Am I too tall?

[aks710]

Are there any tall (5'8 or 5'9) riders out there on 16.1h horses? I weigh about 140. For doing low adult hunter classes, does that sound reasonable or just silly?

Thanks!

[SkipChange]

Yes. Please have corrective surgery to shorten yourself by at least 3," even then I insist you ride a horse no shorter than 17.1h.

JUUUST kidding! There are more factors than just height. What is the build of the horse? Is he chunky guy with well sprung ribs? or a dainty, slab sided and leggy horse? I've seen taller riders on less horse, as long as you feel comftorable I think you're fine. There's been a recent shift towards an obsession with having massive horses, if you make a good pair I don't see a problem.

Let's see a photo if you have one :)

[klmck63]

It really depends more on the shape of the horse and your shape than the actual height.

Is the horse's barrel flat or round? Is your height in your upper body or your legs? If the horse has flat sides and you have long legs, you might look tall. If the horse has a short neck and you have a tall upper body you might look tall.

It's hard to tell with just the numbers!

[aks710]

Here's a link to a video of us (it's the first horse-- the bay TB). His current owner says he needs to put on about 100 pounds. I'm trying to decide on him for a 6-month lease.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGx00M0u-S4 (sorry this is really blurry!)

[EmJae]

There's been a recent shift towards an obsession with having massive horses, if you make a good pair I don't see a problem.

I completely agree. A lot of the horses I see in the ring are massive, which makes me feel too big for my fairly solid 16 hand horse --- and I'm about 5'3 and 115 pounds.

I guess people think it looks more impressive? I don't even know what the right balance is anymore.

[Jersey Fresh]

Here's a link to a video of us (it's the first horse-- the bay TB). His current owner says he needs to put on about 100 pounds. I'm trying to decide on him for a 6-month lease.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGx00M0u-S4 (sorry this is really blurry!)

While I agree that people are obsessed with huge horses when they don't need them, I do think you are a bit too tall for him. Your leg seems ok (maybe a bit long on him) and will probally be better as he fills out but you have a tall upper body. Really though, I dont htink in the low adults its going to matter and he looks like a fun ride so I wouldn't let that deter you.

[Across Sicily]

Hmm, really? 5'9" and 16.1?

Let me tell ya something.. I'm 5'9" and ride, and show, a 15.1 hand horse. GASP! And I don't look big on him. I don't exactly look small, but we certainly do fit.

He is rather widely sprung and I carry the vast majority of my height in my legs (and, in fact, femur, which "hides" some of the height... it's just fun finding a saddle that fits). I would imagine that's how it ends up working out as well as it does. I've ridden 17 hand+ slab sided Saddlebreds and Thoroughbreds (yeah, I get around) where my foot extended well below the belly.

I HATE seeing 5' riders on 18 hand horses... it looks RIDICULOUS and can't be particularly effective... I doubt you are too big.

[myvanya]

Sorry- can't see youtube at work, but fwiw, I ride a 16.1 hand appendix QH. I am 5'8" with insanely long legs. I do ride jumpers, but you can still look at the pics and see if you think I look ridiculous.

Here are a couple pics of us: (pardon my eq...I'm working on it.)
http://s335.photobucket.com/albums/m472/valeskadavis/?action=view&current=IMG_0565.jpg

http://s335.photobucket.com/albums/m472/valeskadavis/?action=view&current=IMG_0470.jpg

[SkipChange]

Do you look tall? Yes. But you ARE tall. Do I think you look TOO tall? Not really.
Yes you do look a little tall on him but you seem to make a nice pair. If he gains that 100lbs it should make him take up your leg better.

I do understand people liking a big horse. As a 5'2" and petite rider I have shown horses that are 16.3 and 17.1. It was fun and I like a little extra height when you're sitting at the base of a substantial jump. But I recently bought a new horse, advertised as 15.3, of course he ended up being 16.1. Anyway, I understand the big horse movement but if you like the horse (especially if it's just a lease) I approve. You can always keep your eye out for something bigger for after your lease is up.

[greyshowjumper]

I have a tall torso and short legs, but I am 5'9" riding a 16.1 horse. I feel very comfortable on her and according to my pictures, fit her great. I also ride a 14.3 arabian. She is lots of fun. If you feel good riding the horse, don't stop because people are in the "over 17 hds" club.

[neigh.neigh]

You are fine. I am about your size (5'7") and I show 15.3 horses in the junior hunters and medal/maclay. I have also shown ponies before so I think you will look perfectly fine

[starrysky]

I think you make a nice pair.

