 8.5 stone and my horse is 17.2hh, not quite such a differential as some people have reported, but we have a very happy relationship - because he's a nice person. And that, I think, is the most attribute of all.

[Emarmite]

Hi Maisie,

Yes I agree with everyone else, speak to your instructor and insist on a horse that is suitable. I had the same problem at school, which I have subsequently left that I was getting the new small ponies no one else wanted to ride.

Even though I am on 5' 5", I do like the bigger horse, it
all comes down to personal choice, but you are paying for the lessons and you should have a say.

Good luck, keep us posted


Beverley


ps. I also got my foot caught in the stirup once dismounting, and I was hanging half on and half off the
horse, and could not do anything for laughing, good job
he did not take off though.

[Maci]

I'm also glad mine didn't bolt when I fell off dismounting him!! He's probably use to my lack of co-ordination when dismounting!

Maci :)

PS- Once again, I agree with all of the above. I also feel uneasy about talking to my instructor when there's a problem, but your voice has to be heard! Besides, they're use to this- people talking to them about complaints or praise's! It's all part of business!

[Maisie]

Thanks for the advice everyone. :) I'm slowly getting my confidence on big horses now...it's coming gradually, but I didn't feel as scared on a large horse recently. :D

Once again, thanks! :)

[Louise]

Hi Maisie,

Talking about getting your confidence on big horses, I got to ride our neighbours 17.2 yesterday. Hadn't ridden it for about couple of months, and boy was I out of practice when it came to hauling myself aboard. Stood on the crate I had previously userd for a mounting block, but couldn't even get on from that. Took about 3 goes to get foot in stirrup, but no matter how I tried, couldn't pull myself up.

Seemed I was back to the same situation as when I'd first ridden the horse on my own all, those months ago. Fortunately this time I had a friend with so she gave me a shove up - once she'd managed to stop laughing at my frantic efforts !

Once I was in the saddle it seemed ever so high up and I felt a bit nervous about riding such a big horse. But the horse was well behaved, and after about 10 minutes it all seemed quite normal and without realising it I sort of relaxed and enjoyed the ride.

Getting off brought me back to reality. I couldn't just kick my feet out of the stirrups, swing a leg over and casually drop to the ground like on the riding school ponies. Had to lower myself very carefully - it was a long way down.