|
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 667
  
| Do you think that you can have a horse that is too big to run on the barrels. I know that it will depend on the horses ability to stay collected and keep their feet under them and just all around raw talent/ability, but I am just wondering if some of these appendix bred horses could be too big?
Your thoughts? |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 3782
 
Location: Gainesville, TX | I would think any horse can 'run' barrels. Some may be too big to be super competitive. There's been some tall ones, so long as they weren't drafty that could compete, like 17hh. I would think 18 hh and you'd be too big. I think an appendix would be great. I have three appendix horses and loved them. Current one is 15.3 though he's out because of a strained suspensory right now. |
|
| |
|
| Whoever started the rumor that big horses can't get down and turn as hard as a smaller horse was full of it. |
|
| |
|
 Good Grief!
Posts: 6343
Location: Cap'n Joan Rotgut.....alberta | ask jana bean...................lol
m |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 1561
| jenagarwood - 2014-07-31 8:53 AM
Whoever started the rumor that big horses can't get down and turn as hard as a smaller horse was full of it.
On average they are correct...  |
|
| |
|
 Midget Lover
Location: Kentucky | I think it completely depends on the horse. I rode a 16.2 hand horse a few weeks back while gathering cattle. I played on the barrels with him a little bit, but I couldn't imagine him being competitive. That's the biggest horse I've ever rode, and I'm sure there are big horses out there that will smoke a set, but I prefer mine under 15.3 hands. |
|
| |
|
  Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | personally I feel that the bigger ones...16.2 and up... can do it........ its just harder on their Joints. |
|
| |
|
| Itsme - 2014-07-31 9:00 AM
jenagarwood - 2014-07-31 8:53 AM
Whoever started the rumor that big horses can't get down and turn as hard as a smaller horse was full of it.
On average they are correct...
I'm not talking about any old big ranchy horse you might climb on. Just like not every small horse is athletic. But a big horse with good conformation and bred to do it? Absolutely. Look at Tall Boy--he is 16.2. I have been on him and a couple other big horses that are way more powerful and just as athletic (or more) as any smaller horse. |
|
| |
|
 I keep my butt inside
Posts: 3281
Location: Weatherford, Texas | Bigger is better (they have longer strides so don't have to "run" as hard). And as for turning- all of my big horses (16+) turned faster than my little horses.
I think the big horses don't turn as fast thing got started years ago when pockets were a big thing. A big horse can't make a turn as well with a big pocket becuase they have to collect, reach out, recollect, etc. No pocket and they have one collection point and are just as fast or faster (their collected strides still cover more ground than a small horse around a turn).
And====I love having the speed so that if I bobble a turn, I am not out of the money. My smaller horses 14.2-15.2 all have to have good turns to win, but my bigger horses could have some minor mistakes and still beat the smaller ones----just covered more ground. |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 1561
| jenagarwood - 2014-07-31 9:20 AM
Itsme - 2014-07-31 9:00 AM
jenagarwood - 2014-07-31 8:53 AM
Whoever started the rumor that big horses can't get down and turn as hard as a smaller horse was full of it.
On average they are correct...
I'm not talking about any old big ranchy horse you might climb on. Just like not every small horse is athletic. But a big horse with good conformation and bred to do it? Absolutely. Look at Tall Boy--he is 16.2. I have been on him and a couple other big horses that are way more powerful and just as athletic (or more ) as any smaller horse.
Honor thy frenchman
Flos heiress
MP meter my hay
Kellies chick
Edited by Itsme 2014-07-31 10:09 AM
|
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 1561
| cooper08 - 2014-07-31 9:52 AM Bigger is better (they have longer strides so don't have to "run" as hard). And as for turning- all of my big horses (16+) turned faster than my little horses. I think the big horses don't turn as fast thing got started years ago when pockets were a big thing. A big horse can't make a turn as well with a big pocket becuase they have to collect, reach out, recollect, etc. No pocket and they have one collection point and are just as fast or faster (their collected strides still cover more ground than a small horse around a turn). And====I love having the speed so that if I bobble a turn, I am not out of the money. My smaller horses 14.2-15.2 all have to have good turns to win, but my bigger horses could have some minor mistakes and still beat the smaller ones----just covered more ground.
