Am I too small for a 17hh horse?
- Thread starter BeachRiding
- Start date
im 5ft 1 (tiny anno lol) and i used to ride a 17.3hh, and mounted without the mounting block, dont ask how!!! 
i felt comfortable with that its personal choice i think, but as some one else said a bigger horse would cost more when it comes to rugs/ feed stuff like that but its up to you xxx
i felt comfortable with that its personal choice i think, but as some one else said a bigger horse would cost more when it comes to rugs/ feed stuff like that but its up to you xxx
M
mu0ljk
Guest
I am 5"4have ridden all sizes of horses from 12.2hh right up to 17.3hh.
I felt safe on them (well most of them
) but I do prefer the smaller ones.
Sidney was 16.2hh and was quite wide which meant I had real problems getting my legs around him and holding him together. Now I have Dylan who is 14.3hh I have no problems holding him together. The same with Otto who is 15.3hh.
I guess it depends what you want from your new horse. If you just want to hack then it doesn't matter too much about engaging him. But if you want to do a bit more then you'll have to have a think about your relative sizes and effectiveness.
The only answer though is to go and try these horses out!
See what you feel comfy on - you are the only one who can anwer these questions.
Oh as another aside Sid was was not exactly easy to jump off and on of! And you have to duck more often too!! Though I wouldn't have changed him for the world!
Go see them and try them and find out what you personally feel is right for you hun.
I felt safe on them (well most of them
) but I do prefer the smaller ones.Sidney was 16.2hh and was quite wide which meant I had real problems getting my legs around him and holding him together. Now I have Dylan who is 14.3hh I have no problems holding him together. The same with Otto who is 15.3hh.
I guess it depends what you want from your new horse. If you just want to hack then it doesn't matter too much about engaging him. But if you want to do a bit more then you'll have to have a think about your relative sizes and effectiveness.
The only answer though is to go and try these horses out!
See what you feel comfy on - you are the only one who can anwer these questions.
Oh as another aside Sid was was not exactly easy to jump off and on of! And you have to duck more often too!! Though I wouldn't have changed him for the world!
Go see them and try them and find out what you personally feel is right for you hun.
Last edited by a moderator:
I currently ride everything from 13 hand ponies to an 18 hand warmblood.
They all have their problems.. the ponies don't have much to hold onto and are generally alot more agile and quick thinking. Their brains are much closer to their gas pedal
Big horses tend to be a bit slower reacting but once they get going can be harder to stop. Forward momentum does actually mean something in these cases. They also don't turn as well since they have alot of bulk to move. If you are going to be doing more than trail riding and get into jumping or dressage, I'd say stay away. As Casey pointed out, they're alot to get going and hold together and take alot of strength and skill. I prefer jumping the ponies in jumpers as you can really sit them back and they can turn on a dime.
I used to compete a 17 hand percheron cross with hooves the size of dinner plates. I would have to lead her with a stud chain. She was beautifully behaved, always polite.. it's just if she threw a minor temper tantrum, she'd pull the wall down. Literally. I simply didn't have the strength to give her a correction she'd notice if she got spooked and we didn't want her realizing how strong she was. I saw her sister spook at a dog and fly backwards when tied. The safety snap failed, and the metal bar she was tied to bent and snapped.
At a large show in another city, she spooked while I was riding her and did the mare eyes on stalks shuffle and grow 3 hands dance. The ground was vibrating from the shuffle and everyone within 30 feet scattered.
On the other hand, she was a sofa to sit on and super comfortable.
Bottom line is they're generally alot more to handle and hold together if they get their tail on fire. I find it alot easier to ride 15 hh than either extreme personally.
They all have their problems.. the ponies don't have much to hold onto and are generally alot more agile and quick thinking. Their brains are much closer to their gas pedal
Big horses tend to be a bit slower reacting but once they get going can be harder to stop. Forward momentum does actually mean something in these cases. They also don't turn as well since they have alot of bulk to move. If you are going to be doing more than trail riding and get into jumping or dressage, I'd say stay away. As Casey pointed out, they're alot to get going and hold together and take alot of strength and skill. I prefer jumping the ponies in jumpers as you can really sit them back and they can turn on a dime.