[imapepper]

I am 5'8" and 140 and have a 15.1 hand TB mare that is on the dainty side. I look a bit big for her but not ridiculous thanks to my short upper body :) I think that you fit your horse nicely. The picture will be prettier when he gains some lbs and a little more muscle.

This is my little mare and I when I first bought her. Again....not perfect but I ride jumpers so it's not really an issue ;) I was a bit heavier in this shot and she was much thinner in this shot than she is now. She was super skinny when I got her.

http://pets.webshots.com/photo/1486963623051534930FzfJoS

And here is another little horse I rode at one point. She was about 15.2 and she was not petite :lol: Again....not the perfect look but not terrible.

http://pets.webshots.com/photo/1475531664051534930dfcZxU

[Hauwse]

You are not too tall, and I do not even have to look at the picture, because really there is no such thing.

As Steinkraus stated a tall rider looks no more out of place on a short horse than a short rider looks on a tall horse. I believe the point being that it does not really matter. Perhaps if you are considering a horse "purely" for eq. you may give consideration to how you and the horse look together, maybe if you happen to be a 250 plus lb man or woman perhaps handicapping a slight built 15HH horse doing the GP route might not be the best idea, but other than that...

As many have stated fit has more to do with the horse build than it's size, really the difference between 16HH and 17HH is 4", so if you are conisdering size think, barrel, overall length of the horse, lenght of the horses legs etc. not over height.

One thing we forget about is that riders have to learn to fit the horse, not the other way around. If rider size does not impact the horses ability it should not be a question and the rider should be able to learn to fit the horse.

Joe Fargis, who is over 6' on Touch of class who was 16HH if that, with shoes on, standing on pavement, on her tippy toes.

www.showjumpinghalloffame.net/

[*Teddy*]

I HATE seeing 5' riders on 18 hand horses... it looks RIDICULOUS and can't be particularly effective... I doubt you are too big.

uh oh I like riding the big guys! I'm 4'10 and the 17hh+ were some of my favorites! The only issue I had was getting on(nothing a tall mounting block can't fix) I could get them going quite well.........equal or better than the taller people who rode them.

[FrenchFrytheEqHorse]

I think it's important to consider what height you will be showing at, and how tall your upper body is.

My current horse is 16.3 1/2, and I'm also 5'9". His barrel is perfect for my leg, but his neck is a little short for my upper body. Here is a picture:

http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2371619600069198992OtGfAC (please excuse the saddle, I was borrowing one until I had mine shipped back to the US)

The only thing I need to be careful of is using a more conservative release because I can "dwarf" his front half with my upper body. Being aware of this helps me to avoid it, and actually helps me stay out of the way when I'm riding other horses.

[jumpingmaya]

I definitely don't think that you are 2 big... I think there is an obsession with having 5' riders on 18 hand horses!
I actually think you guys look good!!!
I'm 5'9" and usually have to stick with horses that are minimum 16.1-16.2... but just because my leg is about 70% of my body (I HAVE NO UPPER BODY AT ALL>>> my rib cage is less than an inch away from the top of my hip bone!!!)
But then again, I rode a friend's 15.2 QH that took my leg....
Either way, you're not TOO Big at all!!
Have fun and enjoy riding :winkgrin:

[smilton]

I'm 5-10+ 145lbs of all leg. I have a 17.1h 1300lb OTTB that I make look like a pony. I think it is very individual to the person and the horse. I personally usually have difficulty riding anything anything under 16.2 but I competed a 16h mare and 14.3h gelding at up to 4ft 9". Definitely more difficult rides but what every you feel comfortable with. Some people don't like the size, strength and difficulty riding large horses others love them.

[rugbygirl]

I know a 6' tall woman who rides 15hh Arabs in huntseat. People go "oooh, she's tall!" They also say this when she is walking around off a horse. Because she IS tall, and extremely willowy. She does tend to draw a judge's eye, which is a good thing, unless you're making a mistake at the time ;)

I am nearly 6' tall, and I ride a 16.2hh medium-built TB. No one has ever said that I look out of place on him. If I wanted to have the same proportions as a skinny 12 year old on a Section C Welsh, I can always ride my 17hh Clyde. We look like a kid and a pony from far away. We also get a lot of snickers in the Hunter ring.

