How tall should barrel horses be?

I don't think height is one of the main concerns in barrels. More attention should be spent on, ability, stamina, heart, sanity, those internal things. As far as external focuses: long legs, correct pasterns, short body length, good balance, and a nice sloping shoulder.

I generally want a horse that is 14.3 to 15.2 hands high---at that height they have a nice stride and are short enough to dip and round off around the barrels...anything too tall just cannot cut the barrel very nicely as they are generally also fairly long when they are tall, and a horse/pony which is too short has to work harder to get a fast time as they have a short stride.

Height is a pretty important factor (for the reasons stated above)...but legs and mental health (lol SANITY) are extremely important as well...

Height is only one of the factors when looking for a barrel horse. There are short/speedy horses, and there are horses that are 16.3 who run amazingly. However, too short and its hard for them to get around a barrel - meaning some are slower. And although a big horse might have a larger stride - their size can get in the way. I prefer horses anywhere from 14.3 - 16.3 hands. It's not really the height that matters, its their conformation as a whole that really counts.

In my experience it isn't so much about height, although it seems to me that the shorter horses are quicker and more able to manuever around the barrels. It seems like the tall, leggy ones take a lot longer to bring all that leg around. It is mostly about an individual horses competitive spirit, heart and atleticism though. He has to firstly want to do it, second, he has to have the physical ability to do it.

Look at Michael Phelps...his body is uniquely designed to be a fast swimmer but would probably get creamed on the football field. Michael Vick, having athletic ability and physical build suited to the football field would most likely sink to the bottom of the pool. So body type is important too.

Personally when I was looking for my new barrel prospect I didn't look too much for height. I like a nice sloping shoulder and a long hip. Plus correct angles in the pasterns and straight legs. And a short back with a equal to a little longer neck. As far as height the only thing I think it really attributes to is stride length and that really has more to do with shoulder slope. Any ways I like 14-15 hh horses my self. Just my personal preference

I used to barrel race a sixteen.5hh horse. the subject concerns that we encountered have been that he in basic terms did no longer make up the time by way of fact it took him see you later to get around the barrel, I had to coach him to shorten his stride now and returned, and that i got here upon that he have been given harm much less complicated while since he strengthen into so vast. it incredibly is in basic terms my adventure from one horse, I even have seen human beings be very efficient on taller barrel horses. With the astonishing temperament, conformation and skill i actually do no longer see why you should no longer succeed in barrels with a 16hh horse. in case you incredibly like the horse then i might choose for it.

Height has nothing to do with how well a horse runs barrels. My gelding is 13.3hh and he runs with the "big boys" if you will. Hes got a nice short back, muscular hindquarters (for digging in with him hind legs, where the power comes from) and excellent conformation. Ive also run a shetland I was training for someone and he also moves really fast. Hes way shorter than my gelding. I personally think the shorter horses make better barrel horses because they are more compact and can really get under themselves and move! But thats just my opinion, Ive seen the tall horses run it just as well so... it doesnt really matter I guess.

the horses i use for barrels are in the 15 hands area a little taller too.. mostly because i think they have more get up and go. i do have a tall horse whos fast though. i dont think that height really has alot to do with it i mean it does play a part but it depends on the horses training

I think too small and the stride isn't long enough to get the time needed for a good round. Too big and you just don't have the agility needed and are more likely to make mistakes, knock barrels, take turns to wide.

Between the two, I'd take too small verses too big any day. I think anything in the 13 h range is too small and anything in the upper 16 and above is too large generally speaking (of course there are exceptions)

Ideally, for a barrel horse I'd like an upper 14h and lower 15h horse.

Height has no factor in the speed of a barrel horse. I have seen ponies out run some of the most competitive horses in there area. Most of the time, the bigger the arena the bigger the horse you might want. The smaller the arena is where smaller horses are preferred. So they both have good ability's, it just depends on the situation.