Find a horse for a 18stone + rider

I'd be willing to bet that there are THOUSANDS of riders well over 16st riding quite small Quarter Horses in the US with no problems. Horses of suitable build can carry far more weight happily than many people think.
 
This would be my pick
http://www.horsemart.co.uk/all_rounder_horse_9_yrs_2_mths_16_3_hh_palomino_li/advert/245245 Looks like a darling.

With the riding light thing, I think it is less heavy rather than lighter if you know what I mean. A good rider of say 12 stone will feel like 12 stone because err they are 12 stone. But a novice rider will feel more than 12 stone because they are not balancing themselves properly. I think that is what I am trying to say :o

ETS it doesn't matter what weight you are standing on a horse is ridiculous (imo)
 
Surely there are so many factors to consider not just rider weight ! for instance if the horse is very fit, kept fit (maybe by a lighter rider if need be) then the heavier rider rides occasionally (ie not everyday) then that has to be a totally diff situation to someone buying what seems to be a weight carrying horse that is actually very unfit and poss overweight itself (so already carrying extra) and then has to have a heavyweight on them while unfit.

Again not sure but I would have thought schooling would put more strain on the horse than say hacking !

What I am trying to say is you need to look at the whole picture and consider:-
rider weight
horse age
amount of bone
horse fitness
horses weight
whether the horse can be kept fit or will be expected to carry alot after a month off

Just to say ....... I am "healthy eating" at the moment and I am sure my horse is grateful for carrying nearly a stone less than before - I feel better for not lugging it around so he must too !
 
you see many 16stone patrons on 15hh polo ponies that carry them for 15min chucker without any trouble
however they are fit as a fiddle (ponies i mean ;))

and i think that's a BIG issue - many horses could carry much more weigh than they do if they were simply properly fit for it - but most horses are not fit and also carry too much fat themselves giving the impression of a stocky horse who is actually just over weight.

i'd put 18 stone on a fit HW hunter (i'm taking hunting horse - not show hunter) - i'd not put 18 stone on the same horse if it was only hacking ridden twice a week in walk with the odd trot/canter - to me that's bearly above field fit
 
I wouldn't put 18st on any horse personally...

Throughout history, horses HAD to carry 18st + in daily life. This then only meant that they lived to about 10 or 12 which is why we still consider these horses as "old" although I'm glad to see this myth is being busted!

If an 18st rider were riding all day everyday, yes, I would be concerned but how many times on average does your leisure rider ride a week? At that weight I can't imagine riding is comfortable for more than a couple of hours at the most, a few times a week. ETA - sorry I rethought this, and I guess only if a rider were "overweight" there are fit men riders who could be that weight but ride comfortably all day... so many variables.....

I think those horses could probably manage that given some proper conditioning/preparatory work was done to strengthen him/her for the task.

Soldiers can carry 40kg in combat and that is what our boys are carrying out there today. That's a third of their weight if not half.

A FIT horse (a FAT horse cannot carry this weight) can carry up to 15% of it's own weight comfortably. This is roughly the weight ratio of foal:mother.
 
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The posts 'no horse should carry 18 plus stone' amaze me..sheer ignorance.How much do you think the likes of Nick Skelton / Geoff Billington plus all tack weigh? Must be in the region of 16 stone, AND they are showjumping on warmbloods! It's impossible to generalise to that extent on horses..good bone, massive shoulders, strong back and big back end, and of course in peak fitness, is the stamp of a proper weight carrier..I'm nowhere near 18 stone but not 8 stone either..my Clydesdale cross could easily carry 18 stone out hunting all day, I assure you. My old Clyde x ID often did! The blue and white Clyde x cob is not the best weight carrier going by the pic..a shorter, stockier and shorter backed (but not too short backed) heavy type with 10 inch plus bone would be up to the job though.My Clyde cross now is a Clyde x Appie, but a good stamp of mainly Clyde, just a different colour and 15.3hh..even some warmbloods, such as Oldenburgs, big hefty horses with huge bone..remember the heavy types were originally war horses and jousters, an adult man with a set of armour on, a very heavy saddle and weapons would have weighed very heavy! A true heavyweight isn't easy to find but they are out there..Clyde or Shire x TB are not capable of being true heavyweights though, the TB dilutes the bone and strength. Check out Belgian Drafts or Ardennes , anybody who doubts a horse can happily carry 18 stone plus!
 
I think with the right work then plenty of horses could carry 18 stone. I wouldn't put 18stone on my TB, purely because she isn't fit enough. I regularly let people up to 14st on her. She doesn't bat an eyelid. If she did I'd be pulling them right back off again!
 
I know a couple of guys who are both about 6'10'' and weigh a little over 18st, they are two of the best riders I have ever seen- great long legs to wrap around the horses and they have a natural strength without getting strong. They normally stick to the 17.2hh+ horses as they take up their legs much better, but I have put one on my previous 16.1hh ISH during the 'terrible teens' and we had no problems.
 
I have a Spanish PRE horse who regularly carries 18st + in jousts, and he's a hair over 15.2hh and not a traditionally "heavy" sort either. It's a myth that jousting horses were draft types, BTW; they actually averaged about 14.2hh (but people were a lot shorter too).
 
