14hh is good for me, if it’s not a rail. I’m 16.1hh myself (hehe). I have ridden a few horses that have been quite tall (16.2hh+) and I prefer smaller horses. But I pick the ones who think they are 21hh and bulletproof lol.
The other interesting thing about this guy was that apparently Spruce Meadows was underbidder on him, so being a gelding obviously meant that they liked him enough to put into their show program
I hope that someone we “know” gets him. It would be fun to follow his progress and see if he gets any bigger! 
For me personally (leggy 5’8) 15.3 to 16.2 is my ideal size. We have had stocky 15.H horses that took up my leg and have ridden horses up to a tad over 17h…which at least I don’t look silly on being tall. I would not personally want anything over 17H or so as I simply don’t want to need a block and tackle to mount.
As a seller of horses though I have found it is really common for folks to not have a real feel of what 16H is. I have had several horses at right around 16H. Many folks would not want to come see them as they wanted “over 16” for a hunter/jumper. (And we are talking stick thin young ladies here…do not need a tank to carry them). The ones that did come were suuuure when they rode the horses that they looked about 16.2 and were surprised when I put a stick on em that they were in fact a shade over 16H. I sold a 15.3 half arab to a lady with Arabs. He was advertised accurately at 15.3H. The lady was shocked when he got off the trailer. (I delivered him). He was sold sight unseen off photos/video. She thought he was huge. He HAD to be bigger than I said. Stick came out. Nope. 15.3 as I said. I saw her other horse(arab) whom she said was 15.2. There is no way he was 15.2. Probably 15H, 15.1 tops.
In my experience, most buyers want bigger, regardless of if they need bigger or can comfortably ride bigger… And, as many others have pointed out, a true height (measured w/an accurate stick!) often throws people off a bit~ I think many horses are advertised as bigger than what they really, (not necessarily out of deception) that many people have come to see 15.2 as the new 16h, and a true 16h as the new 16.2!
I have posted this a million times on this board. It drives me crazy because it distorts what people think they want and need. I did a random measuring of horses at my boarding stable (it started because there was a horse in the barn everyone claimed was 18.1 and I nearly got in a brawl with someone because it was clear the horse was NOT 18.1).
Sure enough the horse was a hair under 17.2, to be fair still a giant but 18.1 is a monster. 90% of the horses measured were 2-3" shorter than the owners said. This ranged from the 14.2 pony who was really 13.3, to the numerous 15.2 hand horses who were really 15 hands, to the 16.2 horses that were 15.3-16hh. We have another horse in the barn that everyone is sure is 17hh+. The owner is always telling people “no, he is 16.2”. No one can believe it because he’s so big.
As a seller of horses though I have found it is really common for folks to not have a real feel of what 16H is.
And I think that - in a nutshell - is why the owner of this horse felt there was no way he was REALLY 18-18.1hh. He must really only be 17.1hh or so which was acceptable to her!
I think many horses are advertised as bigger than what they really, (not necessarily out of deception) that many people have come to see 15.2 as the new 16h, and a true 16h as the new 16.2!
Thats the same as with clothing sizes!!! :lol:
The “old” Size 14 now appears to be a Size 8 or 10!
Its all in the marketing dontcha know … 
[QUOTE=TrueColours;5934912]
The “old” Size 14 now appears to be a Size 8 or 10!
Its all in the marketing dontcha know … ;)[/QUOTE]
Ugh, this annoys the hell out of me! Especially Horsewear clothing-- they list a size 12 as XL. Are you kidding me?!
But I have to agree with what Backstage said earlier… Since I am 6’ tall, it’s sometimes hard to find horses I “fit.” I’ve found that I just feel more comfortable on a horse that is 16.2-17hds and with a nice barrel to wrap my legs around. But I have certainly ridden and owned horses that were shorter.
