Hah hah – you and I are built the same, and I have the exact same issue on ponies.
Unfortunately, I am not riding currently due to finances. My horses have all been OTTB from 15.3-16.1. If I ever get another horse I either want a small TB or a pony. I am 5’4" and currently 165 lbs. I am on Zepbound and would like to get down to 155 lbs. I have longish legs and a very short torso, so I think I’ll be fine with a large pony.
I have usually found the best value in “honies” A bit too tall to show as a pony, so you are not competing with people who want to show in pony classes. That generally reduces their cost. But “small” for many riders who think they need a horse well over 16h.
Yeah, I got a pretty good deal on my 14.3 hand chestnut mare!
My last two have been right around 14.3 and I don’t have an objection to that. The size is much more popular now, though, especially with the amateur adult dressage crowd, which makes it harder to find and more expensive that it used to be. Trust me, if I could find a 14.3 Welsh X that was good-brained, well-started or more, and in my price range I’d be ecstatic.
I progressed to a smaller horse when I lost my IDSH mare (she was a good 16.3). Now my horse is 15.3 on a good day and really feels just right! I went from a large, wide, long necked mare to a shorter, not as wide, shorter necked mare and I can actually keep bend in my elbows when I ride now, lol. I’m a hair under 5"4 and she fits me fine. Or I fit her fine. A friend just got a 14.2 grade gelding and she is about my size and looks great on him!
That short neck completely freaked me out when I rode her for the first time by after I got her; I felt like there was nothing in front of me. Now, seriously, I’m thrilled I can keep my elbows bent, short arms are way better with a short neck
I’m currently riding a 14 handish Mustang that’s four this year. Although I think I’m big on him the pictures say otherwise. I love the ease of dismounting and the economy of keeping a smaller and hardier horse than the TBs and warmbloods I’ve been riding for years and years.
Hope the OP finds her perfect pony soon!
I specifically picked this little gelding because he moves big like a horse:
Oh he’s cute and is a super unique color. I think he needs his own thread…
Thank you, 2bayboys!
Honestly, I think I should have you find me a perfect pony. You have an amazing eye for the diamond in the rough. I have been riding some various sizes and it is definitely length of back and neck that influence the feel more than the height. I rode a 13 hand Icelandic who rode bigger, while the original pony I posted about is 13.2 but rides smaller. I definitely want something that feels like riding a small horse. Every time I get off one of the smaller rides, I get a big smile on my face at how close the ground is.
OP I was just on EquineNow.com looking under New Hampshire and there is a 14.2 hand Morgan listed (in Enfield, for location, your in NE right?). I don’t know a thing about the horse, he just caught my eye and I thought of you.
I am in NE. Thank you! I’ll check it out.
Side note, all these comments about “downsizing from a big Warmblood” crack me up because my mare is a Warmblood (TB/Han) BUT she’s out of my 15.2HH mare and I had height high on the priority list when looking for stallions - I think he was 16.1HH (I’ll have to check).
I’m thinking about breeding this mare for my next horse and height will also be near the top of the priority list. Just not in the way most people think