Bigger is better????

[Silvercreekcrossings]

How many of you consider size (over 16 hands) to be a necessity in a horse you would consider purchasing? Why do you feel that way?

[calicocalgirl]

I like shorter..
easier to get on..
lower to the ground if you fall..

[horseloverinVA]

I have a TB that's 17'1, a TB thats 16'2, an APHA yearling filly that should be 16'1-16'2, and an appy who is 15'. The appy was my first horse and that's why he's shorter.

I like a big horse for several reasons. One is I show HUS and in my experience a bigger horse does better and two, I'm a bigger boned person, I'm not that big and could easily ride a 14'3 hand horse weight and height wise, I just think and feel that I look better on a taller/larger horse. Psycological I suppose.

To be honest if I showed WP instead I'd prob have no problem with a smaller horse, but I'd prob still like something in the neighborhood of 15'2. I just like the feel of a bigger horse.

I will also say that I wouldn't pass onm a horse just because it was short. If I fell in love with a shorty and he would suit what I wanted, I'd be just as inclined to get him/her.

[nrhareiner]

I do not want or look for a horse that is much over 15hh as the bigger ones have a really hard time sliding and getting after cattle.

Heidi

[Crookedblaze]

Originally Posted by nrhareiner

I do not want or look for a horse that is much over 15hh as the bigger ones have a really hard time sliding and getting after cattle.

I agree for cowhorses. All of my horses are under 15 hands. Stormy and Mac are about 14.3, Rocket is 14.2.

For a trail horse, though, I would definitely want something taller. 15.2 hands plus.

[jolene.fargo]

Bigger for me, a 16h horse and up has more stride down the lines when jumping hunter style. Though 15.3 and sometimes 15.2 are just as good if they can extend their stride without racing down the lines. Even in the flat classes, a bigger horse, and this isn't always the case, is loftier in movement and makes the ride look natural, smooth and effortless whereas being small and not enough stride makes the ride choppy looking and rushed. Again not always the case seeing as my 15.1 qh placed just as well as the big guys.
It really depends on the horse.
I also feel safer, the smaller ones can turn fast and hard! Lol
I do like shorter though if I am doing things like reining or wp.
So I guess I am mixed......

[Drafty]

When I was younger, bigger was always better. I had a very warped image of myself in my head, having been riding big draft horses way before I was ever on a pony. After having ridden huge drafts, draft crosses, warmbloods, and Thoroughbreds for lessons for ten plus years, I spent a summer on a ranch in the mid west. There I rode small "cow horses" and ponies, and I discovered that not only could they handle me, but that they made waaay more sense as mounts than the big horses (i.e. less distance to fall, easier to get on, eat less, etc.). Looking at old pictures of myself on those huge 16 to 18 hand horses, I looked way over-horsed. My days of thinking that I need a big horse are over. I am comfortable on anything that FEELS comfortable when I'm on it, I don't look for a certain height any longer or worry about being "under horsed."

[Karen Cole]

I like smaller horses, that said my horse is about 16hnds he's huge and the only reason I keep him is because he's safe and sane. But everytime I take him out I get asked at least once why I need a horse thats so big? Thats what happens when you buy weaners it's a crapshoot!!

Karen

[Silvercreekcrossings]

I like the smaller ones too, but then I am only 5' so it's not easy to climb the big ones. The point about the bigger ones being smoother is someone valid but my 14'2 arab floats pretty well.

[rivervu2]

I like a big horse for a number of reasons. I'm 5'8" and don't feel comfortable on a small horse. Not enough neck in front of me? I used to ride jumpers and fox hunted (drag hunt) as well so a horse that could jump those big solid fences was essential. Also riding a line correctly is more difficult on a short strided horse. I'm long waisted so I don't feel balanced on a small horse. I seem to end up on the ground a lot! Not so on the big ones. They're much easier for me to stay on. I guess it has to do with your body type and what you plan to use the horse for.

[snwflk]

I am 5'9" there for I need taller as I look like a circus clown on something smaller and I am a lil fluffy so I need a bigger horse- But sometimes my back is bad, and I would like to have something shorter that would have a nice smooth ride , but stocky enough so that I dont feel like I am going to SQUISH it. BUt most of the horses that I ride are 16h or bigger- Tallest was a 18' draft on a TRAIL RIDE- I swear I could see the clouds from where I was at

[EquineAlberta]

I like 15.2 -16.2 for dressage and jumping, although my one gelding is likely going to be closer to 17 hands.

