How DO you work out the weight carrying capacity of a horse?

Luci07

Luci07

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I am not looking to start a witch hunt, or another you can't ride unless you weigh 7 stone on your 17 hand ID hunter..

But is there some sort of rough guide? Something around the bone and fitness of the horse?

My own preference has always been to ride bigger horses so it's never been something I have worried about, I also take my exercise seriously so am reasonably fit.

However, this weekend I have hacked out a friends uber special new horse to help another friend who needed a totally sane escort. I had a ball and this little horse was huge fun, to the degree that I want to borrow him to go hunting. However he is around 15.2 MW, whereas my own is 16.3. He made mincemeat of the hack but appreciate hunting is different. I don't look big on him at all as I don't quite make 5.5 myself but would appreciate a guide!

Own horse is now restarting fitness and rehabilitation hence getting the opportunity to ride a big variety if friends horses atm before I am asked why I don't take my own!
 
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There needs to be more studies done on this :) none of the research I've seen is particularly compelling from either side of the argument. What a horse can carry is dependent on conformation, type of musculature, weight, size, fitness, the balance and skill of the rider, the work asked, and a million other variables. An unbalanced light rider causes more damage to the horse long term than a heavy balanced rider, etc etc... there's no industry standard, but the rule of thumb is 10% ratio horse to rider is about ideal, 20% is getting a bit on the heavy side, but it still depends on a lot.

I think you'd know if you were really too heavy for him :) or he'll let you know he's struggling when he feels he's being asked too much. Are you genuinely worried you're nearing his limit?

I hope your own horse's rehabilitation goes smoothly!
 
Just not used to riding something that small and would not have given it a seconds thought apart from reading all the numerous posts on the subject previously. The only time I ever bothered was when I had a TB with very long pasterns and my vet said that 12.5 stone, including tack, would be his maximum. I was way under that but it always stayed with me. My friends horse came back at the same speed he went out at so..

This is the second time I have started the fittening so fingers crossed and thank you for the kind wishes.
 
I can't imagine that a 15.2hh fit horse will struggle to carry any reasonably fit, normal build 5'5" rider.

I usually judge by eye tbf - but then I usually ride big horses, too.
 
A safe guideline, and one that works well and seems sensible when actually put into practise is the 20% rule as an absolute maximum.
A horse with particularly good weight carrying conformation (short wide, well muscled back with strong loins, good leg conformation, decent bone, good feet) and a correct way of going, as well as being fit with a well fitted saddle, would carry 20% of it's body weight easily even in hard work (I.e hunting). A horse with less than ideal stats (I.e fat or unfit or long in the back etc) needs to be scaled down.

Mostly it should be common sense! Just because they 'can' doesn't mean they should and anyone with any empathy for horses will err on the side of caution. Riding a horse is a privilege, not a right and it's our responsibility to ensure they're happy and comfortable.
 
P.s it does depends entirely on the individual horses and their confirmation. I have a 3.5yr old ISH who I'm at his maximum despite me only being 10st (a slim 5'8) and him 16.2hh He's still a narrow weedy baby with no muscle and very unfit. I ride for 10min at a time. I also ride a 14.2 pony who doesn't even notice me: short strong wide back and good conformation. And a 13.2 Fell who's the same. On the opposite side is the 15hh HW cob who, on paper should carry two of me, but is long in the back and very narrow girthed. I wouldn't put anyone heavier than me on him and I don't ride for long either.
 
The amount of bone is important. Gleneagles used to have a chart on the wall of their equestrian centre showing height/bone and weight carrying capabilities of different horses. Why not give them a ring and see if you can obtain a copy.
 
Might try that... I worked out his weight wrong and came with a maximum capacity of 17 stone which was clearly wrong (and no guys, I am not nor never have been anyway near that weight... unless it was with someone else on board!)

I think I am within his limits... many thanks guys!
 
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