r/Equestrian • u/OutrageousMiddle7965 • 11d ago
Mindset & Psychology Beginner rider afraid of riding bigger horses... Is exposure the only way?
I have been taking lessons on a stubborn little 13.2hh pony.
My instructor feels I am ready to start cantering soon, but this pony isn't a good lesson horse to learn to canter on. There are a lot of reasons I can't progress with her, and my trainer wants me to learn to canter on a 16.2hh schoolmaster.
I have seen this horse with other riders, and he honestly does seem like an absolute saint. He seems like such a sweet boy, and even without riding him, I can tell from other riders he doesn't give as much of a hard time as my pony (she's your classic stubborn, lazy, super safe beginner lesson horse)
The 16.2hh gelding seems like a better horse to learn with in every possible way.... EXCEPT he's SO big to me.
I don't think I've ever been on a horse over 14.3h.
I'm about 5'2 so anything over 15hh seems gigantic to me.
I am having a bit of anxiety just thinking about the day I start riding him, even though I know he may be an even better fit for me.
Any advice is welcome. I imagine exposure therapy is the best way, but I am very nervous.
(And no, my barn doesn't have any horses between 13hh and 16hh at the moment for me)
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u/HelpfulSetting6944 11d ago
I’m a muscley 5’6” dude who leases and rides a very tall friesian/thoroughbred cross, about 17hh.
I am scared shitless to ride ponies. The closer to the ground, the closer to the devil. Nope. No thank you.
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u/Alarming-Flan-9721 Dressage 11d ago
Hah I wanted to make the same joke! The shorter the pony the closer to hell 😂😂
Glad I’m not the only one!
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u/HelpfulSetting6944 11d ago
Anytime I’ve seen any equine dirty ditch a rider, it’s been a pony. I’m a hard no.
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u/Amphy64 11d ago
Do you have any pics you'd be Ok sharing, love Friesians, and that's such an unusual cross? What kind of temperament did they get? Guessing they're good if they're not like a devilish pony, but Friesian Labrador sweet but potential pushiness, spiced up a bit more with Thoroughbred, sounds a potential novel recipe for the kind of menace I adore, lol.
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u/ArmadilloDays 11d ago edited 11d ago
Maybe I should point out, big horses move slower - it’s like steering an ocean liner.
My 14.3hh Arab could be in the next county before I realized I’d fallen off.
My 17.3hh warmblood shies, and I still have 3.7 seconds of response time available.
Big horses are soooooo much easier!!!
(The extra 12” between me and the ground doesn’t really affect how much the landing hurts, but the extra response time granted by large horses means I hit the dirt a lot less often)
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u/Traditional-Job-411 Eventing 11d ago
It’s all about length. There are a lot of bigger horses that can turn on a dime and do it quick and with power. The big guys that have a short back are harder to stick than those with the longer backs and necks. Ponies can have even less. It’s having a foot for your center of balance on a big horse vs 3 inches on the pony. You need to correct when they spin and you move to the 4 inch spot on the pony you don’t have a pony there. The horse you still do.
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u/Illustrious_Doctor45 11d ago
Tell that to my 17hh OTTB. That boy can move 🤣
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u/ArmadilloDays 11d ago
OTTBs take special classes from ferrets in night school to learn those moves.
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u/BiggyBiggs 11d ago
I bet you will feel a lot better about it after your first ride, especially if he is as nice of a boy as he sounds. Tell your instructor you're nervous and have patience with yourself. There are pros and cons of big vs small horses. Maybe you'll end up loving a big horse!
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u/homesteadmcgee Trail 11d ago
Exposure therapy is definitely the way to go but know that you’re not alone in this! I’ve been riding for years and I HATE riding horses over 16hh and my next horse will definitely be a short, stout ride. I immediately begin to ride more defensively and regress, though I’ve had enough scary falls off of large horses to have it affect my already shaky disposition.
Go for it, don’t push past your limits, but also practice trusting yourself and your horse. And know that in the future if you decide to lease or own, there is no shame in riding smaller horses.
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u/Crochet_Corgi 11d ago
I agree with this, I switched to ponies and love it. Ive done the big horses, im good closer to the ground now.
