Small Lesson Horses - Update at post 108

[nwrider]

Okay, this posting is just a gripe. I have a horse that is a year and a half old. For the next two years I am relegated to lesson horses at local barns. My gripe is that I like big horses. I just do. I am 5'9, have a 34 inch inseam and I just like the feel of bigger horses with my leg and I like the bigger gaits. The last two lesson barns I have tried out only have one big horse, if that. The barn where I am riding now has about ten horses and except for one (which is almost always booked) they are all between 14.2 and 15.3.

I am sick of instructors telling me it is fine to ride the "smaller" ones, saying that they do it all the time and there is no difference. I don't like riding the big ponies or small horses and I don't want to pay to. I totally understand that there are people out there that are over six feet and ride a horse that is 14.2; good for them. I know the horse is capable of carrying up to a third of it's weight. It's not necessarily always good for their back but they can do it.

My yearling is 15 hands and until he is full grown (hopefully 16.2 at least) I am stuck with these lesson barns. I think the smaller horses must be cheaper, hence the reason they are lesson horses. However, I see horses that are over 16 hands going through the auction around here or OTTB's that are over 16 hands too. What the?

Does anyone else have this issue?

[sublimequine]

No one's making you pay to ride those horses. Find a warmblood barn that gives lessons. Problem solved. :confused:

[nwrider]

A warmblood barn? Around here? :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

[Lori B]

Large ponies / small horses are a natural for the lesson horse gig. They can carry both kids and most adults, they frequently cost less to purchase than a 16hh+ animal, and as many folks on this board will attest, are frequently more sound than bigger ones. The three horses who do lessons at the barn where I ride are exactly what you describe -- around 15hh. They are all barefoot, sturdy, and are rarely lame.

Probably doesn't make you feel any better, but I'd be willing to bet that this is why there are so many lesson honies. Sorry. I know it's frustrating not to be able to find the right match. But you are growing your own ride, and it won't be that long. I'm always getting told that learning to comfortably and capably ride lots of different horses is good for me (have been half leasing for 3+ years). Hope your luck improves! At least you can still put riding into your life.

[sublimequine]

A warmblood barn? Around here? :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

In the very least, any dressage barn will usually have a warmblood or two. It's not that difficult to find if you just know how to look and who to ask.

[TropicalStorm]

Hey, I understand completely. I've got a hang up about smaller horses too, and I'm waiting for my 3 year old to be started, I'm on lesson horses too. I think my stomach clenched when they suggested a horse that was 15.3hh.

Would it be possible to maybe lease in the meantime? Or free lease? Find a nice 16hh+ horse that needs some miles put on him?

[ESG]

So go buy another, larger horse to see you through. Why expect others to buy what you need? :confused:

This sort of attitude aggravates the crap out of me. You "need" a larger lesson horse because of your size, but don't want to buy one; you expect others to provide you with one. Uh huh. :rolleyes: And if someone did accommodate you, the next student to come along would get p!$$ed because there are too many large lesson horses, and no ponies/honies for them to ride. Lesson barns and trainers who have lesson horses, must cater to the "average" rider; you, sweetie, aren't average. Nor are you realistic.

And before you start in on me for being unsympathetic, know that my spouse (who is 6'3" and has a 36" inseam) got along splendidly on lesson horses until he could afford his own.

Go find a nice draft cross to ride until your baby grows up. Hopefully, your youngster will mature large enough for you to be happy with. If not, you've got a whole new subject to crab about. :p

[OnyxThePony]

So go buy another, larger horse to see you through. Why expect others to buy what you need?


And this quote:
Large ponies / small horses are a natural for the lesson horse gig. They can carry both kids and most adults, they frequently cost less to purchase than a 16hh+ animal, and as many folks on this board will attest, are frequently more sound than bigger ones. The three horses who do lessons at the barn where I ride are exactly what you describe -- around 15hh. They are all barefoot, sturdy, and are rarely lame.


Said it all. Honestly, if I were a rude person, I'd probably advise you to 'get over yourself'. That's how whiney you're coming over as. Besides, LOTS of barn have tall lesson horses. But as my very wise coach once said (to many a potential lessoner) "It's not up to YOU to tell me which horse you are going to ride here!" :lol:

[sanctuary]

Large ponies / small horses are a natural for the lesson horse gig. They can carry both kids and most adults, they frequently cost less to purchase than a 16hh+ animal, and as many folks on this board will attest, are frequently more sound than bigger ones. The three horses who do lessons at the barn where I ride are exactly what you describe -- around 15hh. They are all barefoot, sturdy, and are rarely lame.



Absolutely! In my lesson program, I have 3 ponies (13.1 or less) 2 honies (14.3) 5 15.1-15.3 QHs, a 16.1 draft cross, and recently just added 2 16hh "real" horses. Since I do mostly beginners, the bigger horses with the bigger steps just scare the crap out of newbies. I can put kids or adults on almost ALL my horses and not have to worry. This comes in especially handy during camp times. They're less expensive and the most productive. As Lori B points out, they also seem to stay sounder and have less issues. Most of my horses are barefoot and have been working for me for the last 5 years or so. Aside from "true" injuries (bowed tendon during turnout, tying up) my less than desirables have stayed sound, fit and healthy. I'd rather have that than a barn full of fancy hot house flowers that no one can ride.

I agree, if you can't find a place with horses that match what you're looking for, you'll have to find a lease of some sort, or get over it.

Frankly, not to be rude, but it's not the lesson barn's responsibility to have a horse suitable for you while your baby grows up. You chose to grow your own, this is part of it. If you don't want to pay to ride the smaller horses, then I guess your baby is going to broke to death in all the groundwork and handling. :winkgrin: Welcome to babyhood.

[philosoraptor]

I feel your pain!! I am 5'10". I cannot ride a pony and I do not fit in a 15" seat saddle. :lol:

Some lesson barns are just out of touch with the market. In my area, my guess is because the teachers are teaching mostly kids/teens and they forget adults have different needs.

I don't get it. In a country where the average size & weight of the adult is slowly going up, it only makes sense to have full sized horses. They don't cost more to buy and if you look for easy keepers, they don't have to cost more to feed.

My pet peeve is when a lesson barn advertises that they teach adults but almost every saddle they have is maybe 15" at best. Or the occasional 17" is ancient (hard as rock) and probably doesn't fit the horse assigned to me. If you're going to teach adults, you need to have appropriately sized horses & tack.

At the moment I've given up, and I just ride drafts or draft crosses that people I know own. Until he passed away, I had my own horse (a Belgian) who was perfect for my needs.

Keep looking... you'll find one eventually. The smarter barn owners have gone to having some drafts, draft crosses, large quarter horses, and/or warmbloods. This way they can teach kids AND adults.

[BuddyRoo]

Is there a reason your lessons can't be scheduled on the larger horse? I mean, it might mean taking lessons at different times, but it might be worth it for you....

Or half leasing?

The truth is, most of the horses that are "big" are also very expensive. Either expensive to purchase (WB) or expensive to keep (feed, keep sound, etc) (TB). Stock breeds and ponies are just so much hardier as a general rule and are also able to carry a wider range of people and typically, are more tolerant of different ability levels.

I'm your size and I ride both a 14 3 mare and a 15 2 mare.....but I know what you mean about the big boys. It's a totally different ride. Not so much due to size--it's more the suspension and stride IMHO.

[Whisper]

I think that neck length, barrel size, bone and muscling matter a lot more than height in terms of rider fit. You certainly can't expect all barns to have bigger horses that will suit you - a lease or part-lease would probably be a great solution for you while your horse grows up. Since size is so important to you, I'm surprised you bought a yearling, though. You can't tell for sure how tall they'll be at this stage.

I'm doing a full lease on a 16 hand TB now, and the one I was part-leasing before him is between 16.1 and 16.2 (and my trainer does use him for lessons). The 14.2ish horses I ride take up my leg just as well as they do.

Saddle fit *is* tough when you don't have your own tack - I'm a little under 5'5", but have a really long thigh relative to the rest of my body, so it is tough to have my stirrups short enough for jumping without my knee going over the roll by a couple of inches (at the various barns I've been at). It's not their fault, and I can't expect them to buy a new saddle to fit me. The horse I'm leasing now came with his tack, and it isn't too bad of a fit for me, but not ideal either. Until I get my own horse, I figure I'll just make do as best as I can.

[BravAddict]

Some lesson barns are just out of touch with the market. In my area, my guess is because the teachers are teaching mostly kids/teens and they forget adults have different needs.

...then...they're not really out of touch with the market, are they?

Quit your belly-aching.

[high hat]

I feel your pain!! I am 5'10". I cannot ride a pony and I do not fit in a 15" seat saddle. :lol:

Some lesson barns are just out of touch with the market. In my area, my guess is because the teachers are teaching mostly kids/teens and they forget adults have different needs.

My pet peeve is when a lesson barn advertises that they teach adults but almost every saddle they have is maybe 15" at best. Or the occasional 17" is ancient (hard as rock) and probably doesn't fit the horse assigned to me. If you're going to teach adults, you need to have appropriately sized horses & tack.

Well I teach both kids and adults. My largest lesson horse is 15.2 hands. I do have saddles to fit both adults and children that do fit my horses as well. When I receive a call I ask about height and weight. If you don't fit in the parameters of my equipment or horses I will let you know. There is no squeezing into a saddle at my barn. If you don't fit you don't ride. My market is what it is and until there is enough interest to have a larger horse I will send the few that won't fit on mine to someone else.

Just as the OP has the right to ride a bigger horse I have the right to decide that they are too big for mine. I'm not being cheap I'm being realistic and doing the best by my horses and students.


Keep looking... you'll find one eventually. The smarter barn owners have gone to having some drafts, draft crosses, large quarter horses, and/or warmbloods. This way they can teach kids AND adults.

Well I guess I'm not smart but I seem to be doing okay. A lot of those draft crosses are wide as barrels and are difficult for any student to wrap their legs around. Most warmbloods are quite pricey and can be difficult keepers per feed and upkeep. I do use QH's just not large ones. I don't feel it is appropriate to overface riders.

Ultimately business will cater to the majority and I would guess that means those larger individuals may have more trouble finding appropriate lesson horses.

[sanctuary]

May S - It sounds like you need to find another horse to bless as your own!

[nwrider]

And this quote:
Said it all. Honestly, if I were a rude person, I'd probably advise you to 'get over yourself'. That's how whiney you're coming over as.

:lol::lol::lol: This cracks me up!

[Cherry]

"...you can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes you just might find ya get what you need!"
Ah, truer words were never spoken!

