Can a 5'5 woman fit on a 14.3 horse?

Answer 1

Absolutely. 5'5" is generally a fairly good size of rider for a 14.3hh horse. I am 5'9" and can safely ride small horses and large ponies. BUT it depends on the size of the rider and the condition of the horse.

If a rider is 5'5" but weighs 200 lbs, then you would NOT want that rider on a small horse. As long as the rider is fairly fit and their weight is fairly proportional to their height (even if they are a little overweight) then it is safe for a rider who is 5'5" to ride a 14.3hh horse.

The other factor to take into account is the condition of the horse. ANY horse, no matter what size or shape, is not suitable to be ridden by ANY rider if it is lame, sick, or simply too old and frail. Even if a rider is a good size proportionally for a particular horse, a horse that is older with stiffer joints or one with bad feet may do better with a much lighter/smaller rider.

Choosing an appropriate horse-rider combination is up to the owner and/or trainer. If a rider is 5'5" and of proportional body weight, and the horse who is 14.3hh is fit and of an appropriate riding level for the level of the rider, then the match is safe :-)