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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 547
 
Location: Greencastle PA | Just want to get opinions, i have 14.2 hands gelding turning 3
the end of June. Is that to small? I dont know how to load a picture. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1131
 
| Too small for my taste, yes. I ride 16+ hand barrel horses though. |
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 Buttered Noodles Snacker
Posts: 4377
Location: NC | Nope. Not too small. For one he still has time to grow. and 2 there are a lot of shorties out there burning it up!!! Stingray, Bo, Baby Flo, Movin, Rootie, ect... |
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 Expert
Posts: 1898
| No! I don't think there is too small unless it is an extreme. I run with a gal with a little yellow futurity mare, I believe the other day she said her mare just hit 14 hands. That little mare can burn up a pattern big or small. A friend of mine runs a little gelding that is a half brother to my mare. I think he is 14.1(?). He is consistantly pulling checks in the 1D with NFR horses and trainers at big races. They were going through some hard times last summer and she basically bet the house on him. He paid their mortgage and vehicle payments for 3 months. |
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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9992
Location: Kansas | Nope, know lots of shorties that can kick the big horses butts. |
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Expert
Posts: 1611
| 14.0 with wedges on isn't too small LOL
I prefer big horses with a long smooth stride that feels like we are in slow motion. Small horses always feel like they are crotch rockets flying mock 9 to me because I'm used to the big guys. And before anyone says it I know height does not determine stride length there are many other factors. |
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 Expert
Posts: 3782
Location: Gainesville, TX | My filly was just that height for all her two year old year and just hit 14.3 as she turned 3. I think she'll get to 15. I think 15.1 or 15.2 is the SWEET spot. BUT there are lots of small horses that can eat up a pattern. I'm not selling mine just because she's shorter (her mother is even smaller). Enjoy. |
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  That's White "Man" to You
Posts: 5515
| HorsesNHarleys - 2015-05-07 12:42 PM Nope. Not too small. For one he still has time to grow. and 2 there are a lot of shorties out there burning it up!!! Stingray, Bo, Baby Flo, Movin, Rootie, ect...
This list goes on and on. Some people think a bigger horse is automatically faster...some people are also idiots. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 628
Location: Missouri | Whiteboy - 2015-05-07 2:46 PM
HorsesNHarleys - 2015-05-07 12:42 PM Nope. Not too small. For one he still has time to grow. and 2 there are a lot of shorties out there burning it up!!! Stingray, Bo, Baby Flo, Movin, Rootie, ect...
This list goes on and on. Some people think a bigger horse is automatically faster...some people are also idiots.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 669
Location: Central Texas | Just to name a few.....Sherry Cevi, Kay Blandford, Fallon Taylor..... I bet would say no. I am not speaking for them but my guess is they would be ok with a short one. Besides, 3 is young, he will still grow some. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 669
Location: Central Texas |
Sorry but that made me laugh.....good one and so true! |
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 Regular
Posts: 97
Location: Tennessee | Whiteboy - 2015-05-07 2:46 PM
HorsesNHarleys - 2015-05-07 12:42 PM Nope. Not too small. For one he still has time to grow. and 2 there are a lot of shorties out there burning it up!!! Stingray, Bo, Baby Flo, Movin, Rootie, ect...
This list goes on and on. Some people think a bigger horse is automatically faster...some people are also idiots.
 I love this! My mare is MAYBE 14.1 hh & she can flat out RUN! I've never ridden such a quick horse. |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | I think the smaller they are the quicker/snapper they are, thats why I ride bigger horses, LOL I can hang on better and feel them under me.. |
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Expert
Posts: 1561
| Most of the top human athletes are on the smaller side...
Easier to keep sound
Can carry their momentum around a tight turn better
Can be just as fast as the big horses between barrels |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Itsme - 2015-05-07 3:15 PM Most of the top human athletes are on the smaller side... Easier to keep sound Can carry their momentum around a tight turn better Can be just as fast as the big horses between barrels
Yept  |
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 Total Germophobe
Posts: 6443
Location: Montana | I think it depends on the individual horse. Some horse are faster, and some aren't, it depends on how they are built. My mare is a shorter horse, about 14.2 depending on whether or not she has shoes, and she can really get down and boogie around a barrel...makes an ultra tight turn. She can run pretty quick, too...we haven't reached our max potential on the barrels yet. My gelding should mature around 15.1 or 15.2 hands (according to his parents), and he is going to be quick, I can tell already.
