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Location: Texas | Do you think size has much to do with how well a horse can clock? My two are 15.2H and 16.2H. I have found one that I really like, but she is only 14.1H as a three year old. Do you think that is too small? Do you think she will grow much more after three? I am 5'8", average weight for my height. Will it be too awkward to switch between my big guys and the smaller one? All are out of the same stud. I know Baby Flo is quite small and so is Dinero I think. Any feedback on running smaller horses? |
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 Elite Veteran
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Location: New Mexico | I prefer them. My two good horses are only 14.1 and 14.3 and they both can get it done. |
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Posts: 4121
Location: SE Louisiana | See for yourself..
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Southern Indiana | I think it's a personal preference. We know short horses can clock and tall horses can clock. It really just comes down to that individual horse and rider. More importantly do you think you can ride a short horse with a smaller stride? You have to be much quicker in your reactions and have good balance to stay with a shorter strided horse. I personally know it's a big change from riding big horses to smaller horses and most likely wouldn't buy one under 15 hands because I know that's what I like.
As as a late 3 year old I wouldn't think they would grow that much. At 14.1 now she will probably never reach 15 hands. |
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 Peecans
| It really depends on the structure of the horse, more than size. Long legs don't always = a big stride.
You want your horse to have a big stride and reallybe able to reach, and have the strength in the shoulder and hip to pull / push them forward.
I look more at underline/topline propitious, shoulder angle, leg placement (ie, i dont feel a horse who stands way back in its front legs can get out and reach as easily as one with correct legs), hip and shoulder strength and development over just hight.
There are horses of all sizes that are incredible at what they do. Then after all the physical stuff, some are just freaks with huge hearts that would go to the end of the earth and back for thier person. |
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Expert
Posts: 2604
Location: Texas | thedutchman01 - Thank you, very helpful!
I guess I am trying to convince myself that it wouldn't be that big of a deal jumping from 16.2H to 14.1H but really...I probably wouldn't be good at that. |
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Peecans
| TBone - 2015-10-02 10:28 AM
thedutchman01 - Thank you, very helpful!
I guess I am trying to convince myself that it wouldn't be that big of a deal jumping from 16.2H to 14.1H but really...I probably wouldn't be good at that.
We had a rope horse who was 16+ hands, his stride was shorter than my 14.3 hand horse. He had a short stride for a big horse, but its all his conformation would allow for. He was explosive and fast, but awful to ride unless you were standing up to rope.
My one mare has a freakishly long stride dor her size, Im really not sure why shes smooth and very nice to ride. Shes a bit of a freak.
Thier feet do move a little faster, but give her a go! You might love a little rocket :-) |
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  That's White "Man" to You
Posts: 5515
| Very different feel, but size has nothing to do with speed. I used to only want to ride big horses. Now I'm ridding some 14.3 or 15, they are just as fast, but are more agile, sound and easier to get on. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1612
Location: Cocoa, Florida | I'll be the odd ball here and admit that I like a longer backed and long underlined horse. I have found that they can stride out and are smoother. I like a long sloping shoulder and long neck also, heck I like a long horse! I had a 14.2 gelding and mare both whom could flat out run, gather and turn, they were both a little longer then what most would look for in a barrel horse I think. I guess it's just what I'm used to. I have two mares right now that are built very similar except ones 14.3 and ones 15.1 and they both feel similar. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1131
| TBone - 2015-10-02 12:28 PM
thedutchman01 - Thank you, very helpful!
I guess I am trying to convince myself that it wouldn't be that big of a deal jumping from 16.2H to 14.1H but really...I probably wouldn't be good at that.
I used to run a 16 hand 1300# mare and a 14.1 800# gelding....It was crazy trying to run both. I'm also 5'10 though.... If that tells you just how hilarious My long legs looked on my tiny freaking gelding. It was even hard for me this year to switch from the 16 hand mare to the 15 hand 3yo gelding. I'm just too big for those smaller horses. |
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 Total Germophobe
Posts: 6437
Location: Montana | Whiteboy - 2015-10-02 1:22 PM Very different feel, but size has nothing to do with speed. I used to only want to ride big horses. Now I'm ridding some 14.3 or 15, they are just as fast, but are more agile, sound and easier to get on.