False.... |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 667
| Itsme - 2014-07-31 10:07 AM
cooper08 - 2014-07-31 9:52 AM Bigger is better (they have longer strides so don't have to "run" as hard). And as for turning- all of my big horses (16+) turned faster than my little horses. I think the big horses don't turn as fast thing got started years ago when pockets were a big thing. A big horse can't make a turn as well with a big pocket becuase they have to collect, reach out, recollect, etc. No pocket and they have one collection point and are just as fast or faster (their collected strides still cover more ground than a small horse around a turn). And====I love having the speed so that if I bobble a turn, I am not out of the money. My smaller horses 14.2-15.2 all have to have good turns to win, but my bigger horses could have some minor mistakes and still beat the smaller ones----just covered more ground.
False....
I have to agree with her. longer strides vs a horse with shorter stride.... they will naturally cover more ground. |
|
| |
|
| Itsme - 2014-07-31 10:06 AM
jenagarwood - 2014-07-31 9:20 AM
Itsme - 2014-07-31 9:00 AM
jenagarwood - 2014-07-31 8:53 AM
Whoever started the rumor that big horses can't get down and turn as hard as a smaller horse was full of it.
On average they are correct...
I'm not talking about any old big ranchy horse you might climb on. Just like not every small horse is athletic. But a big horse with good conformation and bred to do it? Absolutely. Look at Tall Boy--he is 16.2. I have been on him and a couple other big horses that are way more powerful and just as athletic (or more ) as any smaller horse.
Honor thy frenchman
Flos heiress
MP meter my hay
Kellies chick
Did I say no small horses were fast? Nope. |
|
| |
|
Midget Lover
Location: Kentucky | TNcowgirl88 - 2014-07-31 11:38 AM Itsme - 2014-07-31 10:07 AM cooper08 - 2014-07-31 9:52 AM Bigger is better (they have longer strides so don't have to "run" as hard). And as for turning- all of my big horses (16+) turned faster than my little horses. I think the big horses don't turn as fast thing got started years ago when pockets were a big thing. A big horse can't make a turn as well with a big pocket becuase they have to collect, reach out, recollect, etc. No pocket and they have one collection point and are just as fast or faster (their collected strides still cover more ground than a small horse around a turn). And====I love having the speed so that if I bobble a turn, I am not out of the money. My smaller horses 14.2-15.2 all have to have good turns to win, but my bigger horses could have some minor mistakes and still beat the smaller ones----just covered more ground. False.... I have to agree with her. longer strides vs a horse with shorter stride.... they will naturally cover more ground.
I am 6 feet tall, and I have co-worker that walks with me on lunch that is 4'11". She keeps up with me just fine. Yes, she takes 2 strides for my one, but we keep pace equally, |
|
| |
|
 Veteran
Posts: 209
| A big horse can be fast but their build also factors into it. I had a 16hh gelding that could clock no problem. He wasn't super thick but wasn't real appendix or race looking either. However I have to disagree that shorter horses have shorter strides, my little 14.3 mare has a big stride, just because they are little doesn't mean their stride will automatically be shorter then a taller horse. Some shorter horses are very leggy. |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 2276
Location: ohio-in my own little world with pretty ponies :) | A friend of mine has a HUGE and I mean MASSIVE gelding! Every bit of 16.3 and built SOLID! Takes everything I have to climb up on him(I'm 5' 3") and he is a powerhouse! He runs at pro level with her and I believe he has won a few of them. |
|
| |
|
 Peecans
| TNcowgirl88 - 2014-07-31 9:38 AM
Itsme - 2014-07-31 10:07 AM
cooper08 - 2014-07-31 9:52 AM Bigger is better (they have longer strides so don't have to "run" as hard). And as for turning- all of my big horses (16+) turned faster than my little horses. I think the big horses don't turn as fast thing got started years ago when pockets were a big thing. A big horse can't make a turn as well with a big pocket becuase they have to collect, reach out, recollect, etc. No pocket and they have one collection point and are just as fast or faster (their collected strides still cover more ground than a small horse around a turn). And====I love having the speed so that if I bobble a turn, I am not out of the money. My smaller horses 14.2-15.2 all have to have good turns to win, but my bigger horses could have some minor mistakes and still beat the smaller ones----just covered more ground.
