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 Expert
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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
Posts: 807
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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 Expert
Posts: 4121
Location: SE Louisiana | See for yourself..
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 883
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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 Expert
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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