I have a girlfriend whose father always used to say, "clothes and size do not make the man!". Her dad tried to tell her but she fell for a good lookin' Beau Brummel and the jerk broke her heart (by having affairs with every skirt in town :eek: ). :yes: She later admitted she should have listened to her dear old dad. Just as clothes and size do not make the man, size does not make the horse. You're focusing too much on what you want and not what you need!

If you don't want to ride small horses then you'll just have to keep looking at lesson barns that have what you want, or come up with your own ride (by buying or leasing)! ;)

Frankly, I learned tons from my own little horse who isn't even 15 hands--more than I had learned from all the horses combined in my four decades in the horse business! And I really didn't want to buy her because she was a Thoroughbred! :lol: I only bought her because I was afraid she'd end up in an Alpo can if I didn't. I thought I was saving her and she ended up saving me (because I've been battling depression for a long time). I now have enough material to write a book if the spirit would ever move me.... :yes:

I'm 5'2" on a good day and I will never, ever understand this love affair that Americans have with these 16+ hand high horses! Five feet is far enough to fall when you're old like me.... ;) :yes: :lol: And the bigger they are the more they eat.... :yes:

[sublimequine]

So go buy another, larger horse to see you through. Why expect others to buy what you need? :confused:

This sort of attitude aggravates the crap out of me. You "need" a larger lesson horse because of your size, but don't want to buy one; you expect others to provide you with one. Uh huh. :rolleyes: And if someone did accommodate you, the next student to come along would get p!$$ed because there are too many large lesson horses, and no ponies/honies for them to ride. Lesson barns and trainers who have lesson horses, must cater to the "average" rider; you, sweetie, aren't average. Nor are you realistic.

And before you start in on me for being unsympathetic, know that my spouse (who is 6'3" and has a 36" inseam) got along splendidly on lesson horses until he could afford his own.

Go find a nice draft cross to ride until your baby grows up. Hopefully, your youngster will mature large enough for you to be happy with. If not, you've got a whole new subject to crab about. :p

I agree. :yes:

Cherry; Hey, don't lump all us Americans together! I used to be a huge fan of the big horses. Rode a Saddlebred gelding just south of 17hh, he was ALLLLL leg, too. Then one time when I was out on trail I had to dismount for some reason (can't remember why), then realized I had no mounting block to get back on! So I was staring up at the big 17hh boy, and just thought, "...well s*&t!" :lol:

After he was retired, I moved onto a horse a full two hands shorter than him at a just barely 15hh. On top of that, I rode the Saddlebred as a youngster, so I grew taller AND moved to shorter horses. :lol:

I've definitely gotten over my size obsession. Not needing a dang forklift to get on my mare definitely is a plus. :winkgrin:

[A Horse of Course]

Gee, I didn't see the original post as an offensive whine. Is no one allowed minor gripes now and then?? So many responses here are condescending, and feel the need to tell the OP to stop complaining. What's up with that?? I guess none of you complain about anything in your lives, I think some people need to get off their high horses...pun intended, hehe.

[Paragon]

I wish my barn had a bunch of big huge horses, but they don't. So I delight in the time I get to spend riding, even if it's on imperfect animals (like rotten little chestnut Thoroughbred mares, whom I love dearly). :lol: I count my blessings.

[nwrider]

Originally Posted by ESG
So go buy another, larger horse to see you through. Why expect others to buy what you need?

This sort of attitude aggravates the crap out of me. You "need" a larger lesson horse because of your size, but don't want to buy one; you expect others to provide you with one. Uh huh. And if someone did accommodate you, the next student to come along would get p!$$ed because there are too many large lesson horses, and no ponies/honies for them to ride. Lesson barns and trainers who have lesson horses, must cater to the "average" rider; you, sweetie, aren't average. Nor are you realistic.

And before you start in on me for being unsympathetic, know that my spouse (who is 6'3" and has a 36" inseam) got along splendidly on lesson horses until he could afford his own.

Go find a nice draft cross to ride until your baby grows up. Hopefully, your youngster will mature large enough for you to be happy with. If not, you've got a whole new subject to crab about.

As the OP, these responses do make me smile. Some of these women make my issue look minor! If I had known my little gripe would "aggravate the crap" out of some people, I might have tried to be a bit more apathetic in my writing. Ah well, c'est la vie!

What makes me laugh though is that when I logged on tonight, my thread was right under another thread called "Mean Girls". I do love irony, yes I do!

I do appreciate all the different opinions, regardless of how they are presented. Thank you.

[jn4jenny]

I will not repeat what's already been said, but suffice it to say that you are NOT stuck with the lesson horses. If it really ticks you off, go find a half-lease or quarter-lease on a bigger horse (hint: Ask at an eventing barn, a dressage barn, or a barn that also has a driving program). No one held a gun to your head and said "Ride this 15.3hh horse" (although how that rides so differently from a 16hh horse I will never understand).

[arizona101]

Well , while I do understand yor personal preferance for larger horses you do need to understand that most lesson barns have to have horses that cater to the "average" rider so they can get the most bang for their buck so to speak. It is just not practical to have a 16.3hh monster sitting in your barn on the off chance that a tall person will come along and want to ride him ! You would not believe how many newbies have come into my barn and marveled over how "big" a lesson horse is just to be told that the horse is actually 14.2 hh and considered a pony ! And yes , these are adults ! So you see...something 16+ hh would surely throw most beginners over the edge! Also usually confidence issues play a huge part
in learning to ride and generally people are more comfortable with smaller horses.

Unfortunatly some people seem to expect a barn with a lesson program to purchase a horse that they "need" but are unwilling or unable to buy . IMO most lesson programs are designed to give riders a good , safe start and if they want to really get serious then they need to buy /lease whatever. It is frusterating when you have a good program and then people want to give you flack about not being able to provide a lesson horse so their daughter can pursue her FEI Level Dressage goals....or whatever !! These are SCHOOL HORSES people !

If the OP has had such trouble I would suggest she calls any future barn and asks BEFORE she comes for her lesson if they have any 16.0 + hh lesson horses available to avoid frustration on both ends.

I agree that any barn taching adults should have appropriate sized tack.

[Pirateer]

However, I see horses that are over 16 hands going through the auction around here or OTTB's that are over 16 hands too.



So why don't you buy one of them?

[hundredacres]

...then...they're not really out of touch with the market, are they?

Quit your belly-aching.


lol...touche.

I don't mean to sound rude, but....as the others have said - you shouldn't complain. Is it so impossible to LEARN on a small horse? There is something to learn and improvement is possible on any horse - any size. Unless you are riding for other reasons......

I used to ride a draft and thought I'd have to have a big horse after that because that was what I was used to - now I'll pretty much ride anything because I have several sizes to chose from now :). I am just happy to ride.

I wish somebody would hand me a made-horse instead of greenies I keep ending up with
but thats my problem, nobody elses. I would never gripe about it.

[Sansena]

. Is it so impossible to LEARN on a small horse? There is something to learn and improvement is possible on any horse - any size. Unless you are riding for other reasons.

Ladies and Germs, we have a WINNAH!!.

The OP isn't riding to learn. Sounds like she's simply riding to stay legged up. Otherwise, I envision her as being the one adult in my group lessons who trucks around the arena in her own world, despite the gait others are working on, or the courses we're practicing..

OP: go lease a hack. A big one. Otherwise, as you said, you're wasting a bunch of money taking 'lessons' on horses you're unhappy with. And annoying the crap outta the person forced to be your 'instructor' in the meanwhile.

[caffeinated]

One of the things about riding smaller horses, when you're a tall person, is that it's more precarious. You have to have better balance and more strength/body control, because your center of gravity is proportionally set much farther from the horse's center of gravity than it would be with a larger horse. If your body position deviates just a little bit, it's much more of a problem on a smaller horse.

I think it's really good to recognize that, because if you do recognize that, then you'll see that riding smaller horses can benefit you and make you a better rider, and isn't that the goal?

If you don't have the money to buy or lease a second "perfect" horse, then why are you complaining? Here you have an opportunity to get better and a reasonably economic means of riding horses other people are providing to you. What happened to the days when people were thrilled to ride a horse, ANY horse? I would say take this as an opportunity to improve- get good on those smaller horses, and you will be a better rider for your horse when he matures.

[zagafi]

I will not repeat what's already been said, but suffice it to say that you are NOT stuck with the lesson horses. If it really ticks you off, go find a half-lease or quarter-lease on a bigger horse (hint: Ask at an eventing barn, a dressage barn, or a barn that also has a driving program). No one held a gun to your head and said "Ride this 15.3hh horse" (although how that rides so differently from a 16hh horse I will never understand).

WORD. I always chuckle when folks go on about one stinking inch. You'd think Teddy's successes would have taught *something* about size, but alas...

[pAin't_Misbehavin']

I understand how the OP feels.:yes:

I'm also 5'9", 34" inseam, but back when I was riding lesson horses I always got stuck on the tallest spindliest TB in the barn. RIs always said it was because I looked better on a tall thin horse. I suspect it was actually because the smaller horses, being more popular with the students, had all the work they could handle.

So I'd get stuck with the horse that only got ridden once or twice a week. Who was usually a TB, a breed for which I possess the gift of bringing out their psycho side.:yes:

That's why I bought my first horse so early in my riding career. When I met Quanah, I could barely manage a dozen steps of rising trot. But he was short - 14 hh - and square - a leg at each corner, and the anti-TB in both build and personality. I fell in love with him at first sight.:lol:

[Ibex]

I feel for the OP, and am stunned by the response you've been getting!

Also 5'10" with a 34" inseam, I actually had a barn tell me they couldn't teach me because they didn't have a big enough horse - nothing over 15.2. And it's not about weight - I'm 130lbs and a size 4.

I'd say that you're probably better off finding a lease - that's what I did, and couldn't be happier.

Oh, and to the posters who are saying "just go buy another horse", I'm guessing you have more expendible income than the rest of us. Yeesh. :rolleyes:

[J Swan]

I think you are forgetting that lesson barns are there to teach riding. For many people taking lessons, a large horse is intimidating. Having a string of similarly sized horses that can work for the majority of their students is going to be their goal. Otherwise - they'd be spending money on a certain saddle for Jane, another for Judy, a large horse for Bob, and a tiny horse for Karen.

A rider of any height can ride any sized horse. It's about being an effective and educated horseman.

It sounds like you need to find an instructor who provides private instruction on a schoolmaster - not a standard lesson barn. That might work better for you.

If the lesson barn's saddles are too small, and you own your own saddle, just ask the instructor if you can ride in it - providing it fits the horse.

No biggie.

[caffeinated]

Oh, and to the posters who are saying "just go buy another horse", I'm guessing you have more expendible income than the rest of us. Yeesh. :rolleyes:

I think the point is more that if riding small horses is that huge a problem, it's time to find another solution, rather than blaming lesson programs for being what they are.

