How do you decide if a horse is too small for you?

[Can_tFindMyWhip]

I am horse shopping, and it is truly awful. My last horse fell into my lap, and I was really hoping that would happen again but it’s not looking like I am going to get lucky this time.

I am tall (5’10") and I’m by no means heavy, but I have a pretty athletic build so on the wrong horse I can look pretty top heavy. I can fit my legs on a horse with a small barrel pretty comfortably, but I can do nothing about my torso towering a mile above the horse.

I have tried some bigger (16.2-ish) horses, but they either aren’t fun or won’t pass the vet. But I keep coming across these really cool 15.2h horses. They are green and wiggly and trying to figure out how to balance, but they are so smart and so game. I feel comfortable on them but when I watch the video back from when I try them I can’t tell if I look silly or not.

I have been asking friends and trainers from all disciplines for their input on one particular small mare and my dressage and eventing friends like her and think her size is fine. They all point to Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg, who is a very tall guy on a smaller horse and is at the top of the world. But my hunter and jumper friends say she is way too small. Since I come from a dressage background but I am trying to get back to the jumper ring, I’d like to ask everyone here if they have rules of thumb. Should I be concerned or is there a possibility that my friends are just used to super sized warmbloods in the hunter and eq rings so their ideal is skewed?

[CHT]

Jumpers? I would not worry about aesthetics as long as you feel balanced on her and won’t be taking down rails with your heels. I like sports cars rather than school buses for speed classes.

Hunters or Eq I would take how you look more into consideration.

I also think back/neck length, and barrel depth matters more than height.

[Toblersmom]

@Can'tFindMyWhip

I am horse shopping, and it is truly awful. My last horse fell into my lap, and I was really hoping that would happen again but it’s not looking like I am going to get lucky this time.

I am tall (5’10") and I’m by no means heavy, but I have a pretty athletic build so on the wrong horse I can look pretty top heavy. I can fit my legs on a horse with a small barrel pretty comfortably, but I can do nothing about my torso towering a mile above the horse.

I have tried some bigger (16.2-ish) horses, but they either aren’t fun or won’t pass the vet. But I keep coming across these really cool 15.2h horses. They are green and wiggly and trying to figure out how to balance, but they are so smart and so game. I feel comfortable on them but when I watch the video back from when I try them I can’t tell if I look silly or not.

I have been asking friends and trainers from all disciplines for their input on one particular small mare and my dressage and eventing friends like her and think her size is fine. They all point to Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg, who is a very tall guy on a smaller horse and is at the top of the world. But my hunter and jumper friends say she is way too small. Since I come from a dressage background but I am trying to get back to the jumper ring, I’d like to ask everyone here if they have rules of thumb. Should I be concerned or is there a possibility that my friends are just used to super sized warmbloods in the hunter and eq rings so their ideal is skewed?

Touch of Class was 15.2. Joe Fargis is 6’ 2”. Get the horse you feel comfortable with and enjoy riding and ask anybody who says anything if they think multiple Olympic gold medals look silly.

[IPEsq]

I am not quite that tall but I also look tall on a horse. I find if they have enough neck, that can go a long way to not only being more comfortable for me to ride but it makes the picture better. I also tend to like a more hunter type lower set neck but that depends on your arm build—some with taller torsos need a more uphill horse but not me. I have long arms.

[PrincessPonies]

I have a 16.1 paint who’s got a long neck and back. I’ve always felt happy on her, but when I was horse shopping I tried a ottb that was also 16.1 in height however his back was shorter. I was never felt right on that one. In the jumper ring I wouldn’t be too worried about height, as long as you aren’t knocking down poles with your feet.

[Can_tFindMyWhip]

I like a horse that is short from nose to tail because they are easier to put together and collect. I think that’s a preference I have taken with me from dressage, but I am sure it is harder to make jumper turns on a longer horse and I don’t want to choose a horse whose conformation is going to make my job harder. But I’m not sure if I want to look like I ride a pony either.

I’ve linked to pictures. The videos aren’t great because she is still pretty unbalanced so I took screen shots in moments where she was more relaxed.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/hmwjR3Q1zXBbF9M98

[ClassyJumper]

I would just follow your gut. For jumpers it really doesnt matter, if you are comfortable on her and love riding her go for it! However, if you are just settling because horse shopping sucks I would keep looking.

[Impractical_Horsewoman]

Other than her grumpy pants mare face, she’s adorable. I’m 5’1 so I’ve never had the problem of looking too tall, but I prefer the “ride” of smaller horses and large ponies as well. A different saddle and stirrup length might make a difference in the “picture” you both make (although, as others point out, as long as you feel balanced, that’s not an issue for jumpers).

[Didi]

As others have said, for jumpers it really doesn’t matter. If you are considering hunters, you may be a little tall for her. Like you said, it’s your upper body that is long. However, having said all that, I think once she picks up a little weight the entire picture may change and you won’t look so tall on her. If you enjoy her, go for it.