I have to agree with another poster, a shorter horse often feels so quick and choppy compared to bigger horses with a little bit longer stride. But if they win, it doesn't matter what size they are. As a coming 3 y/o, I wouldn't worry too much about his size yet. |
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Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
Location: North Dakota | This has been brought up SO many times on this forum. Size does not matter. What does matter is the horse's overall build and athletic ability, and the rider's preference. My feet would drag on the ground if I tried to ride a 14.2hh horse. I won't ride anything under 15.1/15.2. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 705
Location: Weatherford, TX | cavyrunsbarrels - 2015-05-07 3:58 PM This has been brought up SO many times on this forum. Size does not matter. What does matter is the horse's overall build and athletic ability, and the rider's preference. My feet would drag on the ground if I tried to ride a 14.2hh horse. I won't ride anything under 15.1/15.2.
Ditto to the above.
I am only 5'7", but prefer 16H+ horses. Even with those big guys to be tough 1D horses, they have to have instant speed and a lot of athletic ability. Basically, still turn like a 15H horse. LOL
How tall they are really doesn't matter as much as speed, heart, athletic ability and conformation. |
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Tried and True
Posts: 21185
Location: Where I am happiest | Whiteboy - 2015-05-07 2:46 PM HorsesNHarleys - 2015-05-07 12:42 PM Nope. Not too small. For one he still has time to grow. and 2 there are a lot of shorties out there burning it up!!! Stingray, Bo, Baby Flo, Movin, Rootie, ect... This list goes on and on. Some people think a bigger horse is automatically faster...some people are also idiots.
Exactly! The list is huge and honestly, the ONLY 16 hand horse I can ever remimber making the NFR was Orange Smash with Martha Josey. But the list of 14 hander NFR horses is huge, and I remimber one 13 hander making the NFR. |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | barrelracerpa04 - 2015-05-07 12:36 PM Just want to get opinions, i have 14.2 hands gelding turning 3
the end of June. Is that to small? I dont know how to load a picture.
To answer your question,,,, No thats not to small at all |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 365
| My gelding is 14.3 and has no issue keeping up with the big horses, or outrunning them. Besides I'm 5 ft tall, I have no desire to pull myself up onto a big ass horse everyday... |
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| To answer the question with some physics, the smaller the length of the horse, the easier it is to turn. Consider an egg carton with 4 eggs in each corner. When you grab it in the middle, and twist it, it seems much more difficult to twist when compared to a carton with 4 eggs all placed in the middle. This is basically how it works with horses and their height/length - obviously not saying that every small horse turns faster than a bigger horse, but you get the jist. Each horse is different, so there are a lot more factors that play into it other than height!
I have a 14.2 hand mare who can SMOKE a pattern, but she could potentially get outran on the bigger patterns where she cant stretch out as far as the bigger horses. I also have a a 15.3 hand gelding who is also a quick dude. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 725
| My 14.2 hand barrel horse has a lot bigger stride then my 16 hand big guy! I prefer tall horses cause I got long legs, but I love my shorty too! The size of heart and try is much more important then the size of the horse! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 547
Location: Greencastle PA | Hey thanks for all of the replys. I can honestly say it was bothering me. But
after seeing all of these reponses I'm not going to worry about it.
Thanks |
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 Tough Patooty
Posts: 2615
Location: Sperry, OK | barrelracerpa04 - 2015-05-08 11:58 AM Hey thanks for all of the replys. I can honestly say it was bothering me. But
after seeing all of these reponses I'm not going to worry about it.
Thanks My good horse right now is 15.3 and 1/2 HH (horse in my avatar). I also am starting one for my dad, if she is 15.0 I will kiss your butt... and let me tell you something -- If that mare can run a set barrels like she can run accross my pasture, I honestly don't think I will want to be the one to run her when finished.. LOL
Edited by ACEINTHEHOLE 2015-05-08 12:23 PM
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 I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3314
Location: Jersey Girl | I don't think its too small....perfect size for me!!  |
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 Regular
Posts: 58
Location: Pa | My pony is around 14hh. (Maybe smaller!) and she even places at IBRA shows with the big horses. The smaller ones can turn real quick! |
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | We had a younger girl riding a pony at some of our local barrel runs, and she could spank the older folks and bigger horses. It was so cool to watch. That little thing was a monster!! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1131
| cavyrunsbarrels - 2015-05-07 4:58 PM
This has been brought up SO many times on this forum. Size does not matter. What does matter is the horse's overall build and athletic ability, and the rider's preference. My feet would drag on the ground if I tried to ride a 14.2hh horse. I won't ride anything under 15.1/15.2.
