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

Hunter/Jumper
#21

I think the shorter stirrups might be why your body looks disproportionately longer; I was actually thinking if you were in a dressage saddle with dressage-length stirrups, it wouldn’t have been as noticeable.

I only remarked upon it, because I rode at a barn that really shortened my stirrup length and it threw me off balance, throwing me forward, because my upper body is much longer than my stubby legs. The photos of me from that period look so odd to me now, even on horses that are a perfect size for me! I look like I can barely get my legs beyond the saddle, yet my upper body towers over the horse.

When I switched to dressage, I felt much more secure with the longer stirrup length, and even though the horse I currently ride (I don’t own) doesn’t have a dressage saddle, I ride and feel much more comfortable with a longer length. Not dressage length in a hunt seat saddle, obviously, but longer than I used to, and it makes me feel more secure and effective, and better able to use my seat and different parts of my leg.

Obviously, we’re very different body types, though, and I’m actually rather hyper-mobile in my joints (thought God knows I have a million other physical problems with my riding). I’m also not a riding instructor, so do what you think is safe and works for you.

#22

[I]originally posted by 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.[/I]

I get what you are saying about weight. I am very muscular and weigh like 155 pounds but I am only 5’5". I would say that a TB would be a good solution. Some can be taller. About the horse you are talking about…she look super small for you. If she is small because of muscle then i would take her and build up her muscle. But if she is fully grown then i wouldn’t bother with her unless you are in absolute love.

As for the prices…if you were not in the in the market for a horse and everything that you want is more than you are willing to spend then don’t get a horse. I think it is best to wait for a horse that is the right size/price and a horse that loves you and that you connect with rather than just buy a horse because the price is right.

also don’t just take any of our advice, have your trainer come with you before you buy a horse to get a professional opinion.:)”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹

#23

Another thing - would her size cause any mental blocks for you going forward? I’m a small adult so my 12yo is roughly the same weight and height already. She’s been doing pony hunters thus far. Doing fine, mostly enjoying it, but hitting a bit of a plateau this season jump-wise. Because she wants to eventually transition to jumpers, I took her to my barn to try a schoolmaster “hony” that my trainer needs to find a lease for. They did a lesson earlier in the week and she seemed underwhelmed. I pointed out that it might have been just the newness of riding a horse that goes as a jumper rather than the hunters she’s used to. They tried again today. I went up to the barn to get a water bottle for my other daughter. Returned just in time to see 12yo and the horse sailing through a grid with a cross rail to a 1 meter vertical. My first inclination was I almost had heart failure because that was the highest she’d ever jumped. But, really, they were fine. Perfect, relaxed rhythm with good impulsion and lightness on the forehand.

Now, I give lots of credit for their success to both the horse and my trainer. Walking up the barn, I casually mentioned that I was pretty sure that was the highest she’d jumped. Her reply surprised me. She’s not afraid of jump height like her nervous Nelly momma. She’s held back in the past because she’s afraid of her beloved medium pony hurting herself over something that size. This horse is maybe 15.1hh but seems large to my daughter coming off a 13.1 pony. And he has a long, proven track record of coursing 3’6’ effortlessly so she was confident that he would be ok. It’s been a while since I jumped but i have a similar block about smaller horses. I prefer giant beasts when I jump. lol.

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#24

I feel like photos can be deceptive, anyway. I rode a 14.3hh mare in the jumpers for years and I’m 5’7’’.
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She’s always been game for anything and only rarely do I feel like I look “too big” on her, probably because I’ve owned her for over half my life.

At one point I owned a 17.1 hh OTTB, and when I look at photos - I actually think I look more awkward on him. [ATTACH=JSON]{“data-align”:“center”,“data-size”:“full”,“title”:“314576_826225889719_2087749824_n.jpg”,“data-attachmentid”:10435453}[/ATTACH]

I think in the jumpers that a good mind and a willing attitude makes a bigger difference than a few inches of height. There’s a big different in looking like an adult on a small or medium pony, and being on a 15 vs 16 hand horse.

