How much is too much? Weight?

Leo Walker said:
If you mean me, he already is :) He was bought as a driving pony as weight aside, I have a deteriorating back condition that means I probably wont be able to ride again even if I was 7 stone. Other people do ride him for me, but his main job is to drive and he loves it. He used to pull bow top caravans, so he doesnt even notice people on board a light exercise cart!
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No I meant OP, sorry :)
 
ester said:
Fairly sure that was the point others were making when suggesting driving!!?!
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It was definitely the point I was making, which was why I was totally bewildered :lol:

Not sure I would go to the huge expense of money and time needed so a friend could drive my horse. The horse himself was cheap, I dread to think what everything else has cost! If your anywhere near me he is welcome to come and have a go with mine though :)
 
Have always intended to get him broken to drive as he would excel at this! Next year hopefully we'll get him broken too many commitments this year unfortunately!!
 
Lintel said:
If I think of it as what my boy is built to do though? Carrying stags down mountains that are dead weight and can weigh up to 20st, why would this be ok and an 18st human not?

Part of me is thinking God no.... And the other part thinks this.
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No, that is what humans decided they could do, not what they are actually built to do. Your freiend is way, way, way too heavy for your pony even for a short walk. Sorry.
 
ycbm said:
They were. In the days when ten was an old horse.
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Finally someone has pointed out this often overlooked fact when 'that's what they used to do' is used to justify excessive weight on a horse. Horses broke at a much earlier age mainly due to the loads they had to carry.
 
I usually stick up for the larger riders being one myself, and so often see pope with the view that no one over 10stone should ever ride. However, having been that size myself and a balanced sympathetic experienced rider, I wouldn't get on a pony of that size whilst at that weight. There horses out there capable of that, and I do agree that highlands are indeed strong for their size. But you do have to draw a line. I am sure there will be highlands out there perfectly capable of carrying 15 stone of competent rider. The beginner thing has a huge bearing.
 
I think an 18 stone non rider on any horse is a definite no from me it's to heavy, someone I know has a 16.3 weight carrying hunter type horse she let a much heavier friend ride him I would say she was 18 stone if not heavier, she stood him at the mounting block and as soon as the person sat in the saddle that horse did the biggest buck and I mean a rodeo buck and person landed on the concrete floor, after that he wouldn't let anyone near him at the mounting block it took the owner months to get him over it. It's not worth the risk.
 
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