I used to compete a 17 hand percheron cross with hooves the size of dinner plates. I would have to lead her with a stud chain. She was beautifully behaved, always polite.. it's just if she threw a minor temper tantrum, she'd pull the wall down. Literally. I simply didn't have the strength to give her a correction she'd notice if she got spooked and we didn't want her realizing how strong she was. I saw her sister spook at a dog and fly backwards when tied. The safety snap failed, and the metal bar she was tied to bent and snapped.
At a large show in another city, she spooked while I was riding her and did the mare eyes on stalks shuffle and grow 3 hands dance. The ground was vibrating from the shuffle and everyone within 30 feet scattered.
On the other hand, she was a sofa to sit on and super comfortable.
Bottom line is they're generally alot more to handle and hold together if they get their tail on fire. I find it alot easier to ride 15 hh than either extreme personally.
As well as all the advice you have been given about checking the attitude and temperament of any horse (from 14hh to 18hh) think about the day to day looking afer of a big equine.
Can you tack up a 17hh horse safely?? Can you see the middle of its back to check for dirt/cuts/anything else wrong? Can you really groom all over a 17hh horse properly?? Can you rug up properly?
These are all questions you also need to ask and check out when you go to see these horses. I have no idea what the answers would be as I am 5'8" and ride a 14hh pony - so am the exact opposite of you!!
Can you tack up a 17hh horse safely?? Can you see the middle of its back to check for dirt/cuts/anything else wrong? Can you really groom all over a 17hh horse properly?? Can you rug up properly?
These are all questions you also need to ask and check out when you go to see these horses. I have no idea what the answers would be as I am 5'8" and ride a 14hh pony - so am the exact opposite of you!!
Lots of things to consider many of which have already been posted.
If you are sure you've got sufficient strength in your legs & flexibility in your hips to get them round a bigger horse & give it good aids & are able to afford the feed & equipment bills there should no probs.
Personally, as one of the human "golden oldies" around here, inspite of in days gone by being able to mount a 17hh off the ground with ease, these days I much prefer something that I can get on off the ground even though I use whatever is available to mount so that I don't put pressure on my mare's back when mounting.
My mare is 14.33/4" ,,, having said that, it might be interesting for you to know that I constantly have to remember this cos she rides like a much bigger horse & when we start riding again & I'm ready to dismount if I don't, & jump off as though I've been riding a much bigger horse & I hit the ground & jar myself!
IMHO, it's a matter of personal choice.
What are you looking for?
An equine that is going to impress because of it's height & whatever other attributes it has or are you looking for something that can carry you & you can enjoy & is, as notes in other postings, reasonable to maintain such as a smaller horse/pony?
If you are sure you've got sufficient strength in your legs & flexibility in your hips to get them round a bigger horse & give it good aids & are able to afford the feed & equipment bills there should no probs.
Personally, as one of the human "golden oldies" around here, inspite of in days gone by being able to mount a 17hh off the ground with ease, these days I much prefer something that I can get on off the ground even though I use whatever is available to mount so that I don't put pressure on my mare's back when mounting.
My mare is 14.33/4" ,,, having said that, it might be interesting for you to know that I constantly have to remember this cos she rides like a much bigger horse & when we start riding again & I'm ready to dismount if I don't, & jump off as though I've been riding a much bigger horse & I hit the ground & jar myself!
IMHO, it's a matter of personal choice.
What are you looking for?
An equine that is going to impress because of it's height & whatever other attributes it has or are you looking for something that can carry you & you can enjoy & is, as notes in other postings, reasonable to maintain such as a smaller horse/pony?
I'm your height and leaving aside all considerations of preference horse vs pony practically there is no way I could deal with a 17hh regularly. I would have trouble with rugs, with grooming, with checking them everything - I know this because I used to muck out and look after someone's 16.3hh mare and she was too tall for me to deal with daily with my short legs / size.
That's not even mentioning mounting, dismounting and the actual physical challenges of riding anything that size.