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#25

It’s more that an OTTB with a straight hind leg (which is not uncommon now the way they’ve been bred) will have trouble sitting in the gaits. That conformation plus the hint of any SI issues makes me pass. Seen it go bad in the long run too many times. Then if you add that you may be a bit on the larger side for the horse, including just needing a larger saddle than a shorter person, I am skeptical about how it will work out in the long run. Perhaps if you want to jump smaller jumps and don’t care that much about aptitude for collection after all (by which I mean more sitting on an active hind leg), then she might be suitable since the brain seems to be right.

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#26

I’ve always been tall, in fact I think I was the height I am now (5’10") by seventh grade. So when I was riding as a kid I was always put on the bigger, slower school horses and the short kids got to ride the snotty ponies. I think in not riding ponies, I missed a huge fundamental education in stickability and quick thinking. But as an adult a bunch of small horses crossed my path and I loved them. They handle like sports cars rather than sailboats and I find the maneuverability a lot easier. If the bigger horses get heavy or bulge through a shoulder I find it takes more time to bring them back because their strides are longer, and that’s no fun.

I don’t think I would worry about jumping things that were too high with her. I think over jumping is how horses get hurt more than maxing out over height, and I’m not the type to jump more than once or twice a week anyway.

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#27

Oh I can definitely commiserate on the horse shopping sucking and find a lot of the fun options are small! But having sat on a lot of horses in my search, I will say so much can depend on build and way of moving. I almost passed on a 16hh greenie with a short neck who held it quite upright. I felt like I was riding a pony! But there was enough going for it that I came back with my trainer who got the horse going in a much better frame and starting to stretch out and use their back. Made a huge difference and it balanced out my tall upper body much better. Something to keep in mind. But at the end of the day it really comes down to whether or not you feel comfortable.

#28

I’m a big believer in buying what you’re comfortable on. Unless you have the unlimited budget to buy something perfectly suited to you physically and is ridable for you…buy what you enjoy. I’m on the opposite end if the spectrum I’m 5’2 and like 150 lbs. I am most comfortable on large ponies and honies. I had a 17h wb briefly and he was fun but I really couldn’t ride him effectively and he occasionally freaked me out with his size. So I went and bought another hony. I still do hunters and eq and get ribbons despite being and adult on what is essentially a pony. I’m sure I get dinged for suitability but meh. It’s what I enjoy.

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#29

As long as you’re not too heavy for the horse you should just get the horse you like. I teach lots of tall people on small horses and they are perfectly happy duos.

#30

Ugh, I am right there with you in the horse shopping. Is it not awful? I’m about to walk away for a while myself. Can’t handle the disappointment, the crazy people, chasing folks around for video, dropping $$$ on travel…what a pain.

But as far as size suitability? Girl, please. Ride what you like. You’re a jumper, so it matters not. I personally don’t think you look silly on that mare. As long as you’re not catching rails with your feet, you’re fine. I also prefer a smaller horse. In fact, I prefer a large pony!

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#31

I do think that size can influence the ride. A tall rider on a small horse must be more balanced and quiet while a small rider on a large horse will likely have to be stronger and more effective.

I’ve also seen this play into the rider’s psychology; make sure you feel confident about the picture and that it doesn’t contribute to to any personal insecurities. I knew a rider who was already insecure about her height and being on a way-too-small horse really made her insecurities worse.

I don’t think it’s the best picture, but if you are doing the jumpers and you like the feel, then go for it. The mare could use some weight and muscle, so it will be interesting to see what things look like in 6 months. I do think some positional corrections will help the overall picture - and again, the biggest thing I see with tall riders on small horses is that the rider must be more correct and quieter to avoid having a large impact on the horse’s balance.

IE. a perfectly matched rider who jumps ahead will throw the horse off a nominal amount, but a very tall rider who jumps ahead or who has poor body control in general will really impact their horse. Also, I find that any positional flaws are visually more apparent when the picture is off. A slightly slipped back leg will look quick a bit slipped back simply because there’s a smaller window of where the leg lays correctly. A shorter neck means that there’s a very small window of where you can be a little ahead and not look way forward…etc.

As a caveat…never buy a horse because the process sucks and you’re over it. I’ve seen that happen a lot, and it never works out well. Make sure you really like this mare and aren’t settling because you found one that’s okay and you’re sick of looking.

