Posted 2009-10-27 2:11 PM (#112467) Subject: How tall is too tall?
Veteran
Posts: 241
How tall do you like your horses?At 6'2 220 pounds I'm a pretty big guy, but I don't like riding big tall horses. These football knees don't like stepping up onto tall horses either. My choice for a horses would be about 15 hands, heck I don't even mind a 14'3 horse if he's thick. Part of my preference I'm sure has to do with the fact that I like the old school type Quarter Horses, the ones that were bulldogs. What's your preference on how tall a horse is???
Posted 2009-10-27 2:21 PM (#112469 - in reply to #112467) Subject: RE: How tall is too tall?
Expert
Posts: 1723 Location: michigan
I am 5'2" so a 15H is my limit. I have to be able to get on without a mounting block and get off without falling. Plus, the air gets pretty thin up there.....thus I own and show arabians!
Posted 2009-10-27 2:34 PM (#112470 - in reply to #112467) Subject: RE: How tall is too tall?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 434 Location: Brooksville, Fl
I've seen some really big dudes riding some fairly small Pasos and they seem to do ok. I think height doesn't matter so much as bone structure. Look for a horse with good feet and heavier boned legs. Look for a back that is neither too short nor too long so your saddle can fit it comfortably and the back is not too long as to be somewhat weak. I am 5'1" and I ride a 15 hand horse typically but we do have a 16 hand horse that I ride dressage with and occasionally trail ride. He's a great ride but climbing up there is a pain. I prefer the smaller horse myself. Also, consider the horse's gaits. Unless you are buying a gaited horse, the smaller horse will sometimes be a bit rougher to ride. I guess I should add, look for a horse with a good shoulder as well so he will have nice swinging gaits instead of short, choppy gaits. Good luck on your search!
Posted 2009-10-27 3:14 PM (#112471 - in reply to #112470) Subject: RE: How tall is too tall?
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Posts: 241
Originally written by randemtam on 2009-10-27 2:34 PM
Good luck on your search!
Thank you. I've had very good luck, I'm always looking and buying it seems. Its not that I need anymore but I do enjoy them and use them all. I've got a good eye for horse flesh so when I see a nice one I have to have it. The reason I bring up the question of height is that horses, like people, are getting bigger. The great quarter horse stud King for example was only 14'3, as was Leo.
Posted 2009-10-27 3:45 PM (#112474 - in reply to #112467) Subject: RE: How tall is too tall?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 824 Location: Kansas
My horse is 15.3 and I like that just fine, but sure don't need anything taller. In the show world it's beginning to feel like they won't look at you unless you're riding a tall horse, but I'd rather have a GOOD horse.
Posted 2009-10-27 7:24 PM (#112485 - in reply to #112467) Subject: RE: How tall is too tall?
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Danielsville Georgia
I like stock horses in the 15.1/15.2 range.I like gaited horses in the 15.3 to 16.3 range.Over 16 hands is hard to find.Most advertised at 16 plus are not when measured correctly.I shopped for a 16 plus gaited horse for a friend and could tell by the photos with a rider or standing next to fencing that they weren't.Had sellers use a carpenters level at the point of the wither and measure to the ground.Out of 15 or so horses only ONE advertised at 16.3 was 16 hands or over.She was 16.1. All but a few apologised and changed their ads.Two dropped their ads etc.
Posted 2009-10-27 7:33 PM (#112488 - in reply to #112485) Subject: RE: How tall is too tall?
Veteran
Posts: 112 Location: ohio
When I needed a new horse I didn't exactly ask for a 16.3 hand one. I am 5'6" and in my early 50's (ha!ha!) so getting on is a challange sometimes. I have to find a bank or high spot so it is easier. I always smirked when I saw someone standing on a picnic table or tack box. I humbly climb on anything I can now. But I can get on gracefully without assistance when I have to. I always heard a shorter horse can carry a heavy rider better than a tall one.
Posted 2009-10-27 7:38 PM (#112489 - in reply to #112467) Subject: RE: How tall is too tall?