So anyway, point being, do you want to ride a horse so big that he stands out for that reason, so that you can have the same proportions as a 12 year old on a monster of a warmblood? Good luck finding that 19hh Hunter. I'd rather ride my "proper Hunter" horse, and look like what I am...a tall woman. As long as the horse takes up your leg, give 'er.

[SpartanVirtue]

Here's a link to a video of us (it's the first horse-- the bay TB). His current owner says he needs to put on about 100 pounds. I'm trying to decide on him for a 6-month lease.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGx00M0u-S4 (sorry this is really blurry!)

I judge quite a bit. You look fine -the horse is adorable. For a lease, I would say go for it.

[billiebob]

I think you and the horse are a really nice pair. I wouldn't say you look too tall on him. He's really cute!

I am 6' and my horse is a 16.2-and-a-bit TB, a little on the skinny side but with a decent barrel. When I got him, all the barn kids were amazed that I was riding something that is, in their estimation, my size! I personally feel that he's a smidge little for me, but not bad at all. This is not the greatest picture of me (my hands were apparently fascinating that day :lol:) but you can get the general idea.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1099884&id=525990432#/photo.php?pid=8200901&id=751565037

The horse at our barn who actually fits my leg the best is a 15.1 Nokota--he's a tank! There was also a 15.1-15.2 mare that was pretty wide and really long, and I didn't look too ridiculous on her.

[JenEM]

I do. I'm 5'10" and my mare is a 16.1ish (give or take, I've never actually sticked her) TB. While not the best picture (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2536/3813092320_0388d0364d.jpg), this is the best shot of where my leg falls. I do look a little tall riding with longer stirrups in my dressage saddle, but not ridiculously so.

I think you and your horse look like a very nice pair. Good luck with him!

[RolyPolyPony]

I think you look great! I'm 5'11" and at my lesson barn ride horses that are 16-16.2, and I look fine on them.

[Trakehner]

I'm a hair under 6'2", my current ride is just 16 hands. I've shown horses 15.1 and up. Used to be, anything over 16.1 was considered "big".

You'll be fine.

[Mukluk]

I am 5/6.5 with long legs. I would like to find a horse that I can sit on bareback and whose barrel comes out to my knee. This horse would probably be a Shire. Bonus points if when bareback, there is at least 8" between my heel and the bottom of the barrel. Again probably a Shire. At present I make due with a 16.2 medium width OTTB. Kind of wish she were a little taller and a little wider but she is my girl.

[EiRide]

I think you guys look smooth and cute together.

On the other hand, I am an eventer and find these "am I too tall" or "am I too heavy" threads a bit of a mystery. If you feel comfortable and balanced up there, it's all good in my book. My favorite size is 15.3--16.1, but I have horses from 14.3 to 17.1 in my past/present that were good matches.

[aks710]

Thanks for the great feedback, everyone! I didn't think I'd inspire such a huge discussion! ..and now I know that this really isn't a big deal. Happy riding!

[paintlady]

Are there any tall (5'8 or 5'9) riders out there on 16.1h horses? I weigh about 140. For doing low adult hunter classes, does that sound reasonable or just silly?

Thanks!

I'm around your size and ride a barely 15.2 hh QH/Paint.

[equest]

Are there any tall (5'8 or 5'9) riders out there on 16.1h horses? I weigh about 140. For doing low adult hunter classes, does that sound reasonable or just silly?

Thanks!

I'm your size and ride a similarly sized horse. He's a TB with a WB build and a sizeable barrel. He has a large stride and I've never felt as though I was oversized, nor have I had anyone suggest it (I don't show right now but I'm always told we would be a great pair).

[1horseRachel]

I am 5'6 and ride a 15 hand horse. I feel fine on her but she is stocky

[hunterEQhorse]

I'm 16, and around 5'9 or 5'10.

I was recently leasing a 16.1 hh Thoroughbred that was more on the lean/skinny side. I looked a tad to big on him only because of the length of my legs. (I'm ALL leg).

Now, I have switched barns and have been leasing and showing a 17 hand American Warmblood (percheron/thoroughbred). and I have room to spare on her because she is drafty and warmblood built.

[springer]

I'm 5'8" (I may have shrunk by now to 5'7"- I'm 55) and my 4 yr old andalusian is JUST 15hh. I got on him for the first time last week in a dressage arena, in front of the mirrors and was amazed to see I look ok on him! He is very stocky though. I look BIG on our 15.3hh appendix as he is very slab sided.
And by the way, I think you look GREAT on that horse!