As a man (with that difference in center of gravity and the like) that is 6’2" and a bit and about 170 lbs, I have never owned and until recently never ridden anything over 16 hds. And though being raised by a rancher father in the West, and now riding english, I’ve talked with a lot of people who seemed far more concerned about me riding ‘small’ horses than I was. This was dressage and eventing (2nd level & Prelim) even against much larger horses that I just never really thought about, though I knew I might look a little ridiculous when I went XC on a 14.2 Morgan cross. Countless ponies and honies later, I felt like I had a good grasp on what suited me, and what I liked…until a new boarder with a 17.3 Warmblood moved into my small all breed barn and became my barn pal. Then she let me ride her boy…
It was like discovering chocolate and butter and bacon at the exact same time!!! I never thought that it would change MY experience so much to be on a horse that I felt so well matched and more importantly complimented my frame and 37" inseam than anything else I had been on (drafty crosses included). It didn’t invalidate my previous experiences, but I do think that some of the previous posters hit it on the head about finding/discovering what works and feels best for the individual as a rider, no matter what that is. And I have to admit, I am FAR more conscientious of height now than ever before, (and do notice that most, but not all horse people over-estimate their horses by at LEAST 2 inches.)
Will I ride smaller or ‘normal’ sized horses still? Of course, a horse is a horse, and I have to do my job as the pilot no matter the ‘wingspan’. But lets just say, I will always have my sights set a little… higher
I´m 5’9", weighs around 145 lbs and have never been comfortable on smaller horses. As long as they have their own engine so to speak I like them best if they are around 17 hands and has depth (long legs). Have only ridden one horse that I felt was a tad to big. An irish hunter that stood 18 hands and had been stabled for two days before I took him out XC, first half hour was scary… :eek: no breaks… and no I didn´t know beforehands. Owner told me after the fact… Lovely horse though when he calmed down, fantastic scope.
[QUOTE=tuckawayfarm;5932831]
Had to laugh because I have one just like it. 3 year old Hanoverian, 18hh (with a real stick on concrete) gelding. He is beautiful, balanced, and has a lovely jump. He’s always been that way, easily swapping leads playing with his friends in the field. He is so well proportioned, that unless he is standing next to something to give you a size reference, you would never guess how big he is until you are right next to him.[/QUOTE]
We just bought a horse like this too. 18hh so my BF was very excited (horse for him and at 6’3" and 200+ lbs he wanted a bigger one). He got home off the trailer and everyone who saw him in his little quarantine pen said “he’s not that big”. He looked ‘normal sized’ - proportionate, balanced and lovely mover like yours. It wasn’t until you walked right up to him to give him a carrot (he is a sweetheart on the ground!) that people realized that he is big. Very big. But lovely and balanced so I think it’ll be a nice fit for them.
Entertainingly enough, the 56" girth that we had to purchase for our 16.2 mare (3 1/2 year old Canadian Warmblood) fits him perfectly. :winkgrin:
I’m 5’4". 16.2 is plenty big enough for me - but I don’t blame my BF for wanting a bigger horse that fits him better and balances out the human torso with the neck and provides a better ‘picture’. To each their own, we love our big guy and our little princess equally and I particularly find it entertaining that they are ‘big me; little me’ copies of each other as their colours are pretty identical. 
The kid inside me giggles with delight over the fact that they match!!
[QUOTE=realrush89;5933135]
I only wish I could ride smaller horses, but being 6’ tall, I really, honestly have no choice. Luckily (for me) people are tending to breed taller horses these days, but back in the 90’s, it was a chore to find a thoroughbred that was not only tall enough, but also had some girth to it. It seemed that every one I used to look at that was tall enough, was also the width of a string bean. The first time I saw an 18 hd horse that wasn’t a draft (he was an Oldenburg), my jaw just dropped and I thought… I gotta get me one of those![/QUOTE]
I’m 5’11". I used to think I needed a horse over 17 hands . . . then I bought my gelding. He’s 14 hands and nearly an inch. I will never go big again! Everything is easier with a little guy—housing, feeding, trailering, handling, etc.
If I were horse shopping, I wouldn’t consider anything over 16 hands but I think I’m in the minority. Ten years ago, I would have LEAPT at the change to own a well-put together 18+hh mount.
