I used to work with racehorses; Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses, and every once in a while our stable would get in a Thoroughbred around 17 or 18 hands tall, and they were truly freaky. Slab-backed and spindle-legged; I always felt very sorry for them, because they usually weren't comfortable even in the largest box stalls, and other reasons--they were just too unweildy.
For horses we owned, we had a half-Percheron who was maybe close to seventeen hands, but she had the great big barrel and shoulders and those big hooves and long fetlocks. She liked to jump, and it took acres to maneuver her, but she was great! My favorite was my mare, Lady, who was around sixteen hands, and part Tennessee Walker. She had such a sense of humor! But I always had to get on her with a box or a knee-up. I looked ridiculous riding her, as I'm around five feet tall, so you can imagine.
But sorry for the tangents, I don't think of my horse days very often. You're quite right, 18 hands horses are fine if the novel involves a circus act, but otherwise.... :-)
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For horses we owned, we had a half-Percheron who was maybe close to seventeen hands, but she had the great big barrel and shoulders and those big hooves and long fetlocks. She liked to jump, and it took acres to maneuver her, but she was great! My favorite was my mare, Lady, who was around sixteen hands, and part Tennessee Walker. She had such a sense of humor! But I always had to get on her with a box or a knee-up. I looked ridiculous riding her, as I'm around five feet tall, so you can imagine.
But sorry for the tangents, I don't think of my horse days very often. You're quite right, 18 hands horses are fine if the novel involves a circus act, but otherwise.... :-)