I am the wrong side of 20 stone. I'd love a horse now but think that I would need to be more like 16 stone

I am sure there are heavy riders that do very well. I saw a large lady riding a cob very beautifully at a recent show but a more average ability rider would be more of a hinderance than a help for a horse I think so for now it remains just a dream for me

I have recently bought two ponies though and they are helping me get more active as I look after them and work with the older one from the ground
 
RebelRebel said:
This would be my pick
http://www.horsemart.co.uk/all_rounder_horse_9_yrs_2_mths_16_3_hh_palomino_li/advert/245245 Looks like a darling.

With the riding light thing, I think it is less heavy rather than lighter if you know what I mean. A good rider of say 12 stone will feel like 12 stone because err they are 12 stone. But a novice rider will feel more than 12 stone because they are not balancing themselves properly. I think that is what I am trying to say :o

ETS it doesn't matter what weight you are standing on a horse is ridiculous (imo)
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Now that's a horse! For sure, he would carry more than 18 stone, and anybody who thinks otherwise really hasn't any experience of true heavies. Truly scrumptious, I want!
 
has anyone seen Full Metal Jousting on the History channel?

http://www.history.co.uk/shows/full-metal-jousting.html

these are all massive muscular blokes wearing full metal armour, horses in full metal armour carrying great big heavy lances. they must weigh well over 20 stone. the horses are all draught types, but carry them swifty and easily.

its a fab program! anyone who has sky watch it. your on the edge of your seat at the end when they have the joust off!
 
Leah3horses said:
Now that's a horse! For sure, he would carry more than 18 stone, and anybody who thinks otherwise really hasn't any experience of true heavies. Truly scrumptious, I want!
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They are the tanks of the equine world lol. Saw one recently at a show. It had a HUGE head..well it had huge everything. Prefer the Breton draft but can't find any for sale here st the moment.
 
Cortez said:
I have a Spanish PRE horse who regularly carries 18st + in jousts, and he's a hair over 15.2hh and not a traditionally "heavy" sort either. It's a myth that jousting horses were draft types, BTW; they actually averaged about 14.2hh (but people were a lot shorter too).
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I was also thinking how some Spanish horses are very well made and capable of being true weight carriers. Didn't say draft horses were originally jousting horses.. I said 'heavies', meaning heavily built ..I didn't mention height, as tall horses are a relatively modern concept,courtesy of mankind interfering, oops I meant breeding
 
Leah3horses said:
The posts 'no horse should carry 18 plus stone' amaze me..sheer ignorance.How much do you think the likes of Nick Skelton / Geoff Billington plus all tack weigh? Must be in the region of 16 stone, AND they are showjumping on warmbloods!
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That's what I always think. Even WFP must weigh a bit. He may be as wide as a rake but he's tall and carrying muscle so hardly likely to be a light weight.
 
Ha ha!!! I honestly think if GB, WFP reading this thinking we all think they are 18st would be laughing!!!

My rugby player hubby isn't even 18st at 6ft!!!!
 
Leah3horses said:
The posts 'no horse should carry 18 plus stone' amaze me..sheer ignorance.How much do you think the likes of Nick Skelton / Geoff Billington plus all tack weigh? Must be in the region of 16 stone, AND they are showjumping on warmbloods!
I think there is a considerable difference between someone who weighs 18st because they are tall/big framed/muscular and someone who is 18st because they are considerably overweight (at 5', I would be considerably overwieght if I was 18st!) and I think any considerably overweight person should make an effort to lose weight before taking up riding.

Many factors need to be taken into account when finding a horse for the heavier rider, age, build, conformation, fitness and how much and what type of work the horse would be expected to do whilst carrying a heavier rider. Another very important thing when a horse is expected to carry a lot of weight is the saddle. It must fit perfectly and be plenty big enough for the rider.
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Gracious. I didn't mean to imply WFP is 18stone!! Just that someone has already said 'no more than 11 for my 16.2' on this thread and I bet he weighs more than that!!

What about this chap for weight carrying? He's called Trevor if that helps :D

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There are other things to consider too which may restrict the choice of horse for a rider

Without wanting to start a debate but being relatively familiar with the problems of being overweight (lol) my fitness isnt too bad and I am not lazy BUT I am not very flexible and would probably hurt myself quite badly if I was to fall off and standing to mount on a gate etc.. in the absence of a mounting block could be hazardous not to mention embarassing so I wouldnt consider a very tall horse as an option so heavy horses would be out as far as I am concerned

I would rather get down to a more reasonable weight, be a generally more effective rider for my average riding abilities and have a 15hh heavyweight cob personally

A heavy type horse isnt the only option, another option is losing weight!
 
"no horse should carry 18st"

what about an 18.2hh shire horse?
someone at my yard has one- doubt she's 18 stone but he could easily carry that....
 
right thats it I am calling RSPCA ..... not for having 2 peeps on one horse but for calling the poor chap trevor !!! he looks mortified (and gorgeous)
 
meesha said:
right thats it I am calling RSPCA ..... not for having 2 peeps on one horse but for calling the poor chap trevor !!! he looks mortified (and gorgeous)
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It's a good job his cheeks are already red then lol or he'd be blushing :D

He has the look of (crazy horse women) (my horse also has this look a lot too!)
 
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