I would just think that if you have a baby who can't be ridden for a while, and don't have the money to lease another horse or buy one, any horse can help you learn and improve in the meantime. It just seems sort of unfair to rip on the schoolies who work so hard all the time because they're short. If your options are so limited that that's all there is... well why not be grateful?

Personally, I like a bigger horse too. I was actually really disappointed when I figured out my horse wouldn't get to 16.3 like I'd dreamed of. But I've also found that riding smaller horses has made me a better rider (not that I'm stellar, but still). If you feel precarious or "weird" or "awkward" on a small horse, it means there's a lot there to work on and improve, not that small horses are just not worth the effort.

[MistyBlue]

Okay...slightly off topic but for ha-ha's I just measured my inseam too. Am I built like a weirdo? I'm 5'2" and a little bit and have a 31 & 3/4" inseam. I'm supposed to measure from floor to crotch, correct? Or is it from ankle to crotch? :confused:

[Tory Relic]

My 6'5" hubby rides my 15.3 TB mare and goes WHOA, she's tall. Granted, he does just hack around on her, but still...

We have a friend who is about the same height and rides a 15 h Arabian.....really rides that sucker, too.

I've often brought my own saddle to lesson barns. I had to ride the horse that the saddle fit. I've taken many lessons as an adult. I'm not a small person, I like at least a 18" saddle, but I never have had a lesson program that didn't have a saddle I could ride in -- bringing my own was more about the saddle I was used to riding in than saddle fit.

[sublimequine]

I feel for the OP, and am stunned by the response you've been getting!

Also 5'10" with a 34" inseam, I actually had a barn tell me they couldn't teach me because they didn't have a big enough horse - nothing over 15.2. And it's not about weight - I'm 130lbs and a size 4.

I'd say that you're probably better off finding a lease - that's what I did, and couldn't be happier.

Oh, and to the posters who are saying "just go buy another horse", I'm guessing you have more expendible income than the rest of us. Yeesh. :rolleyes:

That lesson barn was wrong, honestly. I'm about the same height as you, maybe half an inch shorter, and I ride my mom's 14.3 Arab no problem. :eek:

And while I don't agree with the OP, some of these responses are almost comical. Sheesh folks, chill out! :lol:

[horse-loverz]

One of the things about riding smaller horses, when you're a tall person, is that it's more precarious. You have to have better balance and more strength/body control, because your center of gravity is proportionally set much farther from the horse's center of gravity than it would be with a larger horse. If your body position deviates just a little bit, it's much more of a problem on a smaller horse.

I think it's really good to recognize that, because if you do recognize that, then you'll see that riding smaller horses can benefit you and make you a better rider, and isn't that the goal?



I can say amen to that.. I have a bigger horse 17.1 h and I'm a smaller rider 5'2" but most of that is leg;)(but my daughter is taller than me and the horse is technically hers so the horse fits her much better.) I like his very large trot and gaits and such. He was sore the other day so I rode one of the 15.1 is hand lesson horses who doesn't have the large barrel my horse has or the large gaits and wow did it ever show me how much I was depending on that barrel to help support and balance me! I had to work more at the trot and had to support myself more to maintain my balance and that was a suprise to me! So I think I will pobably try to switch between the two on occasion to make sure I am balancing myself and not relying on my horses size to do it for me if that makes sense??

[akor]

If I'm taking lessons on a school horse, the opportunity they provide for me to better myself has always outweighed any size issues. I am so thankful we have some in our area that pack me around and allow me to "just" work on myself and tolerate me, rather than just trying to keep my freako mare's mind on work. 15.2 or 17.2, they all have something to teach me. Or, expose things I don't know. To me, it's up to the owner/trainer to decide if I am too big for something.

But, I really want to get back to being a seat-driven rider, so where my legs go down on the belly isn't so important to me.

I can see where saddle size would be an issue, I suspect I would not learn as much in a 15 inch seat as in a 17.5. But, saddle size is not related to horse size, necessarily.

If the height is such an issue, you may just have to drive farther for lessons.

[AdAblurr02]

As the OP, these responses do make me smile. Some of these women make my issue look minor! If I had known my little gripe would "aggravate the crap" out of some people, I might have tried to be a bit more apathetic in my writing. Ah well, c'est la vie!

What makes me laugh though is that when I logged on tonight, my thread was right under another thread called "Mean Girls". I do love irony, yes I do!

I do appreciate all the different opinions, regardless of how they are presented. Thank you.


And THAT is a classy answer, IMHO. Thanks for being sensible, kind, and mannerly. Wish you were a closer neighbor than merely "NW"!

[CoolMeadows]

Here are some Warmblood barns in and near Portland:
http://www.copperspringfarm.com/index.html
http://www.wildturkeyfarm.com/future_home.php4
http://www.willowspringwarmbloods.com/home.html

So, not lesson barns exactly but call them up and ask where you should go. I bet they could give you some ideas.

There are a couple of decent sized guys offered for lease here:
http://www.oregondressage.com/classifieds.html#Lease

I've lived in a non-horsey area and it can be frustrating but it looks like you may have some options.

[Petstorejunkie]

I get where you are coming from (5'10" with a 35.5" inseam) and while you can ride a smaller horse (i own a 15.2 TB) you are a more effective rider on something with a larger BARREL. You do need enough horse to accomodate your leg to be able to have correct equitation and execute aids easily (speaking from a dressage rider's standpoint). If you cannot ride a small horse, than you need to ride more of them. If this is a matter of not able to do upper level stuff on a 15h horse as easily as a 17h I can sympathise, but that's not an excuse.

Get away from the mindset that you need some big monsterous horse and a mounting block to ride correct, ya need barrel. At the barn where i teach, and take lessons myself, we have a wide variety of horses ranging from 14.2 up to 16.2. but the biggest barrel in the barn is on the 14.2 haflinger QH cross, AND he is my dressage mount! ;) and we do REALLY well....

[Pirateer]

Oh, and to the posters who are saying "just go buy another horse", I'm guessing you have more expendible income than the rest of us. Yeesh. :rolleyes:

And you think most lesson barns have the expendible income to keep a big horse for one whiny client to use?

I don't think so.

[Calvincrowe]

OP- Where are you taking lessons at? There are not a huge number of barns with lesson programs in the Portland area, but some are better than others. I don't think you're whining, exactly, but shop around a bit more, if what you're doing isn't pleasing you.

I can think of several big A barns with quality lesson programs: Cornerstone, Goin' Places, Quarry Ridge, Farm Hill, Raincreek- these are all H/J barns. I don't know much about Dressage barns.

I also encourage you to look for a lease. Your baby is a long way from being ready to ride, and it sounds like you need/want something different to stay up on your riding.

FWIW- I went from 17h to 16h to 15.3h, and the adjustment is hard, but I prefer a smaller ride now--and I'm 5'8" with a loonnnggg torso (worse than long legs, believe me).

PM if you want to discuss barns/possibilities.

[Camstock]

I understand how the OP feels.:yes:
...So I'd get stuck with the horse that ..."


Sorry Paint_Misbehavin', I'm quoting you, but this isn't really about you. The above sentiment, is not understandable to me. There is no horse that deserves to work for a rider with an attitude of ingratitude like that.

I've never felt that way about any horse, and I have ridden, and continue to ride, a reasonable cross section of breeds and sizes and states of training (and I'm 6'3", 36" inseam and my best teacher when I started out was a 15h3" almost-donated-to-the-vet-school-for-research anglo arab). However, I have felt the "getting stuck with" mindsest about a (very few) students who did not recognize that any horse, ANY horse, who chooses to let a person ride him is giving a great gift for which we owe thankfulness, kindness and mindful attention. Read some Zettl, engage your brain, get some empathy for horses, and grow up.

They let us put metal in their mouths and pull on the leather attached to it. If they wanted to buck us off at anytime, the could. Ask any saddle bronc rider. Every second in the saddle is a gift.

I have a 17h2" warmblood, a 17h draftcross and a 17h tb that all event successfully. N, T and P. I give selected students lessons on the members of my competition string (for which I thank the Universe every day)--IF the students have the right attitude, so that cuts out the whiners on this thread. Appreciatiation tends to attract benevolence.

[MSP]

Wow, some cranky post here.

OP, I can not commiserate as I am 5’ 5” and average build so I fit on many size horses but…

I can understand why you would prefer a larger horse given your height. Funny thing is I have the opposite conditions. I have raised a QH to be my new ride and like you I took lessons for two years in preparation for my young horse. She has topped off at barley 14.2 but probably weights 1100 to 1200 pounds.

For lessons I ride a 17 plus hand WB/TB mare and have gotten very used to her BIG strides. I have been riding my filly for a month now and am still trying to adjust to her short strides with no neck or head in front of me! I still take my lessons so I am riding two horses at the opposite end of the size spectrum.

My filly is GREEN but I do find the bigger horse a bit easier to ride. I really don’t know why, maybe I just got used to big strides. I really wanted a big horse but $hit happens and I love my little filly! I hope the opportunity of riding different size horses will just help me improve as a rider and carry on!

Good luck finding a bigger horse but if you can’t try to enjoy your small ride!

MistyBlue, measure the inseam down to where your pants would end, like you are measuring the leg on pants. BTW, isn’t it just wrong that women’s pants come is three sizes but men get theirs in 1 inch increments?

[Sakura]

Smaller horses are more economical for lesson barns to keep (eat less and typically have less soundness issues). Smaller horses are closer to the ground for when the inevitable happens and a rider gets dumped. And smaller horses are less intimidating to learn how to groom, tack, mount and lead.

Larger horses are a liability... there is more risk when dealing with bigger animals... a 6'2" man leading a 16.2 hh horse can still get into a lot of trouble if the man is a newbie and doesn't know what he is doing (horses have a sense of knowing who they can take advantage of :yes:). Heck, a 6'2" beginner leading a 14 hh pony could get into a lot of trouble...

People who are ready for larger mounts are most likely an advanced enough rider that they really don't need to be taking lessons in an environment where they will be put on the safe 15 hh babysitters that dutifully preform a wonderful service for the white-knuckle-knee gripping-beginner riders that they are most likely meant for.

[pAin't_Misbehavin']

Sorry Paint_Misbehavin', I'm quoting you, but this isn't really about you. The above sentiment, is not understandable to me. There is no horse that deserves to work for a rider with an attitude of ingratitude like that.
<snip>
IF the students have the right attitude, so that cuts out the whiners on this thread. Appreciatiation tends to attract benevolence.

Whoa, buddy. It may not have been about me to start with, but I think you just called me an ingrate and a whiner. I'm neither. I just saw no reason to continue to inflict myself upon horses with whom I was not a match.

