I love the shorter horses, and this mare has a nice stride too. From the pictures, I would have never guessed she was under 15 hands. From somebody who rides horses 15.3 and 16 hh horses, I would love something smaller next time. As long as the movement is there, I could care less.
A question of size!
Hi everyone,
I just joined and am looking for some reassurance honestly. I'll try to post in the welcome area right away too. Sorry to rush right into my question!
I recently fell in love with and bought a lovely little (tiny) warmblood mare. She's a gem and young at 3. Fantastic personality, manners and a joy to work with. I'm not regretting the purchase but her size is nagging at me! She's 14.1. Her former trainer swears by the string method and believes she's done for height. She was being sold due to her height (or lack there of) by a show jumping barn.
I was looking for a sweet, eager personality and athleticism for a trail partner. I didn't question her height until looking at pictures some time after... Is she too small? Would it bother you? Do you think she may yet grow??
I'm an experienced rider with 15 years under my belt, however it's been a long time since I purchased a horse and I admittedly got carried away. My experience is primarily with ottbs and Appaloosas. Pictured is the trainer- slightly taller but slimmer than me. I'm stocky and muscular at 145 lbs and 5'4 with short legs. She carried me well and will not be worked heavily until she matures. We do work within the 20% weight ratio but ug... I just don't know!
Thanks so much.
I just joined and am looking for some reassurance honestly. I'll try to post in the welcome area right away too. Sorry to rush right into my question!
I recently fell in love with and bought a lovely little (tiny) warmblood mare. She's a gem and young at 3. Fantastic personality, manners and a joy to work with. I'm not regretting the purchase but her size is nagging at me! She's 14.1. Her former trainer swears by the string method and believes she's done for height. She was being sold due to her height (or lack there of) by a show jumping barn.
I was looking for a sweet, eager personality and athleticism for a trail partner. I didn't question her height until looking at pictures some time after... Is she too small? Would it bother you? Do you think she may yet grow??
I'm an experienced rider with 15 years under my belt, however it's been a long time since I purchased a horse and I admittedly got carried away. My experience is primarily with ottbs and Appaloosas. Pictured is the trainer- slightly taller but slimmer than me. I'm stocky and muscular at 145 lbs and 5'4 with short legs. She carried me well and will not be worked heavily until she matures. We do work within the 20% weight ratio but ug... I just don't know!
Thanks so much.
Attachments
- Status
1 - 20 of 30 Posts
I think she looks great! And I think you'll look just fine together. I own a 14.2 and a 14.3 horse. I prefer them to be small! We avoided under 14.2 because my daughter shows, and didn't want to be stuck in the pony classes because of her horse, but otherwise, wouldn't have cared. What's an inch difference anyway? Shorter horses eat less, require less grazing area, are less intimidating, easier to mount from the ground if you need to on a trail... the list goes on. As far as I'm concerned, shorter is better! And I'm not at all saying that because I'm short myself. At all. 
I'm about the same size as you and I have a Morgan mare who is 14.2 on a tall day. I feel totally comfortable on her and definitely prefer a short horse for getting back on while on trails. And still, it's a scramble to find a tree stump or stone wall as a step so I don't wrench her back- she's 23 so I am super cautious about her back and dislike mounting from the ground, though I suppose technically I could.
![]()
Your horse looks very nice and I hope you'll share more pictures as you ride. There's a trail thread on the Forum if you're interested in joining to show off your trail and track miles, even if you're just taking her out for walks or ponying her before you start really riding her.
Your horse looks very nice and I hope you'll share more pictures as you ride. There's a trail thread on the Forum if you're interested in joining to show off your trail and track miles, even if you're just taking her out for walks or ponying her before you start really riding her.
Thank you so much everyone! You've all been awesome at putting my mind at ease she's such a sweetheart I'd hate to be constantly questioning this as we work and progress. And thank you for the compliments on her!
You mare is lovely egrogan and thank you for the trail tread link. I'll definitely post pictures as we explore and move along.
she's such a sweetheart I'd hate to be constantly questioning this as we work and progress. And thank you for the compliments on her!You mare is lovely egrogan and thank you for the trail tread link. I'll definitely post pictures as we explore and move along.
