Stupid, bloody short people!

[DeirdreBarlow]

OK, so I've actually nothing against shorties , but I was really put in my place today by a group of them.

I'm almost 5ft10" and I own a 15.1hh Anglo arab. I'm only 9 stone (and he's not a super-dooper lightweight ) so he carries me comfortably.
In my humble opinion, I don't really think I look that big on him (on the big side maybe - but not "huge" or "out of proportion").

But this morning I popped him upto the local RS for a jumping lesson, and the group due to have a class lesson after mine turned up afew minutes early and ended up watching me.
After I lead my horse out, I got chatting to them whilst untacking him. I don't know when it happened, but before I knew it, they were all politely attacking me for not having "at least a 16.2hh".
They made sure I knew I looked (and I quote) "silly" and "like a giant" on him (in their curteous but undeniably snidey way).
I was so embarrassed and feel really upset about it . I know I'm a grown woman and should shrug it off, but this isn't the first time I've met comments like these.
They're relatively experienced riders, but I just felt so underminned by total stangers who spoke to me like I'd never even sat on a horse (incidently, they knew nothing about my own level of experience (they'd only turned up in time to watch what was obviously me cooling Benjy down - just walking with loose reins).
And I'm so pathetic because I'm the worst arguer in the world and hate falling out with anyone.
So I don't really know what I'm expecting people on here to advise lol, just wanted a rant I think .

[Equine_student]

dont worry people are always going to have opinions but just let them go stright over your head. if you are happy and your horse is happy then who cares!! ive lived at an equine college for the past 2 year and beleive me i have heard it all and just learnt to nod and agree and just ignor it! who are they to tell you that. They are no better than you.

[Gilly 101]

If your happy with your horsie, stuff em, be tall and proud (i'm only 5'2)

[Pink's lady]

And what's sadder and more annoying is that if you'd been 5'2 but weighed 16st they wouldn't have passed comment. Too heavy for the horse but not too tall.

Just ignore them or turn around and say (in a sarcastic tone) 'well at least I'm not to heavy for MY horse, unlike some I know...........' - that'll get them thinking and worried

[Greentchr]

Now is the time to think up really good remarks for future use

One I've heard used effectively: the victim looks calm, then gets an interested look on her face as she theatrically bends over to see each person's elbow and exclaims "wow- you've each got some of those, too!"

Of course, the AP (annoying person) is confused and asks what the victim is talking about. Victim promptly answers in her best I-am-the-smartest-one-here voice "why, elbows, of course- didn't you know? they are just like opinions- we all have a couple!"

Then, of course, it is most effective to casually carry on and walk away. Turning your back on the AP is the next best thing (especially effective if you begin to sing an appropriate song in a happy voice)

I'm not sure why some people get a kick out of critisizing others. It has to have something to do with their own insecurities and the need for power. Just think, though- you probably gave them the only bright spot in their miserable little gotta-get-a-life days

[elise]

That kind of makes me mad. My one horse is 15.2hh and I wouldn't ever consider him short. He carries full grown men just fine and in fact, for a Paint he's pretty tall. My other horse is 16hh and I can't imagine a horse other than a draft being much bigger. Blah.

[tasnik blazze]

I am a shortie and i have had comments made to me that i need to get a bigger horse i own a 14hh pony ....i am overweight but i don't think i look that bad on him. Anyways if i had a taller horse i could never get on i struggle getting on blazze from the ground ......i would have to carry a step ladder with me. Some people are small minded pimple headed bigots!!!!

[ShariN]

Don't worry about what others think.

They are most likely jealous... or a pack of harpy wives with nothing better to do that harass someone.

15.1 hands is a major super tall horse to me. Wonder what they would say if I tolted by on my 12.3 hand Icelandic?

[Faerie Rider]

I agree with ShariN they are just jealous...I'm a shortie and wouldn't dream of
making any comments I would just be be wistfully daydreaming about one day having a horse of my own and thinking how lucky you were...
xxx..why are people so rude these days?
xx

[chocchick]

I'm shocked total strangers would just be so rude. It's their probalem not yours.

