The world needs more horses like these, and more people who get that small is beautiful in the dressage world--not that this horse is all that teensy, but I doubt he's over 16.2 What a cutie, and how nicely ridden! Let's pay homage to the old-style Morgan and their versatility and cleverness.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Youtube serendipity: Morgan in the dressage ring
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Did you notice his tail swishing? Neither did I. So many times, dressage horse's tails swish so much that it is hard to imagine the horse is enjoying himself. This horse seemed to be very comfortable with his job!
ReplyDeleteHurray for the little horses!
(I have 2 morabs under 15hh)
I was really enjoying how still the rider was, I can appreciate the hard work it took to get that way. So nice to see. What a wonderful pair!
ReplyDeleteDo you remember that I used to ride one of the Morgans at Foxton before I got Pepper? Small but full of heart!
ReplyDeleteWhile Oscar's healing from his stifle injury, Eldest has been riding a Halflinger for her lessons. I have to say that it's an edifying site and I'm glad that I don't have to wrestle that huge neck.
I've recently realized that I feel over-horsed at anything over 16 hands and am now looking at a cutie pie 14 hand appy (just a butt blanket, nothing too extreme!) and you know what, I feel so much more comfortable on the little 14 hand guy than on my 16+ hand thoroughbred.
ReplyDeleteHe's also saner than the TB... and perkier... yep, I feel much better on the pony sized guys! (You can see a picture of me riding him on my blog http://www.gottalovethefarm.blogspot.com so you can see he isn't too small for me either!
I love the little guys! I grew up riding a morgan and she was one of the best horses I have ever owned. Now because of my height and legginess, I need something at least 15.2 (16.2 if you ask my coach) to avoid looking like a giant.
ReplyDeleteI agree that this horse looks happy working and think it has a lot to do with his rider's enviable seat and hands.
Yay Morgans! I've finally gotten my 4yo started, and he's the largest Morgan in our barn at 15 hands. After 3 fantastic seasons on his 14.2 uncle, I'm feeling over-horsed! What power!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the little guy!
Lovely horse, good rider, and a nice test. Size shouldn't matter in dressage...but I fear sometimes it does.
ReplyDeleteI have morgans. They truely are the most versatile horse and such willing attitudes and amazing work ethic.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the mention on shorter horses! I am 5'2" so, yeah, this whole trendy large horse thing in the dressage world kind of makes me ill. I don't sit a 16.2hh horse comfortably (unless he is a waif). Heck, my legs might go below the saddle flap if I am lucky. This is why my Friesian is crossed with a WELSH. He's a comfortable 15.2hh (which, with his breadth, still feels big sometimes). And, now that I have a 14hh pony, I am convinced I never want to go above 15hh again if I can help it (hey, I have seen some Haflingers that ROCK the dressage world!).
ReplyDeleteI really love riding my 15.3 hand thoroughbred. He fits my 5'4" frame much better than my old guy who is a 16.2 hand TB. I just don't understand why big is so popular in the dressage world. A rider should have a horse that fits them.
ReplyDeleteThey looked very nice together.
ReplyDeleteI ocasionally ride a little (15hh) Morgan mare for her owner. She was trained as a dressage horse, but is primarily a pleasure/trail horse. The mare I ride isn't quite as nice as this one though. Nice walk, fine trot, but not the best canter out there. She's also a little on the lazy and opinionated side, and has a few training issues that take more time than I've got to fix. She makes a nice pleasure mount though. Safe, sane, and sound.
My Morgan is 16hh and is doing exceptionally well with dressage. It doesn't matter about old style or not, a true Morgan has heart, athleticism, and amazing work ethic. I also have a 3-year-old Morgan (for sale!) started in dressage basics. She is smaller but (per our vet) has incredible extension that rivals much larger horses. Morgan are the most incredible horses (IMHO) and more people should support America's Breed.
ReplyDeleteI have a Morgan in training to be an eventer. She's 6 years old, more of a modern 'park' style than this one (I found her at a saddleseat barn as a 4 year old where I was training, she was in training with me for a year before I bought her and left the barn to make her an eventer). People really underestimate the Morgan's athleticism; she's 15.1hh, and jumps 4'6" with absolute ease (including small courses and combinations at that height)She's only tapped 2 rails in her life, and none over 3' (only taps due to a poor setup or spot- my fault of course!). Her dressage is absolutely unbelievable for such a young horse- she's an incredibly quick learner and her movements are stunning both undersaddle and at liberty. But it's really her intelligence, indomitable spirit, and above all her human-like qualities that have me hooked. GO MORGANS! They are an absolutely remarkable breed. Watch for her in the big shows in a few years!
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