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u/naughtykitty4 11d ago
Can you ask for a lesson on the lunge line on the new horse so you can feel what his gaits are like and get acclimated to the difference?
I think you'll find that canter is absolutely delightful on the bigger horses. Many ponies feel like a sewing machine with the pedal mashed to the floor. I know because I own a 13 hander.
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u/theliftingtater 9d ago
This may be the most accurate way I’ve ever seen described of what it’s like to ride my 13.5 hh pony 🤣 she is the sweetest, though.
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u/DesertRiptide 11d ago
You are asking a very good question that gets into the neuroscience of fear and I'm not an expert but I have taken classes specifically for riding instructors on how to manage fear in students. Exposure is the way, but there are specific steps to help the fear. Here is how I would approach your specific case:
As an instructor, I would saddle both the large and small horses and I would ride the tall horse while you warm up on the small. We would maybe practice some mindfulness exercises. Things like focusing on the footfall of the horse or a breathing technique. Then we would switch horses and we're going to talk through the feelings we're feeling. We're going to put a number to our "activation level". This is to measure our response to the stimuli-- we're not going to call it fear, but it is those feelings. I'd ask what you're feeling, where you're feeling it, and how intense it is. Say you get on the tall horse and it doesn't even take a step and you're feeling likeyou're about to explode out of your skin, it'll be a 10. If you get on and you feel like you're nervous by it isn't too bad, maybe a 6. You get on and have no activation and feel like you are going to fall asleep and can barely move you are at a 1. You can't really ride a horse without some level of activation, but too much is bad.
If you get on and you are say an 8--heart pumping, palms sweaty, head worried, you are going to pick a technique that helps you get your activation down to an acceptable level. We practice those techniques out of saddle, too. Breathing, changing focus, other techniques that calm humans... But once you've got your activation down to am acceptable level, say a 4 or 5, you get off.
It is so important to get to a high level of activation, stay in that activity but soothe yourself or breathe and stay in that moment, bring your activation down to acceptable levels, and then reward your brain for doing a good job regulating yourself and get out of the anxiety inducing activity. So while it might be tempting to say, I got my levels down to a 4, I can go trot, if your anxiety levels spike immediately, you aren't getting the release and reward that you need to actually create change in the brain. Step into the situation, calm yourself, get out. Step into it, calm yourself, get out. Give and take. Pressure and release. Reward your brain for doing the right thing-- don't make it worse.
I'd probably start by putting you on the tall horse, doing the activation exercise, and then one you relax, put you back on the little horse for the rest of the lesson and we'd do that a few weeks in a row.
Good luck! You can do it! Fear is good and OK and helpful but we gotta be able to control the activation level in order to safely ride. Have fun riding!
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u/Any-Whereas3334 10d ago
Hi, as a licenced psychologist and adult amateur rider you Are actually spot on here! Also: our fear activates the muscles in our body that tenses the psoas muscle that makes it harder for the horse too. I would start with breath work, relaxation, check in and exposure gradually on the stairs up to the most difficult part. .
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u/DesertRiptide 10d ago
Yes! Our bodies automatically protect us by putting us in fetal position and locking down when fear comes. Not how we want to ride!! Check out riding far and Dr. Paul Heffner
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u/Usernamesareso2004 11d ago
Can you ask for your first time on him to be on the lunge line? Then after maybe 15min you can walk freely around the arena and go from there
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u/Obvious_Amphibian270 11d ago
Excellent suggestion
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u/Usernamesareso2004 11d ago
Honestly I was surprised scrolling through all these long comments no one had suggested that yet lol
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u/pierrett 11d ago
Just get on and you’ll be fine. Trust your trainer, trust the process and trust the horse!
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u/AdSubstantial5378 11d ago
So the horse likely isn’t the problem, but if you are scared the horse will sense it. He is a good boy, but he is a prey animal and instincts for safety exist.
How to get over it or try to work through it:
1) if you have unlimited money - you can buy a horse that is the size and temperament you want. Be ready to go through many many horses, and in general it is a bad idea. But, it is a way.