OP, if this horse is sound and balanced and uses himself well then I’d guess his height will be an asset. Enjoy!
[QUOTE=ZenHorse;6046577]
<<SNIP<
It was like discovering chocolate and butter and bacon at the exact same time!!! I never thought that it would change MY experience so much to be on a horse that I felt so well matched and more importantly complimented my frame and 37" inseam than anything else I had been on
<<SNIP>> and I have to do my job as the pilot no matter the ‘wingspan’. But lets just say, I will always have my sights set a little… higher ;)[/QUOTE]
ZenHorse, I have a dressage horse for you
Look at our gelding Dreams Come True… that might just say it all for you.
Too tall for ME at 5’-4" and old and creaky is a lot different than too tall for somebody like Zenhorse… getting off our BIG 17:2-1/2 (on the stick!) gelding is a lot like falling off a roof for me. Having to REACH for the iron from tippy-toes on a three-step mounting block to get on him is not my cuppa tea.
I think my 16:3 stallion is a big guy, and truthfully am more comfortable on 16-ish horses. Or less
I think “too big” really should be more like “too big for their feet/legs” or something like that - a proportional thing.
To me 17.2 is about the maximum for a riding horse. Anything over 18 HH is just too big to be practical. It’s workable, but the horse is less marketable, needs special equipment etc etc. I aim for about 16.1-17 HH when I make breeding decisions.
I am frustrated when people overlook a 15.3 HH 3 year old…calling it small. These are often people looking for their first “young prospect” and just cannot get around that the horse is not yet physically mature. 15.3 is not actually that small since it very likely will mature 16.1. Once you put shoes on the way many show horses are shod you’ll gain another one half to one inch.
I totally agree that the average horse owner’s eye is 2 inches off. So how should I advertise my horses…do I put in the real size…or the perceived size??? I’ve had people try horses that I advertised at the real height and had them turned down cause they felt they were too big, eventhough I told them the real size before they arrived. These horses were 16.1 and 16.3…so not giants. I don’t want to lie in advertisements…so how do I advertise my 3 year old 15.3 hand filly. If I’m honest no one will likely show up:)
[QUOTE=vandenbrink;6047808]
To me 17.2 is about the maximum for a riding horse. Anything over 18 HH is just too big to be practical. It’s workable, but the horse is less marketable, needs special equipment etc etc. I aim for about 16.1-17 HH when I make breeding decisions.
I am frustrated when people overlook a 15.3 HH 3 year old…calling it small. These are often people looking for their first “young prospect” and just cannot get around that the horse is not yet physically mature. 15.3 is not actually that small since it very likely will mature 16.1. Once you put shoes on the way many show horses are shod you’ll gain another one half to one inch.
I totally agree that the average horse owner’s eye is 2 inches off. So how should I advertise my horses…do I put in the real size…or the perceived size??? I’ve had people try horses that I advertised at the real height and had them turned down cause they felt they were too big, eventhough I told them the real size before they arrived. These horses were 16.1 and 16.3…so not giants. I don’t want to lie in advertisements…so how do I advertise my 3 year old 15.3 hand filly. If I’m honest no one will likely show up:)[/QUOTE]
When you send out a picture, write how tall the person holding/riding her is. Then people can imagine themselves on the horse better. Just a thought.
My last horse was 15’1 and I NEVER would have thought he would have taken up my long leg, but he did just as well as my 16’2" gelding did. It is all about girth size (the short guy had a much bigger girth, he also wore an 81-82" blanket).
[QUOTE=Perfect Pony;5934780]
I have posted this a million times on this board. It drives me crazy because it distorts what people think they want and need. I did a random measuring of horses at my boarding stable (it started because there was a horse in the barn everyone claimed was 18.1 and I nearly got in a brawl with someone because it was clear the horse was NOT 18.1).
