How Many Hands?????

[Rebekah Simpson]

Hi! I've been looking into some horses for lease and was wondering what size horse would be appropriate for me. I am about 5 feet, 10 inches. Thanks so much!

~Rebekah~

[Em 1]

How long is a piece of string!? It really does depend on the type of horse and build of horse, the sort of work you want to do etc but.....

......I was reading an old riding book from the early 1900s the other day and the recommendation there was 15hh is the ideal height for a slight woman of 5 foot. For every two inches by which the lady was over 5 ft, she should add 1 inch to the horse's height.

Therefore your ideal horse is 15hh + 5 inches = 16.1hh! Not sure how scientific this answer is but fun anyway :)

[TBs N QHs]

16.1hh Hrmm..

I don't think it matters. I've looked into buying and rode 14.2hh horses, and im 6'1". It's morely what you feel comfortable on and what you are going to be using the horse for.

My soon to be horse is 16hh. And thats the size horse I feel comfortable on, I don't like the feel of being on small horses.

So try the horses out and see what you like.

[KarinUS]

I don't like it when my feet tangle way below the horses belly. I enjoy riding smaller horses as long as they still have a good barrel size. I am 5'10" and my own horse is 16.1h. I think he's a good size for me.
But I also like riding our 15.2h QuarterHorse. She doesn't feel too small.

[Shizzity]

I agree with KarinUS. Im 5'9" and i ride a 15.2 horse, which is great when i fall off! heee heee

[chewitmonster]

well I'm 5'10 and I've just bought a 16.2/3hh horse. I thought I'd be swamped by such a tall horse but I have very long legs for my height and when you see me ride Silver I actually look like I couldn't ride anything smaller as my legs fit perfectly on him. Having said that I used to ride a 14.2hh horse as well and I looked fine too because he had such a big barrel that he took my legs up that way. Like the above I look at legs - don't like legs dangling down past the belly, but thats just me!

So what I'm trying to say is: it doesn't really matter as long as you and the horse feel comfortable! :) xxx

[Rebekah Simpson]

Alright, thanks guys... that's good to know.

By the way, chewitmonster, I like your wise quote ("A horse is not just for Christmas... it's for life.") Very, very true. I don't have a horse yet because I'm not really in a position to keep one for good so I'm looking into leasing. I wish more people realized what a serious (as well as wonderful) thing horse-ownership is. :)

~Rebekah~

[eventerbabe]

I'm 5'7" and i ride both a 15.2hh cob and our 13.3hh welsh cob. all depends on the breed of the horse and whether you feel comfortable :)

[jUmPingIsLifE]

I am 5'6 and i have ridden between 11h and 18hh!

whatever size you feel comfortable riding and whatever size can handle your weight. if you are going to show however i probably wouldn't get a pony (14.2hh and under).

[JOJOBA]

Im a slim 5'10" and my horse is a lightweight cob of 15hh.
Here's a (not great - we were using another NR member's tack) pic of us.
http://homepages.force9.net/shibby/Jo/hecsie.JPG
I also ride horses of 14hh ish when theyre cobby and deep barelled - long legs on a light horse can unbalance them. I also ride a 17.1hh (approx) irish sports horse (I'll try for a pic) and am fine on him.
http://homepages.force9.net/shibby/Jo/jo_quinney.jpg
I ride my mum's 16hh TB and dont feel big on him at all. I dont know how old you are (sorry didnt check) but if you are still in danger of growing (like me - I cant seem to stop!) then take that into account!
Note - I heard that due to their bone density arabs can carry more weight than other horses of their size and build.
I tried out a 15hh cob when I was buying but we had to leave him because my mum said I looked a good size on him then, but within a year Id be too big. Its all dependant on your weight, proportions and length of leg if you're going for how you LOOK on a horse (eg for showing). Can you give us any more info?
xxx

[maria9657]

AHHHHH, if the was the rule Em i would be riding a very large horse.

It is fun though!!

[SmokeKandeeBar]

I would say 16 hands and up.

[Danehill]

I'm 5'11" and my horse is 16h3. That was the minimum i was looking for when I was thinking of buying a horse. It's not that i'm not confortable with a smaller horse, but it is just a question of appearance, horses below 16hh3 look small under me, and I don't like that, in competitions.

[vjoy23]

Its not so much the height of the horse that you need to look at its how deep the horse is. You don't want to ride with your legs dangling past its belly nor do you want to ride with your legs barely making contacts coz of the saddle ( I know thats not the case for you as your tall). I was told when I was looking for a horse that as long as my leg was hanging and i didn't need to move my leg up or down to make proper contact then any sized horse would be fine. I used to ride a 14'3 who was very deep and now have a 15'2 (still growing) whom isn't as deep but just right for my riding position.

[SwiftwindSpirit]

The range of horses you could ride is quite large, and it really depends on what feels most comfortable for you, and the horse. I am 5'3" and I have ridden between 13hh and 17.2hh horses.

[No_Angel]

Im 5'5- a bit smaller than you but i have ridden an 11.2 and a 17.2!
The horses that I have at the moment are 12.1hh, 15.1hh, 16hh and my new horse is 16.3hh.
My 12.1 and 15.1hh are quite chunky, my 16hh is a sportshorse so in the middle and my 16.3 is a TB who is skinny and takes a 54 inch girth-buts thats another story!

It really depends what suits you ( what you can get on!lol!) but most people I know around your height prefer around 16 hands.
Good luck.
Tasha