[Tots N Dots]

I think its the attitude of a lot of people (no offence ment to anyone on here AT ALL) but I am 5'4" and Pickle is somewhere between 14.2hh and 15hh, I refuse to measure him now as i cried when I found he was smaller than I thought just about everyone around me, unless they are a kid, rides over 15.2hh. and the attitude you have encountered is exactly what bothers me, and I know it shouldnt. but I tend to ride quite long because of a back and pelvis problem so probably do look bigger on him than I normally would.
but I have devised a plan,
I shall just say that all the best things come in little parcels and they have to be quiet as Pickle is convinced he is 16hh and they will upset him if he hears them

if you and your lad are happy with each other then who cares,

me and Pickle (also Anglo Arab )

[Imp]

I don't think it's anything to do with THEIR height, if they were 6 foot tall I think they would have said the same thing.

It's TACT and good MANNERS that are distinctly lacking. We all think what we should have said after the event, don't beat yourself up.

I'm 5'3" and I wouldn't have been so rude or made such an assumption.

They are stupid people, full stop!

[jinglejoys]

Its a status thing (Look at me I'm riding a huge camel(oops-sorry horse) Never mind the fact that I'm over horsesd,can't get on him without a step ladder and expect the rony people to get off open gates and pick up the tack and silks we've dropped

[jinglejoys]

oops pony not rony! The letters on the keyboard are fast dissapearing

[diplomaticandtactful]

i'm 5'6 and ride a 15hh cob and feel she is plenty big enough for me in fact i could probably go down to a 14hh but she feels fine - i am a bit heavy and she carries me with ease.

i used to ride a 17hh tb who was all wither and again felt fine on him - you get used to what you ride whatever it is

they were just rude and it was none of their business anyway. i would have been tempted to watch their lesson and comment accordingly on how they rode....

ignore them, they are just ignorant nobodies - after all, were they riding school horses? you have your own and you are fine as you are.

as long as the horse can carry your wieght and suits you what does it matter - i get fed up with snooty folks on blood horses looking down on me and my common coloured feathered cob, plastered with mud, tangled mane, but a happy bunny who is bombproof and looks after me, while htey prance past looking terrified

[sara_xx]

Dont worry about what people think!
Listen....im 5'11 and just over 9stone and i went on a hack the other day on a 14'3! Honestly dont worry-if i can fit on thomas and not look 'silly' or a 'giant', i am v.sure you dont look daft on your 15'1!!

There probs just jealous of you and your horse, or have been made to believe that if your over a certain height you have to have the bigger horses-but you dont!

I bet you look fabby!

[Lonestar]

ah, just ignore them always works...when they speak to you again...just walk away and do stuff with your horse and say "im Busy with my horse" lol.
i always do...i get called a short ass for riding nessa..ah well who cares they're stupid people who think they 'know it all'

[No_Angel]

people like to make comments full stop, whether it be about how tall/short you are on your horse, or what tack you have on your horse.

im 5ft5 and i have a 16.3 tb, shes fantastic and i love her to bits, but i cant for the life of me get on and off easily, i look fine on her when i ride her, but cant actually get on her myself.
i ride my mums 14hand welsh cob, and her 15.1 cob and cant actually get on them, so ted is 14.3 and should be my ideal height so i can actually get on and off.
I feel much happier knowing that if i had a problem i could get off and not worry about getting back on when out hacking, than being so frightened my horse will loose a boot and i cant get off to get it, and i always have to make sure that someone i know if near the area im riding so i can call them if i have problems.

[DeirdreBarlow]

And what's sadder and more annoying is that if you'd been 5'2 but weighed 16st they wouldn't have passed comment.
I don't doubt that you're absolutely right !

Thanks for the comments everyone . They really made me feel a lot better.

TotsNDots - that's a lovely looking AA! And you honestly look lovely on him.
I shall just say that all the best things come in little parcels and they have to be quiet as Pickle is convinced he is 16hh and they will upset him if he hears them
I love that response! It suits Benjy completely too (maybe it's an AA thing ).

Big thanks all for your kind and thoughful words !

[lor]

Mark Todd is about 6' something and won Burleigh Horse trials on Charisma who is 15.3, just as well those twits wernt there on any of the occasions that he won, i can just imagine them sitting in the area whispering to each other, "shouldnt he be riding something nearer 16.3" " They should hang their heads in shame for being so bloomin ignorant. I am 5'5" and ride a 13 exmoor and get similar comments. Now I just grin and throw my arms round her neck