What size horse should i buy and what EXATLY will i need?

Question

Hiya i'm trying to buy a horse but i'm not sure what size is right for me. I'm 5ft7 and i weigh about 139lbs but im not overweight and i would like a small horse. I would like a horse to hack out with and maybe a few jumps, nothing major! So what size should i get? Also as i am reletively new to horse riding, I'm not sure of exatly what tack i shoud buy. I know i need a saddle and bridle but i was wondering what else? thanks x*x

Answer 1

I agree with TRIBAL, no one here is trying to throw a wet blanket on your plans but horses are really hard work and that's just when things are going well. Give it more time and read everything you can get your hands on to do with horse care, stable management..get lessons and don't rush.

I'm just starting back riding after a break of nearly 15 years to have my family, before that I owned horses and competed too. I thought I'd 'fall back into it' like 'riding a bike!' but it's been hard going, like starting from scratch all over agin. My daughter is 9 and she loves horses, that was my cue to start what I've been missing for all these years.

Maybe next year, we'll think of getting a nice family pony a Haflinger (my daughter loves them) but I've insisted she do things the right way. She has lessons and goes on hacks, reads up on horse/pony management whenever she can.

She knows exactly what we'll need and from the first day she will be working hard to keep that pony in good health and happiness. It will be cherished by the whole family, and we plan to keep it permanently.

Don't be in a rush, learn as much as you can..get to know instructors at your local yard, talk to horse owners, they can tell you the pro's and cons of ownership. Learn from people with real experience. Good luck!

Answer 2

Depending on your level of experience, you might want to hold off buying a horse right away.  If you've got little to no saddle experience, a year's worth of lessons with a suitable instructor ought to be able to give you the saddle time you need.  If you have ridden for a while, and as long as you already have a competent instructor to help you pick out the right mount for you, and they think you're ready for a horse, talk it over.  I think the ideal time for anyone to go from no saddle time to a horse is at least 2 or 3 years minimum, but you know, everyone does go at their own pace and some people have their own horse before others.  That's just life.

Now, I'm probably going to go against the grain, but if you want a small horse when you're ready to actually buy one, get a small horse.  Many breeds, such as some of the British native ponies, are capable of carrying adult riders, and in the US, there's breeds like Haflingers and Fjords who though small in stature can be quite strong.  Plus there's plenty of other breeds like Morgans, and Quarter Horses and Arabians that have smaller members of their breed.   You don't need a large horse at your height, you can very easily find one with a broad enough barrel to comfortably take up your leg, but isn't over 14.3 hands.   It's all about your preferences.  I'd say look at horses between 14-15 hands, since many stout small horses and large ponies are in that range.   If you want to broaden your search, 15.2 and 15.3 are nicely sized horses without being too big.

Personally, I prefer the little guys myself.  My Haflinger is 14.1 hands, I'm 5'6" and we fit together like a glove.

Answer 3

More education.

Answer 4

If you would prefer a small horse, I'd say look for something about 15.2

I am about the same height and weight as you, and I have a 15.2 gelding and I feel like he isn't big enough for me, but I prefer bigger horses. I still ride him and show him and stuff, but his size is not my preference. I much prefer my 16.1 mare.

Answer 5

Lessons first

Answer 6

I would get a horse that was about 15 hands since you want a small one. You will need a saddle pad. A girth(if you are riding english) or cinch(if you are riding western), and then also brushes and stuff like that. A good kind of bit to buy is a simple snaffle bit, but when you buy a horse ask the owner what type of bit they use. Some people put boots on their horses, but if you are just hacking out you won't need them. If go on trail rides with hills and what not you may want to buy a breast collar. This keeps the saddle from slipping on uneven ground.

Answer 7

I think you should take lessons first don't just go out and buy a horse. learn as much as you can first or your going to get your self hurt . if you don't no what size horse to buy or anything about tack your not ready to owner a horse.{ and i am NOT being a smart *** i just don't want you to get hurt.

Answer 8

Lessons. Lessons.

Research! Research!!!

Research!!!!!

More Lessons!!!!!

Talk to your trainer for the tack, after you have been taking lessons for NO less than 1yr.

Answer 9

More riding lessons

Put it this way: Would you go out and buy a car to use if you didnt know how to properly drive or maintain it?

Go spend a good few years or more down at the yard, doing ALL the dirty jobs, like collecting poo, cleaning horse genitals, getting there every morning and every night to feed the horses, grooming them, picking out their ticks that get stuck on their ears/ sheaths etc....

And then decide if you still want a horse...

