Okay, I know this is stupid but in barrel racing you can be super tall and run and win on a 15 hand horse and I know in english it looks totally stupid for a tall person to ride a short horse so my question is, what size horse would look good with me riding him/her? I am 5'10.5", 16 years old(not that this matters,lol) and 148 lbs. I feel like I should be on a 17 hand horse because I'm like a giant but what do you guys think?

probably everyone who reads this will tell you this so I'll start. Get a horse that matches your skill level and is trained in the desired dicisplines(spelling WAY off!!). I'd rather see you on a short horse that you can ride then a tall horse that you can't controll. For starters lease a well trained eglish horse. Lease only becuase as you progress it may be hard for you to put a horse up for sale. Eventually height could be an issue but not right now. If you could find a well trained horse look for one about 16-16.2 ish.

A lot of the subjective "looking "right" on a horse" comes from how much of your leg the horse takes up.

Height has a factor in this, but is not the only...or really even the main one. The horse's width and barrel type can be just as important, as a wider built horse could take up your legs easily even if it's on the shorter side.

I agree with crystalized though. Suitablility in training, skill, and talent come first. Checking to see if you "look right" comes WAYYYYY far down my list.

I agree with QH. I ride two different horses one is a Thoroughbred (Mogely) who has a very long, skinny barrel but is 16.2 hands. The other is 15 hands but has a big, fat barrel (Charlie). My instructor says I look great on both horses and my leg position also looks great on both horses. I'd say that as long as you're less than 20% of your horses' body weight than your horse should be fine, as long as the horse isn't showing signs of being in pain. Also it doesn't look really nice if your feet are touching the ground when you're on your horse. I think if your ankle is past the bottom of the horse's barrel you should find a bigger horse.

wow! someone tall like me! i know how you feel, trust me. i'm 16 too, and i'm 6'2". its terrible. my horse is 16.2 and i wouldn't go much smaller than that for myself. you could probably get away with 15.2, but i'd go about 16 if i were you.

I am 5'11 and feel fine on anything over 15hh. When I get on something smaller (my moms QH) I find I feel really top heavy. With saying that, I think it is reeally only becuase of the way he holds his head (super low). You have to get on the horse before you can decide if it is too big or too small for you. A few years ago we had a great pony jumper (14.1hh) who I felt just fine on. Never let size steer you away from a horse, it only really becomes an issure you are monster size and the horse is tiny. But you are not overly tall, for a girl yes, but not in the human race:D.

I am also 5'10" and I ride a 14.2 Arab. But he's a big boy and built like a tank, so he eats up a lot of leg. I ride reining. So much depends on what discipline you ride and a horses individual build. There is no simple answer here!

In the hunter ring you really should have a horse that fits your height. When competing they will look at this. (at least when I have seen the judging.) You can find a 15.2hh horse with a big barrel which wil take up your leg. I am 5'9" with VERY long legs. The horse I ride is 17hh and fits my leg perfect. I have fit on 15.2hh with big barrels but anything under that is hard for me to look good in the hunter ring.

However a big well trained horse like this costs a lot of money so do what I do and lease it. I find having the bigger horse for the hunters made it easier to jump since I am so long bodied it is harder to jump a smaller horse than a bigger one (at least when you are learning).

What type of riding are you doing? For the hunter ring, you would definitely want a taller horse. Also, as far as your body type, are YOU "all leg" or do you have a very long body? I find a very tall person with a long upper body looks out of place on a horse with a short neck, no matter where your leg sits. If your legs are really long, a horse with a wider barrel will suit you better, even if the horse isn't really tall.

I ride a horse that is "too big" for me; he's at least 16.1 and a tank (percheron/TB) and I'm only 5' tall (but I am a little on the heavy side). I have a hard time wrapping my legs around him... but I've always liked the bigger horses, and I don't show. I always say I'm going to teach my horse to kneel like a camel so I can mount easily

Well, I am getting an idea of the size horse I should need. I have very long legs and a normal upper body, not short but not long,. Im not worried about being too heavy for a horse, just looking to tall and funny on one. I have a 15.3hh paint and in my english saddle I look goofy because my legs are so long!,they hang right even with the bottum of his belly! I will be doing equitation for those of you who are wondering and I am thinking of getting into doing jumping as well.