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Shorter horses?

4K views 21 replies 10 participants last post by  Fellpony 
#1 ·
Any heavy riders riding shorter horses? I am looking at a 13.3 hand gypsy at 2 years old. He's quite thick buiilt. I wouldn't be riding him till next spring. I am 5'7, 260# and losing. Beginner rider, though I have rode when I was younger.
 
#2 ·
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13-3 at age two, probably will be 14-2 or better by riding age. Do not see a problem in that respect.

Drafts and Cobs I have always been told to never ride before they are age 4 for heavy riders, for long periods at any weight or cantering at any weight.

I cannot remember the technical term but something about the knee joints not being fully formed before that age.


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#7 ·
With an appropriate support system, I don't think that young horse + green rider is a complete write off. My instructor and I were just talking last night about how the best components of a relationship with your horse are forged on the ground and sometimes you miss out on those fundamentals when you have something already broke and are itching to get into the saddle. I feel like I 'know' my horses well from spending a significant amount of time on the ground with them.

Drafts and draft crosses are also good choices, but I think each horse really needs to be evaluated as an individual. :) The automatic assumption is that a very large horse can carry a large rider but that is not always true - particularly since full drafts are traditionally bred for pulling, they tend to have longer backs not as good for weight bearing. :)
 
#8 ·
I think you will be fine. cob types are weight carriers.Though I would give her an easy couple of years due to the fact she is young. I myself ride a 13.2 fell pony and weight about 240lbs and losing.

So long as you have help and support both of you being novice shouldn't matter. My first pony was a novice back when I was first learning and we managed fine.

 
#11 ·
I'm 5'9 and not a light weight and my main riding horse is a haflinger who is a smidge over 13.3 hands.

Rather than height - look for good thick strong cannon bones, a strong back (longer the weaker it is) and good solid loins.
 
#14 ·
Oh yeah - he looks to be the type that could carry you just fine. Just make sure to give him time to grow up a bit before being asked to carry weight - which it sounds like you plan on doing.

ETA - he is gorgeous!
 
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