Weight issues - how heavy is too heavy

[sonicnature]

How heavy is too heavy to ride a horse
can i have some stats on breeds, ages, and capabilities?
cheers

[Maci]

There's this lady where I keep my horse, she rides in the lessons, but she is short and (in the nicest way possible) "big" and the only horse that's built to carry her (in the stables) is my Quarter horse, so I let her use him for her lessons.

Weight isn't an issue when it comes to riding, because horses are 1000 pound animals and they are built strong and able to carry a lot. If you are particularly interested in breeds, I'd say Quarter horses are good, because they are very muscular and built (stocky) so they're capable of lots of stuff. Also, I think cobby types, maybe, I'm not an expert on them....but they look built good.

Hope That's What You Mean!
Maci :)

[KarinUS]

This is just some state regulation, but I have heard to rent a horse here in Texas at a guest ranch the rider has to weigh less than 250lbs. I am guessing they would be using mostly QHs at these ranches. Of course a draft horse cross should be pretty hardy, too, don't you think?
I've read in a book, as a rule of thumb the rider would feel most appropriate if he weighs no more than 20% of the horses body weight, even though the horse would be able to carry up to 28% of its own bodyweight. Hope that helps...

[Katie_85]

I am about as novice as one can be, and when I first started riding the first thing I freaked about was being too heavy for the horse. But in the words of my instructor..."unless you're packin' ya know 400 lbs, I don't think you have to worry". If I were you I would ask a professional what they think.

[sonicnature]

Thanks a lot people for your quick replies, my worries have been relieved :)

[Wally]

It all depends on breed of horse, some GB natives were bred to carry 20 stone (14lbs to the stone) of lead from the mines over the moors to the waiting ships. 20 stone for a fit Dales or Fell is not an over-exaggeration.

Some heavy folk ride lighter than lightweight folk, they may have better muscle tone, weight isn't the main issue.

[Maci]

Full grown men, ride their little Arabian horses in horse shows/fairs! They (Arabians) look so tiny and fragile! Weight really isn't an issue!

Worry Not!
Maci :)

[kelsey]

I read somewhere (think it was in a dressage magazine?) that the rider's actual weight is not necessarily what the horse will feel, for example, a heavier person with a well-balanced seat will exert less pressure than a lighter person who bumps and thumps around.

Makes sense if you think about it. And, not being a lightweight myself, makes me feel better too!

[alleycat]

I know this is kind of a touchy issue, and there's no really delicate way phrase this question... I am organising a group trail ride for my friends, but I am concerned about the possibility of establishments having weight restrictions... One of our party is around 5"4, and weighs at least 120kg which, if I have done my conversions right is in the vicinity of 250lbs or 18+stone. (That weight, btw, is a guesstimate as I'm loath to bring up the issue with her unless I know I have to). She is a novice rider, and is not fit.
Is this something I would have to make known to the owners when booking? Is there the likelihood that we'd run into problems?

[Shiny McShine]

The only problem that is associated with a riders weight in my opinion is their balance, it is not fair on the horse to have an unbalanced heavy rider on them unless it is a very big horse. Where I previously worked we would give big beginners lessons on clydesdales etc to compensate for the lack of balance. More experienced riders, with better balance had no trouble riding much smaller horses however, and never should.

[Mehitabel]

you should let the establishment know when you book - they'll probably ask. most places have weight restrictions - not because it's a problem for a big horse to carry a heavy novice once, but because it's a bit unfair to expect them to carry a heavy novice 3 times a day, 5 days a week, and if you don't have a cutoff point, it's hard to ensure the horse isn't being overworked without arbitrarily booking some riders and refusing others.