17 hand horses are probably as rare on the trails as a 14 hand horse is in most competitions. Shorter horses on the trail are great for those of us who have reached an age where our springers have sprung, so to speak!
And at least in my family, trail rides include breaks for the horses, who munch on pretty awful looking stuff:
![]()
The horse in front is mine. 15.0 hands. Vet gave his weight as 790 last year, but I think he has gained some. With saddle, tack and clothes, my 'riding weight' is around 200-210. At 59, my knees wouldn't want a horse over 15 hands...and would be pretty happy with a few inches less. 14.1 & athletic, with a good mind, sounds wonderful!
And at least in my family, trail rides include breaks for the horses, who munch on pretty awful looking stuff:
The horse in front is mine. 15.0 hands. Vet gave his weight as 790 last year, but I think he has gained some. With saddle, tack and clothes, my 'riding weight' is around 200-210. At 59, my knees wouldn't want a horse over 15 hands...and would be pretty happy with a few inches less. 14.1 & athletic, with a good mind, sounds wonderful!
Thanks bsms! Wow you must have tons of trails and places to ride where you are, it looks like it goes on forever! I'm almost 30 but I understand where you're coming from. I used to love riding everything that was big, hot and a handful; but now with work, wedding planning and juggling schedules I don't want a chalenge each time I go out. Im totally all for a quirky, sound and sane mare on the smaller side. Super glad she doesnt seam too small though
I also think you look fine, and nothing wrong with your size ratio.
How is she bred, Warmblood wise,and what age is she now?
her size, compared to you is fine, but far as level you wish to show at, her size could influence that aspect
Myself, I currently ride two horses completely at the opposite end,far as size, and both do the job for me
Charlie is 16.2HH, so a bit tall for a western pl horse, but Iove her movement, which is not just due to size , but her breeding. Her half brother Einstein, a horse I did everything with, a was 16.3hh.People used to ask me, in my days before knee replacements, as to why I rode such a tall horse.My answer was always that he stood by anything, for me to get on, and once on, I had a safe 'Cadillac ride
The horse I currently trail ride the most, is only about 14.2hh Carmen can really walk out for her size, out walking much taller horses, and is a very sensible trail horse
In the end, I think mind, ability and disposition are the most important aspects, unless you are very seriously involved in any particular discipline, where other factors are given some prominence
Carmen, yesterday
[/URL
Last fall
[URL=http://s335.photobucket.com/user/KiloBright/media/trail%20riding/Carmenbartonroad_zpsf0e76b3a.jpg.html]
Charlie, 16.2,hh,, helps keep feet dry!
I am 5ft 7". Won't elaborate on current weight!
How is she bred, Warmblood wise,and what age is she now?
her size, compared to you is fine, but far as level you wish to show at, her size could influence that aspect
Myself, I currently ride two horses completely at the opposite end,far as size, and both do the job for me
Charlie is 16.2HH, so a bit tall for a western pl horse, but Iove her movement, which is not just due to size , but her breeding. Her half brother Einstein, a horse I did everything with, a was 16.3hh.People used to ask me, in my days before knee replacements, as to why I rode such a tall horse.My answer was always that he stood by anything, for me to get on, and once on, I had a safe 'Cadillac ride
The horse I currently trail ride the most, is only about 14.2hh Carmen can really walk out for her size, out walking much taller horses, and is a very sensible trail horse
In the end, I think mind, ability and disposition are the most important aspects, unless you are very seriously involved in any particular discipline, where other factors are given some prominence
Carmen, yesterday
[/URLLast fall
[URL=http://s335.photobucket.com/user/KiloBright/media/trail%20riding/Carmenbartonroad_zpsf0e76b3a.jpg.html]
Charlie, 16.2,hh,, helps keep feet dry!
I am 5ft 7". Won't elaborate on current weight!
3
Yes, they look the same color, although Carmen is a roan and Charlie is grey, at max expression!
Charlie doing one of her more /usual jobs
Charlie doing one of her more /usual jobs
Along time ago, and horses of various size. What counted, was that they were safe to put my young kids on
1 - 20 of 30 Posts
- Status