That's not even mentioning mounting, dismounting and the actual physical challenges of riding anything that size.
I think you'll look fine on a horse that size, and if the horse suits you, I don't think you'll have issues with riding due to your size.
One thing that occurs to me though, is that tacking and even grooming are likely to be noticeably more difficult. Especially if you want to ride Western, heaving a big 'ole saddle up there is going to be a challenge. Also the getting on and off thing.
But then I bought a horse bigger than what I was ideally looking for, because she was the right horse. She's 15.1, but that's past my limit for being able to mount from the ground these days...
One thing that occurs to me though, is that tacking and even grooming are likely to be noticeably more difficult. Especially if you want to ride Western, heaving a big 'ole saddle up there is going to be a challenge. Also the getting on and off thing.
But then I bought a horse bigger than what I was ideally looking for, because she was the right horse. She's 15.1
, but that's past my limit for being able to mount from the ground these days...
If it counts for anything, I'll insert my $.02...
My friend's got a horse that's about 9 years old, stands around 15.1hh, and is a little SNOT! He strikes out in front (shod, as well), can't be tied high to a wall/post, or he goes NUTS and pulls back until he either breaks something, or gets loose. It takes 2 people to saddle him, because he turns circles (can't be tied for saddling, of course), is VERY high strung and to me, dangerous.
My horse is 3 1/2, stands 17+hh, can be tied high to a wall/post, will move around a little bit during grooming, but nothing quick. Can be saddled without worry, bridling is done without her being tied to anything (just loop the lead around her neck for the "caught" feel), walks away from the mounting block (we're working on this problem).
Personally, I'd MUCH rather see someone inexperienced around my much larger, younger mare than the smaller, friskier gelding. She's much safer, saner and forgiving than he is. No, it's not ALWAYS that way, however, there ARE times when gravity shouldn't have as much to do with a horse as personality/temprement.
And as far as your looking silly on a big horse? I wouldn't worry over it. How you FEEL on and around the horse is SO much more important!!
***oh, and I ride western (I'm about 5'6") and have to heave a western saddle that weighs between 35 and 40 pounds up on her every time I ride. It's not easy, but it IS great exercise!
My friend's got a horse that's about 9 years old, stands around 15.1hh, and is a little SNOT! He strikes out in front (shod, as well), can't be tied high to a wall/post, or he goes NUTS and pulls back until he either breaks something, or gets loose. It takes 2 people to saddle him, because he turns circles (can't be tied for saddling, of course), is VERY high strung and to me, dangerous.
My horse is 3 1/2, stands 17+hh, can be tied high to a wall/post, will move around a little bit during grooming, but nothing quick. Can be saddled without worry, bridling is done without her being tied to anything (just loop the lead around her neck for the "caught" feel), walks away from the mounting block (we're working on this problem).
Personally, I'd MUCH rather see someone inexperienced around my much larger, younger mare than the smaller, friskier gelding. She's much safer, saner and forgiving than he is. No, it's not ALWAYS that way, however, there ARE times when gravity shouldn't have as much to do with a horse as personality/temprement.
And as far as your looking silly on a big horse? I wouldn't worry over it. How you FEEL on and around the horse is SO much more important!!
***oh, and I ride western (I'm about 5'6") and have to heave a western saddle that weighs between 35 and 40 pounds up on her every time I ride. It's not easy, but it IS great exercise!
To be fair i can see where you're coming from and i can see the reasoning behind it and i wouldn't want WL to get hurt anymore than you. Unfortunately though i haven't followed the WL story so yes i've had my eyes shut for 6 months? I based my post on the question asked.
Will say though the points from others about the groundwork, the upkeep etc. are very valid ones about big horses. My big mare was my first horse and was very bolshy when i got her and yes it can be daunting. But i was lucky with the fact that she soon became a love to tack up, feed, bring in etc. and i got so used to her height that it did me well in the future as now i'm quite happy handling bigger horses (privately owned). But this is why i think as others have said temperament and manners are def. number one priority.
