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Do you think you might be too heavy to ride a horse? The answer is, and there's no easy way to sugarcoat this one, you could be. It is of course largely dependent on your own physical weight and the type of horses available to you, the horse and rider must make a suitable match. However, if you are on the larger side you may still be surprised to know that it might not be totally out of the question for you to enjoy horseback riding. In all situations, the horse’s welfare must be the first consideration.
Films give False Impressions about Horse Strength
It is understandable to think a horse can carry two adults at a fast speed for a sustained period of time. After all, this how it appears in Hollywood films. However, this is an illusion. At the very least, horses carrying too much weight become unsound and extremely sore, but at the worst broken horse limbs and death from exhaustion will occur.
What does a horse struggling to carry weight look like?
Take the horse in this picture as an example of a horse struggling to walk whilst carrying the load of 2 people. The bottom half of the horse is very telling here.
The Strength of Horses will vary
Horses are remarkable animals with an incredible ability to carry weight. However, like any living being, they have their limits. The weight a horse can comfortably bear depends on various factors, including its breed, size, age, and overall health. On average, horses weigh around 900 to 2,200 pounds, and they have evolved to carry moderate loads while roaming freely in the wild.
Different types of horses can carry very different amounts of weight. The weight carried is always a percentage of the horse’s fit body weight. As a generalization, the weight of the rider and saddle should not exceed 20% of the horse’s slim weight. So we need to know what our horses weigh in slim and fit condition.
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Debunking the 20% Rider Weight Rule for Horse RidingA Complication regarding a Horse's ability to Carry Weight
While the 20% rule can be a useful guideline, it is crucial to remember that horses are individuals, and factors such as fitness, age, and conformation can affect their weight-carrying capacity. A well-conditioned and healthy horse may handle a slightly heavier load, while an older or less fit horse may need a lighter rider. Small ponies will be proportionally stronger than huge draft horses, for example. Functionally this means that some small compact ponies will be able to carry more than 20% of their weight, but at the other extreme large horses will probably be up to carrying about 18% of their body weight.
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Horse Breeds for Heavy Riders
If you weigh 280 pounds and add 10 pounds for clothes and 35 pounds for a saddle your horse will be carrying 325 pounds. Your horse will need to be a large compact and very big-boned horse. This horse will need to weigh about 1800 pounds in fit condition. Riding draft horses might just be the answer for you, these horses are typically quiet and very slow in comparison to warm-blooded and hot-blooded horses. They will have limited athletic ability and work best being ridden at a walk or trot, they do have good weight carrying abilities, however.
The heavier you are the harder it is to find a suitable horse, generally speaking. Let’s consider the suitability of two different horse breeds, draft horse breeds specifically.
1. Shire Horses
Shire horses stand between 16hh and 19hh and weigh from just under 2000 pounds to just under 2500 pounds.
This Shire horse is bred for pulling large weights but could be ridden by a very heavy rider.
2. Suffolk Punches
Suffolk Punches stand between 16 hh and 17.2hh and weighs between 2000 pounds and 2200 pounds.
These Suffolk Punch horses are also bred for pulling large weights but again could be ridden by very heavy riders.
Both of these breeds will carry about 18% of their fit body weight. This is proportionally less than small ponies. A 2000-pound horse will be up to carrying 360 pounds of weight which is 18% of its body weight and the massive 2500-pound horse will be up to carrying 450 pounds which is also 18% of its body weight.
Example of an overweight horse
Don't mistake overweight horses for strong horses. In the first picture, this horse is grossly overweight and should not be ridden. In the second picture, he has been slimed and can be ridden again.
Horse weight is important to consider to ensure they are in a fit and healthy state to be ridden. A heavy horse can either be overweight, carrying more fat than his frame can accommodate! Or full of muscle and suitable for a heavier rider to mount.
Conclusions
As horse lovers, it is our responsibility to prioritize the welfare of our equine partners. Weight-conscious riding is not about shaming individuals but rather about promoting awareness and compassion for these amazing animals. Understanding the impact of rider weight on the horse's physical and mental well-being is essential for maintaining a harmonious relationship with them.
If you have concerns about your weight in relation to horseback riding, it is wise to consult with a knowledgeable equestrian professional or veterinarian. They can assess the suitability of a particular horse for your weight and provide personalized guidance based on individual circumstances.
A Final Warning
The horse’s weight-carrying capacity must be assessed when the horse is slim. An obese horse will look big but will not be strong.
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Heavy Riders need Happy Slim Horses