How much can my horse carry?

Randonneuse

Randonneuse

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 August 2010
Messages
673
Location
Stroud/Cirencester (but France originally!)
Visit site
Hi and sorry if I didn't post on the right section.
I am meeting a potential person to part loan my 13.3 pony Haflinger x Anglo arab on friday but she just told me she weights 14stones.(around 90kg?)
I am 52kg for 160cm.(about 8 stones)
My pony is around 350kg and quite "chunky" as he looks more like a haflinger than a anglo arab.
Please could you tell me how much weight he could maximum carry as it seems to me than it would be a bit too heavy? (only for hacking)

Thanks!
 
I could be wrong, but isn't there a general rule of thumb...... 20% of horses' bodyweight.....

350kgs = approx. 70 kgs (obviously there are other factors to consider, like age, fitness etc.,)
 
There is a formula for How much weight a horse can carry ....
Take the horse's weight in pounds and divide it by 6.
Take the answer and divide it by 14.
The resulting answer (X) gives you the maximum weight ( in stones) of the rider that could be carried. Don't forget to add 2 stones to your body weight to allow for tack, clothing etc. ie. the answer (X) from the above calculation should be at least two stones heavier than your actual weight if you are not over burdening your horse!

Hope this helps.
 
There is also Elwyn Hartley Edwards calculation using bone. For example 8 inches of bone can carry 12 stone and 8 and a half inches 12 and a half stone. You obviously need to consider the age and fitness of a horse as well. A very young or very old horse would not want to be lugging the maximum weight around. Also a horse who is very long in the back would not be up to as much weight as a compact 'butty' sort.
 
Far far too heavy for the pony, you wouldn't want anyone more than 12 stone (including clothes and tack). However....... if the person is giving him a brilliant home, will adore and cherish him and is perfect in other ways then I would at least meet her. There are so many poorly treated horses that this may be a compromise worth making - the pony will get used to the weight and it is only ridden for an hour a day. If you asked the pony, it would probably choose this option rather than being harshly treated by an ignoramus. Its all about the best fit really.
 
If they are determined enough to ride the pony they will diet to be able to do so. I've lost over 3 stone and need to lose another stone and a bit before I can ride my boy. My daughter was his rider but has given up. Lots of motivation for me to do this so perhaps they can do the same.
 
ginadrummond said:
Far far too heavy for the pony, you wouldn't want anyone more than 12 stone (including clothes and tack). However....... if the person is giving him a brilliant home, will adore and cherish him and is perfect in other ways then I would at least meet her. There are so many poorly treated horses that this may be a compromise worth making - the pony will get used to the weight and it is only ridden for an hour a day. If you asked the pony, it would probably choose this option rather than being harshly treated by an ignoramus. Its all about the best fit really.
Click to expand...

I think if the pony really had a choice it wouldn't choose to be treated harshly or be ridden by someone far too heavy, there should be no compromise to a animals welfare.
 
Thanks to everyone, I thought 65/70kg would be a maximum for him to carry but didn't want to tell that to the girl without knowing it with certitude :-)
I am meeting her on Friday anyway as we are both nannies and even if she can't ride Bilto (I told her so already) at least maybe we can get on together ;-)
Divasmum this is a very good idea and well done to you for having lost 3 stones, hoepfully she'll like Bilto enough to want to ride him and want to do the same :-)

I don't want to risk Biltos health and back so wouldn't let anyone heavier than they should be to ride him. I've had him for now 12 years (he is 16) in very good health and it doesn't really matter if I don't find anyone to ride him on the 3 days I can't ride him during the winter, I just thought it would be a bit easier on those 3 days to feed him/ check on him as he is on DIY livery.(I've never part loaned him before...)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top