Should I have a large horse?

Question

I'm near 60, 200 lbs, 5'6.

What's the smallest hand horse for me to buy to ride?

I want a tri-color pinto.

Answer 1

14 or 15 hh

Answer 2

Im thinking somewhere around 16hh or so.  

Answer 3

14 or 15hh

Answer 4

Well I heard that horses can carry 20%of their weight. so if u can do the math for that u should be able to find a horse with that weight.

Answer 5

Depends on what kind of riding you are intending on doing. If it is just for pleasure, the horse doesn't need to be as strong as say if you wanted to jump.

For simple pleasure riding, look for one that is simply in good health. For one that will be able to carry you on day long trail rides, look for one that has better muscle tone. For one that can do very athletic things and still go strong, look for larger horses (generally) that are strong.

And someone will of course have to say "Arabians are small so don't get one". Wrong. Arabians can carry weight better than many other breeds. Don't believe it? Do some research.

If you find a pinto like you want and it is of average size (15hh) and in good health, get it and you can build up the muscle tone with lunging and walking up hills backwards. As you improve your seat, the horse will be able to carry you better too as your balance will be improved.

http://www.gaitedhorses.net/Articles/HRi...

Answer 6

i would buy a paint / pinto that is like 15 hands.....that way you won't need any help getting up  

Answer 7

15hh Minimum. I don't mean this in an offensive manner but taking your height into account a 14 hh wouldn't suit you. I'm 5'4 and I feel huge on them. Personally I think a 15'2hh would be best. The weight isn't too much of a problem.

Answer 8

You may want to consider a Paso Fino.  It is a very smooth gaited horse that is small but able to carry significant more weight than horses of same size.  The reason the hose can carry more weight is that they keep their legs up under them when they move.  The average height is 14 - 14.2 hands.  This horse is available in a variety of colors.

Answer 9

I think you should have a large horse.

14-15hh i think would be the best size horse for you.

Answer 10

I am 5'4 and i ride a 15.2 hand horse and a 16 hand horse although im only 130ish in weight. I could probably manage on a LARGE pony, for youmost definatley something15.2 or larger, just because the horse is big enough to carry your weight does not mean it would not be awkward with your legs hanging past its belly, but that does not mean you need to go buy a 17 hand horse.

Answer 11

Hi !

My instructor is 5,6 and she says it doesn't really matter what size you are but as long as it can hold your weight. But she said to this girl who is 5,7ft and weights about 210lbs that the smallest horse she could ride comfotably would be 14hh or their abouts.

Answer 12

Gramma - you're great!  My mom's 60 too - we've had horses all our lives.

You could get away with something as small as 14 hands provided he's two axe handles wide and very stout.

A horse typically shouldn't carry over 10-15% of their body weight.  A 1500 lb horse then can carry up to 225 lbs without blinking an eye.  Most stock horses like you are describing weight between 1000 and 1200 lbs.  So I would have a hard time thinking about any horse-sized horse would be too small for you.

Look for some ranch bloodlines like Poco Bueno, King or Leo - these tend to be more quietly dispositioned and easy going.  I saw mention of a stallion in my APHA connections magazine last night - a chestnut tobiano - he was known to throw his color and his awesomely easy going disposition to all his foals......can't remember his name....

Answer 13

Why are you asking this?

Get a stallion.