[IPEsq]

She would be too small for my taste, but I am a hunter rider. That said, it’s hard to tell from the pics but her hind end conformation seems to bother me the most. Does she have a hunter’s bump? From the photos she also looks a bit too long and straight in the hind end and downhill (ie not really built for collection despite being shorter nose to tail).

[Can_tFindMyWhip]

@Impractical Horsewoman

Other than her grumpy pants mare face, she’s adorable. I’m 5’1 so I’ve never had the problem of looking too tall, but I prefer the “ride” of smaller horses and large ponies as well. A different saddle and stirrup length might make a difference in the “picture” you both make (although, as others point out, as long as you feel balanced, that’s not an issue for jumpers).

The mare-face is strong with this one unless she is jumping :lol: But it’s good to know that she is going to love her job.

Can you explain what you would change about the saddle and stirrups?

[Can_tFindMyWhip]

@IPEsq

She would be too small for my taste, but I am a hunter rider. That said, it’s hard to tell from the pics but her hind end conformation seems to bother me the most. Does she have a hunter’s bump? From the photos she also looks a bit too long and straight in the hind end and downhill (ie not really built for collection despite being shorter nose to tail).

It never struck me has a hunter’s bump, although find me an OTTB who doesn’t have a slight hunter’s bump, you know? Looking at her all over, she could use a lot of muscle, so I’m sure if she actually has a hunter’s bump it would be significantly less noticeable with some more meat on her bones.

As for her hind end conformation, looking at the picture of the walk I see what you are saying, but she is definitely dropping her back, so I don’t think it is good picture for evaluating her conformation. I think she looks better in the trot picture, and the trot is her worst gate because she just wants to go-go-go. Though sitting on her back, her trot felt smooth, just a little unbalanced. I didn’t notice and choppy pony steps like it looked like she was taking when I watch the video.

Given the price of this mare and her brain, I am willing to sacrifice perfect conformation. I am fully aware that downhill horses can be hard to collect, but I believe that because she is so short from nose to tail, she can’t be any more strung out than she is now. And her version of “strung out” is totally manageable in my opinion. When you have a bigger horse that is very long, that when I think downhill conformation becomes a major problem. A hony, not so much.

I really liked the mare and I am going to see her again, so I will keep an eye out for the concerns that you mentioned.

[KingRocker4Life]

I am tall and am very athletic in the upper body because I am a swimmer and a rider. My trainer has told me that if a horse is small but has a wide barrel then I can get away with it. So in your case it really depends on the horses personality to determine if you should get it. By all means do not get a horse that is the size of a pony because then you might be putting extra stress on the horses back. Not because you are heavy but because you have a lot of muscle and tall.

So if I were you I would be ok with a nice, muscular, 15 or so hh horse if it has a nice wide barrel. Or I would be ok with a 16hh or 17hh horse as well.

Maybe look into a sport/draft cross? They can range in size from 15hh to 17hh and be muscular.

I ride a TB/paint/Clydesdale cross that is 17hh, has a wide barrel, and is long in the back. and he does eventing and excels in it.

Find a horse that you are comfortable with and worry about the muscularity and looks later.

[Janet]

[ATTACH=JSON]{“data-align”:“none”,“data-size”:“large”,“data-attachmentid”:10435197}[/ATTACH] In Hunters, “suitability” counts, so “looking big” on the horse would count against you. But in jumpers, dressage or eventing, the judges don’t care. As long as the horse can comfortably carry you don’t worry about height. I am 5’6" (and NOT thin) and used to event a 14h3" AngloArab x Trak at Traiining.

[Can_tFindMyWhip]

@KingRocker4Life

I am tall and am very athletic in the upper body because I am a swimmer and a rider. My trainer has told me that if a horse is small but has a wide barrel then I can get away with it. So in your case it really depends on the horses personality to determine if you should get it. By all means do not get a horse that is the size of a pony because then you might be putting extra stress on the horses back. Not because you are heavy but because you have a lot of muscle and tall.

So if I were you I would be ok with a nice, muscular, 15 or so hh horse if it has a nice wide barrel. Or I would be ok with a 16hh or 17hh horse as well.

Maybe look into a sport/draft cross? They can range in size from 15hh to 17hh and be muscular.

I ride a TB/paint/Clydesdale cross that is 17hh, has a wide barrel, and is long in the back. and he does eventing and excels in it.

Find a horse that you are comfortable with and worry about the muscularity and looks later.

When I ask people for their input they tell my that I am lean or thin enough and I shouldn’t worry, but I do worry about density which is what you are touching on. I got a booty, but it comes from the gym and not chicken wings, so I weigh more than people would expect. Suppose if I have the strength and my balance is pretty good, is it reasonable to expect than I will be able to stay out of her way while she builds up her own strength and finds her balance?

A nice draft cross would be an easy solution, but I am finding them hard to come by. I live in an area where foxhunting is huge, and that drives the prices of good draft crosses up. So they are fetching warmblood prices, and the more affordable ones are not the quality that I am looking for. Often the ones in my price range are PMU babies so no thought was given to the horses that are actually being bred- its the act of breeding that is the goal. Of course I’ll keep my eyes peeled, but my expectations are low. I was not expecting to be looking for a new horse, so I know my budget is more in the project horse area and I can’t be too picky. I am thinking that Thoroughbreds are going to be where I find quality and talent with a smaller price tag.

