At 18:21:41 on 16.08.11, minki31 wrote:
Hey, I was wondering could a horse be too big for it's rider? Because I always hear about horses being to small but can horses be too big?? Like a small 11 year old on a 16.3 hh TB for instance. What do you think?

At 02:29:55 on 17.08.11, JaymeeLS wrote:
I think as long as they can control the horse, it's fine, that the aids are in the right positions and such. In terms of strength and control, an 11yo would probably have better chance with a 16.3hh TB over a stocky 14.2-15.2hh Welsh cob for example. :)

At 06:00:00 on 17.08.11, kibby wrote:
Its more about safety and control then size.. Personally i wouldn't put an 11 yr old on a 16.3 TB.. A smaller horse around 13.2 to 15 would suit him much better.. The biggest thing to worry about isn't really the riding anyway, its the ground work! how is the pintsized 11yr old going to get a 16.3 hand monster back under control if he spooks and carries on at something that scares him?

At 12:41:26 on 17.08.11, minki31 wrote:
Yes I agree, on another horsey message board there was an 11 yr old girl saying how she rides her 16.3hh tb,

At 18:07:58 on 17.08.11, Angelalain wrote:
From the safety point of view you are better off under horsed than over horsed. Being carted by a horse that is too big for you is very scarey, and you don't have the length of leg to assert your authority. A Pony Club most children get the most out of their pony the year they are beginning to grow out of it!

At 18:09:31 on 17.08.11, Angelalain wrote:
I'm only five foot tall, and I consider anything over fifteen hands too big for me. I'd rather be on a 14.2. but I can equally ride a well built 13hh.

At 18:55:01 on 17.08.11, JaymeeLS wrote:
"how is the pintsized 11yr old going to get a 16.3 hand monster back under control if he spooks and carries on at something that scares him?" Interesting point Kibby. I'm 5ft8 and if my 15hh cob spooked from ground work, there's no way I could hold her she's way too strong. She bolted with my 5ft 5 aunt on the track while being led and headed for her old home. My aunt refusing to ever let go of a horse was being dragged along and didn't think she was going to stop at the gate and instead jump it, but she did stop. Just an example that something 'small' can still have the strength of a taller horse. I think it's all down to how well you can control the individual horse and how comfortable you feel with it, in terms of a horse being 'too big'. :)

At 19:08:54 on 17.08.11, zoelovesanimals wrote:
I think it really depends on experience. If you are an 11 year old that is used to riding horses of such a size then im sure it suits. I am a tiny 5ft and ride a 16.1hh Sidesaddle and i haven't got full use of my legs, and although shes a RDA horse she can be spooky! I get a little bit un-nerved on her at times but i can control her but this is because of my experience. I agree with Kibby that with a bigger horse on the ground it can be extremely scary if they play up etc, whereas with a Pony or small Horse it isn't too bad. Like i said depends on experience of handler, and behavious of horse :)

At 22:19:28 on 17.08.11, minki31 wrote:
I'm 5ft 3 or 4 and I ride a 15.3hh for my mums friend, i'm only in my teens but I don't find this 15.3hh ex racehorse a handful coz he is quite well behaved. So I agree jaymeeLS.

At 22:19:48 on 17.08.11, minki31 wrote:
I'm 5ft 3 or 4 and I ride a 15.3hh for my mums friend, i'm only in my teens but I don't find this 15.3hh ex racehorse a handful coz he is quite well behaved. So I agree jaymeeLS.