My husband decided that he would like to get back into riding again after over 15 years. I would love to get a horse that’s matured but not too old. The problem is he is a tall hefty guy I’m talking 6ft 250+lbs. I can handle training so I’m not too worried on that. What I am trying to figure out is height and build that would be suitable for him. I was thinking possibly a draft cross. I would love to hear any ideas anyone has thanks!
There are plenty of big cowboys using appropriately sized horses, so yes, a big fellow can ride a big horse just fine.
There are several breeders in Colorado that seem to be using drafts, plenty of half drafts come to market.
Here are some regularly:
http://www.ranchworldads.com/index.php?cat_id=1
There is an add for some down the first page, the tall, leggy dark grey picture.
I would not look just for draft crosses.
There are many horses, grade and registered, that are as big as he would want.
Good luck finding him just the right horse, will be nice for him to start riding again.
2 Likes
And you don’t necessarily need super tall, bc you’ll be looking for something stockier and that will help take up his leg. Draft crosses are a great option. The horse rescue I am familiar with just adopted out a large QH that would have been big enough. A shorter back is nice, but too short and saddle fitting can be trickier with trying to fit a larger saddle.
My husband is 6’2" and around 230#. His horse is not huge, an average QH. I’m not sure on height but I’d guess 15.2. His previous horse was a draft cross who was fairly wide but probably not taller than the current horse.
1 Like
I wouldn’t get hung up on breed. What you want is something with good bone, shorter back, and a wide enough barrel to take up his leg. There are lots of QHs that fit that description.
Draft horses tend to be longer backed, which, despite their size, makes them less than ideal for carrying weight instead of pulling it. They also tend to be heavier on the front end, also to facilitate pulling heavy loads, but it makes them more difficult to pull together into a balanced riding horse. If you look at draft crosses, make sure you don’t get one that has inherited those traits from the draft parent.
1 Like
Thanks for the tips!
Your hubby might prefer a taller horse just so he doesn’t feel like his legs are dangling below the horse so much, but that will just be personal preference.
On that same token, a thick quarter horse (for example) at 15 hands might feel more comfortable than a lanky one at 16 hands. The more “girth” they have, that will affect where your leg falls.
So I would not say there is really a specific height you should look for. (or even breed, for that matter) I would probably steer you toward a quarter horse since they do tend to be stockier (but I’d steer clear of any that have the dainty lower legs and tiny halter-horse feet). I don’t think a draft cross would be necessary for your hubby.
There are plenty of big guys out there who are roping and reining on 14-hand quarter horses, who do just fine.
This. In spades. You want stout, heavy boned, and short backed. While draft crosses may be tall, they are not always conformationally suited for riding, especially with a heavier rider on board.
Austin Shephard is even taller than your husband (but probably in the same weight range). His cutting horses (generally 13.2-14.2) don’t seem to have ANY problem carrying him! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fyi3ApgT764
Wow that horse is pretty much the same height as my paint mare amazing!