[Impractical_Horsewoman]

@Can'tFindMyWhip

The mare-face is strong with this one unless she is jumping :lol: But it’s good to know that she is going to love her job.

Can you explain what you would change about the saddle and stirrups?

Your stirrups looked a bit short in the photo (bear in mind, I’m just going by the screenshot), more cross-country length, and even your knees seemed a bit high up on the saddle.

[Wanderosa]

@Can'tFindMyWhip

When I ask people for their input they tell my that I am lean or thin enough and I shouldn’t worry, but I do worry about density which is what you are touching on. I got a booty, but it comes from the gym and not chicken wings, so I weigh more than people would expect. Suppose if I have the strength and my balance is pretty good, is it reasonable to expect than I will be able to stay out of her way while she builds up her own strength and finds her balance?

A nice draft cross would be an easy solution, but I am finding them hard to come by. I live in an area where foxhunting is huge, and that drives the prices of good draft crosses up. So they are fetching warmblood prices, and the more affordable ones are not the quality that I am looking for. Often the ones in my price range are PMU babies so no thought was given to the horses that are actually being bred- its the act of breeding that is the goal. Of course I’ll keep my eyes peeled, but my expectations are low. I was not expecting to be looking for a new horse, so I know my budget is more in the project horse area and I can’t be too picky. I am thinking that Thoroughbreds are going to be where I find quality and talent with a smaller price tag.

FWIW - I’ve been told James Houston’s driving Dressage hitch is all PMU babies. And they are among the nicest I’ve seen. So don’t give up on that avenue. My advice would be to poke around on sales pages with a national reach like draftsforsale.com. Sometimes there’s nothing. Other times you’ll see some nice crosses from areas that don’t command field hunting prices. Dutch Harness horses are often large and solid boned horses but still light enough to do some serious sport work.

I’m in an area with a huge churn of horses coming off the track. I know of several OTTB that are over 17hh and built like a brick house. My daughter’s trainer just got one in to be sold on consignment that looks like a Hanoverian but is 100% OTTB.

[Toblersmom]

@Can'tFindMyWhip

When I ask people for their input they tell my that I am lean or thin enough and I shouldn’t worry, but I do worry about density which is what you are touching on. I got a booty, but it comes from the gym and not chicken wings, so I weigh more than people would expect. Suppose if I have the strength and my balance is pretty good, is it reasonable to expect than I will be able to stay out of her way while she builds up her own strength and finds her balance?

A nice draft cross would be an easy solution, but I am finding them hard to come by. I live in an area where foxhunting is huge, and that drives the prices of good draft crosses up. So they are fetching warmblood prices, and the more affordable ones are not the quality that I am looking for. Often the ones in my price range are PMU babies so no thought was given to the horses that are actually being bred- its the act of breeding that is the goal. Of course I’ll keep my eyes peeled, but my expectations are low. I was not expecting to be looking for a new horse, so I know my budget is more in the project horse area and I can’t be too picky. I am thinking that Thoroughbreds are going to be where I find quality and talent with a smaller price tag.

Not paying attention to breeding on PMU ranches may happen at some places, but many others do pay attention, and there are incentive programs to produce quality, marketable foals. http://www.naeric.org/. Some ranches produce purebred stock horses, some pure drafts, some crossbreds for the sport horse market (http://www.ravineranchsporthorses.com/site/index.php?page=testimonials). Don’t assume a horse isn’t decent quality just because it came from a PMU ranch.

[BKLYN_Ammy]

I’m 5’9” and my 3’ hunter was a 15.3 ottb. I also rode a little 15.1 mare in the jumpers for a while. If you can’t tell, II prefer how smaller horses ride and it seems like you do too. I say go for it!

[Can_tFindMyWhip]

@Impractical Horsewoman

Your stirrups looked a bit short in the photo (bear in mind, I’m just going by the screenshot), more cross-country length, and even your knees seemed a bit high up on the saddle.

Ah, you found my unruly lower leg! It’s normal to me, so I forget that sometimes it concerns people. My ankles don’t flex much more than 90 degrees, so I ride with shorter stirrups so that my knee can absorb the shock that my ankle doesn’t. If I leave too much work to my ankles they bounce up, rather than down because they are so atrophied. The good news it my lower leg manages to be still at more of a cross country length. I’m working on improving my flexibility, but it’s a slow process.

I think that’s how I am able to fit all my leg on these small horses so comfortably. If I rode a bigger horse and had to drop my stirrups I would have a harder time. It wasn’t a big deal when I was riding dressage because I could sit and do whatever I wanted as long as I got the job done. But there are a lot more rules of physics involved in jumping- I learned that the hard way.

As much as I would like a horse that is versatile enough to go in the hunter ring too, I recognize that my, ummmm, style would not be appreciated there so I would not be competitive.