False....
I have to agree with her. longer strides vs a horse with shorter stride.... they will naturally cover more ground.
I just have to say, a long stride dosent have as much to do with legs as an underline that allows the legs to really streach out and reach.
Yes a long leg can reach more than a short one, but it has to be set up in a way it can.
What I LOVE most about barrel racing is theres not a cookie cutter mould of what type of horse is sucesfull and needed. They come in all sizes! |
|
| |
|
 Queen Boobie 2
Posts: 7521
| Itsme - 2014-07-31 10:06 AM jenagarwood - 2014-07-31 9:20 AM Itsme - 2014-07-31 9:00 AM jenagarwood - 2014-07-31 8:53 AM Whoever started the rumor that big horses can't get down and turn as hard as a smaller horse was full of it. On average they are correct... I'm not talking about any old big ranchy horse you might climb on. Just like not every small horse is athletic. But a big horse with good conformation and bred to do it? Absolutely. Look at Tall Boy--he is 16.2. I have been on him and a couple other big horses that are way more powerful and just as athletic (or more ) as any smaller horse. Honor thy frenchman Flos heiress MP meter my hay Kellies chick
Flip side Orange Smash, Tall Boy, BF Shenanigan, and a huge black horse with "Dark" in his name....really nice horse a few years ago |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 1561
| TNcowgirl88 - 2014-07-31 10:38 AM
Itsme - 2014-07-31 10:07 AM
cooper08 - 2014-07-31 9:52 AM Bigger is better (they have longer strides so don't have to "run" as hard). And as for turning- all of my big horses (16+) turned faster than my little horses. I think the big horses don't turn as fast thing got started years ago when pockets were a big thing. A big horse can't make a turn as well with a big pocket becuase they have to collect, reach out, recollect, etc. No pocket and they have one collection point and are just as fast or faster (their collected strides still cover more ground than a small horse around a turn). And====I love having the speed so that if I bobble a turn, I am not out of the money. My smaller horses 14.2-15.2 all have to have good turns to win, but my bigger horses could have some minor mistakes and still beat the smaller ones----just covered more ground.
False....
I have to agree with her. longer strides vs a horse with shorter stride.... they will naturally cover more ground.
I seen a study, cant remember what when or where...But if all else is equal the heigth of a horse has little to do with stride, Im thinking it was 1" per stride for 1 hand. I could very well be off on my numbers, but it was not a lot at all.
For the record we have a 16.1 that is going to be smoking fast, real powerful and super smooth and a 14.0 that should mature to 14.1-2 that we have high hopes for too. |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 1561
| della - 2014-07-31 11:27 AM
TNcowgirl88 - 2014-07-31 9:38 AM
Itsme - 2014-07-31 10:07 AM
cooper08 - 2014-07-31 9:52 AM Bigger is better (they have longer strides so don't have to "run" as hard). And as for turning- all of my big horses (16+) turned faster than my little horses. I think the big horses don't turn as fast thing got started years ago when pockets were a big thing. A big horse can't make a turn as well with a big pocket becuase they have to collect, reach out, recollect, etc. No pocket and they have one collection point and are just as fast or faster (their collected strides still cover more ground than a small horse around a turn). And====I love having the speed so that if I bobble a turn, I am not out of the money. My smaller horses 14.2-15.2 all have to have good turns to win, but my bigger horses could have some minor mistakes and still beat the smaller ones----just covered more ground.
False....
I have to agree with her. longer strides vs a horse with shorter stride.... they will naturally cover more ground.
I just have to say, a long stride dosent have as much to do with legs as an underline that allows the legs to really streach out and reach.
Yes a long leg can reach more than a short one, but it has to be set up in a way it can.
What I LOVE most about barrel racing is theres not a cookie cutter mould of what type of horse is sucesfull and needed. They come in all sizes!
 |
|
| |
Folks on-line