And I stand by my conviction that I have the TB gift - I can bring out the inner headcase in the most benevolent of the breed. But I'll admit I haven't a clue about "appreciatiation.":lol:

[Eleanor]

I don't get it. In a country where the average size & weight of the adult is slowly going up, it only makes sense to have full sized horses. They don't cost more to buy and if you look for easy keepers, they don't have to cost more to feed.

I have to say that a reg full size horse is 14.3-15.3, not 16+. how many buyer have gone to look at horses that the ad reads 16hh only to find out the horse is 15.2.

As to the OP, if the horses don't have a big stride then work on teaching the horse to come under himself and make that 10 foot stride in to a 12 foot stirde. It is all in the riding, most lesson horses don't stride out as the riders don't know how to make the horse move forward from behind. So maybe take some lessons on learning how to get the horse forward. Because if you are good at it then in a matter of 10 mins you can have the horse striding out and working like a 16.2hh TB. If you want to take lessons tell your baby is all grown up then you are going to have to make do with what you have.

[riverbell93]

At the risk of getting involved in an oddly contentious thread, I have to ask in regards to the practical reasons people have given for smaller horses rather than larger in lesson programs: why is it that every time I go to a trail ride operation, they always have at least one large horse? (and he's always all mine since I'm tall even though I'm a huge chicken who'd much rather have a nice short horse near the ground, not that I'm complaining) I mean, the reasons given for no large horses in lessons would seem to apply to trail rides too, but voila, large horses there.

[Paragon]

Heck, a 6'2" beginner leading a 14 hh pony could get into a lot of trouble...

Shoot, I'm a non-beginner - albeit a short, but heavier one - and I got owned while leading a small a few weeks ago. :lol: I take nothing for granted.

[Camstock]

Oh, you are making fun of my typo. Gosh, I'm not perfect. Thanks for the news flash.

[debra]

You go girl!!

[Ibex]

And you think most lesson barns have the expendible income to keep a big horse for one whiny client to use?

I don't think so.

I think barns should keep school horses that are appropriate to their target group. My favourite schoolie was 15.3, but she was a DraftX so could take up my leg. It's hard to learn to put your leg on when your ankles are near the horses knees, plus the balance issues brought up by another poster.

[S1969]

I have the opposite problem; I'm 5'1" and no idea what my inseam is but suffice to say it's probably almost dwarf-like. But I'm the only 38 year old at my lesson barn that is ever scheduled on a kids pony (e.g. 13 hands). I have been overheard to say I feel like I am riding a big dog. And I never get to ride any of the draft crosses. No fair. :(

But I try to find something useful in every lesson; and luckily the barn I ride at does have a range of appropriate lesson horses so I am not really complaining.

I would continue to look around; doesn't mean you have to quit the barn you are at just now....but keep your eyes open.

[mayhew]

At the risk of getting involved in an oddly contentious thread, I have to ask in regards to the practical reasons people have given for smaller horses rather than larger in lesson programs: why is it that every time I go to a trail ride operation, they always have at least one large horse? (and he's always all mine since I'm tall even though I'm a huge chicken who'd much rather have a nice short horse near the ground, not that I'm complaining) I mean, the reasons given for no large horses in lessons would seem to apply to trail rides too, but voila, large horses there.

Perhaps trail ride operations have a larger variety of clientele than lesson programs. Most trail rides that I have been on have had men, women, and kids in pretty even distribution. Most lesson barns that I see are dominated by 12 year old girls.

[jn4jenny]

At the risk of getting involved in an oddly contentious thread, I have to ask in regards to the practical reasons people have given for smaller horses rather than larger in lesson programs: why is it that every time I go to a trail ride operation, they always have at least one large horse? (and he's always all mine since I'm tall even though I'm a huge chicken who'd much rather have a nice short horse near the ground, not that I'm complaining) I mean, the reasons given for no large horses in lessons would seem to apply to trail rides too, but voila, large horses there.

I am not involved in trail riding, but here are my guesses:

1. Unlike a lesson barn, a trail riding operation can't cater to large groups or families without having a large horse or two. Lesson barns can get plenty of business with what I call REGULAR sized (not small) horses. So the trail barn does what it has to do to stay in business by having a few larger horses around. The lesson barn does what it has to do to stay in business by buying the horses that are most likely to stay sound and not cost them out the nose in food/maintenance.

2. Even in the best lesson program where the horses' care is the number one priority, lesson horses' bodies often take a real pounding, especially if they're jumping regularly. Trail riding horses, by contrast, often only walk with occasional trotting. I'm not saying that trail horses don't work hard--they do--but they do the sort of work that is often possible despite soundness issues that might affect jumping/cantering/galloping.

3. It is often cheap to acquire large trail horses (cruise our local friendly Giveaways forum to see how many large, trail-sound horses can be had free.) Since many of them are just walking a few hours a day or less, they may not eat very much, especially if they're turned out 24/7. Compare this to acquiring a 16.2hh horse that's sound for jumping. Even if you pick up an easy keeper, the cost difference is enormous.

[trubandloki]

Perhaps trail ride operations have a larger variety of clientele than lesson programs. Most trail rides that I have been on have had men, women, and kids in pretty even distribution. Most lesson barns that I see are dominated by 12 year old girls.

I agree.

And most trail ride operations are a lead and follow at the walk type exercise. Not much risk of the big horse breaking into a trot and its long stride scaring the beginner riders.

I know most of the adult beginners I know much prefer smaller horses, they feel safer. I know one woman who had ridden for years that has a nice bit TB with wonderful gaits that scare the crap out of her. The poor horse can be moving in a nice slow (but long airy) trot and the woman insists he is running away with her. I can't imagine a horse like this (very level headed easy ride, just big movements) would work well as a lesson horse since most people would be afraid of him.

[Critters Everywhere]

I have the opposite problem; I'm 5'1" and no idea what my inseam is but suffice to say it's probably almost dwarf-like. But I'm the only 38 year old at my lesson barn that is ever scheduled on a kids pony (e.g. 13 hands). I have been overheard to say I feel like I am riding a big dog. And I never get to ride any of the draft crosses. No fair. :(




:lol: Do you know how jealous those other adults probably are? You know every adult beginner desperately wanted a pony when they were younger and still, in their heart of hearts, want one. I know when my trainer had a pony come in for training and needed small adults to put some saddle time on it EVERYONE was begging. Even though the pony was an evil little thing that bucked on a regular basis (hey, there was a reason she came in for training! :p)

Funny how everyone always wants to ride what we don't have access to (or can't ride for practical reasons). My best friend is 5'10" with a long inseam and while she rides anything (hey...she's a trainer, you ride what your clients need) and her personal horse is a deep-barreled 16h, I know she *loves* it whenever she gets the chance to ride a 17h+ beastie (even if they're obnoxious). For myself, I couldn't care less about height (though I'm so dang short I need a ladder to get on even average sized horses!)...what I care about is neck & having uphill build/carriage. I absolutely hate the feeling of having no neck in front of me & having a downhill ride. I dreaded riding one of the QH lesson horses because of that even though he was a dream otherwise (perfect even gaits, never refused a jump in his life, unspookable).


To the OP...I hadn't noticed before that you are the Portland area. I don't understand why you say you can't find a dressage barn there? :confused: Several of the kids from my old barn are currently going to school in Portland and are boarding at nice dressage barns. And I know at least a couple old coworkers on the Vancouver side who board their horses at dressage barns. There are many good breeders in the area who also have lesson programs. Where are you looking? The best programs don't advertise for students...they get all the business they need through word of mouth. Ask around at some of the tack stores or look for shows being advertised in the local horse magazines & go attend to see what the programs are like.

[starrysky]

I am 5'10" and not of slight frame, and I was used to riding the big boys - 16.1-16.2 TB's or WBx, and the last two lesson horses I have been riding were 15.1 Paint and a 14.2 Haflinger cross - my instructor said that the 14.2 Haflinger was actually very size appropriate for me, because she took up my leg well - and apparently, I ride the 15.1 Paint better than any other horse I have ever ridden. It is weird how you expect one thing, and something totally different occurs. I would never have thought I would ride smaller horses well, yet, it definetly makes you work hard.

[MSP]

For myself, I couldn't care less about height (though I'm so dang short I need a ladder to get on even average sized horses!)...what I care about is neck & having uphill build/carriage. I absolutely hate the feeling of having no neck in front of me & having a downhill ride. I dreaded riding one of the QH lesson horses because of that even though he was a dream otherwise (perfect even gaits, never refused a jump in his life, unspookable).



I think the down hill/ no neck is what makes the big difference! It is really hard to get used to it, I feel like I am struggling to keep my position all the time. I think I would have less of an adjustment if I was on a 13 hand pony that was built up hill.

Very good point! Now someone tell me the secret to riding a down hill horse! :winkgrin:

[WildBlue]

At the risk of getting involved in an oddly contentious thread, I have to ask in regards to the practical reasons people have given for smaller horses rather than larger in lesson programs: why is it that every time I go to a trail ride operation, they always have at least one large horse? (and he's always all mine since I'm tall even though I'm a huge chicken who'd much rather have a nice short horse near the ground, not that I'm complaining) I mean, the reasons given for no large horses in lessons would seem to apply to trail rides too, but voila, large horses there.

In addition to what others have said,

-Because you get more groups/families/nonriders, you get a lot more 200# adults. Especially bigger/taller guys who wouldn't be caught dead in a lesson barn.

-Trail horses generally have to lug people (flopped on the cantle like a sack of grain) up and down hills, so larger riders need to be on big or stocky horses that can handle potentially hauling that kind of load for up to 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, all summer long.

-Because dude horses get used to following nose to tail and ignoring the sack of grain in the saddle, they don't need to be nearly as well-trained, easy to ride, or comfortable at gaits faster than a walk as lesson horses do. I suspect that finding a large lesson horse would be $$$ and difficult versus finding a greenbroke draft cross that can be taught to follow another horse's butt all day.

Even so, you'll often find stable employees riding the barn's draft/draft cross/token big horse because *most* customers gravitate toward the smaller animals unless forced to ride the big one. I worked in a number of different stables during undergraduate (lo these many years ago) and can only recall a couple of people (out of thousands) who asked to ride a big horse. Most people want 1. small (or very small) and 2. black or white.

[philosoraptor]

Is it so impossible to LEARN on a small horse? There is something to learn and improvement is possible on any horse - any size.

You're overlooking one thing: a big horse can carry a tiny rider with no harm to the horse, but is it fair to the HORSE to keep only tiny little horses and put adults (of all sizes) on them? Some barns do it and don't care about the horses.

Sometimes the barn just turns people away. I'm puzzled why there is resistance to the idea of catering to the largest share of the market?

Not specifically to hundredacres, but to this thread in general: Am I sensing a bit of an undertone of "we don't want big riders"? It's a larger person's fault they're larger and they need to take what the BO hands us, whether it fits or not.