Sure enough the horse was a hair under 17.2, to be fair still a giant but 18.1 is a monster. 90% of the horses measured were 2-3" shorter than the owners said. This ranged from the 14.2 pony who was really 13.3, to the numerous 15.2 hand horses who were really 15 hands, to the 16.2 horses that were 15.3-16hh. We have another horse in the barn that everyone is sure is 17hh+. The owner is always telling people “no, he is 16.2”. No one can believe it because he’s so big.[/QUOTE]
Well, that might be true of some people, but not true at our farm. I really do have a 17.3 hand mare who is all leg, but she is refined enough for a 5’7" woman to ride. I also have a sturdy 17.2 hand mare who would need someone about 6 feet tall to ride. In the Dressage ring, I think anything over 17 hands is going to have a tougher time fitting deep into the corners than those who are smaller and it used to be in bygone years that nobody wanted to see a 17+ hand horse in the dressage arena. This appears to be changing more recently, however. Both of my tall girls are too tall for me as I suit something around 16 to 16.2 hands and I have 3 mares who fit that range too, and one sugar-pie of a Dutch mare who is 15.3 who we call our little tank.
IMO, I like to see some balance between rider and horse. I think it just looks weird to see a petit 5’1" woman riding a 17 hand horse. So “too big” for her would be anything over 16.2 hands. If it were someone who was 6’ or taller, than 17 hands would fit rather nicely and look really balanced. IMO.
I don’t think he will necessarily get much bigger. My 17 hand plus horses got their height early and added about an inch after 3. As far as riding there is no reason to think they will be any more difficult that any other horse. It will be about their conformation as to health issues. If they are well conformed and well raised they will likely hold up. Possibly a shorter life length as do most over sized. I like to have horses with out great long necks and some big horses are very long in the neck and that would be an issue but if they are balanced then it is a matter of finding a trailer to haul them home in…and extra long reins. PatO
@ AdAblurr02: He looks just about right to me, liver chestnut and all… and yes they do come true
I just wanted to reiterate it is the BUILD of the horse that takes up the leg. So for folks worried about “looks” and not having their stirrups hanging below the girth and hitting horses’ elbows and the tops of jump rails…get a ROUNDER/WIDER horse…you don’t have to go 17+ hands.
On the other hand, one of my oldest friends is an Eventer and she is exactly 6’ 1.5" tall and ALL LEGS. She has a 38" inseam. She really does want/need/prefer something around 17 hands (a true 17 hands) to take up her uber-long legs. Her main horse is Half Percheron and stands probably a solide 16.2 3/4. He is WIDE and TANKY and yet her irons almost hit the rail of jumps
Anyways - I personally think 15.2, 15.3 hands is PERFECT!!! I’m only 5’4+ so can ride anything, but we have a 17.3 hand Belgian draft at home, and he is too big to be practical. He is my husbands’ trail horse (hubby is 6’2" w/ uber long legs)
We also have a barely 15 hand horse at home, and she is a very nice handy size, but I feel just a teensy bit small for big/tall people.
I think my mare, who is barely 15.3 hds is just right She has a huge barrel though, so my legs only go about halfway down and she could take a MUCH MUCH taller/leggier rider.
See?
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk150/elaineshickman/298432302_e83f542a66.jpg
Whereas, here I am on our 17.3 hand Belgian - ridiculous, my legs don’t even go halfway down his barrel (excuse the wierd photo - I was trying him out at the sellers’ house)
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk150/elaineshickman/DSC00869.jpg
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/11059_571973240730_184900209_33550752_2935343_n.jpg
This horse is 17.2hh with a custom stick. I am 5’11" (I like to say 6 feet with shoes :winkgrin:). My leg looks just about the same on my wide-as-a-tank 15 hand mare.
I think height can be a preference since the accompanying girth is also important.
However, I think there are the people in life that are used to driving small, low to the ground sport cars, and those that can never get used to the feel of anything besides a big SUV or truck. And that’s OK–I am glad that horses have such a wide range of sizes to fit riders.
My personal preference is I would hate to feed anything or personally ride/handle/own above about 15.2-15.3hh.
