How much weight is your horse carrying?

Wagtail

Wagtail

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Did a little experiment this morning. I am 5'10" and slim and generally feel I am light enough for almost all but the smallest of ponies to carry. I got up and weighed myself. I was 9 stone 12 lb. Great, I thought. Then I got dressed and ate breakfast and dressed to ride (after feed and turn out). I grabbed a saddle and stepped on the scales. I was just over 12 stone :eek: That was without a body protector and hat.

So when guaging how much you weigh in order to judge whether you are too heavy for a horse, please remember to add at least two stone. Of course, I knew this, but really didn't expect it to be quite that much.
 
I'm under 8st so don't think my 16hh wb has much to worry about! All the 'littlies' I ride are in synthetic saddles and ridden for short periods of time so I don't think they are suffering unduly either ;)
 
rhino said:
I'm under 8st so don't think my 16hh wb has much to worry about! All the 'littlies' I ride are in synthetic saddles and ridden for short periods of time so I don't think they are suffering unduly either ;)
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Obviously you are a feather weight and have no need to worry at all.
 
What on earth is your saddle made of?! Mine absolutely no way weighs two stone. I will bring it home and weigh it later but I will eat my riding hat if it comes even close to that!
 
jesstickle said:
What on earth is your saddle made of?! Mine absolutely no way weighs two stone. I will bring it home and weigh it later but I will eat my riding hat if it comes even close to that!
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Boots, jodhpurs three layers on top...Not just the saddle. The saddle is probably 1.5 stone. But you have the numnah, girth, stirrups etc. It all adds up. I have to say I was surprised by how much, but the scales are brand new salter digital ones.
 
my horse is carrying more than he should ,

i am 5ft 8 my my

i imagined Wagtail to be small with small wings and feathers :confused: like the ones we have here lol

seriously tall thin brunette:D
 
Wagtail said:
Boots, jodhpurs three layers on top...Not just the saddle. The saddle is probably 1.5 stone. But you have the numnah, girth, stirrups etc. It all adds up. I have to say I was surprised by how much, but the scales are brand new salter digital ones.
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I guess my stirrup irons are pretty weighty. They must be as they blooming hurt when they slip down and smack me on the shins when I'm carrying my saddle! I should get plastic ones as it is painful!! :D
 
I'm not that suprised. im 9 stone 10 (I know at 5ft2 I need to lose the 10 pounds atleast) an when I stood on the scales in my boots, coat and riding gear the other day I was 10st5 so go knows what id be with my saddle. But seeing as my pony used to carry me when I was a hefalump of 13st3 I'm sure he can manage me
 
around 9 stone, 14.2ish connie, synthetic saddle, plastic stirrups, poly pad and leather girth, tried to keep everything light as weight is always a worry! tried a leather saddle on him but it felt so heavy compared to mine!
 
this is a depressing thread. I'm not going to add up my weight plus saddle right now (it's up the yard and estimating will only depress me). I've always worked on the theory that my pony was bred to carry a stag and there's no way I weigh that much yet... But adding in the saddle I just might :eek:

That said, he's just done about 20km (plus?) bouncing along like a twit, a good amount of fast work and was still bouncing at the end, so I won't panic just yet...
 
Try putting your scales on a stool, and sit on them, lifting your feet off the floor.
Then put your feet on the floor as though you'd your feet in your stirrups and see what difference it makes.
 
AliceFlapjack said:
Ditto. I've no idea why you would want to do that?

The horse will still be carrying the same amount of weight regardless of whether you've got your feet in your stirrups or not. Surely? :confused:
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exactly :confused:

Wagtail said:
Sorry if this is a depressing thread. I was just so shocked at just how much weight is added. For me, it's about 20%!
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not depressing at all, just an eye openers
Being on medication and steroids for 26 year I am over weight but have given up caring. my horse is more than capeable of carrying my weight and saddle so I don't care
 
I'm 7 stone (give or take a few pounds!) so with all my gear I'm guessing around 9 stone?

My horse is a 15.2, ISH. I also have a 14hh NF x TB
 
Pitch Black said:
Try putting your scales on a stool, and sit on them, lifting your feet off the floor.
Then put your feet on the floor as though you'd your feet in your stirrups and see what difference it makes.
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don't really get this... but im guessing its to do with weight distribution??

even the lightest rider can be too heavy if they sit badly on the horse, and the heavier rider can sit light and square and be easier to carry.
 
5'6" and 9st 8 plus gear, he's a 14.2hh cob (yes, I'm proud to say that - dropped 2st over the past few months! :) ). Sometimes still feel too big on him, with him being 4 and still bum-high.
 
Ok I'm beginning to get total paranoia about whether I'm too heavy for my mare now :confused:

She's 15.2 Welsh Cob, I'm 5'7 and 3/4", weigh 11st, use a leather saddle, bp.

She certainly doesn't buckle under my weight but I'm starting to get the feeling that unless you weigh less than 9st, you shouldn't be riding at all :(
 
I'm 5ft 2in and 9 stone 6lb. That's first thing in the morning, naked, before eating or drinking and after a visit to the loo.... Not that I'm obsessive or anything... ;). My horse is 14.2, see photo in my sig.

I'm baffled by the post about sitting on a stool with your feet on the floor! Of course you'd weigh less because the floor's taking some of your weight. Whereas if you had your feet in stirrups the horse is carrying the stirrups too! :confused::confused:
 
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