A touchy topic I know...weight

A

Annette4

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Saffy is 3 next year (where did the time go! :shock: ) and I'm looking at doing some groundwork from late spring and getting on for a bimble round the field by Oct then turning away until the following year. She's already long reined 3 times, leads fantastically, not phased by traffic etc.

I've put a bit of weight on recently (I blame working for a food sales company and ALWAYS having free samples about) and judging by the way she's slowed I think she'll be 13.2hh rather than nearer 14hh. I know what I want to be weight wise but thought I'd ask for some other opinions. Keeping in mind that I'm 5ft4 and I'm fully aware I'm going to be too tall for her but I don't care :P what would you say was acceptable weightwise? She's newfie/connie type build.
 
A healthy weight for you would be around 10 and a half stone maximum if BMI is anything to go by. If you're asking how much your horse should carry when she is being backed I would say as light as possible and would be inclined to say definitely under 10 stone.
 
Ideally work out how much she weighs, calculate its 20% then take some off for her being young, possibly not so fit etc, and see what answer you get :)

In my humble opinion... if your 15% or less then she will be fine, over 20% dont do it- shes too young. Between 15%-20% its going to be a judgement call.
 
Not including saddle and tack weight, I'd say 8.5 - 9 stone rider. 8 stone would be better for a 3 year old of that size and type, though. She would be able to carry a bit more once she'd matured, but if you intend to back her and get her fit yourself you'd definitely not want to go above 9.5 - 10 stone at this stage.

Alainax: My 5 year old WBxTB mare weighs about 620kg (she's the one in my avatar - taken when she was rising 4). 20% would suggest she'd carry upward and over 19 stones. Doubtful IMO. She might. But she wouldn't be happy, comfortable or sound for very long. I am not entirely comfortable with the 15 - 20% of horse's weight being banded about. A lot also depends upon (in addition to the horse's age) length of back, length of canons, bone thickness, general conformation and the rider's ability to ride lightly.
 
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With foresters they say they can carry one stone per hand in hight. ;)

Has she got good bone in her legs. Lucy was only 13.2hh but had 9inches of bone :eek:
 
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