[liberty911]

Because I am a 5'3'' female and I come in close 200LBS with tack on the horse. If you are a heavier rider especially female be prepared to meet some opposition on your trails to horsey back riding excellence! I was told by one place I should walk to get my leg strength up (very funny) My reply was that I swim and also enjoy some outdoor winter sports but I would try to increase my water intake and eat some more salads. That same place proceeded to put my big butt on a QH with very smooth gaits and stirrups down to my boot heels. Try posting with those things hanging way down there at my height no such luck it would have been easier trying to post without the stirrups after not being on a horse for 5 years. I was sore for about 2 days after that initial lesson and decided no more toture. They made there point and I took my 400.00 a month elsewhere! I met Krista while in street clothes she eyed me up and said I love teaching you short things with all that power. I proceeded to tell her (what power?) I could barely post at my last lesson (however my sitting trot was quite good) and that I was much more out of shape than I (or she) had thought I was. She smiled told me she didn't care and that she would see me that evening for my first lesson! I rode an old gentle appy mare that night with a nice springy trot my stirrups a bit above my ankle bone. I not only posted a trot I was on the correct diagonal and I remembered how to leg yeild. All of a sudden this horse back riding thing was exactly how I remembered it not painful but enjoyable and something I could do rain or shine 3-4 times a week! ;)

I am currently up to riding three days a week hour long lessons, of course I have the two dogs so there is agility class for an hour 2 times a week, and then there is the working on the ambulance which if you do't know goes from couch potato to weight lifting in a matter of minutes LOL! Not doing to bad for a fat girl... While I will agree for your health it is in your own best interest to be as fit as you can. We as humans are not cut from cookie molds and so if your concerned about your weight do some research on the subject of riding while heavy. I have found the average is to have 1,000 pounds of horse for every 200 lbs the rider weighs for me personally I am more comfortable with having 1,200 lbs of horse for 180lbs! I think I look more suited to the horse and in the US most 16hh horses go aout 1,200 pounds. Some QH and American warmbloods I have seen go 1,200 at 15.2 or 15.3 hh easily. Look at the horse... the chest, thel egs, the hind end, the shoulders. If you see bulk and muscle definition with a horse of 16hh my guess is that horse could carry 220 easy and 250 without getting broken down. If your a complete novice with no seat and no balance to speak of the I would suggest the bigger the horse the better most draft crosses or straight drafts could carry 250 all day and not break a sweat!

Check out this link
http://buyhorses.com/scripts/hrsdetl.exe?1017767139&0

Does that man look like he is an inch under 6' or a pound under 180? Is that horse bucking? rearing? ear pinned back?

None of the above that horse looks like he's ready to go on trail and wishes that guy would sit down and let him get going already LOL! :D

[saddlesore]

unfortunately, in this male dominated world (sorry but true) it is much more acceptable for a man to be "over weight" and out of shape than a woman. that being said i agree with shiny's remark about balance or experience should be more the issue than weight. my brother takes lessons with me and at a modest 6' and 250lbs. he's now riding on the back of a 15hh arabian gelding. but when we first started out, the stables insisted on him riding a 17hh paint. watched a clip from a rodeo the other night on tv and saw a 300lb cowboy on the back of a quarter horse which furthers my belief that ,within reason, weight is not really an issue...

[alleycat]

Thank you Es, you made a good point. I shall certainly do that.

Liberty911, yours sounds like a very encouraging story! Way to go.

Thanks everyone who replied, sorry if it sounded like a dumb question. I haven't had much to do with horses (tragically!) for many years now, and I did have some memories of weight being a problem for my Dad, who is a large man in every sense, tho' fairly fit. Most of our stock horses (who tend to have TB type confirmation) couldn't carry him, and even the sturdier Clancy (breed unknown) began to have problems...However since I was only 7 at the time, all I really knew for sure was that Dad got a motorbike, I got Clancy all to myself, and everyone was happy!!
:D

[liberty911]

Sounds like a wonderful resolution! Dad got a motor bike and you got the horse!!!

[alleycat]

Hehe - thanks Liberty, everyone was quite pleased with the new arrangement, not least of whom the horse, who never had to do a full day's mustering again! Pony Club was a nice little vacation as far as he was concerned...

