What size?

[Froggy66]

I am going to be starting riding lessons after one year of not riding. The weight limit for the riding school is 220 pounds (I do not know how many stones that is :confused: ) I am 180 pounds, so I am in the weight limit, but it seems like most of their horses are about 16 hands and I am kind of a beginner rider, what size horse should I be riding so that I will not hurt the horse?

[LMS]

Hi Froggy,
Divide your weight by 14, that will give you your weight in stones.

Your stable will be able to tell you which horse is best for you.

But if you say they're mainly 16hh, you should be fine.

It all comes down to the horse's age, weight, bone, fitness level (and a few other points but these are the main ones).

Then they take your weight, height, fitness level & balance, as well as your riding ability.

The general rule of thumb is calculating 20% of the horse's body weight. This total is usually the max. As long as the weight of the rider & tack do not exceed, it should be ok.

Then all the other points are taken into consideration before making a final decision.

[xLuckibrunette]

Don't worry if 220 lbs is the weight limit then they barn must obviously have horses that fight the need of someone who weighs that much. If they couldn't provide for 180 lbs they wouldn't have made a weight limit for 220.

Horses are big animals they could weigh a ton, literally, and I'm sure 16hh is plenty for you. =)

[fishiz3434]

i think i'm bout 10.5 stone and i ride 13.1 ponies all the time so a 16 hh will do u fine

[SupaTania]

180lbs is equivalent to almost 13 stone.

[notpoodle]

isnt it the riding schools responsibility to put you on a suitable horse?

Julia
x

[Crazy Mare]

It's more about the horses ability to carry weight rather than how tall they are.

I'm sure your riding school will have the perfect horse for you.

Enjoy your lesson and let us know how you get on :D

[Peace]

Depends more on the type of horse than the height. If you're here in the States, I'll bet they'll have you on a Quarter Horse. Most of them wouldn't even blink at 180 lbs.:)