i want a new horse but unsure if its too small for me???

Question

Hello,SERIOUS answers only please. I have seen heavyweight cob i like which is 14hh approx,however i am 5ft 7,would i be too tall for him????,how do you know if hes the right size?.x

Answer 1

why do you want another horse. You already have three according to your previous questions. You have a shire and a gypsy cob and a youngster on boggy ground and you dont know how much hay or mix to feed them or whether to rug them or not. Please invest in some expert advice and leave this horse for someone else.

Answer 2

Well I'm 5ft 5" and I ride a 16hh ex - racer. He is a little big but the other horse that I own is 15hh and he is the perfect height for me. If you are 5ft 7" i recommend a horse above/ around the 15.4hh area.

You know if a horse is the right size when you can ride him/her comfortably without your heel going lower than the horses elbow. Ideally your foot should be slightly above or slightly below the shoulder of the horse. Because my t/b is so big I find that I feel more secure (don't ask me why) but only get a horse that you are confident in riding and can tack up easily.

Because the horse you are looking at is a heavyweight cob he may be able to support you but he may not be able to jump very high because your legs may interfere with his movement.

I have owned a horse that had a back problem because of people who were too big riding him and as a consequence he cannot jump.

I would not recommend going for a 14hh horse when you are 5ft 7" but if you are willing to take the risk you should go for it!!

Answer 3

Hi I think that unless you are overweight you will look fine on him and he should have no problems carrying you. If he is broad then that should take up some of your leg length. If you are going to show him however the Judge may not place you as high as you could be because in their eyes you may be too big for him. They like people to "fit" the horse. I had problems because I was showing a friends 16.2hh show hunter and I am only 5ft2. He wins all the time usually but I look like a pea on a mountain even though he goes wonderfull for me. But if he feels right for you then go for it, just get him fully vetted so you know he has no back problems etc and enjoy him happy riding!

Answer 4

They are a sturdy horse. Plus, if the horse is broad that will take up alot of your leg unlike a narrow Arabian where your leg would lay much lower on that animal. If your still unsure..sit on the horse and have someone take a picture and see how you look. The weight shouldnt be much of an issue but this also depends on the fitness level and all around health of the horse. Good luck.

Answer 5

You would probably be fine weight wise, as long as you are of average weight, but know that you will probably look funny on him if you ever decide to enter a show, and with some judges and disciples, that counts against you.

If you like him and don't mind the appearance issue, look at how he carries you. Can he support your weight without any trouble at every gait? Height is only an issue in appearance, weight is what matters. Unless, of course, your feet are dragging on the ground, but that should not be a problem in your case.

Answer 6

Go by your weight.
Remember, a horse can pull more weight than it can carry.
For this horse to carry you, you will have to be diligent in keeping him fit. Thats every day, not once a week.
He won't be able to jump, but should be ok for hacking. Try him out and get someone on the ground to double check that your legs are in the correct position; if you have to lift your calves to give the aids he's too small.

Answer 7

it matters more on your weight i think. i own a lot of horses and i have had the same problem but if you want to show it there could be a problem. judges look for the people that look the best also and it may look a little funny. you should also be fine because cobs are sturdy horses and can hold a lot of weight...they pull loads for heavens sake!! if you really like this horse that i think you should go for it!!!!

Answer 8

I'm pretty sure you would be fine. Cobs are very sturdy horses, and even not-so-sturdy ones are often underestimated. I am quite tall, and have no problems on ponies in full western tack (which, for me, as a trail rider, means saddle, saddle bag, and occasionally a target rifle, adding up to nearly sixty pounds). As long as he or she is fit and doesn't have any back problems, I don't see you having a problem.

Answer 9

I think this horse would be fine for you. However, you want to make sure you are a good match and extremely sure of any horse before you purchase it. If you wait and don't settle, the right one will certainly come along. There are plenty of them out there. If you question the horse's size, you may be uncomfortable on it and always worrying, or afraid to ride him for any duration of time. Your peace of mind will most likely be worth the wait.

Answer 10

The weight should not be an issue unless you are quite heavy.

It is all based upon personal taste when it comes to the scale of the rider compared to the horse. If you like him and feel you'd make a good team then go for it.