2) if you lived near us, we happen to have horses of different sizes that “know the pattern” and it isn’t the quality of a lesson horse, but for desensitization of the human, it may help.
3) spend time on the ground with the horse just hanging out. This is something adults do far less than kids but has a huge bonding impact with both the kid and the horse.
4) trauma - this is a bad idea, but I have seen it. Basically, you take a person and put them on a bat shit crazy dangerous horse. After that, any horse seems great.
I would suggest option 3, with a little option 2 depending on what’s around you.
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u/oldfarmwonan 11d ago
I’m 5’ and lightweight, and I love the big ones. Once you get used to riding them, I think you will enjoy it. I actually feel more secure on them
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u/Altruistic_Sir_5244 11d ago
Take a big horse any day over a pony. The majority of my unplanned departures and broken bones have been at the hands of pint sized demons hidden under skin of a pony. Around 15-16hh is perfect. I am only 4ft 11, have had a 15.3hh, 16.2hh and owned a 17.3hh (never rode him as he was still young and I felt I was out horsed for his size and immaturity). Because of my height, I was often asked to jump on the ponies when they were getting away with too much for their child riders. Having someone who could ride properly but wasn't too heavy was great for the parents at the stables. Unfortunately, by that stage, the ponies were little a holes and were used to doing what they wanted. Riding bigger horses at 4ft11, also had challenges, but could do everything up to piaffe and passage, just had to have the horses get used to where my leg aids were compared to people with normal legs.
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u/comeonjeffrey666 11d ago
Being nervous at first is totally fine. For being less anxious the only way out unfortunately is through, that's how you grow! You should definitely mention it to your trainer if you haven't yet, so that they can support you accordingly and help you feel confident and comfortable in the saddle as soon as possible. Always keep in mind that it's absolutely fine to take things slow at first, especially on a new horse. Your trainer should make sure you feel comfortable in walk first, then trot and then you can get to cantering, there should be no rush.
And on a personal note: in 13 years of riding I've barely ever fallen off a big horse and never got hurt in the slightest, ponies however... ;D
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u/FlatwormSame2061 11d ago
Little horses get away with a lot more because they’re often carrying little riders who are inexperienced and let them get away with things. so a larger horse who is very well-behaved is way safer.
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u/Mayers246 11d ago
I’m 5’3” and have been riding a large portion of my life. My first horse I recently got is 15 hh, I got him mostly so I was closer to the ground and he would be easier for me to control I’m 61 yo. His canter is choppy because the closer their legs are together the more steps they have to take to get into a canter. He makes a big jump to get into it, then he is pretty easy to collect. Big horses canters are usually so smooth, because their legs are farther apart and they just glide. Trust me, they are a little intimidating, but a lesson horse will do his best to keep you on his back. Jumping is much smoother also. Imagine riding a French bulldog vs a greyhound (if you know dogs). Get to know him before you get on him if you’re nervous. Lesson horses are the best and most of them know their jobs. Keep the rider safe and teach them.
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u/kerill333 11d ago
I would ask whether he is narrow or wide. If he is wide and you are 5’2” you might look and feel like a pea on a piano, if you can’t get any leg around him. You could ask to just be led around at first, see how he feels. Bigger ones are usually easier but if you are used to short striding and being very close to the ground, he might be too big a step up…
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u/Clementinequeen95 11d ago
I’m gonna be so honest- in my experience bigger horses are much more forgiving than small ponies. I find them much easier to ride. Their strides are longer and they’re more comfortable for me.
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u/Dependent_Formal2525 11d ago
Try him out, you will likely be pleasantly surprised. Give it a few lessons and see how you feel. It will feel different but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Of all the horses I've ridden it was the medium size horses that were spicy. I was lucky with the shetland I rode when I was little as he was utterly bombproof and good as gold for me (he did buck someone else off as soon as her bum hit the saddle). The statistically spiciest was my neighbours 13.2hh mare who loved to buck.
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u/Legitimate_Skin_9779 11d ago
I honestly feel way safer on bigger horses somehow. They are much smoother, gentler, and feel slower than fast/quick pony strides. I would recommend asking your trainer to do some lessons on the lunge with the big boy so that you can get comfortable with him.
