How tall should my horse be?

[dasrach]

COLOR=seagreen]I have been taking riding lessons on a 16h horse. I am now looking to buy a horse and one had come up locally that meets all of my requirements, but he is 13h. I am 5'7". Is there a set height that riders should have? I don't feel uncomfortable on the 13h, but is he too short for my long legs? Is there a scale for a rider's height/leg lenght vs horse height?[/COLOR] Thanks for any input, as I have to decide by the end of June. Thank you.

[QuarterHorseMac]

Hello,

I am 5'3"/5'4" and someone told me I should look for a horse 14-15hh I believe I hope it kinda gives you an idea!

[Yann]

It's entirely up to you. So long as the horse is comfortable carrying you and you're comfortable riding it then go for it. Adults on ponies is a hot subject on here!:D

Not a pony, but I'm just under 6' and ride a 15.1 quite happily, so something of a similar situation.

[Equisgurl]

Definitely a personal preference, and if the horse is able to carry you. I for example love ponies and small horses, but I look so stupid on them, since I'm 5'9. My favorite height is 15.2-16.2hh

[Showjumper]

I'm 5'5" and my mare is just 13hh. If you feel comfortable on him, go for it! :D I get funny looks standing alongside Dolly, but once I'm on board I look fine :D And even if I didn't, I'm still light enough for her.

[notpoodle]

i'm about 5'5, the pony i ride is just under 13hh ( a sturdy little exmoor!) and we're fine :)

if you like the pony and it can carry you (which i presume it can), go for it :)

julia
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[merry_legs]

If you realy like him then get him! but ifn not then mabey yoiu would be better getting a bigger horse/pony -14hh to 16hh mabey. but dont let the height of horse decide wehter to buy him or not.

[T-bred]

I don't think it really matters as long as you feel comfortable. I am 5'5 and my gelding is 16.2 and I feel like I fit him perfectly.

Anna

[Wally]

I am 5 feet 8 and my horse is 13.1hh or thereabouts. Ride what can happily carry you and you are happy riding.

If you are 20 stone then I'd look again at the breed of the 13.hh horse, if you are 20 stone and a light balanced rider the horse is better able to cope.

This is me on my 13.1hh horse.

[Sammy_T]

At last someone in my situation, the pony i want is 12.1-12.2 and is a absolutely stunning welsh mountain pony but im 5'5, he can carry me and im the only one at the stable who actually takes any time over him as he's a bit nippy and bolshy, so the younger ones are scared of him

[shandy84]

I am about 5"5 - 5"6 and have a 14.2hh PBA and a New Forest who will make around 13hh maybe a little more.

I feel overhorsed on anything over 15.2hh

If you feel comfy go for it if the pony's back doesn't seem to sag when you get on etc you should be okay

To be honest it mainly depends on your weight more than height though

[Sammy_T]

is 81/2 stone alot???????????????????
and be nice

[shandy84]

If the pony is true to type and sturdy shows no effort more than normal of carrying you and the back doesn't sag when you mount then you should be fine. Remember welsh mountians were bred for farmers to ride about all day :)

[dancing-horse]

Your tall and he meets all your requirements apart from the height of him. He's not a horse, he's a pony. (under 14.2 hh is a pony). If you feel uncomfortable on him, I wouldn't buy him. He may be the sweetest pony ever, but in a very short time you'll outgrow him. Your probably still going to grow some more I imagine. Try to get a horse that meets all your requiremtns and is about the size of the one you are riding now.

[shandy84]

I would disagree in part dancing-horse after all if the pony is native/cob type the height is pretty immaterial. I am 20 and own a pony to make around 13hh and would not sell her and she will be more than capable of my weight. After all Wally and people like her and me have littlies but are into adulthood.

If the pony is right for you and is built well then you will have no problems

[Wally]

My horse is under 14.2hh but he's not a pony, he was never bred or intended for children to ride, he is a small horse, as is, I think, most British Natives, they were bred to work, not for kids to play with. Ponies are meant for children to ride and mess about on.

I shall never grow out of my 13.hh horse...unless I put on a heck of a lot of weight.
;) :eek:

height is the least important issue, build and temperament and breed are far more important that height, if you are happy and comfy on a small native M&M type then go for it. The chairman of the Exmoor Society, regularly hunts his Exmoor stallion, I he HE as he is a grown adult man who rides a small native horse of 12.3hh, he is about 12 stone if I remember correctly.