I do not agree with the snip "if you don't like the schoolies, go get your own horse!". If it was that easy, we'd all own our own horses and nobody would need schoolies.

Smaller horses are more economical for lesson barns to keep (eat less and typically have less soundness issues).

Please cite your sources. I respectfully disagree with this assertion.

I have 16-17hh drafts living at my place who don't eat any grain. They get by with a little extra hay. No supplements or anything else. They're far easier keepers than for example a small TB.

Many of these drafts came from lives working 8+ hours a day during the planting season on Amish farms. I can't imagine how they'd be more unsound and still be able to work constantly all day, no vet care or fancy joint injections. If they can survive that for 10-15 years and still come here to be retrained as trail horses, I'd say that's pretty darn sound. :)

Smaller horses are closer to the ground for when the inevitable happens and a rider gets dumped.

I feel that if the rider is on a properly sized horse with properly sized tack, they're far less likely to lose their balance in the first place. Put a tall rider on a tiny pony and the rider WILL feel top heavy and unbalanced.

Falling off a 15hh horse is only 4 inches shorter than a 16hh, technically. Is 4 inches closer the ground really going to matter?

And smaller horses are less intimidating to learn how to groom, tack, mount and lead.

That's a personal opinion. I've seen some very naughty little horses, and some of them are pretty darn quick. I've seen one hot little pony go up and pull an experienced adult handler down under her. I've seen ponies rear and some flip over. Ponies generally are often ornery, and it's that attitude which can be a problem. My point: short in stature does not mean safer.

Larger horses are a liability... there is more risk when dealing with bigger animals... a 6'2" man leading a 16.2 hh horse can still get into a lot of trouble if the man is a newbie and doesn't know what he is doing


If you think by using only 900 lb horses instead of 1300 lbs ones, somehow the novice handler is going to be able to outmuscle the horse, I'd respectfully disagree with you. No way are you going to outmuscle a determined 900 pound horse! I've worked with a big mini/small pony who measured 320lbs on the vet's scale. He's a very energetic and determined little guy. He can just as easily step on a foot or drag a handler around, if the person isn't watching. And he's got the personality where if he's bored, he gets into things. I'd rather have big-and-mellow horse rather than a pony who decides he's going to go over there no matter what the human has to say about it.

All horses are a liability. If you don't believe me, you should see the steep premiums kids' pony ride operations have to pay to get insurance. Any horse can be dangerous, and you can break a bone falling off any height horse.

I also think we're not looking at it from what's good for the horse. Can we put an adult on a pony? Well yes.. but is it good for the pony? You're also assuming these barns are mostly beginners. Is it fair to the little pony to put a 150+ lb adult on them flopping around until their get their balance? Or wouldn't it make more sense to have a little extra muscle/size to accommodate the novices' poor balance? Even if you don't care about the horse's discomfort, from a business standpoint you'll end up with some really sore, sour ponies if you push them too hard.

People who are ready for larger mounts are most likely an advanced enough rider that they really don't need to be taking lessons in an environment where they will be put on the safe 15 hh babysitters that dutifully preform a wonderful service for the white-knuckle-knee gripping-beginner riders that they are most likely meant for.

That's an over generalization.

My family wasn't well off enough when I was a kid to afford sending me to regular riding lessons. I never enjoyed taking my first lessons on a pony. I started really riding when I was in my teens, already 5'10" tall and weighing 185. Did a rider my size really belong starting out on a pony?

Size of rider and competency of rider have nothing to do with each other.

[Zipsmom]

I think small horses rock! I am of average height but I can relate on how one feels on a horse that is "too small" for them as I rode Paso Finos for a couple of years (love them, but never got over the jolly green giant feeling). Don't have any suggestions for the OP other than the ones given (find another place, lease or buy)-BUT I will say that the feel of a small horse doing "big horse" things makes you appreciate the agility, athleticism, conditioning, training and HEART of many small horses!

[Heinz 57]

I concur that there are quite a few good dressage and H/J barns in or near Portland that are going to have taller school horses.

So either more barn searching is in order, or you spend more time riding little horses and taking the experience for what it is worth. You never know...your yearling could end up only being 15.3 and then you'd have all this great expertise in riding small horses to use on your own horse.

:)

Look harder.

[anabug]

Before I bought my horse, I was happy to ride *anything*. As long as my legs didn't drag on the ground, I was determined to get something out of any ride.

[Paragon]

I have to add to what May S is saying... there's nothing harder to ride than a pony, or a very small horse when you're twelve feet tall. But boy, do you learn some fantastic skills. A friend of mine - about 5' and all of 95lbs - has recently 'graduated' to riding the ponies, most of whom are ornery as heck but are reliable as wee jumping teachers. On two of them, her feet come darn near their elbows. She says that riding them is harder than riding any other lesson horse in the barn. I believe her!

[Amwrider]

I run a schooling program and I am in complete agreemend with ESG.

I had one pain in the @$$ rider that weighed probably over 250 pounds and I was putting her on the mid-sized schoolies, 15.2 hands and sturdy. She went to schooling shows and of course didn't place well and she always griped about it. She was always sending me links to Horstopia, Equine.com etc. with draft horses for sale.

She would bug the heck out of my boarders who had drafts, draft crosses or big TBs, she was trying to be their buddies and con them into letting her ride their horses.

Finally after a show one day, we had all gone home, the trailer was unpacked, horses put up and fed, I was getting ready to hit the shower and she called me. "When are you going to buy me a lesson horse I can win with." I hung up on her.

I was ready to have a talk with her the following weekend when she came out for her lesson, I had decided to send her off. She showed up and announced that she was going to go ride at another barn, They had bigger schoolies.

Yay!

She didn't stay long at that barn because she kept getting put on their 14 hand morgans instead of the 16 and 17 hand saddlebreds. The next barn she went to, she had complaints that the staff wasn't available to teach her at the times she had available.

(see, the problem is that the world revolved around her and no one could realize that this made her specially entitled) :yes:

She is now trying to come back and ride with me. I plainly told her that I did not want her as a customer. The end (I hope)


What I think about the original OP's post...

1) It was your decision to get a horse that is not rideable yet.
2) Lesson barns do not operate as a hobby, they operate as a business. When I look at horses, I look at temperament, health, soundness, purchase price and upkeep price. Color and size are low on the priority list.
3) I have to find horses that are useable by 80% or more of my riders. The ones that make up the rest of the lesson string - the up/down horses and the advanced horses to challenge the better riders to get them that next step before getting their own show horse.
4) Bigger horses can be harder and more intimidating for less experienced riders to handle and ride.
5) Bigger horses can be more destructive, thus the reason there are no more Percheron boarders in my barn. I got tired of replacing broken boards, broken stall latches, broken buckets, etc.
6) The only one responsible for providing you with the right horse to ride is you. It is no one else's responsibility to run out and buy one and maintain one for you. Most lesson barns do not have enough taller, experienced, adult riders to warrant running out and purchasing one specifically for that one rider or that one purpose. (refer to items 2 and 3).

[Sakura]

MayS,

The October issue of EQUUS actually has an article titled "Size Matters: Why bigger isn't better for health, performance and longevity"... very good article full of very insightful information.

[Astraled]

I'm puzzled why there is resistance to the idea of catering to the largest share of the market?

Seems to me that children are the largest share of the market. There's just no need for a bunch of huge lesson horses. Even on this thread, there's only 3 or so people who want big school horses.

I prefer to ride Arabians but I wouldn't expect a lesson barn to provide one for me. Lesson horses should be serviceably sound, safe, and relatively bombproof.

[Lin]

It occured to me that even though your guy is going to be a big horse - your horse will first be a weedy 3 yr old and then a lanky 4 yr old. Therefore you should be glad to get all the practice you can on the smaller horses. The last thing you need is leaning how to balnce on a narrow horse when it is your gormless 3 yr old.

Just a thought.

[jn4jenny]

You're overlooking one thing: a big horse can carry a tiny rider with no harm to the horse, but is it fair to the HORSE to keep only tiny little horses and put adults (of all sizes) on them? Some barns do it and don't care about the horses.

Don't tell me you think it's CRUEL to put a 5'9" woman on a "little horse", by which I can only assume you mean something in the 14hh-15hh range? I'm sure the Bedouins in Arabia would laugh their asses off about that. The folks who own Icelandics and Haflingers are laughing even harder. Sorry, but there ARE plenty of horses in the 14hh-15hh range that are sturdy enough to carry a larger rider and it has nothing to do with "not caring about the horses". Sure, there is a limit, but most barns have weight limits and enforce them.

Not specifically to hundredacres, but to this thread in general: Am I sensing a bit of an undertone of "we don't want big riders"? It's a larger person's fault they're larger and they need to take what the BO hands us, whether it fits or not.

I like big riders just fine, but I also like when they buy horses that suit them. I am not a big gal, but I was horseless for 15 years. I shut up and put up with the lesson horses and lease horses that were put before me. When I was finally tired of making do with what I was offered, I made the enormous financial sacrifice of buying a horse.

Nobody goes to work and bitches that their work computer is sub-par; you save that for when you buy your own computer. Nobody goes to a rental car agency and bitches that the car they've rented doesn't fit their body just right; you save that for when you buy your own car. And nobody should go into a lesson barn and bitch about the horses being too small; you save that for when you're shopping for your own horse. Simple as that.

I do not agree with the snip "if you don't like the schoolies, go get your own horse!". If it was that easy, we'd all own our own horses and nobody would need schoolies.

Are you implying that it's your God-given right to have lesson barns on this earth that can provide horses that suit your body size/shape and/or personal tastes? Riding is a luxury. Until you're financially and emotionally ready to buy, you make do with what you can "rent", and that's the school horses. You want "not easy"? Try turning a profit running a lesson barn. I love love love horses, but I would rather take a minimum wage job than try to run a lesson barn. I'd go nuts trying to balance that budget.

I have 16-17hh drafts living at my place who don't eat any grain. They get by with a little extra hay. No supplements or anything else. They're far easier keepers than for example a small TB.

True, but when you find a source of these wonderful ex-Amish horses that are trained to jump, have lots of miles over fences, have the temperament to tolerate a wide variety of riders, being sold for bargain basement prices, please call me because you will have made my fortune in the world. There is a BIG difference between retraining something to be a trail riding horse and retraining it to be a hunter/dressage/eventing schoolmaster.

It's already hard enough to find those traits without looking for a big horse, and once you add size, now we're talking "diamond in the rough". And most lesson barns have neither the time nor the funds to go looking for such a gem, especially when they can't count on a huge number of lesson clients coming in and asking for such a mount.

