Should i get a Horse or pony?

Question

My horse died last week and my trainer wants me to get another. He was 17.3 soo he was huge for me. So i was wondering should i get a large pony or a horse i show in hunters but i show at HITS and vermont so i need something nice enough to do that with. im only 15 and about 105 pounds so am i to big for a large pony? just wondering what people thought i should get horse or pony.

Answer 1

Horse.

Answer 2

i think you should get a horse. i think a good breed for you would be a thoroughbred or a quarter horse. hope i helped!!!!!!  

Answer 3

Definitely the horse.

Answer 4

You should go for the horse. If you are to big for a large pony why get it. you might hurt it. Go for the horse.

Answer 5

You are definitely small enough for a pony, and if a large horse is too much for you, a pony might be a good choice.  However, in two/three years you won't be able to compete in a lot of pony divisions because of your age, so it might be better to get a smaller horse.  You've got to decide what you want.

Answer 6

I think that you should get a 15hh horse

if you do decide to get a big pony n then suddenly grow which you might, you will be heartbroken when you can't ride her properly any more.you could always put it on loan though :\

i also think that hunters look better when they are a decent size and not to small

=)

Answer 7

if you want to compete you should go with the large pony, a full up 148cm or 14.2hh, because you are only 15 you are not alloud to compete in alot of competitons on a horse, not until you are 18 for most things, and you most definatly are not too big for a pony.

which ever you get have fun!

Answer 8

You should probably get a horse. Your last horse was very big and you might feel a little silly on a large pony.

If you are completely in love with a pony though, ride it and see if your legs dangle below the pony's barrel. If they do, you are too tall for it.

Answer 9

I would still suggest getting a horse. You can downsize and get a horse that is only 15hh. 17.3 is a very tall horse. The only reason I suggest a horse is because they are easier to sell (if you ever had to sell one), plus I don't think you are limited to what you can show in.

Answer 10

I think you should go for a horse.You may think you've stopped growing but you might not have!If you buy a pony and you grow you will have to sell it and you'll probably be heartbroken!A 15h would be perfect

Good luck I hope I helped

Answer 11

small horse, a sport horse. Maybe an arab

Answer 12

17.3 is a very large horse- you can get a smaller horse, 15 hands or so would probably be a good size. The trouble is with a larger pony is that you might look a little strange in proportion to it- I'm 5'3 and ride a 15.1 horse, he is a little big for me but around that size sounds good for your height and weight. You don't want your feet to be dangling really far below the horse, just to me at least I think it looks a little strange. Good luck!

Answer 13

I would say horse.  It would be possible for you to get a larger pony, but a horse would probably be the way to go (perhaps a rescued Thoroughbred).  You don't have to get another 17hh horse, but 15.2hh might be good.

Answer 14

May I First  say. I'm very sorry for your loss.

Loosing your beloved Horse, is so hard, and my heart breaks for you.

You're tiny at 105lbs, A nice 14 hand high would be excellent for you. I'm also tiny and I ride  Welsh Ponies that are only 13 hands high! I think their fun especially  bareback!

Answer 15

in britain i would say a horse around  16hh would be the ideal size.  this would still enable you to compete in young rider classes.  but i don't know if you have height limits on your classes in america.

wish i could visit america, sounds a great country.

Answer 16

I don't think you would look funny on a large pony.  Larges need to be top of the line (as in measurement line) to compete at shows like HITS or Vermont and the two inches between a large and a 15 hand horse isn't going to make that big of a difference.

Additionally, if you get a 15 hand horse, he better have a BIG stride or it will be harder for you get to the distances set for bigger horses.  At 15 hands, he would be small even for the small Jr. Hunters.  Your competition are on Warmbloods so the height and distance are going to be easier for them.

Go for the large or get something closer to 16.0 so you can be competitive with those you are showing against.

Good Luck

Answer 17

a average size  horse would  be great!

most ponys are mean

Answer 18

You should get a horse, even at 5'5 it might be a little uncomfortable jumping at maximum a 14.2, a horse would be more likely to clear it for many reasons - your comfort, the horse not being smaller than the jump he is jumping and breeding. But really its down to your preference, you may find a pony that is a spectacular jumper and you work really well together. good luck

Answer 19

the horse.

in shows, judges look for size relationship. if you are over 4'6 then you are too big for the pony, usually. and you will feel really odd riding a pony compared to your 17.3 horse.

Answer 20

Typically ponies can be fat, stubborn, slow, and lazy. I had a huge problem with ponies because well... they were just hard to get moving!

I would suggest a hunter horse that's not quite so big. Maybe like a 16 hands horse or even 16 +. You still need a good sized horse if you are wanting a hunter horse.

Your not too big for a large pony but I'm just saying you'll have more fun with a horse.

Good Luck!

P.S. its entirely your choice this is just a suggestion

Answer 21

Go for the horse because you could hurt the pony and the horse has more experience

Answer 22

I would ALWAYS go for a horse, ponies can have personality issues. I have a 16.1hh TB and used to have a 14hh QH. and I will Always stick with a horse.  

Answer 23

I would say a nice sized horse (about 15.2 - 16.0hh) would do you good. Maybe if you found an AMAZING pony, but I could see a smaller horse doing you much better.

Sorry your horse died...good luck finding a new one.

I wish I could show in HITS :(

Answer 24

You have my sypathy for the loss of your horse.

You are definitely NOT too big for a large pony!

I am 5'9, and definately weigh more than you  and have been raising, breaking and training Pony of the Americas for the past 7 years.  I have had people not realize what I was riding was a pony until they came up to talk to me.  No my legs do not drag or look odd and out of place.  

In the POA breed people of all ages and sizes breed, break, train, ride and love their ponies.  Our maximum height is 56 inches.  

Ponies can carry and pull a larger percentage of their weight than a horse can due to how they are built and how god created them and how they have been bred.  

For those that made comments regarding pony dispositions, they aren't all mean little shetlands. Most mean ponies that I have been around are that way because they have a little kid yanking on their mouth, and slapping them with the reins at the same time  and never get a break.  

I would try out both horses and ponies, maybe a smaller horse would be better suited for your petite build, but the ultimate decision should be based on what you get along with the best and which you are the most comfortable with.  I realize their are concerns about what you want to do showing wise in the future, and that is also for you to debate and ponder on with your family.  

Good luck!

Answer 25

sorry to hear about your horse.  that's an awful thing to have to deal with...

you should probably go with the horse.  Even though your last was so big, you might find it difficult to transition back to something so much smaller.  Besides, with ponies you limit yourself to what divisions you can make it in (it's been a long time since showing for me and the criteria might have changed).  At any rate, if you are showing consistently at shows of that rating I would hope that your trainer has a clue and will be able to find you an appropriate horse!  Don't just buy the first thing that comes along--listen to what your trainer suggests, that's why we pay them the big bucks!

where exactly are you from?  the chronicle of the horse is always useful for contacts(national) as is the peddlar (New England).