I had a 15-15.1 hh gelding as a three year old, very long stride, but not as agile in a turn. My mare, about 14.2 hh, can turn almost over the top of the barrel she turns so tight. I personally prefer shorter horses, but height doesn't keep me out of one (either way) if they are athletic and get the job done. |
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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9991
Location: Kansas | I'm short, so I like tall horses. But I've seen short horses that can flat out book it |
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 Party Girl
Posts: 12293
Location: Buffalo, Wyoming | I am short and prefer short horses. I get by on taller, longer strided horses but much prefer shorter ones. |
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Expert
Posts: 1561
| I see more of the 14s clocking than I do the 16s... |
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Posts: 1526
Location: Texas | No it has no bearing on the clock. |
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Expert
Posts: 1526
Location: Texas | Whiteboy - 2015-10-02 2:22 PM
Very different feel, but size has nothing to do with speed. I used to only want to ride big horses. Now I'm ridding some 14.3 or 15, they are just as fast, but are more agile, sound and easier to get on.
Amen to everything! The soundness statement so true they are less hard on their bodies! |
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Impressive!!
Posts: 1954
Location: Idaho | I really prefer a free runner over a ratey horse... that being said, I rode a 14.1 hh cowbred mare who was every bit of a free runner and I really enjoyed her and she clocked with me. I have a 14.2hh mare and she is very ratey and push style, I really struggle to get her up into her pockets. Ive run everything from a 15hh to a 16.1hh and to me, size isnt what matters, its their style of being free running or push style, and free runners are my style. |
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 Ima Cool Kid
Posts: 3496
Location: TN | not height but length and arena conditions do |
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| A short horse may work the barrels but it's the speed running home that shuts the clock down
15.0-15.3 is the perfect size for arena speed events ... their natural stride length, agility and stamina to pack a riders weight allows them to turn the after burners on running home ...
Fast horses are the ones that you have to protect from hurting themselves ... the horses that stay sound usually can't run fast enough to hurt themselves ..
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Expert
Posts: 1526
Location: Texas | BARRELHORSE USA - 2015-10-02 9:04 PM
A short horse may work the barrels but it's the speed running home that shuts the clock down
15.0-15.3 is the perfect size for arena speed events ... their natural stride length, agility and stamina to pack a riders weight allows them to turn the after burners on running home ...
Fast horses are the ones that you have to protect from hurting themselves ... the horses that stay sound usually can't run fast enough to hurt themselves ..
My mare I run this year is 14.1. In AZ on the interval time she was .3 times faster from the third barrel to the timer. Last year same deal I had a pony that was fast. Love small horses. |
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Expert
Posts: 1561
| mollibtexan - 2015-10-02 10:53 PM
BARRELHORSE USA - 2015-10-02 9:04 PM
A short horse may work the barrels but it's the speed running home that shuts the clock down
15.0-15.3 is the perfect size for arena speed events ... their natural stride length, agility and stamina to pack a riders weight allows them to turn the after burners on running home ...
Fast horses are the ones that you have to protect from hurting themselves ... the horses that stay sound usually can't run fast enough to hurt themselves ..
My mare I run this year is 14.1. In AZ on the interval time she was .3 times faster from the third barrel to the timer. Last year same deal I had a pony that was fast. Love small horses.
Do you own the horses you run or train and run for others? Im about to do some internet stalking....
And yes, small horses rule! |
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Expert
Posts: 4121
Location: SE Louisiana | Center of Gravity.... the closer it is to the ground..... the better!!! |
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Expert
Posts: 1612
Location: Cocoa, Florida | Speed is important and you can make up a lot of time running home but I've always believed the horse that turns the fastest wins the barrel race! Now if you have one that can turn and run more power to you.
15.3 is way to big for me, I like them right at around 15 hh, my biggest mare is 15.1 |
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boon
Posts: 4
| It's' not the size, it's length of stride that matters. The best horse I ever had, and she was truly NFR caliber, was 14.2. She had one of the longest strides I have ever seen on a horse, in all my years with race horses and barrel horses, and amazing acceleration for one so long strided. |
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 Champ
Posts: 19623
Location: Peg-Leg Julia Grimm | BARRELHORSE USA - 2015-10-02 7:04 PM
A short horse may work the barrels but it's the speed running home that shuts the clock down
15.0-15.3 is the perfect size for arena speed events ... their natural stride length, agility and stamina to pack a riders weight allows them to turn the after burners on running home ...
