Am I too small for a 17hh horse?

BeachRiding

BeachRiding

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Aug 26, 2004
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I do not want this to turn into a you should be taking a break form horses thread. Please.:) Oh and before someone asks, I am still going to go check out the 14.2hh pony but it seems the pony is too light built for me.

Anyway,I have found two horses that sound perfect for me on paper.One is a nine year old beg horse that is also a good english horse and a jumper. Other is a 13 year old kid-safe family horse who is also ridden english. Both sound really super, problem is they are both 17 hh!:eek::rolleyes: Highest I have ridden was 16.1hh and I was very comfortable on him ( Pete) would a 17hh'er be that much of a difference?

Oh and I am 5'3 almost 5'4. Will I look really stupid?:o
 
I used to ride a 17.2hh and loved him (I'm 5'4"). I don't have major issues with size of horse like some people do, as long as they can carry your weight.

You do have to consider that a 17hh is going to cost more in rugs etc and that transportation will be more difficult, you can't just bung them in any old box. Plus, of course, if they do decide to have a hooley they're a lot bigger to deal with! It's also a long way to fall if things do get messy ;)

I did find a big difference in a 16.2hh and a 17.2hh, I know that it's only a hand and it may have been psychological rather than physical but I felt a lot higher up even though I wasn't. I can't really explain it :)

Having said all that I wouldn't have any qualms going for a 17.2hh horse at all as long as it was the right one. I actually feel safer with a neck in front of me. I love ponies but bizarrely I don't feel as safe, especially when jumping. Maybe I just need to ride more ponies when I've lost the blubber ;)
 
Bay Mare said:
I used to ride a 17.2hh and loved him (I'm 5'4"). I don't have major issues with size of horse like some people do, as long as they can carry your weight.

You do have to consider that a 17hh is going to cost more in rugs etc and that transportation will be more difficult, you can't just bung them in any old box. Plus, of course, if they do decide to have a hooley they're a lot bigger to deal with! It's also a long way to fall if things do get messy ;)

I did find a big difference in a 16.2hh and a 17.2hh, I know that it's only a hand and it may have been psychological rather than physical but I felt a lot higher up even though I wasn't. I can't really explain it :)

Having said all that I wouldn't have any qualms going for a 17.2hh horse at all as long as it was the right one. I actually feel safer with a neck in front of me. I love ponies but bizarrely I don't feel as safe, especially when jumping. Maybe I just need to ride more ponies when I've lost the blubber ;)
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Crikey!!! 17.2hh??? How did you get on? I am worried about being able to get on a 17hh'er!

I know what your saying about the ponies!Any horse under 15 hh I feel like I am going to fall off! :confused: I feel like their not as safe. I love horse 15.3hh and up, just i have never ridden something quie as tall as 17hh!
 
I used to ride a 17.3hh horse. I am 6ft so I did not look over horsed.

WL I would go and have a look at these horses and have a ride and if you feel uncomfortable because of the height then don't take them on. As you confidence could be dented further especially after a fall.

Good luck with the search:)
 
Mounting block :D

What I found worse than getting on was the getting off ... it takes just that little bit longer to reach the ground, it just shows how we get used to the timing of things, and then suddenly you hit and you're not ready for it! :D
 
Bay Mare said:
Mounting block :D

What I found worse than getting on was the getting off ... it takes just that little bit longer to reach the ground, it just shows how we get used to the timing of things, and then suddenly you hit and you're not ready for it! :D
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I found that too. In the beginning of riding this horse when I got off I was expecting the ground a whole lot sooner than I should and the first few times landed unsteadily:o:D
 
nah go for it
i am 5ft4 and ride anything from 13.3hh up to 17.2hh i dont find them big as i have the riding ability to ride them so i'm fine.also might be better for you togo for something a little bit bigger horses are easier than ponies in my opinion.
and haha when i rode my friend 17.1 i got on it without a mounting block or leg up so it is possible.
so go for gold have fun
 
Okay! News! I have emailed the owner of the 13 year old and asked for pictures. If he looks okay then I am going to set up an appointment!

Also, instead of starting another thread I was wondering what everyone thought of this horse?
http://www.dreamhorse.com/show_horse.php?form_horse_id=1123152
I know it is young, that's why I am asking some questions. Horse is going to be right where I am heading this weekend, so was wondering if it would be worth dropping by to see the mare?
I have talked back and forth with the owner and she has said that dead beginners have been put on this mare with no problems.
Can a 6 (well almost 7)year old really be a confidence giver/ beg. safe?
 
J is 18.1hh and i definitely echo that getting off is the worst bit! He big without being too chunky, just solid feeling and this makes him feel very secure. My friends mare is 17.2 with a very short neck - its like riding the edge of a cliff.

I would also say that even though bigger horses are often seen as Big Friendly Giants - they can still get in a strop and when they do its actually pretty scary.

They also cost more to feed, shoe, in rugs etc as others have said.
 
Hi WL, I would guess the more horses you try the bigger the chance of finding exactly what you do want and one that is suitable for you.

If you are going to the area that this Mare is in, you may as well pop in and see her.

I don't think you can judge on age alone, it maybe a super chilled horse whereas another at 7 could be really green and needs lots of work. Theres always pros and cons as in at 7 it may not have got into any bad habits whereas a 12 year old could have, if you understand where I am coming from:D

You need to see all of these horses and judge them on their own merits.

Best of luck xx
 
its not really a case of you being to small for a 17.2h it depends what the horse like in his/her mind

ie being over horsed
is two meanings and not just one of being bigger or in some instances smaller
either horse or rider
 
Some 17.2hh are big puppies, some are raving loonies, some have nice flat gaits some have HUGE elevation.

If you are happy on a 22hh horse fine, if you are happy on a 13hh horse, fine!
 
If it helps I rode an 18.2hh Shire X from the age of 11/12 ans was one of the very few people who could get him to canter in corners (my RI used to shut her eyes on occasions).
You'll be fine!
 
WL on paper she sounds like a good prospect, I can't see a pic of her so I cannot see if she has glaringly obvious conformation faults that could cause a problem. Not all young horses are difficult so don't be put off by age. If you are going to be in the area then go and have a look at her:)

Don't forget the list thought;)
 
I am 3 inches shorter than you, WL, I used to ride a 17hh and my current share horse is 16.2hh. Especially at this size, temperament and manners need to be your overwhelming concern when looking for a horse. Brook has lovely manners, which is vital because she is big and strong and towers over me !

Go and try this horse. Try every horse you possibly can, really, as the more horses you sit on and try out, the greater the likelihood is that you will find the one that is just right for you.
 
just want to say WL - good luck and I hope you find the horse of your dreams hun:)
 
Course your not! When i was in my early teens the only horses i use to ride where 16.3hh+. My horse of a lifetime was 17.3hh and i was only 14 yrs old don't know what height but i wasn't overly tall.
I personally like the big ones, nothing better than big neck in front of you (they are brilliant at catching you when you are having a wobbly moment ;))
Good luck
xx
 
I wouldn't rule out anything because of size because as others have said it depends on the horse and how it rides. If they're 17hh of highly strung horse that is strong to ride, has big paces etc. then you realise that there's a lot of horse there and i find as a 5"6 rider with not too strong a leg it is daunting and not fun. But as Wally said some big horses are complete loves who don't know their own strength or don't care and are lovely to ride and give you bags of confidence. We used to have a 17.2 shire cross down our yard and he was like this big dopey dog. It was like no-one had whispered in his ear that he had 5th gear.
 
Erm, I don't think that would be the best idea in the world.

Stick to a more sensible size, for now.
 
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