Yep, this one of my favourite songs too.

Been involved with horses professionally and competitively for almost 50 years.

''16.1 or 2''   Height of horse, 16 hands - 1 inch, 16 hands - 2 inches. A hand being a measurement of 4 inches.

In all 50 years of owning horses a hoof pick has always been known as a hoof pick and nothing else.

Never heard of sort of equestrian equipment at all referred to as a 'claw'.

'Walk on' is a common term used to ask a horse to walk from a standstill. Often used when schooling and backing a young horse.
Never heard of the expression 'ride on' used in this connection.

I just thought it was a song about some bird on a horse and a bloke who fancies her but cant have her for whatever reason. Do you think we sometimes try to make things more complicated than they are.