[Loopy]

What I think DOES look ridiculous is tiny little women/girls on 17hh+ horses.

I'm not so keen on a huge horse, being small myself, but thats what we breed so that's (mostly) what I've got. Truth be told I don't much like ponies, though. Perfect for me is my 16H gelding, he's awesome

[TheHunterKid90]

Well, currently I'm riding reining ponies and was asked to get "the BIG grey over there." Turns out Paris is 15hh.
So most are right about 14.1 to 14.2hh. Definitely an adjustment from riding hunters.

Oh, and I'm 5'8" with a lot of leg.

[Freebird!]

I have 3 ponies - two top of the line larges, and one Mini (which I don't ride) I'm a tad over 5'5 but I have pretty short legs, so while I am always having to remind my upper body to sit back, my legs actually fit a medium pony pretty well. If I get brave enough, I'll post some pictures, I have owned ponies since my NZ TB - funny enough, he was a big 17 hh! - died about 10 years ago.

[Loopy]

What does 'top of the line large' mean please? I've seen it a few times on the forum but I'm not familiar with the US terminology

[Laurierace]

80-84 inch girth?!? Where does one buy one of those? The largest I have ever seen is 58 inches.

[dani0303]

What does 'top of the line large' mean please? I've seen it a few times on the forum but I'm not familiar with the US terminology

A pony that's close to that max height, i.e. 14.1-14.1 3/4


I'm 5'5 and my WB is 16.1. I'm heavier so we look pretty good together.

[Loopy]

Thanks

[Freebird!]

Sorry - for me at least, it means right on the 14.2 line, since anything over would be a horse. Actually, I think one of my girls is 14.1, but she is only 3 1/2. My other girl is also 3 1/2, and is a smidge higher, but is also butt high at the moment, so I will probably end up with two little horses, lol. No worries though - I like their size! I can go trail riding, and get on and off easily, it doesn't hurt my back to groom them, they don't eat a lot, their teeny hooves are easy to care for, and don't leave craters in the pasture, blankets are usually cheaper, and I happen to love their Pony 'Tude.

[magicteetango]

4'10" ish and 15.3 and 16.1. My 15.3 made is built fairly petite and I fit her perfectly. The other mare is built big and it took a while to get used to her. She is honestly too big but I really like riding her so we make it work.

In my mind I see a little 15.1ish TB mare in my future, perfect size for me!

[sdlbredfan]

Just barely 5' tall and my mare is 16.1 hands. I always have preferred tall horses, because they give you more warning of impending 'something different' than the tiny compact critters that can turn on a dime, right out from under a rider.

OTOH, the older I get to be might make me rethink this. I am in my 6th decade now; maybe when I reach 70 I will switch to an under 15.2 hand critter.

[inne]

I'm 5'3", my horse is a 16.1, and I think we're a pretty good match. I have longer legs so height has never been a concern for me while riding, only on the ground - I ride dressage so there are a lot of huge horses around and at about 17hh they just start to feel too big for me to handle. Super fun to ride occasionally, but I don't want to use a step stool to groom, tack up, and blanket every day of my life. Trying to bridle a 17.1 horse who doesn't want to be bridled is not fun when you are 5'3".

You guys look nice together.

[cmdrcltr]

I'm really no taller now–5'1.5"-than I was when I was 13. My pony then was 12.3 hands tall, and I was just a bit too big on him, i.e. had to be careful with my body jumping. I've ridden everything from that size to about 16.2, and I find how you look/feel depends more on the horse's body type than height. My current hony is a a 14.3 hand Paint who I think I fit very well.

http://s683.beta.photobucket.com/use...tml?sort=3&o=7

[Macimage]

Sorry to be the Context Police, but the word you're wanting is self-concious.

I think they meant self-conscious.

[nasalberry]

5'8" vs 16.2+ HH.
The 30 yo Arab that passed 2 1/2 years ago was 15HH, but he was of the solid-bodied Crabbet/Kellogg breeding and took up a lot of leg. Of which I have an abundance.

[saddleup]

I'm 5'9" and both of my horses are 15.3 hh. They're the shortest horses I've ever owned, but as I'm getting older I find I really like smaller horses.

[Far_North_Equestrian]

I'm 5', and Felix is a very stocky 13.2 (my 5'7" coach rides him without looking too big as well).

My tallest horse was a 16.2 but very narrow/short backed TB - he took up my leg about the same ammount as Felix, but differently of course.

I'm currently a pretty die-hard pony/hony rider though. I can get so much quality in a smaller package for a better price just cause they're short!

[ViewParadise]

I'm 5'8" and ride a 16.2
Hubby is 6'1 and rides a 15.1

[NBChoice]

I'm 5'2". I have a 14.2hand little guy, and the other two are right around 15.2ish.

[NotAtTheBarn]

I'm 5'9" and one horse is 17hh and the other 18.2hh. I feel like I fit both of them very well and can mount from the ground when out on the trail.

17hh TB: http://smile.webshots.com/smiles/4d5...1d22000abc1ad8

18.2hh Zangersheide: http://smile.webshots.com/smiles/4e4...1d22000abc1ad8

[RolyPolyPony]

6' and my lease horse is 16h on a very, very tall day He's fairly solid so it works ok, though I still have to fight my inclination to raise my heel when asking for the canter :P All my height is in my legs!

Here we are at my first real show in 20+ years: http://www.flickr.com/photos/funnyth...57630902452296