Oh yeah, and ask the horse owners how much everything costs ;-)

Answer 10

Myabe you should get some hands on learning about tack and the care of horse/ponies? None of us want you hurt..don't rush, be safe!

But, to answer you...for tack you need an English saddle, maybe a snaffle bridle, and a bit which depends on the horse you have. A saddle cloth, too.  Maybe get a starter set. go to www.statelinetack.com. They have free shipping over $99. You'll need to know what size saddle you need. For you it would probably around a 15" one. If it does not come with stirrups or leathers or girths, you need that. A helmet, too =D Troxels are good. A horse for you, at 5'7, should be pretty tall. I don't know exactly, but I think over 15 hands. When buying, be sure to test ride and see the temperment. Ask TONS of questions. Does he load well? Does he stand while mounting? Does he accept the bit without hassle? Does he have a history of agression? For an inexperienced rider, try to get an experienced horse. Not too young, but young enough for jumping as you said. Will this horse suit your needs as you advance?You are going to need boots with at least a 1 inch heel, maybe some chaps, riding gloves, breeches, tall socks. For the care of your horse you will need brushes, feed buckets, water buckets, rugs, fly masks, fly spray, hoof picks, curry combs, mane combs, protective gear for shipping if you plan to show, bedding, pitchforks, a wheelbarrow, halters, [be sure to get an extra just in case!] lead lines, cross ties, peppermints [optional xD], hay nets, tack racks, saddle soap, and lots of little extras...You tend to add lots of things as you go on. MAKE SURE to get a first aid kit. They aren't very expensive, but SO totally worth it when needed. Like this: http://www.statelinetack.com/itemdy00.as...

As you can see, owning a horse isn't all fun and games. It requires hard work, dedication, money, and it's very tme consuming. It pays off though. You might want to take some things into consideration...like, you probably can't sleep in anymore. Will your schoolwork suffer? Please, think this over throughly before you make ANY decision.

Answer 11

saddle pad

maybe polo wraps for the future

halter

lead rope

water bucket

grooming supplies

does it need a martingale???

blanket for the winter?

fly mask

get a horse about 15hh

thats my favorite or 15.3

Answer 12

Okay well for buying your first horse size doesnt matter. You want to focous on temperment and age. In my experiences you first horse should be older and calm. But for your weight you can pretty much ride any sized horse. I would proabably not go smaller than 14hh because you wanted to do some jumps with him. It might be best to get an old lesson horse that is older and can teach you.

As for tack you know about the saddle and bridle:

You would need some type of bit. The milder the better. I use D-ring snaffles on all of my horses because it is not severe and teaches then softness and suppleness.

Saddle pads- you would definatly need one about 1inch thick, to make the saddle more comfortable for you and your horse.

It is also a good idea to have some type of leg protection for your horse. I have found that SMB boots on all fours used with bell boots prevent overreaching, and tendon stress.

Hope this helps! Good luck, and make sure to squeeze lots of lessons in! and get a trainer to help teach you. Definatly get some more riding experience, and find a trainer before you get a horse, and it might be a good idea to take them along when you are horse hunting=)

Answer 13

Please don't get a horse until you know exactly what you are doing.

These are huge animals that get traumatized very easily and need specific psychological handling as well as physical maintenance.  They are not dogs.

Answer 14

I'd say get a cob or ID type, that's 15.3hh or over. If you're new to horse riding its not a good idea to jump right in feet first, get riding lessons, and lots of them, then loan a few horses, it gives you the chance to get to know a few horses, what sort of horse you prefer and get experience, which is priceless!!

If you really want to get your own horse then you need a saddle, stirrups, stirrup leathers, a girth, a bridle, a bit, maybe a martingale. All sizes and what you need depend on the horse and what he needs etc, you may buy a horse WITH everything.

Its soooo much easier to do that, but if you cant then heres a few things you need:

A fork, a spade and a sweeping brush.

Grooming kit

Feed buckets

Water buckets

Rugs: Outdoor and indoor ones

Feed, hay and straw.

Haynets

Headcollar and leadrope

Wheelbarrow

Numnah/Saddle cloth

Maybe a fly mask, boots, hoof oil, fly spray, towels, sponges, shampoo, apples/carrots/treats, exercise sheet, antiseptic cream or spray, sweat scraper.

Obviously there are other things, but you tend to collect and accumulate stuff as you go along!

xx

Answer 15

ok...you need more lessons before you even think of getting a horse..(if you get a horse at this stage, then you will are being very unfair/mean to the horse)