Fast horses are the ones that you have to protect from hurting themselves ... the horses that stay sound usually can't run fast enough to hurt themselves ..
One of the smaller horses running in the WPRA is Christy Loflins mare Movin. She's in the 14.2 hand range. She won Pendleton (the largest approved pattern allowed at a rodeo) 3 years running. That little mare can run. Corona Cartel is not a large horse either. He can run and sire just fine in spite of it. Size matters more if the rider is more than 110 pounds or can't ride.
ETA: MY personal ideal is 15.1-15.3 because I'm not and never have been 110 pounds. But that's not the question.
Edited by OregonBR 2015-10-03 4:30 PM
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 Lady Di
Posts: 21556
Location: Oklahoma | mollibtexan - 2015-10-02 6:29 PM
Whiteboy - 2015-10-02 2:22 PM
Very different feel, but size has nothing to do with speed. I used to only want to ride big horses. Now I'm ridding some 14.3 or 15, they are just as fast, but are more agile, sound and easier to get on.
Amen to everything! The soundness statement so true they are less hard on their bodies!
I third this. I used to run big horses, but now like the shorter ones much better, and they clock every bit as good or better. |
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Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
Location: North Dakota | It doesn't really matter. You ate going to find very talented, very fast horses in all sizes. All that really matters is your personal preference. I'm 5'11 and not a twig so I won't buy anything under 15.2/15.3hh. |
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 I Want a "MAN"
Posts: 3610
Location: MD | I know a lot of people love racey type horses for barrel racing. I saw an interview from a girl headed to the NFR and was asked this question and she said it IS a race!. I've seen more horses that were more efficient turning that they blew the ultra fast ones out of the water because they were so in and out behind the barrel. I know what you aim for is fast and turny but looking at prospects I love one with alot of turn and clearly not a dead head! LOL |
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Expert
Posts: 1612
Location: Cocoa, Florida | CE's wrapn3 - 2015-10-04 8:32 AM
I know a lot of people love racey type horses for barrel racing. I saw an interview from a girl headed to the NFR and was asked this question and she said it IS a race!. I've seen more horses that were more efficient turning that they blew the ultra fast ones out of the water because they were so in and out behind the barrel. I know what you aim for is fast and turny but looking at prospects I love one with alot of turn and clearly not a dead head! LOL
Clearly not a dead head is right, I can't stand a lazy horse, had one race bred top & bottom and she was sooooooo lazy, couldn't get it out of her! I one have a very worky and slightly crazy cow horse whom I bought in place of her and I love her. I love a horse with some spunk, especially ones that are quick on their feet. |
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 Fact Checker
Posts: 16572
Location: Displaced Iowegian | Everytime I see the title of this thread I have to giggle a little.....
The size that matters is the HEART....I have seen little ponies outrun the big fast horses because they had "heart"........ |
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Expert
Posts: 4121
Location: SE Louisiana | NJJ - 2015-10-04 8:56 AM
Everytime I see the title of this thread I have to giggle a little.....The size that matters is the HEART....I have seen little ponies outrun the big fast horses because they had "heart"........
You hit the nail on the head there!!!    |
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 Expert
Posts: 3782
Location: Gainesville, TX | What's that oft stated saying, "Smooth is fast." You will see some horses that aren't as fast down a track getting the job done in barrels because they are FAST ENOUGH and quick enough and in some way they aren't TOO FAST. Yes there is such a thing.
In my experience, shorter horses (under 15 hh) have to slow down much less for turns because their center of gravity is lower, which means they can maintain a more consistent rate of speed throughout the pattern. Where they can get hurt most is in BIG patterns where speed between barrels and home can help you more than quickness around the barrel. In small patterns quickness around the barrel will help you get home sooner. This is why its easier on their bodies too I think; they don't have 16 hh and 300 more pounds to try and jerk to a quick stop to get around a barrel which is hard on the body. Big horses are also more likely to be clumsy. All those feet and legs and can get in their own way. Bigger horses (15.2 +) are more likely to excel in a larger pattern and have more speed between barrels. All that being said, these are generalizations and there will be exceptions. For instance, when we talk about Babyflo or Movin, I think we talk about them more because they are exceptions. I think if you go to a weekend jackpot with a BIG pattern (standard +) and you put the same number of big horses up against small horses, I think you would see more average to slightly larger horses leading it. You might have one smaller horse really shut the clock off but most of them would be bigger. We had a larger pattern where we trained for high school rodeo and we had one short horse that frequently shut it down and then the rest were 15.2 or more.
