Old Bird new horse.

Possum

New Member
Dec 23, 2017
2
1
1
59
Hi peeps. Newbie from Down Under here.
As an older rider what size horse do you ride? I’m 52, 5’7 and I’m going to tentatively look at a 16.3 Standardbred tomorrow morning.
Now I know I might need a ladder to get on and off, and I’ll realise when I’m up there what a long way down it is. I’ll let you know how it goes .
BTW I’m from Derbyshire UK up until 3 years ago. Now living on the outskirts of Melbourne.
Happy Christmas
 
  • Like
Reactions: GaryB
Hello:D
If the horse feels right, he / she won't feel tol far up. I ride OH's dutch warmblood who is 17hh and I'm five feet nothing, but because he feels right he doesn't seem to high up for me, if you know what I mean. My old mare at 15hh can feel waaaay more high up when she gets going:p
Look forward to hearing more.
 
I'm not an older rider but will answer anyway as I'm not sure age really makes much difference! Depends on the horse as to how you fit it and how you feel. I am 5'6" and long in the thigh for my height. My own horse is 15hh and I look & feel just right on her, but I ride anything up to 17hh+ for work and never feel particularly small on something that size. If they are really broad you feel smaller on them regardless of their height, likewise if they are narrow you feel bigger on them.
Eta - Standardbreds aren't usually particularly broad in my experience, sometimes big in the shoulder but feel smaller when you're on them.
 
Hello Possum, ey up mi duck! welcome to NR I was born in Wirksworth and know Derbyshire quite well :)
As for horse size, yup, it all depends on if the horse feels right for you, my own is a 14'2 Haflinger, she's short but wide, she's perfect for me (5ft 6 & 54) but I'll happily ride my fellow liveries 17h Fresian yet the other big lad on our yard felt all wrong to me, all I can say is go try it and see how you feel. Good luck :)
 
Hello Possum, ey up mi duck! welcome to NR I was born in Wirksworth and know Derbyshire quite well :)
As for horse size, yup, it all depends on if the horse feels right for you, my own is a 14'2 Haflinger, she's short but wide, she's perfect for me (5ft 6 & 54) but I'll happily ride my fellow liveries 17h Fresian yet the other big lad on our yard felt all wrong to me, all I can say is go try it and see how you feel. Good luck :)
I love Wirksworth! I was in Belper, then Denby Village before I came here.
I’ve had a Haffy too, they’re megabucks over here tho.
I’m gonna pull up my big girl pants and give it a go
 
My horse is a 16.1hh shire x tb. He is built like a tank! I am only 5ft2 and really do need a good sized mounting block to get on him. He really is too big for me as he is very wide and when I am jumping my legs don't come down much past the saddle flaps, but I love him and will never part with him.
 
My horse is a 16.1hh shire x tb. He is built like a tank! I am only 5ft2 and really do need a good sized mounting block to get on him. He really is too big for me as he is very wide and when I am jumping my legs don't come down much past the saddle flaps, but I love him and will never part with him.

He is far wider than anything else I am used to riding! I felt tiny on him :p
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mary Poppins
I am in my 70s and taller narrower horses are often far easier for me to sit comfortably and ride -
But it is the horse that matters to me rather than the mathematical height. Over 17 hands I need to think carefully about getting on - out hacking one may need to remount without a mounting block. We have fallen trees and banks - but one needs to be practical. same with dismounting - The greater drop will put more stress on your feet and hips. I know because I ride different horses of different heights - when riding 15 hands or 17 hands makes no differnce. But it does when you are dismounting.
The other thing about taller horses is that when muscled up they may have a very powerful canter - And if the canter is not smooth, it can be harder to sit. So one may need to use forward seat more than with a smaller horse.
But if you like a horse and school it - then forward seat feels fine. I prefer 16 to 14 h any day and was advised by my RI not to buy anything under 15 h.
 
Well I really struggle to get on anything more than 15hh when out - I know I just need a rock to stand on for that height. I’m 56, and 5’4”, but the arthritis is bad, so I prefer a wider cobby type. TBs make me feel like I’m sitting on the blade of the Matterhorn. Having said that, my last horse, Shire/Welsh D cross, was a bit too wide. I now have a 14:3 Irish Cob, she’s not the really heavy type and is very comfy. Wide takes up your leg so you can get away with smaller if it’s wider.
 
I'm 5 ft 2 and Ziggy is 14.2 (just) and he suits me fine. If I were getting another horse I'd probably go for 15 hands but no taller, I like to be able to scramble on when I have to!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Taffie
Long as the horse either takes up the leg or is tall enough it doesnt much matter I dont think!

I ride a 14.3, a 15.2 (who is SO wide he hurts!), my regular ride who is 16hh ans my sisters giant of a thing who is 17.3 but very, very narrow! Im 5'8/9 ish. :) I look a bit tall on the 14.3 in my body, but dont look much different on the giant to the other 2! I am glad he isnt mine though, putting the saddle on is a pain, he is very well trained to let you get on from just about anything so thats less of a problem!
 
newrider.com