Help with rider weight limit please

[Spangles]

Tentatively looking for a sharer for a pony who has had his fair share of issue ie arthritic changes in hocks, sacroiliac & hind suspensory. All treated in past couple of years.
Consequently we only allow him to hack now which he is very happy to do.

Looking for a lightweight adult but not sure of weight limit I should be asking ?
I think he’s around 480kg but need to weigh tape him. Would rather someone on the light side rather than max weight.

15yo lightweight cob
14.2hh
Sound (but not happy on a surface)

 

[scruffyponies]

Any less than 10st and you will struggle to find someone.
If he's sound enough for hacking, but needs careful riding, then rather a sensitive 11st with experience than a 10st novice.

 

[Zoeypxo]

Around 10 stone

 

[ponynutz]

Any less than 10st and you will struggle to find someone.
If he's sound enough for hacking, but needs careful riding, then rather a sensitive 11st with experience than a 10st novice.

This - the 20% rule is important, obviously, but a well-balanced heavier person will be easier to carry than a lighter unbalanced person.

 

[ponynutz]

Would also say you need to work out his ideal weight, not what he is now. If they're chunkier than they should be, it doesn't mean they can carry more.

 

[scruffyponies]

Would also say you need to work out his ideal weight, not what he is now. If they're chunkier than they should be, it doesn't mean they can carry more.

^^This^^
That's why the 20% rule is bollocks.

 

[SEL]

My Appy is 15.2 weighed 620kg when she was in full work but has similar issues (plus PSSM which is why she's now retired). Vet said 10st max inc tack.

 

[Spangles]

Thanks all, by sight I think he’s about right weight but agree need a balanced rider for definite

 

[Ali27]

I’ve got a 14.2 cob x and I’m 9 stone 6 and let my weight creep up to 10 stone 7 for a year! She seemed fine carrying me at my heaviest but I wouldn’t want anyone over 10 stone riding her now! She is 20 and weighs 510kg usually on weigh bridge.

 

[planete]

What weight is he used to carrying? I am only 8 stone and I would have been very reluctant to put much heavier riders on any of my horses regardless of what they were able to carry in theory as I feel that their muscles and tendons had adapted to carry my light weight. Anybody heavier than the pony's normal rider would require increased fittening work which probably would need to be done very slowly and carefully before regular riding especially if the pony has arthritis.