[makebelieve]

It's whatever you feel most comfortable on. My horse is 15.1 and I'm verging on 5.4'. I feel as if we're the perfect height for each other. I recently have ridden a 12.2 pony and feel as if I fit her fine too. On the other hand, some people on here I know would feel awkward if they're 5.3 and on a horse under 14.2.

[shandy84]

Originally posted by Wally
My horse is under 14.2hh but he's not a pony, he was never bred or intended for children to ride, he is a small horse, as is, I think, most British Natives, they were bred to work, not for kids to play with. Ponies are meant for children to ride and mess about on.



no offence meant Wally :) was just trying to clarify height in't as important as some people think :)

[Wally]

Sandy84, :) err it wasn't your post I was replying to, it was the one above!:D

[shandy84]

Thought it was me as i'd called your horses ponies :o can't help it i'm afraid so cool if I didn't irritate you

[Ehley]

umm well size i dont really rhink matters i am 5'5 and i have a 17.3hh gelding and we fit perfectly together. do what u fel cofertable doing

[iloverocky]

its completely up to you! if you love the pony go for it! Ponies are natuarlly harder to ride and stronger and usually are more of a challenge!! i personaly perfer ponies!

[mu0ljk]

I'm 5"4 and I have owned and ridden a 16hh clydesdale, and now ride a 15.3 warmblood and a 14.2 connie so as long as both you and the pony are comfortable then go for it. If you have long legs then perhaps something slightly bigger or stockier if he isn't very stocky. If you are both comfortable then I'm afraid its all down to personal preference! Good - luck!!

[Slewgal]

How about we go the other direction?

What's the smallest I could ride?
I'm 5 '2 (barely) and am about 12 stone I think(160lbs)

[Wally]

Andy the Pants would take you for a good hour's trek without blinking. He's 42 inches.

[Slewgal]

So I could more than likely ride a 13h pony?

I always see cute ponies for sale but always assume that I'm too big.

I want to own a Haflinger some day. Those I know can carry a lot.

[Demson]

It all depends on what you want to do, dressage, height doesn't matter but jumping does.

Nearly most clubs will have an age restriction to the size of the pony, this is so that children don't compete against adults. Oragansisers sem tothink adults ar emore experiencded yet I have seen plenty of kids outride their elders.


I am 5'2" and my pony is 13.2hh. but saying that I will not allow more than 9st on his back. That includes the weight of the saddle as well. I weigh 8st (undressed)
I impose this weight for my pomnies own comfort.

So really your height is not the issue it is your weight that counts and your balance. (a 8st person could feel like 10st if the rider is unbalanced and all over the place).

The photo looks great by the way an dif that is you riding then you do not look to big.

Cheers

[NuttyMare]

well i am nearing 6ft and i weigh just over 10st...dont make the mistake of me being fat though ;)

at the moment im riding a 16hh 4 year old...do you think she can take my weight happily?

my legs are quite long.....


but as for your situation i think you are absolutely fine :)

[easyhorsecare]

I had a 12.2hh New Forest pony, which I got at the age of 7 and continued to ride him till his retirement - 22 years later and had some great, and some really great times!
I am 5'4 and never felt too big on him, and if he had a naughty tantrum it was great to be able to rap my legs around his belly!!

I think it is better to be in control of a smaller mount and receive the odd funny glance, than forever trying to impress others with - bigger is better.

Good luck in your pony/horse ownership.

from Tracy

[notpoodle]

@ the thread-starter :)

if you're worried about half your leg dangling in the air, there are plenty of small breeds that take up legs nicely. my pony, for example (an exmoor) does not feel like a 12.3hh pony to ride really. she is quite broad, takes up lots of leg and doesn't really have a choppy pony-trot either. im 1,65 metres btw (i *think* that's about 5'5 ...). i got her two months ago, am an adult and VERY happy with her :)

and don't worry about funny looks or weird comments - it's YOUR pony after all, YOU're the one riding it and if you and the pony are happy, there is no problem. remember, you're not getting a horse for other people to look at/comment on :)

julia
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