I feel that if the rider is on a properly sized horse with properly sized tack, they're far less likely to lose their balance in the first place. Put a tall rider on a tiny pony and the rider WILL feel top heavy and unbalanced.

Again, the Bedouins are laughing. So are the rather tall, handsome Argentinian gentlemen I've met who PREFER a 15hh polo pony and scoff at a 16-hander.

[WildBlue]

Again, the Bedouins are laughing. So are the rather tall, handsome Argentinian gentlemen I've met who PREFER a 15hh polo pony and scoff at a 16-hander.


LOL, well said. I'm nearly 5'10", 35" inseam, and DD cup, and I think a stocky 15.1hh polo pony is just perfect. I can't sit most horses over 15.3hh properly--they're not handy enough. That said, the times I have found myself on some big ole gangle I took it as a learning opportunity (mainly learning how much I suck and am unable to adjust to the rythm of a longer stride, but still a learning opportunity.)



(mmmm, handsome Argentinian gentlemen.... drool....)

[Huntertwo]

Quote: My yearling is 15 hands and until he is full grown (hopefully 16.2 at least) I am stuck with these lesson barns. I think the smaller horses must be cheaper, hence the reason they are lesson horses. However, I see horses that are over 16 hands going through the auction around here or OTTB's that are over 16 hands too. What the?

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Smaller horses must be cheaper, hence the reason they are lesson horses? Huh? :rolleyes:
Just because a horse is smaller it is cheaper, so a big horse must be expensive? How do you figure that an OTTB should automatically more expensive?

Have you seen the prices of some show ponies? :confused:

Your not stuck - Gosh, go find a barn with bigger horses then. No one is holding a gun to your head...:no:

[Sithly]

Very good point! Now someone tell me the secret to riding a down hill horse! :winkgrin:

Sit back. :lol::lol::lol:

In addition to what others have said,

-Because you get more groups/families/nonriders, you get a lot more 200# adults. Especially bigger/taller guys who wouldn't be caught dead in a lesson barn.

-Trail horses generally have to lug people (flopped on the cantle like a sack of grain) up and down hills, so larger riders need to be on big or stocky horses that can handle potentially hauling that kind of load for up to 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, all summer long.

-Because dude horses get used to following nose to tail and ignoring the sack of grain in the saddle, they don't need to be nearly as well-trained, easy to ride, or comfortable at gaits faster than a walk as lesson horses do. I suspect that finding a large lesson horse would be $$$ and difficult versus finding a greenbroke draft cross that can be taught to follow another horse's butt all day.

Even so, you'll often find stable employees riding the barn's draft/draft cross/token big horse because *most* customers gravitate toward the smaller animals unless forced to ride the big one. I worked in a number of different stables during undergraduate (lo these many years ago) and can only recall a couple of people (out of thousands) who asked to ride a big horse. Most people want 1. small (or very small) and 2. black or white.

Right on. Exactly. Also, at some places the drafts do double duty pulling wagons or other farm chores, so they earn their keep in other ways.

I have 16-17hh drafts living at my place who don't eat any grain. They get by with a little extra hay. No supplements or anything else. They're far easier keepers than for example a small TB.

We have 16-17hh drafts living at our place who don't eat any grain, but who eat twice as much hay and are ten times more destructive to the facilities.

Many of these drafts came from lives working 8+ hours a day during the planting season on Amish farms. I can't imagine how they'd be more unsound and still be able to work constantly all day, no vet care or fancy joint injections. If they can survive that for 10-15 years and still come here to be retrained as trail horses, I'd say that's pretty darn sound. :)

Apples and oranges. I know plenty of horses that are sound to pull, but not to jump or do dressage. Also, the Amish draft horses I've seen are pulling at a walk 90% of the time. They may trot to and from the fields, but the walk is (generally) their working gait.

[ThirdCharm]

Small horses and ponies which are suitable for the "local show" circuit are cheap and tend to be of 'forgiving' breeds that maybe not-so-qualified trainers can handle. Bigger ones suitable for local show and also cheap tend to be OTTBs. Not so much accepting of crappy training. Plus, the biggest demographic for lessons is horse mad kiddies. Not a lot of motivation for the average lesson barn to either plunk down cash for a nice big broke horse, or to retrain a big cheap TB, for the odd adult rider.

I'm lucky.... my school horses are all byproducts of my showing and breeding programs, and range from 15.3 to 16.2 with excellent show records. My clientelle is mainly adults, though the few serious kids I have go on the 16.2 Irish tank. (they love it!). Too bad we're in NC!

Jennifer

[sublimequine]

Small horses and ponies which are suitable for the "local show" circuit are cheap and tend to be of 'forgiving' breeds that maybe not-so-qualified trainers can handle. Bigger ones suitable for local show and also cheap tend to be OTTBs. Not so much accepting of crappy training. Plus, the biggest demographic for lessons is horse mad kiddies. Not a lot of motivation for the average lesson barn to either plunk down cash for a nice big broke horse, or to retrain a big cheap TB, for the odd adult rider.

I'm lucky.... my school horses are all byproducts of my showing and breeding programs, and range from 15.3 to 16.2 with excellent show records. My clientelle is mainly adults, though the few serious kids I have go on the 16.2 Irish tank. (they love it!). Too bad we're in NC!

Jennifer

Maybe I've just been cursed, but I have always found that ponies are often HARDER to ride and train than regular horses. I don't think I've EVER met a forgiving pony. More like 'I am going to kick you to death then dance on your grave' ponies. :eek:

[King's Ransom]

I think this is a very interesting ... and actually quite funny ... thread. I own two horses -- one is a 15.2 QH and the other is a 17hh WB. I love them both, love riding them both. They are very different -- in every way imaginable. King (the QH) is a very intense personality. In his younger days, he was a fabulous athlete and even now, give him a gram of Bute and 30 minutes of warmup, and you've got a horse on your hands. He is fast and agile and has a trot to shake your teeth loose! Elijah (the WB) is easy-going, a big goof and a love. His gaits are smooth and lovely. He really is a prince to ride ... and sometimes I think he lets King win the races just because he enjoys watching the little guy go!

What a boring old world it would be if there were ONLY small, intense horses that you can get your leg around easily and mount from the ground ... or only big lofty goofballs who take up all of your leg and convince you buy a pull-up mounting block ... vive la difference!

[Critters Everywhere]

Maybe I've just been cursed, but I have always found that ponies are often HARDER to ride and train than regular horses. I don't think I've EVER met a forgiving pony. More like 'I am going to kick you to death then dance on your grave' ponies. :eek:


:lol: Too true! Who was it that used to have the sig line "Ponies are serial killers reincarnated"? I've never known one of those supposedly 'saintly' ponies that are supposed to exist out there somewhere. Every pony I've ever known has been cunning, evil little monster who knew every trick in the books for getting their way. Not that they're any less adorable for that. :D (I confess, it's a distinct possibility that one of the reasons I have finally agreed to having a baby is my 2nd husband's promise that I can buy the baby a pony as soon as she--hoping for a girl--is capable of hanging on. :winkgrin:)

[NRB]

Okay...slightly off topic but for ha-ha's I just measured my inseam too. Am I built like a weirdo? I'm 5'2" and a little bit and have a 31 & 3/4" inseam. I'm supposed to measure from floor to crotch, correct? Or is it from ankle to crotch? :confused:


ankle to crotch.

[citydog]

I get where you are coming from (5'10" with a 35.5" inseam) and while you can ride a smaller horse (i own a 15.2 TB) you are a more effective rider on something with a larger BARREL.

Get away from the mindset that you need some big monsterous horse and a mounting block to ride correct, ya need barrel.

Absolutely! I'm 5'9" with freakishly long femurs, and after years of WBs find myself with a 13.3 Icelandic with a very substantial barrel. He "rides so big" that I'm still a little surprised even after five years at just how close the ground is when I dismount. :lol:

[Chief2]

NWRider, I hope you take CalvinCrowe up on her offer. It may be a good to look around to see if there is another choice on the list for you. Being in Connecticut, I wouldn't know what is or isn't out there.

A great friend of mine is 5'10" and is most comfortable riding a 15.2h horse, so I think it's all in what one is used to. I, on the other hand, am afraid of heights, so the thought of getting on something over 15.2h makes me take great pause. I am most comfortable on smaller horses. Which is ironic because I love draft horses. Percherons and Clydesdales are my favorites. Go figure....

A lesson barn I know of started with Arabians, went to the 16+h thoroughbreds for a while because the barn and lesson program was all adults, then ended up moving those horses on and swinging over to ponies of all sizes when loads of area kids began showing up for lessons. You've got to suit the majority of the clients if you want to make enough money to stay in business.

I hope you can find a solution. Perhaps there is a backyard owner amenable to a lease situation. It couldn't hurt to look. Good luck with your riding.

[Rancher]

I am 5'4. When ever I have bought horses I have never looked at the height on the ad. As long as the horse is everything I am looking for I don't care about height. Most people tend to lie anyway! lol. My horses range in size from 16hh to 12.3hh. I am just as comfortable on either. Maybe it's just because I am short. My only problem when I start to get into draft crosses is trying to climb on. I know before I owned horses I would have been just as happy riding anything. I LOVED big horses and always tried to get the draft crosses at trail riding places. Most of the time I just got laughed at being under 5 feet at the time. Usually I got stuck on a pony and I was just as happy.

[J Swan]

Absolutely! I'm 5'9" with freakishly long femurs, and after years of WBs find myself with a 13.3 Icelandic with a very substantial barrel. He "rides so big" that I'm still a little surprised even after five years at just how close the ground is when I dismount. :lol:

I have a draft cross that is just under 16h - and his barrel takes up my leg just fine.

It all depends on their build. I "fit" all my horses - but they are completely different in build - though close in height. The Free Horse is about 16.1 (and that's only because of his shark fin withers but he's all leg (Appendix). Short barrel. If I used spurs on it I'd use swan neck spurs.

The Baby Horse is an enormous gigantic thing and I hope he stops growing. But not until his front catches up with his rear. I'm afraid he's going to be 17h. Which according to some folks, is what I "should" be riding as I'm tall and all leg/short torso.

But those who need a mounting block shouldn't fall off in a field. I need to teach the Baby Horse to park or I'm going to be in trouble. I'll have to carry a ladder around with me or something.

I prefer shorter horses. Generally more agile, easier to mount from the ground, and cheaper, too. Seems like the fashion is for tall horses - and with that comes a heftier price tag!

[LostFarmer]

It is all fashion that makes folks want a big horse. The bigger the horse the smaller the riders but looks. I think this is the major reason for the popularity of the big warm bloods and the draft crosses.