If I was shorter I would happily ride shorter horses/ponies, but I am 5'10" and my leg sits too long on the smaller ones (jumping I am ok, but dressage is too hard for me on a shorter horse).

THe issues i have with the super tall ones are 1) Need a bigger/taller trailer and 2) Their joints and circulatory system tend to break down faster than a more moderately sized horse and 3) they just feel more clunky to ride around in smaller rings...I prefer the compact sports car horses!

Karen

[breburtch]

I like horses that are over 15.1 and bulky for the sole purpose that one I like the looks of bigger heavier horses then I do small light weights(hence why I prefer qh's,appy's,paints, and draft/draft cross over arabs,and thoroughbreds)
I'm also a heavier rider and feel more comfortable on something bigger...although I have rode smaller horses that were in the 14.1 hh range but they were usually tanks and the small light ones carried me just fine but I felt awkard and gigantic on them.

So for me personally bigger is better.

I've met a few people over the years that liked the bigger guys because they can jump higher and do things different then something smaller maybe can.
Also (this depends on the breed and conformation aswell) alot of people..myself included, find the bigger the horse the smoother the ride(not always the case especially if the horse has poor conformation or is a breed thats known for not being overly smooth)

[Horses&Soccer]

I'm barely 5 foot, so I'm with Calico and I like them shorter. Easier to get on, not as far to fall off. I don't appreciate hanging from the horn "looking" for the ground. So, why are ours both 15.3?! Except for the pony, of course.

[nrhareiner]

I am over 5'10" and my reiners are about 14'2-15hh so hight really dose not have much to do with it. They are big barraled horses and I do not feel I am riding a small/short horse.

Heidi

[Bandit]

I'm 5'9 and my husband is about 6'4. My horses are all under 14.3 and my main riding mount is only 13.3 hands. My husband's horse is currently around 15 hands and might grow an inch or two more. We like our horses short but wide. As long as they are wide and stocky they take up the leg room and can carry the weight easier than some of the taller but narrower horses I've tried to ride.

Plus short horses are just so much better for the trails - which is pretty much all we ride. With overgrown trail paths, its just so much easier to get under the limbs with a shorter horse.

[Carri]

I don't consider it a necessity, I wasn't necessarily looking for a 16.2 horse when I bought Opie, but I do like his height. I have always had tall horses, though, I have had a lot of 16+ hand Saddlebreds.

[sweetwaterarabians]

I like all mine under 15 hands. I've never had one over 15 hands but I have a boarder gelding who is 15.2 and he is so big to me. Wears me out to brush him and when he puts his head up he's way out of my reach. I like them a little closer to the ground and more my size. Just fits me better. But I can understand if you are a big or tall person a taller horse is more fitting.

[NoniMe]

I'll tell ya, I didn't think I discriminated against smaller horses...and then I thought about it. Yes, I apparently do. I've never run a search on a horse less than 15.3, and mostly run the searches at 16 or taller.

For me, I think it has to do with the idea that I'm not small; both big boned and carrying extra weight, and a beginner, I want a horse who is able to contend with that...Tango fits the bill admirably. His strides are big, loose, gentle, and smooth.

I rode a 14.2 mustang last night, and was able to mount from the ground...but she felt so choppy and up-and-downish, I felt like I had been jiggled and joggled last night. OTOH, her owner rode Tango, and she said "wow, I never knew riding was smooth like that." LOL.

I like the presence a taller horse gives; I like the extension they can get. I love the feeling of being on a taller horse, and while the ground is farther (and thus physics will prove that the fall is harder), I don't actually worry about it too much.

In the future, I'd love to get a larger bodied, taller arabian and/or a draft cross...but they will have to be pretty darned tall.

Just my opinion, but that's why I think size matters...at least to me.

Best-
Noni

[beezwing]

And see...I think a 16h Tb is way to much horse oozing out in front.

I like short and round..must have a big barrel and a good attitude. Very tall is scary...ask again in a year or so when I am more fit, I reserve the right to change my mind.

(Noni I just discovered a type of Arab called the Shagya..they are big and my latest passion of online "horse I can't ever afford" research)

k