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| 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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