My grandfather and horseman for now 83 of his 87 years told me once, "Son a good horse is never the wrong size, color, or breed and a poor horse is never the right size, color, or breed. He rode and drove them all. His string was always an eclectic blend of big-small, short-tall, and a rainbow of colors and breeds. The other piece of advice he gave me is you don't work the papers.

When horses were USED, horses were for the most part poorly bred and well trained. Now we have all these well bred horses that are poorly trained. For the most part we have tried to breed the calm (deadhead) disposition into horses because we are afraid to show them the kind of work and uses that MADE horses.

Climbing off soap box,
LF

[2ndyrgal]

Lesson barns cater to the majority of riders, most of whom are beginners. You don't put a beginner on a big, extravagant moving horse. You only want to ride "until your horse is ready". sorry, you aren't the kind of client that barns keep school horses for. Find a barn that does training and breeding and see if you can help start some babies, that is if you are actually a competant enough rider to do so. It's a big like going to shop for shoes and either needing a size 4 or a size 14, the store "might" have a shoe or two in your size, but you aren't going to necessarily like it and there won't be much of a selection for you. It's about economics, cater to the masses, not just one person. Sorry that's just the way it is. I hope your horse grows up to your expectations, I had a friend that was 5'10" and she had a similar problem, finding an inexpensive horse to fit her loooong legs. she bought a series of babies, none of whom ever grew beyond what she had sold for being to "small" the last time. I bought a 3 yr old that was just at 16h (I'm 5'4" on a good day w/short legs) He continued to grow until he was a long 5 yr old and is now over 17h and HUGE. He isn't the horse I need, but he's the horse I own, so I ride him. Get over expecting people to cater to your needs, or shop where they do.

[Sakura]

It is all fashion that makes folks want a big horse. The bigger the horse the smaller the riders but looks. I think this is the major reason for the popularity of the big warm bloods and the draft crosses.
LF

Sheesh, I have been trying to camouflage my butt size with creative clothing choices... and to think all this time what I needed was a bugger horse :lol:;).

[AlterEgoManiac]

"...I have a girlfriend whose father always used to say, "clothes and size do not make the man!". Her dad tried to tell her but she fell for a good lookin' Beau Brummel and the jerk broke her heart (by having affairs with every skirt in town :eek: ). :yes: She later admitted she should have listened to her dear old dad. Just as clothes and size do not make the man, size does not make the horse. You're focusing too much on what you want and not what you need!
:yes:

As I read this I felt like I was reading a novel about the old west! Have you ever thought about writing novels?? His REAL name was "Beau Brummel"??? You've GOT to be kidding me. :lol:

And sadly the only thing that I'm getting from that is that "size doesn't matter"! :lol:

[MySparrow]

I've read this thread with mild amazement. Every single lesson barn I've ever been associated with has had horses of every size available, because seldom does a lesson barn select for size. We choose for useability. Period.

My suggestion to the OP is to keep looking. And have fun with your growing youngster!

[Nikki17]

Are you serious? Go buy your own and stop complaining

[MistyBlue]

;) Beau Brummel was a fashion setter and the leading socialite in England in the early to mid 1800's. He's the one who the word "dandy" was started for...he was known for his impeccable style and also for his gossip-mongering. (An 1800's Mr Blackwell) He was also the one who basically chose who was popular and who wasn't, if he snubbed a person or questioned their outfit...they were considered social leppers. :winkgrin:
Beau Brummel is a euphamism for well dressed and popular. :yes:

[Gnalli]

I feel for the OP, and am stunned by the response you've been getting!

Also 5'10" with a 34" inseam, I actually had a barn tell me they couldn't teach me because they didn't have a big enough horse - nothing over 15.2. And it's not about weight - I'm 130lbs and a size 4.

I'd say that you're probably better off finding a lease - that's what I did, and couldn't be happier.

Oh, and to the posters who are saying "just go buy another horse", I'm guessing you have more expendible income than the rest of us. Yeesh. :rolleyes:

:winkgrin:Sweetie, they weren't telling you that because the horse was too short, they hated you for being 5'10,130# and a size 4. :D and did not want to have to look you in breeches. That is why I would have said go away, lol. Either that or get you to the barn and feed you until you were not 130# any more, ;)lol.... You do know I am just playing with you don't you. I meant no offense.

I understand the OP wanting to ride larger horses, but really, the size is not the issue if you are wanting to stay in tune while your baby grows up. As PWynn says, it is the stride that counts. Some small horses make you work harder and make better riders out of you. That is why a good pony jock can ride just about anything, because the smaller the horse, the bigger their bag of tricks (most of the time) I have a 14.1 TWH that rides like he is not A big horse, but THE big horse, and that would be MR Big Horse to you, thankyouvery much. He is a power house when it comes time to go in that ring. You really RIDE him, or he leaves you behind. I like a 16.2 non red horse, and lament daily about Ren's size , until I get on him again. Then I remember that he is great, even if he is blood red. Give the shorter lesson horses a chance-they may surprise you.

[ReeseTheBeast]

:winkgrin:Sweetie, they weren't telling you that because the horse was too short, they hated you for being 5'10,130# and a size 4. :D and did not want to have to look you in breeches. That is why I would have said go away, lol. Either that or get you to the barn and feed you until you were not 130# any more, ;)lol....


:lol: :lol: :lol:

Great post Gnalli!

[katarine]

Picky much, OP?

I have at my barn a 14.3 hand racking mare that is quick and slippery as black ice. I have to sit up, sit deep and RIDE or she'll leave me.

I also have a 16.2, round barreled TWH baby that is pokey and slow as molasses. Sure, she fills up my leg, but she's not got half the go-juice and pep of the other mare.

And I'm short and round and been riding my entire life. Never really occured to me to long for taller, shorter, thicker, thinner. Give me one with a good and honest heart. That's what matters.

[MSP]

Sheesh, I have been trying to camouflage my butt size with creative clothing choices... and to think all this time what I needed was a bugger horse :lol:;).

Nah, you don't need a bigger horse just a wider one. Its another benefit to owning a short wide QH! :D

[ESG]

Funny how things change from barn to barn. The biggest problem that I currently have is that my lesson horses are too big for the majority of my students. I have a 15h hony who is an absolute saint, and she is in danger of getting overworked since the majority of my clientele are currently beginners. I've started some on my 16.1h TB gelding, just to save her. And my 17.2h ISH gelding hasn't been used for a lesson since June.

Just another day.........................:cool:

[SparklePlenty]

"Ponies are serial killers reincarnated"?

:lol::lol::lol:
Love this.. :)

[Bluey]

Picky much, OP?

I have at my barn a 14.3 hand racking mare that is quick and slippery as black ice. I have to sit up, sit deep and RIDE or she'll leave me.

I also have a 16.2, round barreled TWH baby that is pokey and slow as molasses. Sure, she fills up my leg, but she's not got half the go-juice and pep of the other mare.

And I'm short and round and been riding my entire life. Never really occured to me to long for taller, shorter, thicker, thinner. Give me one with a good and honest heart. That's what matters.

I also never gave size a second thought, rode big jumpers as well as shetlands.
Then, I am all of 4'11" short.;)

But, now being definitely a senior with senior health issues, right now surgery in three weeks, for a broken wrist that is not healing right, I NEED very-short-horses, so I can easily groom, saddle and get on out in the pasture, without a mounting block.

Those that don't care about size, remember, if you live long enough, you too may have to care some day.:lol:

[SteppinEasy]

I have the exact opposite problem: I'm 4'11" and every horse I end up riding in lessons is gigantic! In fact, the horse I showed for the barn all last year was over 17 hands and one of my last horses was 18 hands:lol:! My instructor is of the "my barn, my horses, you ride what I tell you to ride" camp and we've always been fine. I have an instructor I trust completely, I believe I can learn something from every horse I ride, no matter how "inappropriate." Maybe if you found the right instructor, the horses themselves wouldn't be quite so important to you?

In my own horses, I still have trouble finding anything 15 hands or less. But then again, I've gotten used to riding the giants. My horses average between 15.2 and 16.2 hands, no matter what I end up looking for in the beginning. I ended up getting a lovely little pony (around 14.2hh: is that a pony?) dumped on me...the first time I ever got on him, I really didn't know what to do, but I learned to love it pretty quickly.:yes: Even though I still have to use a mounting block, haha!

I actually get annoyed at all the "big" people who seem to believe they HAVE to ride giant horses. Those little guys are hard, hard, hard to find in lesson programs because of people like you, lol!

Having said all that, I ride saddlebreds. Find an ASB barn that offers several disciplines (I believe there are several in Oregon). Believe me, you'll have NO trouble finding all the big horses you've ever dreamed of!

[Renae]

I echo all those saying that it is not the lessons barn's responsibility to have a horse for every single person who walks through their door, if they are a good lesson barn they will usually have a string on horses that are suitable for beginner-intermediate children and house wives (those are what the majority of the clients will be in my experience) and most usually the most useful horses for the bread and butter clientele will be 13.2-15.2 hands, sturdy, and a bit pokey. They may have a few hotter horses for more advanced riders, but when you become an advanced rider it i also up to you more oft then not to step up to the plate and buy or lease a mount and work out a deal to exercise someone else's horse for them. OP- if you have a young horse you will not be riding for a few years take lunge lesson and work on your seat for a few years, that will help anyone, don't be so vain to think that you are above learning the things that a good packer can teach you!

[findeight]

Late on here. No time lately....

Anyway, have to agree with ESG and Amrider-lesson barns have to select horses/Ponies that will suit 80% or better of the riders in their lesson program.

Obviously, the lesson barns OP has been riding at cater mainly to children. Also, OP is in an area pretty deep in the Western breeds so the available mounts for these barns to purchase that are suitable to teach on (broke, experienced, manners and sound) are going to be QH, Appy, Paint, Arab crosses and similar. That is what is popular out there in the heart of Reined Cow Horse country.

OP needs to find a barn that caters more to Adults or specifically for Hunt Seat or Dressage competitions. Barns that use retired or still active competition horses in that discipline. They are out there. Likely going to cost more then your average lesson barn that depends on finding mounts out of the available, local talent pool.

Other thoughts here as well...
Asking what size saddles are available would be something to ask before taking a lesson. Barns are under no obligation to provide everything for everybody in every size. Especially the ones that keep their prices reasonable.

The observation that 16+ hander are going thru the local auctions dirt cheap all the time and lesson barns should run and get one?? Don't think so. There are many reasons horses end up at killer prices at auctions, 99% of which would keep them from going into a lesson program. That's the last place a reputable lesson program goes looking for proven safe and dependable lesson mounts-and they cannot take the risk of drugs masking unsoundness, bad behavior plus unknown capabilities and temperment.

OTTBs? not exactly what you'd want to throw your average lesson rider on until they have a couple of years retraining and not worth keeping for the months, more likely years, it would take to get it into the program. It's business and all owned horses have to produce income, not eat it up.