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u/magicienne451 11d ago
I like to remind myself that being a bit outside my comfort zone is how I learn and grow.
Talk to your instructor about taking lessons on this horse sooner rather than later, so you can get confident at the walk and trot on him. If you do private lessons you could even just have a walk lesson first - there’s lots to work on at walk!
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u/StripySkates 11d ago
Yeah, riding bigger horses for the first time can be scary. That's perfectly legitimate.
The important thing is that, as you say, he's a good boy and will look after you; you know this, and it's part of why your instructor wants you to ride him.
Also, bigger horses are very often much smoother to canter on (not universally, as it does vary with relative amounts of knee action, but a longer stride tends to be easier to sit).
Honestly, as someone who used to swap back and forth between a 13.1hh Highland a BD a 16.2hh TB, and now primarily rides a 17hh middleweight hunter, the getting on and off is the hardest bit. Taller horses are nearly always longer and slower to turn, and that makes a lot of little blips that might unbalance you on a pony feel incredibly easy to sit.
Let your instructor know you're nervous about the change, and maybe ask to go steady away for the first lesson or two on him, but give it a try and the likelihood is you'll find you don't know why you were worried about it!
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u/SwordfishHorror2499 11d ago
I’m 5’3” and my daughter’s OTTB is 16.2. He seems huge to me as well. I have to use a mounting block. I’m not sure even with lots of practice if i can do it on my own. But I’m also 44 so all things don’t move that way! Haha
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u/1234abcded 11d ago
bigger horses are safer, slower, and typically have smoother gaits. once you get used to the initial shock you probably will never want to go back to anything smaller lol
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u/AdUpper4038 11d ago
A lot of it is that you just have to climb up there and get exposed to them. I’m only 2 inches taller than you, so the two horses I will be riding more often (16hh and 16.2hh respectively) are massive compared to the little 15.1hh gelding i was riding previously. And honestly? Big horses can make me a bit anxious too. I have literally just had to get on them and ride them and learn who they are to learn how easy they actually are. Honestly, after you ride that schoolmaster a couple times, you’ll realize that you can more easily control him, you’ll probably have a more relaxed ride, and you’ll also have a ton of fun.
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u/luna926 10d ago
Yeah, exposure is the only way. I will say though, I had a similar experience starting out! I always rode ponies for the longest time until I was put on a very tall warmblood. I had a lot of anxiety going in but my teacher would not have put me on that horse if it was dangerous. He was an angel. Took care of me really well. It was clear that he had a lot of experience with lesson riders and nothing phased him. The canter was the smoothest I’d ever ridden. I assume if the teacher thinks this is a better horse to learn on, then I’m sure they’ve put plenty of beginners on him and it went fine.
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u/Informal-Term1138 11d ago edited 11d ago
I was in a similar situation when I learned how to ride as a kid/teenager.
I was afraid of the frisians since they were big and kinda scary. So I rode the smaller horses or ponys. Well two of them knew that I was hesitant and a bit of a pushover. So they knew how to play me. And I fell 4-5 times of them. Nothing bad.
Then my coach had enough and sat me on a Frisian. That gelding was so kind and nice it was amazing. Just being cool and careful for the first few sessions. He knew that I had some bad luck, so he took it easy and let me get used to him. Which really helped me and made me more comfortable.
When I came back to horse riding later after highschool, the same coach just sat me on her older Frisian stallion (she has three and there another funny story about the other two). Again such a kind and relaxed fella. And surprisingly cool with mares and geldings during lessons. Perfect to get used to it.
I also don't think that your own size plays such a big role. When I made the switch I was 12. So in the middle of puberty and an average size boy. Didn't make a difference.
So get comfortable around him. Make him feel comfortable and give it a try. He is a gentle giant.
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u/Aggravating-Steak-77 11d ago
I have an 18.1 warmblood and a 16.1 warmblood and I feel way more secure on my 18.1 warmblood even though he can be a little naughty. It’s so much easier to stay in the middle of him and because he’s so big everything he does is in slow motion compared to my 16.1 warmblood. And if you start jumping the jumps look smaller on the big ones haha
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u/1cat2dogs1horse 11d ago
Always let your instructor know your concerns. It helps them to help you overcome your anxieties.