Personally I prefer something right in the middle. I tend to think the sweet spot is 15hh-15.1 hh. They are big enough that most larger patterns aren't going to shut them down but still small enough to easily gather themselves around a barrel without jerking all their joints to pieces. I won't turn down the the 15.3 hh horse running good or the 14.2 hh horse running good though. Honestly, I'd love to have one of each of roughly the same talent in the trailer so if I'm hauling to a bigger pattern I can run the big horse and running a smaller pattern I can run the small one.
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Expert
Posts: 1611
| Stride length not size matters
Angle of the shoulder and hip....but don't count out heart when it comes to stride length either
I'm loving imafrenchprincess owned by the Dunns and futuried by jolene this year. That lil mare is a bad cat and she's like 14 hands with shoes on!
Big horses to me are easier to ride. I feel like i'm on a crotch rocket zooming by things on lil horse.
Edited by astreakinchic 2015-10-05 11:15 AM
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 Jr. Detective
Location: Beggs, OK | My daughter's little mare Hotbox is fun to watch. This is a video from a couple of weeks ago. I'm a little behind on getting videos on youtube. She's only 13.3, but has a heart as big as any. Pj wasn't happy with how she finished the third barrel and just hand rode her out, still won the jackpot by 4 tenths that night. She's been clocking right with some great horses at rodeos as well and she's only been running a little over a year.
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 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | TheDutchMan01 - 2015-10-02 11:24 AM I think it's a personal preference. We know short horses can clock and tall horses can clock. It really just comes down to that individual horse and rider. More importantly do you think you can ride a short horse with a smaller stride? You have to be much quicker in your reactions and have good balance to stay with a shorter strided horse. I personally know it's a big change from riding big horses to smaller horses and most likely wouldn't buy one under 15 hands because I know that's what I like.
As as a late 3 year old I wouldn't think they would grow that much. At 14.1 now she will probably never reach 15 hands.
I agree. I used to love those little quick powerhouses, but now have some physical challenges that make it way easier for me to hang with the bigger, longer strided horses. I bought a 14.2 hh prospect a few years ago--she could go backwards and sideways as fast as she could go forward--and I always felt like I was going to be left hanging in the air at any second. LOL |
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 Leggs
Posts: 4680
Location: lexington KY | rachellyn80 - 2015-10-05 12:38 PM My daughter's little mare Hotbox is fun to watch. This is a video from a couple of weeks ago. I'm a little behind on getting videos on youtube. She's only 13.3, but has a heart as big as any. Pj wasn't happy with how she finished the third barrel and just hand rode her out, still won the jackpot by 4 tenths that night. She's been clocking right with some great horses at rodeos as well and she's only been running a little over a year.
http://youtu.be/b-syEs2WAx4
Edited by polorunner 2015-10-05 12:19 PM
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 Expert
Posts: 1440
Location: Texas | Itsme - 2015-10-02 11:00 PM
mollibtexan - 2015-10-02 10:53 PM
BARRELHORSE USA - 2015-10-02 9:04 PM
A short horse may work the barrels but it's the speed running home that shuts the clock down
15.0-15.3 is the perfect size for arena speed events ... their natural stride length, agility and stamina to pack a riders weight allows them to turn the after burners on running home ...
Fast horses are the ones that you have to protect from hurting themselves ... the horses that stay sound usually can't run fast enough to hurt themselves ..
My mare I run this year is 14.1. In AZ on the interval time she was .3 times faster from the third barrel to the timer. Last year same deal I had a pony that was fast. Love small horses.
Do you own the horses you run or train and run for others? Im about to do some internet stalking....
And yes, small horses rule!
Some of the ones she runs are her own but most are client horses. |
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 BHW Jr. Cougar of the Year
Posts: 14957
Location: Heart of Texas | How big is KissKiss BangBang? |
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 Expert
Posts: 1525
| I have a 14yo that is 14 hands flat....but has a stride the side of my 15.3 gelding. He is the real deal...catty and can cover ground. He is super fun to run...he prefers deep ground but if its too deep it can hurt him...and I am not really sure that is because of his size more than the fact that he burys up a little when he turns...
