[cloudyandcallie]

I've been 17 hands tall since I was 12 yrs old, so I need a horse 16.0 to 16.3.
Callie was 16 hands,
Cloudy is 16.2,
altho one BO sticked Cloudy at 16.0 and another sticked him at 17.3. (he must have moveable withers)

People need a horse that fits them and that is "suitable".

There are many cute smaller horses, Cloudy's girlfriend is beautiful and 14.3 and is for sale by our BO, someone should snap up that girl) but my legs are too long!

[rhala]

I am fairly short as well - 5'-2". Although I chose 15.2 to 16.0 really 14.3 to 15.3 is my preference. In reality it has more to do with the size of a horse's barrel. I am not a big fan of a very narrow horse.

[Lieslot]

I think I've got a loose screw in my head or so, but if I have to be really honest, I so much prefer anything over 17.3hh. I have no clue why. I adore riding my over 18hh-ers.
I have sat on 16hh horses, but I have to post the trot way quicker I thought.
I swear I dream about sitting on a giraffe one day. How awesome would that be. Actually I hope one day to sit on a camel. How many hands would a camel be?

Surely something not right with me, perhaps I should have a psychological evaluation and see if this preference is to compensate for something else .

[JohnDeere]

Surely something not right with me, perhaps I should have a psychological evaluation and see if this preference is to compensate for something else .

Hight-envy, perhaps?

[Christa P]

I find that it depends on whta I am doing. For trail riding and driving I prefer them a little shorter - 15H and under. For competition (H/J and eventing) I prefer around 16H.

The main criteria though is good moving and athletic, size is secondary.

Christa

[MistyBlue]

I prefer 14-15.2hh for height...both to fit my shorter height *and* because riding an athletic shorter horse is like driving a sports car vs the tall horses feel like piloting around a firetruck. My 17hh mare had really nice movement and was a joy to ride but about as maneuverable as a school bus. Everything was bigger, including the handling. Seems so on all the tall horses I've ridden.

[Deuce]

I do best on something that has a big barrel. Don't really care about height as long as they do their job well. My horse is 16hh on the ground, but when you sit on him boy does he feel like a massive 18hh animal.

Ditto! As long as there is enough BODY under me to take up some of the length of my legs I'm good. Though, I do prefer a horse with a big stride which you tend to get on the bigger horses.

[Rebmik]

Have 2 - 17.2 - 2100lbs, 18h-2300lbs NOW that is something you can wrap your legs around!
Great for barebacking! and doubling

[2DogsFarm]

Well, I used to think my Vern's 16h-even was just about perfect...
Then the other week I rode a friends not-quite-15h hony, and boy, it sure was fun swinging up bareback right from the ground

Maybe my 3rd horse will be a hony

[Trevelyan96]

I picked from 14.3 - 15.2, as I'm only 4'11" I have a 16H TB with a huge girth, and he doesn't even acknowledge that I've put leg on him. My other guy is around 15.2, and although green, he is much easier for me to ride.

[VCT]

I like 15.3 - 16.1... I can deal with 15h on up to my preference too. But I like a substantial horse but one who is light feeling. My paint and app are perfect for me.

[Daydream Believer]

14:3 and under for me! That is the average size of the horses I chose to breed also. Just perfect for my 5'4" size.

[KayPink]

I'm tall, 5'9", so I like a bigger horse (16.2+) because I feel like I fit better and my legs aren't dangling. That being said, my A/A hunter horse of lifetime was a scrappy Thoroughbred few hairs over 15.3 and we won all over the place!! I miss him...

[cloudyandcallie]

Well, I used to think my Vern's 16h-even was just about perfect...
Then the other week I rode a friends not-quite-15h hony, and boy, it sure was fun swinging up bareback right from the ground

Maybe my 3rd horse will be a hony

Vern is so handsome in his pix. He would be cool at any size.

[WindyIsles]

I'm less than 5 feet. Give me a pony

Though I will say my favorite horse to ride at college here is a 15.2 TB who is narrow and elegant looking and we just look fit good together. He doesn't make me feel overmounted.

[kcmel]

If I had my druthers, I would like something 15.3 to 16.0. I CAN get on my 16.3 boy from the ground, but it ain't easy.

[SarahandSam]

I voted for pony-size. I lecture Sam every day about how he is not to grow one more inch, because he's perfect for me at 14.1. (Or out another inch, either; I like my saddle.) I'm not really scared of riding big horses, but man it's a long way to the ground when you get off them...

[unbridledoaks]

I like to ride anything from 12 hands to 15 hands really. My ideal horse is 15 hands. Here he is:

http://www.wishbroke.com/jpgs/sunnysfirstshow089.jpg

[appychik]

Well, like others have said, it's not all about the height at the withers...

I, too, have very long legs (34"... wear 36" jeans when wearing tennis shoes ) and have two horses. One is 15hh (and probably won't ever be started under saddle) and the other is a solid 16hh. However, due to having lameness issues, I've been regularly riding horses from 14.1 to 16.1hh. Honestly, I'm really enjoying riding the small ones. I ride two different Arabs and yea, I look a tad goofy, but I'm really learning about using my leg properly.

So, yep, just cause you're tall or it's the "in" thing doesn't mean you necessarly need that GIGANTIC horse. The smaller ones work just as well too.

[SandyHTF]

I have a 16.2 1/2 hand mare and a 15.1 1/2 hand mare - both appear to be the perfect size for me.

The 16.2+ mare has a smaller ribcage (think Tb), the 15.1+ mare is wide around her ribs.

Height is not the only thing to take into account for proper sizing.

I totally agree. I am 5'3 with relatively long legs. My 15.2 hand, big barreled mare fits me perfectly, an ottb I work with is a wispy 15.3... I feel like I can wrap my legs under his barrel. My 16.2 hand mare is medium build and also fits perfectly.

I like the picture of horse to rider to be balanced, but more importantly, I want something that fits my leg.

(Another Sandy in FL)