Finally, for the OP...what are you going to do if your long yearling does NOT attain the size you assume it will?

[Ibex]

:winkgrin:Sweetie, they weren't telling you that because the horse was too short, they hated you for being 5'10,130# and a size 4. :D and did not want to have to look you in breeches. That is why I would have said go away, lol. Either that or get you to the barn and feed you until you were not 130# any more, ;)lol.... You do know I am just playing with you don't you. I meant no offense.


ROFLMAO... trust me, none taken! If it makes you feel better, it's a purely decorative body type. Looks good in breeches, but it's very, very hard to build muscle memory and flexibility. I tend to be a bit stiff, pointy and awkward.

I have no problem with "shorter" horses (I ride dressage, so there's a tendancy towards Equineasauruses). I currently lease a mare who is 16.1" but has substantial whithers so I think her back is more like 15.2... round barelled and suits me really well. I sometimes get on a 17.1hh RID who feels like a tank after the mare.

BUT... to the original point... people have different preferences. No where did the OP suggest that lesson barns should run out and buy a horse JUST FOR HER.

[Calvincrowe]

Actually, Findeight, we are awash in OTTBs and warmbloods, with a few QHs thrown in out here. Most barns have TBs and mixed breeds as lesson horses, with a few semi-retired warmblood show horses in the string. Sure, the smaller ones can be real Heinz 57's pony/arab/morgan/qh/appy with splotches and spots, but we really do have quality horses in lesson barns.

We have relatively few "lesson only" type barns in the Portland/Metro area. Most are show barns with lots of privately owned horses. The ones that do have lesson horses use client mounts as leases or they buy them when they age/size out of them and put them in the string. So, I can understand the OP's frustration, but I think if she shops around a bit, she could find a better situation.

[sublimequine]

:lol: Too true! Who was it that used to have the sig line "Ponies are serial killers reincarnated"? I've never known one of those supposedly 'saintly' ponies that are supposed to exist out there somewhere. Every pony I've ever known has been cunning, evil little monster who knew every trick in the books for getting their way. Not that they're any less adorable for that. :D (I confess, it's a distinct possibility that one of the reasons I have finally agreed to having a baby is my 2nd husband's promise that I can buy the baby a pony as soon as she--hoping for a girl--is capable of hanging on. :winkgrin:)

Good to know I'm not the only one! :lol:

[magnolia73]

Okay, this posting is just a gripe. I have a horse that is a year and a half old. For the next two years I am relegated to lesson horses at local barns.
Great attitude- "relegated"

My gripe is that I like big horses. I just do. I am 5'9, have a 34 inch inseam and I just like the feel of bigger horses with my leg and I like the bigger gaits.

I like easy horses with smooth gaits! They feel better on my back.

The last two lesson barns I have tried out only have one big horse, if that. The barn where I am riding now has about ten horses and except for one (which is almost always booked) they are all between 14.2 and 15.3.
Why not save time and call and make sure they have something north of 16H available for your lesson

I am sick of instructors telling me it is fine to ride the "smaller" ones, saying that they do it all the time and there is no difference.

Well, it's not going to HURT you and you can still learn

I don't like riding the big ponies or small horses and I don't want to pay to.
Is someone forcing you to?

I totally understand that there are people out there that are over six feet and ride a horse that is 14.2; good for them. I know the horse is capable of carrying up to a third of it's weight. It's not necessarily always good for their back but they can do it.

My yearling is 15 hands and until he is full grown (hopefully 16.2 at least) I am stuck with these lesson barns.
You could also choose not to ride or spend money on a second horse or half lease or look around for people with horses needing exercise

I think the smaller horses must be cheaper, hence the reason they are lesson horses. However, I see horses that are over 16 hands going through the auction around here or OTTB's that are over 16 hands too. What the?
Exactly. Most people at lesson barns are LEARNING TO RIDE and do not need a horse needing some training- OTTB or Auction horse. Perhaps you can make a deal and train a larger OTTB for their barn to be used as a lesson horse down the road?

Does anyone else have this issue?
Yes-it does require some level of compromise to ride when you don't own. Right now I ride a horse who can't jump very high. I used to ride Thirdcharms large ISH mare- sure wish she was lighter, used to ride a draft- wish he had been more responsive to the leg

Honestly, get over yourself.

[CarouselPony]

I'm short and a bit heavy set, and a potential re-rider, and part of the reason I've been hesitant to even look at lesson barns is because I was afraid they would plonk my behind on to some huge drafty cross that would give me vertigo. Personally, I would loff to find some dead-broke-been-there, done-that-go guy/mare under 15/16 hands that can teach me how to ride!

[Huntertwo]

:lol: Too true! Who was it that used to have the sig line "Ponies are serial killers reincarnated"? I've never known one of those supposedly 'saintly' ponies that are supposed to exist out there somewhere. Every pony I've ever known has been cunning, evil little monster who knew every trick in the books for getting their way.

I have one of those "Saintly" ponies! :yes: 13.1h POA. She's even a mare and sweet as can be. Not a mean or evil bone in her body, not to mention the best darn trail pony who will go over and through anything! :yes:

[findeight]

Actually, Findeight, we are awash in OTTBs and warmbloods, with a few QHs thrown in out here. Most barns have TBs and mixed breeds as lesson horses, with a few semi-retired warmblood show horses in the string. Sure, the smaller ones can be real Heinz 57's pony/arab/morgan/qh/appy with splotches and spots, but we really do have quality horses in lesson barns.

We have relatively few "lesson only" type barns in the Portland/Metro area. Most are show barns with lots of privately owned horses. The ones that do have lesson horses use client mounts as leases or they buy them when they age/size out of them and put them in the string. So, I can understand the OP's frustration, but I think if she shops around a bit, she could find a better situation.

Calvin, never said that these mixed breeds were not quality lesson horses-fact the OP has said nothing about quality either. Just size.
Most barns do slip the retired and outgrown ones into the lesson string or make them available. Still going to end up with 80 or 90% kid horses that way and there will be more under 15.3 or so then over unless it's a Dressage barn or something.

[catknsn]

I'm 5'2" on a good day and I will never, ever understand this love affair that Americans have with these 16+ hand high horses! Five feet is far enough to fall when you're old like me.... ;) :yes: :lol: And the bigger they are the more they eat.... :yes:


I couldn't agree more, but I'm 5'3. I'm very comfy on the midget horses, and just as comfy on a large pony. If I were 5'10 I can see where I might feel less comfortable on a small horse with a little barrel.

I've always thought one of the points of lesson horses is that they make you desperately look forward to having YOUR OWN that no one else is screwing up...sounds like a lease might be the right answer for the OP if she can't find a barn with a lesson horse she likes.

[nwrider]

Wow! I am amazed at the amount of replies on this posting! I took off on a business trip on Monday morning and have not looked at this thread since! I won't have time to read the posts until I return home but look forward to pouring a glass of wine and getting a few chuckles. For those of you that provided positive and constructive feedback/advice, thank you! I will utilize it.

Update:
I spoke with the head trainer at the barn on Monday morning before I flew out of town. She said that the person who does the lesson scheduling is trying out a new way of organizing things on the computer. And to top it off is using new software which is why I was put on the 14.3 (fairly narrow) horse/pony on Saturdays and kids were being scheduled on the 16.3 horse. Everyone at this barn loves riding the big guy. We have now scheduled it so that two times per week I get the 16.3 dude for my advanced jumping lessons and my third lesson each week I get a 15.2 horse for my flatwork. For those posters early on in the thread that said riding small horses is good for variety and to improve my riding skills... agreed. As long as my feet are not touching under the barrel!

I have owned and ridden small horses and big horses for many years. I find I like the ride better on the bigger ones.

As for leasing, I have been looking for a while for the right situation. I need something that will be fairly flexible and in pretty close proximity of my work and home. I work fairly long hours and I travel a couple of times per month. Aside from work and riding and spending time with my yearling, sleep is gold. If anyone knows of a h/j horse 10-15 miles west of downtown Portland, please PM me! I am not in a huge hurry or desperate to lease right now as my lesson barn has straightened everything out, yippee!

[Heinz 57]

I'd lend you my TB for the winter to free lease... he's 16.2+ and built like a light heavyweight. However, I'm down in Salem. Wouldn't be opposed to moving him up there, though, as long as I can come visit! :)

[quietann]

Hey, OP, I am happy the barn owner worked something out for you!

I'm short and heavy set, and prefer a hony around 14.2. That said, the pony I use in lessons is 13 hands (and built like a brick sh**house). I don't like the feeling of having no horse in front of me when we jump, but we're working on it. I also ride a 15 hand TB (lovely horse, we are a good match) and occasionally a ~16 hander, who feels a bit big until I get used to him.

That said, my lesson barn misread my application, and thought I was 5'11" not 5'1" so they put me on a 16.3 hand QH for my first lesson. They were very apologetic about the mistake and moved me to the pony. I turned down another lesson barn because they insisted that because I am a bit heavy (160 pounds), I needed to be on a big thick horse. Um, no.

[NRB]

I think I can understand the OP's issue and "feel the pain" My hubby is a beginner rider, 6'2" and 35" inseam (crotch to ankle) When I put him on my 15.2 1/2 hh QH he has a hard time laterally. By that I mean his legs are sooo Long that when my horse turns suddenly, hubby goes to grip w/ the leg to stay on (horse turn rt so hubby puts rt leg on to stabalize himself) and there's hardly any barrel there for him to stabalize himself on. And he's a bit precarious up there. Now granted he's a total beginner. He takes lessons on a 16hh Belgin draft cross that takes up his leg better. So he's lucky that the lesson barn has ths big guy to use. He'd have a harder time learning to ride on a little guy.

The funny thing is that he rides w/ a group of little kids on ponies, he's the only adult on the only horse in his lesson. but his body fits the horse in such a manner that if you were to look at him in the background, and the kids on the ponies in the foreground, you'd swear that he was just another kid on a pony.

[sidesaddlegirl]

I understand the OP's pain about wanting to ride taller horses too. I'm 5'9" (34 1/4" inseam) and like the feel of a longer stride. I must say though that the 14.1 Arab I ride now though (a loan horse) has taught me much more about staying soft and centered in the saddle than the bigger guys!
Although Sen is short, she has a wide barrel so my legs don't feel or look like they are scraping the floor. Yes, barrel size definitely has something to do with it. I weigh 165 so I'm not too heavy for her nor am I hurting her but I always have to make sure because I'm so long, that I stay with her center of gravity when cantering, galloping, etc or else she lets me know! I think with the taller horses, I got lazy with my position and just assumed they would carry me no matter what I did if that makes sense?

Glad it worked out for the OP though! :)

Leila