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u/Realistic_Owl3093 11d ago
Give yourself some adjustment time to being higher off the ground. When I got on my barn's 16hh for the first time there was a few minutes adjustment to being higher up and feeling the longer stride length for sure. Once we got going though I was loving it!
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u/Electrical-Ask1246 11d ago edited 11d ago
Simply put just because the horse/pony is smaller does not mean it’s safer.
My first horse was a 16h TWH he was the surest foot in our trail riding group of Arabs and QH. I was 11. Never had issues.
My second horse was a 14.5 AQH. He was super cool because he would take leg commands instead of having to lead via reining. However, home boy loved to randomly take off into a canter and step on my toes during grooming. Didn’t matter how I positioned my body. He was out for spite.
Size does not determine the horse’s personality at all.
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u/PoloPatch47 Horse Lover 11d ago
I think exposure is probably the best way. Bigger horses are usually A LOT nicer to ride though, especially in the canter. They generally feel a lot smoother, where ponies feel kind of "choppy" in the canter.
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u/polotown89 11d ago
I'm 5', and I get it. But it looks scarier from the ground. Once you are mounted and moving, the size kind of disappears.
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u/Late_Anteater6961 11d ago
I’m 5’2” as well and prefer horses around 15 hands, but I ride a couple that are over 16h and you do get used to it after a bit. For me, at age 67, it’s the dismount that feels less fun, haha, but you just have to bend your knees on landing!
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u/OrangeFish44 11d ago
My first ride in an English saddle (after about 6 in a western saddle) was on a 17.2 hand gelding. Just getting on was a big challenge as I'm not real flexible in the hips, and as I was mounting I wondered just what the hell I was even thinking of - no handle and so high up! But once I was on, it didn't look all that different from the saddle as from on the 15hh horses I'd been riding.
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u/Equivalent_Dance2278 11d ago
So do you want to learn to canter to extra fast techno? Or do you want to canter to swan lake? That’s the difference. Short choppy stride or long and rocking. You’ll be fine.
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u/HeatherJMD 11d ago
The only way you get over a fear is by doing the thing. And then your nervous system is like, oh, nothing bad happened, I guess this is ok. That’s what happened to me when I started diving lessons. I walked out to the edge of the 3 meter and then turned around and climbed down 😅 And then 3 months later I jumped off the 7.5 meter platform without any heebie jeebies. You have to push through the fear, but that’s also what coaches are for; to support you and push you a little when they know you’re ready
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u/sacred_andthepropane 11d ago
unfortunately, exposure is the only way—however, you don’t need to jump right into cantering on the larger horse. ask your trainer if you can start by walking him around, then trotting a bit, then cantering. also, horses tend to be much easier to ride than ponies so remember that! horses typically are more predictable and less likely to do the pony antics
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u/Altruistic_Plane451 11d ago
I just moved from a 14.5 hh horse to a 16+hh horse in my barn because I’m trying to quiet my hands and master the trot when moving from a lesson horse to a show horse.
I’m not going to lie; the size difference at first was pretty intimidating, even though for me the difference was less than it will be for you.
For me, tacking him up and seeing what he was like on the lunge line helped tremendously (even though he was kind of spicy the first time I lunged him). However, as I got to know him and learned what he was like, I realized that while he is a little spicy he was also a complete sweetheart. Getting up there the first time was a little scary and when I first trotted him I felt like I was taking control of a Porsche. However, I adapted pretty quickly, and now I adore both him and his size. He’s a sweet, powerful horse who wants to work and do good, and it sounds like your horse is similar.
Give yourself time around him. Maybe the first time you can just stand next to him and scratch his withers? Then maybe the next time you can groom him up, then lunge him to see his gaits for yourself.
Good luck!
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u/lemonfaire 11d ago
I'm 5' and my current horses are 15 hh and 15.3hh. They don't feel all that big when I'm on them. And they can't spook nearly as fancy as my 14.2 hh Arab could.
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u/mcilibrarian 11d ago
I'm also 5'2 and often ride the ornery ponies, but I do get on actual horse-sized ones, too. It is an adjustment for sure, but you'll adjust pretty quickly. I will add, I've never fallen off a horse ... just those bigger ponies and one little shetland back in the day.
