Weight - again!!

[Suzanne]

Rite, I've got the lovely Highland (called fluff (!) by the way to ride 3 days per week! But now i've got an even worse q!! The owner of the yard has an unfit 16hh TB, yes TB, mare that she wants me to ride! But once agin I have doubts as to whether it will be able to carry my weight? Which is by the way 12 stone now! (and hopefully it will fall even more!) Do you have any opinions? ne1 with a TB who is my size and 5'9" ish??? Thanks SSSSSOOOO much!!
Suzanne!

[Jo]

Hi Suzanne

You have talked about the breed and height of the horses you ride but have not mentioned the bone density. This is what really determines how much weight it can carry. I know a 16.1 tb who would comfortably carry your weight and more and I also know a 15.3 who wouldn't. If the horse is very fine boned it is less suitable to carry weight. Your Highland pony is an excellent weight carrier as it has a dense cannon bone. Just measure the circumference of the cannon bone. 9 inches is good for weight, I'm told. It also depends how heavily you ride. A 10 stone rider who lands hard on the saddle is a lot more stressful than a 12 stone rider who is light and saves the horse's back. But measure the bone and you'll know whether the tb can handle your weight.