ETA - if you already have lower leg issues, a slight horse like this one is going to exasperate them, because you’ll feel like you to have to draw the leg up and back to find her sides (which you can really see in the walk picture). It will take some work and likely some time to figure out which part of the leg to use to let the leg stay in the proper place (even without a deep heel, it should be more forward toward the girth) while applying the leg. This is where a lot of people are correct in saying a deep-barreled, small horse will work with a taller rider. She, on the other hand, is narrow and short, which is a double whammy.

4 Likes
#32

I’m 6’0 and basically gumby with hair. Long legs, long arms, long neck. Just… long and lanky. My last mare was 16.2 and big bodied - we were a good pair, aesthetically (dressage, not o/f, full disclosure). But I also have a petite OTTB (now retired) who is 16.0 on a good day and while not slab-sided, was definitely not “take up all your leg” chunky. We also looked fine.

Since I lost my big girl, I’ve been riding catch as catch can - including a 14.3 Morgan - and we don’t look (too) stupid together, either.

I think the “keys” to this - speaking strictly for aesthetics and assuming that horse weight limits are already accounted for - are:*****

  • Horse “type” complements rider “type” - a super fine-boned, dainty looking horse is going to look much smaller with a very muscular or larger-bodied rider, and all the more so if it is a short horse on top of that.

  • Rider is well balanced, has good core strength, and a solid position. Mistakes in balance etc. look larger when the rider is on the large side for the horse, so minimizing helps look better

  • Ride with correct stirrup length! Jacking up one’s stirrups, or even riding with them a hole or two shorter in an attempt to look smaller on the horse has the complete opposite effect, to me. Too-short stirrups make someone look scrunched up, which can make even a well matched pair look off. This applies to larger horses too, imho. I ride a mare for a friend of mine who is a similar height to me with very long legs. I ride with my stirrups ~3 holes longer than she does, and if you compare pictures of the two of us - I look like a tall rider on a tall horse, whereas she sometimes looks like a tall rider on a little horse. It’s an odd thing!)

***Very important note: NONE of the above matter if you like the horse and are having fun! While I’ve grown to appreciate a bigger horse, I have long had a lot of love for the little sports-car types who are catty and quick. I also see lots of people on horses who are much larger than they need who end up getting intimidated by the huge gaits some of those horses have. Ride what you like!

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#33

My jumper horse is 15.2 and wears a size 78 blanket, just to give you an idea of how long he is. Very long neck too.
He is the fastest, tightest turner on course I have ever met. I don’t think body length effects turning ability at all. Also, he feels bigger than he is because of his neck length.

#34

I have a ton of sympathy! I"m horse shopping as well and I’m 6’ tall. My legs are long and all, but I am really tall over the horse. I can literally make any horse look small. Mine right now is 17.3h and we look normal from far away, but then people come up to us and realize we are both giants.

I think in the last month I’ve sat on probably 15-20 horses for trials. The actual height really hasn’t been the determining factor, it’s been more about the neck and even more so the balance. And if the balance is really uphill, it has even offset a shorter neck.

I also really like the feeling of a smaller horse. My giant is short in the back, so he actually turns phenomenally well. I think sometimes the raw athleticism is the key. I rode a horse for a trainer who was exceptionally long through the back and good luck trying to beat her in the jump off. I don’t think conformation is always destiny. It’s important but not everything all the time.

For me, I think you’re a bit big for the horse, but I agree with more muscling, and weight that would probably change.

When you’re on, how do you feel about the distance of your face from her ears? To me, that was really the factor. If the ears felt either really close, or really low, I would do weird things in the air over the jump to make space for my torso and just generally felt too big. If you feel comfortable with where her head is in relation to yours and you have enough body control to sit very still, I think you’re probably fine.

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#35

If your feet aren’t knocking the rails and the horse’s back isn’t sore (from weight), you are probably fine on any size. The English ride ponies down to 13 hh with no problem. Rich Fellers is very tall, as is Richard Spooner, Quentin Judge and Charlie Jayne.