Same, I'm 5'10 and not exactly the skinniest of people, so I try to stick towards 15.1 and up. I do ride my little 14.2 hand gelding on trails, but I'll never buy one that small again, especially to race. |
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 Ms. Marine
Posts: 4641
Location: Texas | No that's not too small. I have a mare that's 14.3hh and a mare that's 16hh. My shorter mare frequently outruns my tall mare. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 878
Location: "...way down south in the Everglades..." | I think too many people get hung up on size. There's even a 12 hand pony for this one youth girl that clocks very competitively in our district. Granted the pony isn't 1-D calibur but it's still pulling plenty of checks in the open.
That said, it's a lot of personal preference. I'd run one that size any day. Plus he still has some growing to do. On another note though, I think you should fit the horse. If your legs are dangling down by his knees then you should probably move up in size. :-) |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 331
Location: Loma Linda, CA | Despite this being brought up a lot on the forum - not everyone sees it :P
I'm glad this was brought up cause my 2 year old FG/Three Ohs filly is TINY at 13.2 and for a minute I considered selling her, but then my pro barrel racer friends told me to give her a chance first :P
I'll be happy if she even reaches 14.2/14.3
My other mares are 15.2 and I haven't sticked her in a while but I'm fairly sure my 6 year old is now 16hh despite measuring at 15.2 not too long ago lol! She won't stop growing tall or wide >.<
I'm also 5'3 so I'm okay with any horse size minus super tall ones. I think I draw the max at 16h, but I prefer 15h horses, but have rocked it on 14.2/14.3h horses which were my go to before I fell in love with my 2 tall mares. |
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I Really Love Jeans
Posts: 3173
Location: North Dakota | The best I ever owned was 13.2! He could run with the big horses! Your horse is more than tall enough! |
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 Expert
Posts: 2013
Location: Piedmont, OK | IMPO I think smaller horses are more catty and have less wasted movement or at least mine is. I have a 14.3 cowbred mare that used to be a reiner and absolutely love to ride her!!!!! |
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 Night Chat Leader
Posts: 13150
Location: Home....Smiling M Farms | I've got one that is 14.2 on a good day with new shoes, she has broken several arena records. Mare is tougher than nails.
I've also got one that is 16.1 that can COVER ground in a hurry.
Size isn't important. Heart is.
Edited by Leo 2015-05-11 2:05 PM
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Veteran
Posts: 120
| cavyrunsbarrels - 2015-05-07 3:58 PM
This has been brought up SO many times on this forum. Size does not matter. What does matter is the horse's overall build and athletic ability, and the rider's preference. My feet would drag on the ground if I tried to ride a 14.2hh horse. I won't ride anything under 15.1/15.2.
hmmm...you must be really, really tall... I believe Cervi is 6.0 and Stingray is 14.2 and I don't recall her feet draggin on the ground at the NFR....hahahaha |
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 Take a Picture
Posts: 12841
| As a teenager, I had to ride what we had. They were little short cowhorses. My horse was 14 hands and was pretty tough to beat. Rodeoed on her in college. When I was able to buy my first horse as an adult my horse was 15-2. That was way before any 4D and he was always in the top three. Rodeoed on him some to--always did well. Now my horses that I run are 15-3 to 16-1 they have run in the 1D. My three year old is 16 hands now and should mature out at 16-2. She is showing great promise.
Size is not the important factor. It is a combination of factors including athletic ability, speed and grit.
I will say that when you get older those tall horses are a pain to saddle, to get on and to get off. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1612
Location: Cocoa, Florida | My fastest horse right now is 14.2 she is not even finished and clocking bottom of 2d in big shows. She is actually an appendix lol.....she has a long. Uunderline thus giving her a hell of a stride, she's fast because she never stops moving around the barrels and her style is very smooth
My 15.2 gelding is long in the back and leggy. Built more like a thoroughbred then QH but he can smoke a set of cans as well has just quick footed and athletic but I believe my little mare will outrun him soon |
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Expert
Posts: 1612
Location: Cocoa, Florida | Ps- stingray is only what 14.3 and cervi. Is about 6'
Bling is only 15 hands as well
So what makes them so special? |
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Barrel Horses size?