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Danielsville Georgia
Depends on the build of the horse.I had a 16.3 hand Walker gelding for a number of years.After he matured he handled my 230 lbs,saddle and what all I could throw on him with ease.He could gait into another time zone his stride was so big.I liked him a lot.
Posted 2009-10-27 9:36 PM (#112490 - in reply to #112467) Subject: RE: How tall is too tall?
Expert
Posts: 1989 Location: South Central OK
In the show ring (AQHA, for example) you'll find that the trend of taller was better is being changed to the better mover is better. I've had horses from 15.3 to 17.2 and the tall ones catch your eye but the better movers took the ribbons hands down. The really big ones (16.3 +) did take some special equipment, taller trailers, larger girths, bigger splint boots, longer reins, etc. Did I have to have these things no, but it made life much easier!
In the AQHA world you see really tall horses that have high percentage TB blood and they have the worst feet!
Posted 2009-10-28 12:04 PM (#112507 - in reply to #112467) Subject: RE: How tall is too tall?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 824 Location: Kansas
Huntseat, we Paint people seem to follow about a year and a half behind you AQHA folks so I will be glad to see the better movers coming to the forefront. And I can't honestly say I see that in the judging as much as the insecurity of competitors thinking they "need" a bigger horse to get looked at.
Posted 2009-10-28 3:17 PM (#112512 - in reply to #112467) Subject: RE: How tall is too tall?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 824 Location: Kansas
Probably they do in the sense that they placed a particular horse or that horse gets placed a lot and without figuring out why, everyone now breeds for a carbon copy of that horse. Maybe that is why certain bloodlines are more prominent than others. Not only that particular horse's ability, but others want to win so they have to have the brand name?
Posted 2009-10-28 3:56 PM (#112516 - in reply to #112467) Subject: RE: How tall is too tall?
Expert
Posts: 1723 Location: michigan
Judging plays a HUGE part. People notice what is winning in the show ring.Since most trainers are also judges,everyone starts to train in manner that gets them noticed ( not to mention the sales and business done between trainers who will no doubt end up judging each other). If Stock trainers start placing the headhead peanut rollers that look lame and sore, then thats what you'll being presented in the ring. if someday they wake up and start placing sound,free moving, 3 beat lope/canter horses that can see where they are going, then you will see those horses presented. I know in many breeds,bigger is better. People love those 16-17 hand TB QH in hunt seat classes even if they can't move a lick...remember its HORSE SHOW not horse reality.
Posted 2009-10-28 6:58 PM (#112528 - in reply to #112467) Subject: RE: How tall is too tall?
Veteran
Posts: 147 Location: santa clara, ca
I'm 6'3'' and 215lbs....my horse is a 4yr Shire standing 17-1 and still growing(should top around 18 or just shy of that). I started riding 5 yrs ago on a perch X mare(16+ hands) that unfortunately passed away. I had to get another big horse: don't really feel comfortable on small horses, even my wife 16.2 NSH seems little, lets not even mention her other 15.2 QH.....
Posted 2009-10-28 7:11 PM (#112529 - in reply to #112467) Subject: RE: How tall is too tall?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 522 Location: Tucumcari NM
I am somewhat vertically challenged at only five one, but I have riden all sizes of horses in several different diciplines. For trail riding I prefer a smaller horse. They seem to be a little more agile over rough terrain. That said, a good horse of any size is a good horse. The new stirrups that let down three or four inches for mounting make a lot of difference for me when I'm on a big horse.
Posted 2009-11-08 8:44 AM (#112912 - in reply to #112467) Subject: RE: How tall is too tall?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 681 Location: Corpus Christi, Texas
I'm 5'3" and on the well filled out end of the spectrum.. My rocky mare is 14.1 hands and carries me over rough, rocky and steep trails without a problem.. she is pretty stout with hard hooves and good bone.. and a free energetic stride. i think it depends on the horse itself as to what size you need .. I've seen bigger horses be bigger sissies than some of the little ones.
How tall is too tall?