I am 5'2/3" and am happy on both big horses and small ponies but for day to day caring I can not manage anything above 16hh and then I struggle with tacking up, rugs etc. so if you go to see this horse this is something you should try doing too
Yes in theory a 17hh horse is much the same to handle as a 14hh horse, the 17hh stallion I turn out can be a tw*t but no more so than a Shetland pony I once had that would happily bolt in any direction he wished while you were leading him. 
At the end of the day any horse is bigger and stronger than it's handler, if we relied on physical strength to control our horses I doubt we'd get very far
But what would worry me is that for someone already lacking in confidence a 17hh horse mucking about can be more intimidating than a smaller horse messing about, it's just a fact of nature. I would just be worried about knocking your confidence any further WL, no horse is perfect and you want to be sure whatever horse you go for you will be confident to handle them in any situation.
At the end of the day any horse is bigger and stronger than it's handler, if we relied on physical strength to control our horses I doubt we'd get very far But what would worry me is that for someone already lacking in confidence a 17hh horse mucking about can be more intimidating than a smaller horse messing about, it's just a fact of nature. I would just be worried about knocking your confidence any further WL, no horse is perfect and you want to be sure whatever horse you go for you will be confident to handle them in any situation.
This is me on a 17.2.
I'm 5ft1!!
Um... are you sure you have got your measurements right?? Either he's not 17.2, or you're not 5'1''
I', 5'3" (just) and my mare is 16.3hh and will finish at around 17.1/17.2hh, I don't look silly on her.
I've seen myself in school mirrors and although it is obvious I'm not a tall person I don't look over horsed. I guess it would depend on the build of the horse as well. A shire would probably look to big, but then a shire would look too big on most people!
I've seen myself in school mirrors and although it is obvious I'm not a tall person I don't look over horsed. I guess it would depend on the build of the horse as well. A shire would probably look to big, but then a shire would look too big on most people!
As a small horse person(5ft 8in with 15hh horse) personally I'd go for something smaller. However, I do agree, the temperament of the horse has nothing whatever to do with its size, and you will find 17hh horses who are complete loves.
However, does having "fun" as you've said you want to do with your horse involve a lot of hopping off and hopping on? If so a 17hh will not make that easy for you. Also, isn't one of the things you fancy doing barrel racing? I really don't know much about that, but doesn't it involve tight turns? You might find that harder with a 17hh than a smaller horse.
However, does having "fun" as you've said you want to do with your horse involve a lot of hopping off and hopping on? If so a 17hh will not make that easy for you. Also, isn't one of the things you fancy doing barrel racing? I really don't know much about that, but doesn't it involve tight turns? You might find that harder with a 17hh than a smaller horse.
the height of the horse is only important in so far as it has the bone to carry your weight. i have ridden anything from 14' to 17'2 and they all feel different, depending on the temperament of the horse and its action
a bigger horse tends to be slower to react than a pony and is likely to be less able to turn quickly and harder to keep balanced. also costs a lot more in feed and can have more of a tendency to leg trouble.
maybe you would be best to try riding lots of different horses before you buy one so you can get a feel of what you are comfortable with. spending a year riding at a yard and sitting on lots of different types would make it easier for you to buy one that suits you.
a bigger horse tends to be slower to react than a pony and is likely to be less able to turn quickly and harder to keep balanced. also costs a lot more in feed and can have more of a tendency to leg trouble.
maybe you would be best to try riding lots of different horses before you buy one so you can get a feel of what you are comfortable with. spending a year riding at a yard and sitting on lots of different types would make it easier for you to buy one that suits you.
I've talked with quite a few people and thanks for the tons of opinions on this thread! but I have decided against it. The main reason being its a long way to fall, and as falls for me are inevitable, I just can't see myself falling from a horse that high with as bad a neck injury as I have. So the main reason I have decided against it is for my neck. I just think after all my injuries it won't work.
Thanks everyone so much for all the help!
cazrider- Yes I never thought about the barrel racing!I was only thinking about western pleasure.
Thanks everyone so much for all the help!
cazrider- Yes I never thought about the barrel racing!I was only thinking about western pleasure.
newrider.com