[Tina J]

As a competant rider and a shorty, I have often been asked to school kids ponies that are getting a little cheeky with young riders. Trial and error and a feel for the pony/horse, has led me to limit myself to horses for which I am less than 1/6 of their weight. A chunky 12:2 cob will carry me easily, a finely built one will struggle. I would think twice about a fine-boned 14hh even though I am only 5'1/2" and that's because I am a solid 9 stone (ummm I think that's 126 pounds - I work things out better in kilos) If I am 1/6 the horse's weight, with tack I reckon that brings me up to 1/5 their weight, and 20% is the limit someone else mentioned, so I reckon that's about right. If I think that I am at the limit for which a horse is comfortable, then I will keep schooling sessions short, and I will refuse to jump it.

Different breeds have different weight carrying capabilities though. Quarter horses seem able to carry quite a load (which given the weight of American stock saddles is a good job!) and native cobs can also manage very solid riders.

I would lower the weight I would put on a horse if the horse itself were obviously overweight though!

[Wally]

Tina J.

Please come on Holiday to Shetland and help with our Exmoor!!:D

Bad start, kind heart, no confidence, needs confident small rider. ;) Yes she could carry me, she has, but she's only 12.2hh I'm 5 feet 8 and heavy. She plays it to the gods with kids, but she has been badly treated and needs confidence.

She is a different horse to 6 months ago, but seems to know when kids are soft with her. Oh for adult, small riders with attitud!

I'm a big adult with attitide!

[galadriel]

Wally, I had that same problem with "my" 12hh Shetland, Daisy--I sort of inherited her with the barn that I lease. She had all sorts of terrible habits because the woman who used her for lessons bfore me NEVER corrected her, and of course the kiddees let her get away with all sorts of things 'cause they were just learning. And I'm 5'10"; my ankles drag on the ground from her back.

I have a little 9 year old who I offered to let come ride her for free (an extra lesson a week, on the pony instead of the horse) if she would help reschool her. I told her it would be hard, and frustrating, and tiring...and she came out right away and keeps coming back, and never loses her grin.

Daisy has come miles away from what she used to be, and even seems to enjoy her lessons now. Poor thing...probably used to be so confused. She's got a lot more personality, too. I see her out frolicking with the other horses, rolling with abandon, walking up to me to greet me! when all she used to do was stand with her head hanging low, or pull away if you tried to approach her. I think she's happy :)

Sometimes it works out. Good luck finding a little person to work with yours! :)

[Meeko]

Okay. I'm 10 stone , 5'4 and people always go on about how fit I look , but I don't know where my extra weight has gone?
Does anyone else have this problem?
Or is it just me?

[alleycat]

Meeko, muscle weighs more than fat because it's denser, so if you're well-built and strong, you might well weigh more than you realise without being remotely fat.

[Tina J]

Alleycat, that's my excuse for thighs like tree trunks and shoulders that an all-in wrestler would be proud of. I tell everyone its all muscle!

Wally, I would love to come to Shetland. I am intrigued by the sound of Icelandics, and I've never met one yet. And I love native ponies, so your exmoor would be fun. Only trouble is limited leave and having to work full time to fund a horse........ And a husband who prefers to spend time in France when we do take time off. "My" holiday this year is already earmarked for going down to Devon, either for Heather's seminar, or to take the horse to ride with a friend who lives there - and I'm working on the logistics of doing both.

Maybe next year? I'll be the short chunky red-head getting off the Ferry!

[Mehitabel]

muscle is much heavier than fat, so it's probably that. when i went and registered with my new doctor, thwey weighed me and said i was overweight - i'm a size 8. and people wonder why girls are paranoid about their size...

[alleycat]

Your doctor said that? Good grief, I think the medical profession just sank to a new low... <sigh> There is such a thing as a healthy weight RANGE! Most height/weight charts these days give you a specific number, which is absurd. Apparently I am supposed to be *exactly* 61.1kg. Oh, drat, those extra 3.2kg have just tipped me over the edge... <snort>

[Mehitabel]

i did give her quite an earful... i was on the edge of normal/overweight, but she said i should consider going on a diet. i said that if she could find any fat on me i'd give her a tenner - there may be a lot of my thighs, but none of it is fat.