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Expert
Posts: 1611
| T-Zip - 2015-10-05 1:38 PM
How big is KissKiss BangBang?
Mona is above 15 i'm pretty sure. She's average tho basically not big or lil. |
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Expert
Posts: 4121
Location: SE Louisiana | Of course size matters!!! Nobody wants a small glass of wine!! |
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Total Germophobe
Posts: 6437
Location: Montana | komet. - 2015-10-05 1:32 PM Of course size matters!!! Nobody wants a small glass of wine!!
LOL. |
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 Midget Lover
Location: Kentucky | dianeguinn - 2015-10-03 6:29 PM mollibtexan - 2015-10-02 6:29 PM Whiteboy - 2015-10-02 2:22 PM Very different feel, but size has nothing to do with speed. I used to only want to ride big horses. Now I'm ridding some 14.3 or 15, they are just as fast, but are more agile, sound and easier to get on. Amen to everything! The soundness statement so true they are less hard on their bodies! I third this. I used to run big horses, but now like the shorter ones much better, and they clock every bit as good or better.
I'll 4th this. My mare is barely, maybe, on a good day 15 hands. I'm 6 foot. I was going to pass on her because of her height but thank goodness I didn't. I feel like I can run her better than any of 15.3-16 hand horses. She is just dang quick. |
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| Are there any barrel stallion owners advertising they guarantee you babies that will mature under 15 hands ...
Thought NOT ...
END OF CONVERSATION |
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Expert
Posts: 1561
| BARRELHORSE USA - 2015-10-05 10:32 PM
Are there any barrel stallion owners advertising they guarantee you babies that will mature under 15 hands ...
Thought NOT ...
END OF CONVERSATION
Most people run in the 3d, so the larger, slower, less talented horses are just fine for them...
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Expert
Posts: 1525
| I have a 14hh and I have a 15.3 hh. Both are good for different situations in their own right. Deep dirt and home and my big First Down Dash off the track probabaly takes the cake...not so deep dirt...then my little 14hh Sunfrost/Hollywood Dun it bred horse wins every single time. There are horses like BABY FLO (14 hh tall) and horses like FREEDOM (Jana Bean) (17hh tall)....or DUKE( 16.2hh tall) All badasses in their own right ;) ITs about stride not height...and ground conditions can play a huge role as well. |
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 Night Chat Leader
Posts: 13150
Location: Home....Smiling M Farms | It's not always stride either ;) you can have a big horse with a long stride with slow legs or a short horse with a shorter stride with quick feet, just an analogy on strides here. :) |
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Champ
Posts: 19623
Location: Peg-Leg Julia Grimm | BARRELHORSE USA - 2015-10-05 8:32 PM
Are there any barrel stallion owners advertising they guarantee you babies that will mature under 15 hands ...
Thought NOT ...
END OF CONVERSATION
What does that have to do with anything? I don't say they will be certain size. When they ask, I tell them the size of the mare and the size of the stud and let them come to their own conclusions. The mare is too important in the finished size of the foals. If they press me and the foal is more than 5 months old, I measure the coronet to the middle of the knee. Whatever that is, is pretty close to what the finished size might be. But that can be wrong too. Depends on if the foal has extra long pastern & cannon bones or has finished growing. |
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Midget Lover
Location: Kentucky | BARRELHORSE USA - 2015-10-05 11:32 PM Are there any barrel stallion owners advertising they guarantee you babies that will mature under 15 hands ... Thought NOT ... END OF CONVERSATION
If there are stallion owners out there guaranteeing certain heights on babies... well, then... yikes. |
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 Georgia Peach
Posts: 8338
Location: Georgia |
Mine are all shorties. The two I am running now are 14.2 and 14.3. Plus the yearling I have coming up probably will top out at 14.3. I've personally never owned or ran anything over 15.2. I think if I were to jump on something bigger, I wouldnt know what to do with myself. |
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I AM being nice
Posts: 4396
Location: MD | I will say that I am currently running horses who range from 14.3 to a legit 16.3. The big guy turns harder than anything else in my barn and is super athletic, but I bet he'd be a much nicer horse if he were 15.3. |
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