Jessica Jahiel's HORSE-SENSE Newsletter Archives

Sizing horse to rider

From: Sandra

I would be interested in hearing about any general guidlines for making a good match size-wise between horse & rider. I am 5'-3", with not very long legs, I normally seem to fit well on horses 14.2-15.2 HH. Anything over that and I feel perched, with not enough leg in the right place to feel secure. I'm considering leasing a 13.2 pony, who seems to be on the verge of being too small, but his gaits, disposition & energy level are exactly what I am looking for. When I make full leg contact, my feet are lower than the widest part of the belly, so they must bend in a little. He is pretty sturdy, should I be concerned that I will run him into the ground as a adult rider? I'm 120 lbs. and plan on mostly trail riding.

Hi Sandra! Trust your knowledge and feelings, because you are right on target. Horse-rider size matches depend much less on height, much more on the relation between the horse's barrel and the rider's leg. You may find that you are entirely comfortable on a very tall horse with a small, narrow barrel -- or entirely UNcomfortable on a much shorter horse with an extremely wide, round barrel. Riders often imagine that they need a tall horse, either to fit their leg or to carry their weight -- in fact, the heavy riders need strong, sturdy, weight-carrying animals, and such horses will usually NOT be tall. As for fitting the leg, much depends on the individual's conformation -- horse AND rider. ;-)

A rider with short round legs on a very wide horse will be unable to sit correctly and use her legs correctly; a rider with long, thin legs on a very narrow horse may feel that her feet are dangling far too low under the horse's belly. Unless you are riding show-ring hunters and trying to present a particular "picture", having the rider's feet below the horse's belly isn't a problem. Look at upper-level dressage competitions, look at the Spanish Riding School, look at the reiners and cutters at Quarter Horse Congress and at World. You'll see a lot of riders with their feet well below the horse's belly -- it's actually an advantage in terms of rider balance. If your legs only reach partway down your horse's sides, you may be riding just the top half of the horse, and as you've noticed, this puts your leg into an ineffective position and makes you feel perched and insecure. This isn't much fun, especially on long trail rides.

A sturdy, well-built pony of 13.2 shouldn't have trouble carrying you, even on long rides, if you are a balanced and considerate rider. And since you are considering a lease, not a purchase, there's every reason to give the pony a try. Riders who imagine that a tall Thoroughbred would be a better weight-carrier than a short, sturdy horse or pony are sadly mistaken.

If you like the smaller breeds, you'll have a lot of choices. If this particular pony doesn't work out for you, and you find yourself horse-shopping (or pony-shopping), there are many small Quarter Horses that are lovely for trail, and many large ponies that are equally sturdy and smooth. Connemaras are one possiblity -- also look at Haflingers and Welsh ponies and Welsh crosses if you want walk-trot-canter horses, and look at Icelandic horses and Peruvian Pasos if the idea of a small gaited horse appeals to you. Icelandic horses can carry riders two or three times your weight!

Or, you may meet a taller horse with a narrow barrel, find that your leg fits him perfectly, and fall in love. ;-) Think BARREL instead of HEIGHT, and try as many horses as you possibly can -- until you've sat on a horse, don't assume that it's too tall or too small for you. Within reason, that is! Miniatures and Shires excepted. ;-)

Jessica

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