| Horses come in all shapes and sizes, as do people. | | | | she out jumped many top horses. In Europe, |
| But why is it that so many riders seem to want | | | | ponies are expected to jump over 4'+ fences |
| big horses? It seems that anything under 16hh, | | | | without any fear that they can't make it. So, why |
| but over pony sized has little to no market at all. | | | | expect that a 15hh horse is not capable of |
| Many riders are not all that big in stature. Since | | | | jumping more than 3'? |
| most riders are women, averaging 5'6" in height, it | | | | Dressage riders like big horses because they have |
| seems strange that most people searching for | | | | large strides. Small horses can also be excellent |
| horses are looking for animals 16.2hh or bigger. So | | | | movers, and many have stride lengths that would |
| what makes a rider want a big horse? | | | | shame many larger horses. Just take the time to |
| Some believe that a horse needs to have size to | | | | watch the movement of a top quality Welsh |
| be able to make the distances in the show ring. A | | | | Pony and you will see just what movement can |
| hunter needs to have a 12' stride, so a 16hh+ | | | | be like for a small horse. There is nothing about a |
| horse is more likely to be able to manage that | | | | small horse that makes dressage more difficult. In |
| distance without effort. But, many big horses in | | | | fact, because they are often more compact in |
| fact have longer strides than 12'. They need to be | | | | build, small horses can be easier to collect. |
| collected in order to make the distances. Others | | | | Some riders feel that they would be too big or |
| have no stride at all, despite their size. Small | | | | too heavy for a smaller horse. Yet, in ancient |
| horses sometimes do need to struggle to get the | | | | times, knights in heavy armor would ride horses |
| distances, but many small horses with good | | | | that many of us would consider small. Large |
| movement can easily manage a 12' stride. The | | | | horses such as those we see now are a modern |
| problem is that they look as though they are | | | | development. The oldest breeds of horses were |
| going much faster than a big horse, making their | | | | used for under saddle work by men of all shapes |
| rounds look rushed. | | | | and sizes, and most of those horses were well |
| Others feel that a big horse is more capable of | | | | under 15hh. |
| jumping the heights required. While a big horse | | | | It is best to choose a horse than matches your |
| would not need to put in as much effort to jump | | | | build and size. You are far less likely to be |
| a large jump, this does not stop small horses | | | | overhorsed if your animal fits you. A small horse |
| from being excellent jumpers. In fact, a former | | | | can be just as successful as a larger one. You |
| Olympic horse, Jappaloup, was very small, and yet | | | | just need to give him the chance. |