#36

Just to throw something else into the mix, I think fitness and body control matter a lot too. As other posters have noted, a larger rider has more potential to throw off the balance of a smaller horse. If you are really fit and still, you may do fine on a small horse. But there’s just less room to lean or be off balance without it costing you. I personally really like riding a smaller horse. But I am aware that I have to be tighter and more tactful about where I throw my weight.

It sounds like you are pretty strong. That might make a smaller horse a better option for you, compared with a similarly sized rider who was less fit.

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#37

Not a hunter or jumper, but having jumped horses and ponies of various sizes and being, while not super tall, not short either (5’7-8 ish):

If you like riding her, if you feel balanced on her, if she seems like she enjoys jumping, then it doesn’t really matter. You look fine on her, hunters might say she is too small but if you aren’t wanting to do high level hunters anyways and just maybe get in on that for fun, I think you will be fine. Jumpers it definitely doesn’t matter. You DO have to be more correct balance-wise jumping on a smaller horse, but it just makes you a better, more efficient rider. It’s not that big of a deal.

Basically, don’t pass on her because of size.

#38

I think it’s a much better picture on the gelding. Part of that is due to the fact he’s carrying himself properly so it’s a much more pleasant picture.

But he’s much deeper through the barrel and hindquarter with a much longer neck than she does, so overall it’s a more balanced picture.

How much will she change? Could be a lot…could be not so much. Some horses deepen out a ton when in proper work with proper nutrition. My mare at her fattest and most muscular is still the long, lean type (many think she’s a TB even though the most recent TB blood is 4 generations back). She’ll just never be that deep, thick sort of horse. She’s about 17 hands so I like that she’s leaner as I don’t look too small - it’s the opposite of your dynamic!

So it’s really hard to say how much the mare will change. Personally, I’d pass, but more because I don’t love her overall look and conformation in conjunction with the size. I think you could find a better one. Now that’s based off two pictures…what matters is how much you like her. Ultimately this is your own personal decision.

Don’t make a decision without jumping her though! And again…horse shopping sucks. Don’t jump into something because it’s okay and the best of what you’ve seen. That rarely goes well. Stick through the pain and make sure you find the right horse.

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#39

At first glance this horse seems a bit, small is quite the right word, light perhaps is the better word. A longer neck would help for sure. That said a picture can be deceptive. In motion, once she is balanced and you don’t have to help her so much, the picture will look much different.
You didn’t ask so pardon me if I am overstepping, this horse’s LS coupling really bothers me, it is rough and weak looking.

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#40

[QUOTE=Can’tFindMyWhip;n10436689]

15-20 in a month? That’s not what I like to hear…

I have a hard time judging neck length, but I know I hate having 3’ or rein between my hand and the horse’s mouth. I feel that the longer the rein, the more information gets lost in the contact. DQ tangent aside, I have sat on a couple where it felt like my knuckles were in their ears and I jumped off within a lap of the ring. On this mare I remember noticing that her neck was shorter than I am used to but didn’t have a problem on the flat. I didn’t jump her because we were stuck in the indoor which was small. I am going to try her again my hope is that in a bigger, less claustrophobic outdoor ring she will be comfortable stretching out more and I can get a better idea of her potential.
/QUOTE]

Well I rode 11 over the course of two days in Europe and then another 5 last week in Northern California in one day. But yeah, I think it really helps to sit on a lot of horses. But then again, I went on about 30 Match.com dates before meeting my husband, bc it took me that long to realize I do not need to be with a jerk…so maybe I’m a slow learner?

I’m not sure I agree with you about rein contact. I think if you watch great riders, they are able to maintain consistent contact even with a longer neck. Azure is big horse with a long neck and McLain keeps beautiful contact. Danni Waldman’s Lizzie Marie looks like she is 15 feet long (!) but Dani keeps lovely connection. And I think she also contradicts your feeling that long horses can’t be fast, the mare turns on a dime!

I think you look fantastic on your gelding. But I think what really makes the picture is his beautiful neck and uphill balance. The length of the legs isn’t really the issue, so his height isn’t super relevant. It’s hard to compare him with all that shine and muscling though.

I would definitely want to jump the mare before purchasing. I think that will give you the best gauge of how your size impacts her. If she gives you a good feeling, great! Go for it… It will definitely encourage you to ride with subtlety and tact and that’s something we can all do better!

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