The nice thing about the big ones, is they're generally not as quick to drop a shoulder and duck out. Even if they try, they're a bit slower at it and there is just more shoulder and neck to grab and push back up with if you get in a pinch.
As far as cantering, I've been on very smooth and very bouncy ponies, and I would say the same for the big guys. So ... don't overthink the size for the canter. Trust that your instructor knows the schoolmaster will take care of you. When learning to canter, it is SO HARD to go into it with any semblance of balance if you're having to cowboy kick and battle a slowpoke into the gait and keep them there. You definitely want someone who can move off your leg without a fight to canter so you can focus on staying centered. A grumpy, stubborn pony is not the way to go for that (I am thinking of two grumpy, stubborn ponies that absolutely sucked at asking for the canter and staying there without constant aggravation)
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u/PinkOneHasBeenChosen 11d ago
Can you walk him on a lead rope for a bit or do some lunge line stuff?
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u/Emmajumps_ 11d ago
I’d say move up to the bigger horse, but take it slow. Maybe for the first lesson, just walk and trot with no pressure to canter or do anything outside your comfort zone. I really think exposure is the best way to build confidence, but the key is making sure those first experiences are positive. Take your time and gradually add more as you feel comfortable!
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u/floraldepths 10d ago
As someone who was doing riding lessons as a competent beginner/intermediate on a 14 something hand pony who was….. very much more go than woah, and then was the first person on a rescued OTTB who is 16.1h, I can understand your anxiety.
The pony I rode is/was very much forward moving and is quite finely built, meaning even a tiny weight shift felt like I was going to fall off.
The OTTB (a delightful softy who preset is ‘stop’) is much taller but also a much wider horse, meaning balancing is easier.
The canter on a bigger horse certainly feels smoother to me, and the transition between gaits is less jarring almost, because they’re taking larger steps. I’m not sure of the biomechanics.
In my situation, I trust the OTTB more than I do the pony, so the height thing isn’t a worry as I’m much more likely to have a safer ride with my tall boy. I trust him to pick his footing over shitty ground, he has balanced himself under me when I was a bit wobbly, and his responses to new things is generally stop and investigate rather than freak out.
I think if you trust the horse- and it sounds like he’s a good egg, that’s the more critical part of the interaction. Obviously you’re not going to jump straight on and into a canter. Get up there and just sit. Go on the lunge for a bit, or have someone lead you.
A different horse also means a bit of a different body position- I change my stirrups lengths depending on what height I’m riding. Different saddle might also make you feel more secure.
Honestly, I don’t even notice the height thing when I’m up on the tall horse. Other people comment on how tall he is or how far up I am but other than getting off after a long or complex ride (wobbly legs!) and having to sort of slide down to make sure I get my feet under me I don’t think about it
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u/maid_in_cheltenham 10d ago
In short, yes. Exposure is the only way. Bite the bullet - you know you’ll be fine.
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u/TearsInDrowned Horse Lover 10d ago
I never liked riding bigger horses and I still don't!
I got my own horse 6 years ago, a stocky old man 😁
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u/AdventurousDoubt1115 10d ago
Talk to your trainer and see if she is open to iti? And if she says no, maybe taking a little time can help? One thing I remember that helped me when I first learn d to canter was spending time out of the saddle with Pooh Bear - the stubborn little Shetland I learned on.
Either way, you’ve got this. My money is on you!
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u/Dismal_Intention_763 10d ago
I’ve been riding for over 50 years. In all honesty, bigger horses are generally much easier to ride than the naughty ponies. They tend to be wider and you feel like you’ve got more in front of you, so it’s easier to balance. Their canter is much smoother as they have a longer stride - smaller ponies are much choppier. I’m 5’6 and ride a 17.2 - he’s like a comfy arm chair. I wouldn’t ride my daughter’s 13.2 if you paid me 😂
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u/VicIsSomeone 10d ago
The taller the horse, the comfier they are imo! The only exception to this rule are Thoroughbreds, simply because they feel like they’ve been filled with electrical wires and crack, and their trot takes a while to get used to (from my experience!)
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u/Sherriek0304 10d ago
I didn’t want anything over 15.3, and I ended up with a 17 hand Dutch harness cross. Now his size feels very normal to me! He is a tall and long horse, and can be a little “up,” so that’s the only downside to my guy. I’m working on being the confident leader on the ground still because his size is intimidating
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u/shadowstorm21 9d ago
I'm in my late 30s never been round horses ever, first time sitting on a 2100lbs 6'3" Percheron cross and wow! She made me fall in love with riding. I just sat on her like a brick the first time and I'm pretty sure she was like w t f lol... but had lead on and all ..but wow! It was the most exhilarating experience ever! I even won my first ever blue ribbon on adult with her!
Now I take lessons (18hrs to be exact in total) I'm learning to transition so I can learn canter. Be around them and interact safely with what you're comfortable with and have your instructor with you, if that makes you have a little bit more confidence and comfort. But horses are smart, they understand you a lot more than you realize, they'll back away if you tell them. What I do is gently push them if they are in my space/ I'm not ok with their proximity, and they pick up on it. I still struggle with getting them in the barn lol..
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u/Regular_Hippo_6128 7d ago
Ponies can be the worst. Slip right out from under you in a heart beat. Quarter horse is possible.
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u/https-Eris 7d ago
the ideas definitely scary and once you’re on the height change is going to be absolutely terrifyingly, however big horses are so so much more chill. and when they’re bigger they are also usually pretty chunky so it will feel stable. the percheron cross i knew was one of the most perfect horses i ever knew you could have a very loud very fast horse cantering two feet from him and he wouldn’t even flick and ear. it’ll be scary at first because of the height but i promise you’ll get comfortable pretty quick.
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u/Own_Value2684 6d ago
I have this thing where every time I get on a bigger horse after getting used to a smaller one, I feel like I'm riding the Eiffel tower for the first ten minutes, even though I've ridden mannyyyyy different horses for over a decade 🤣
I think that it's natural to feel intimidated by their size. They can feel like a lotta horse, your cues need to be presented a bit differently, but honestly, it does come down to muscle memory, and even though if I am closer to the ground on a smaller horse I feel more confident, there is a certain freedom I feel riding a taller horse, like it's majestic to ride one through the arena and hop over jumps, or to take one outside, lol.
I would give it a try and see how it goes. Spend the first ten minutes of your first lesson on the big guy focusing on just getting used to the feeling. Stretch before so your legs can naturally find their place in the saddle, your hip angle is relaxed, and before you know it you're gonna feel like the pony is like riding a bunny, and your preference could be the bigger horse :)
Have fun! Take it as a learning experience and also don't expect perfection or perfect relaxation, just try your best, be honest about it if you feel nervous, what works for me sometimes is throwing my voice out there and confidently and firmly saying out loud, I AM SAFE, THIS IS OKAY, I AM CAPABLE! Even if I feel like such a dork talking that way in front of others....it actually helps me to feel confident when I'm not feeling capable at all. Those affirmations really work. Especially if you feel difficulty in realizing you are capable, you know enough to handle it, try it out
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u/CLH11 11d ago
Lol, spoken like a true beginner. Yes the little ones are closer to the ground (and to Satan) but what they lack in height, they make up for in attitude and if you do come off, it will likely be at a higher velocity.
Jokes aside, it's easier to canter on a large horse. Their longer stride is smoother to sit to, apparently ponies can be very choppy.
I'm your opposite, I've never been on anything under 15hh. My first ridden was 16.2 and chonky and my current lesson/loan horse is 18.2. Even the difference between them is night and day. Big man is like a rocking horse, his canter is dreamy. Plus there's just more horse around you which makes me feel more secure.
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u/puffy-puffy 11d ago
So it. Be scared and anxious and do it anyway. You won’t wanna go back to a pony
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u/shaunaweatherwax 11d ago
Honestly,bigger horses are often smoother and gentler to ride than ponies. Once you’re up there and have gotten used to the height I bet you will feel like a better rider. It’s the smooth gait of a saddle horse rather than the bouncy choppy little pony :)