Cortez
Tough but Fair
Ever see a big ol' 6' cowboy in a humungous western saddle on an itty bitty quarter horse? Want to guess what that all weighs?
How much weight is your horse carrying?
- Thread starter Wagtail
- Start date
Dizzle
Well-Known Member
I'm 5ft8 and about 8 and 3/4 stone, I've got a 16hh tb
I've ridden ponies from 12hh up, in fact I've ridden a couple of 11.2hh ponies including a good canter round a field (bareback in a headcollar!) and none of them have ever shown any sign of finding me a struggle!
I've ridden ponies from 12hh up, in fact I've ridden a couple of 11.2hh ponies including a good canter round a field (bareback in a headcollar!) and none of them have ever shown any sign of finding me a struggle!
golddustsara
Well-Known Member
I'm 5ft 8 (popular height) and 10st 3lbs. I ride a 14.1 old fashioned type stocky connie. I have a synthetic saddle and stirrups so hopefully they don't add too much extra weight. Trying to get down to 9.5st but hey I like puddings too much.
EllieandGeorge
Well-Known Member
I am 4'11 and weigh 6.5 stone and have a lightweight synthetic saddle, so i would guess that all together the weight is around 7/7.5 stone? I have a 14hh Welsh section D, so i don't think im too heavy for him.
Cortez
Tough but Fair
I really think that you should all stop obsessing and realise that unless you are absolutely ENORMOUS (over, say 15 stone) most horses and non-dainty ponies over 14hh can carry a lot more weight than is generally thought for the average hack / light work.
FionaM12
Well-Known Member
FionaM12
Well-Known Member
I've been trying all my adult life to stop obsessing about weight.
You're quite right, but I just wish it was that easy...
Wagtail
Horse servant
Ok I'm beginning to get total paranoia about whether I'm too heavy for my mare now
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
No, you are fine! Welsh cobs are pretty strong.
Wagtail
Horse servant
Those proper western saddles weigh a ton. But just because you see these things doesn't make it right.
FionaM12
Well-Known Member
I'm starting to get the feeling that unless you weigh less than 9st, you shouldn't be riding at all
That would rule out almost all men and the majority of women, then.
SophieLouBee
Well-Known Member
I need a heavier saddle to weigh him down by the sound of it, that or more coats.....
jojo5
Well-Known Member
Just went through all this re me and my saddle as my boy s getting older ..... Weighed my Ideal x wide saddle (for Highlands) and stainless steel stirrups etc and it was 20lbs. Spoke to a saddler re synthetic saddle but when we tried a few he said none fitted as well as my saddle which distributed the weight correctly. Just suggested i got plastic stirrups.
Welshie Squisher
Well-Known Member
Wow, 2 stone! What is your saddle made of? Lead ?
I will have to see tomorrow but my saddle is lightweight, I reckon all together I'd be less than a stone over my normal weight.
I will have to see tomorrow but my saddle is lightweight, I reckon all together I'd be less than a stone over my normal weight.
Wagtail
Horse servant
I just grabbed the nearest leather saddle (a Farrington). Incidentally, I was half a stone heavier once I was all kitted out with jods, boots, chaps, three layers (T shirt, sweatshirt, and gilet). I did not weigh my hat or BP.
ILuvCowparsely
Well-Known Member
i thought i made a funny obviously not
Cortez
Tough but Fair
There are over a million horses in the US, most ridden western style, with a fair majority of the riders weighing over 12 stone (and then some!) and vast majority of horses there seem to do just fine............
Jesstickle
Well-Known Member
I always say this on weight threads and I know I sound like a cracked record but I find it genuinely distressing how many people seem to worry so much about their weight. I am sure you are all beautiful the way you are. I'm sure your horses also carry you more than easily. Please try not to worry about it too much. Life is too short and it just isn't important! (Unless it affects your health of course)
And I am fatter than 90% of the people who have posted their weight here so it's not like I'm skinny so it's easy to say that!!
And I am fatter than 90% of the people who have posted their weight here so it's not like I'm skinny so it's easy to say that!!
Alphamare
Well-Known Member
Hubby is 14.5 stone. And not at all fat. He rides with a treeless saddle but with clothes etc his cob is probably carrying close to 16stone. He has his back checked twice a year and is absolutely fine. He will hunt all day too! He carrys hubby like he is nothing! Oh and said cob is only 15hh!!
People worry far too much! 20% of even a lightweight 1000lb horse is 200lbs!!!
People worry far too much! 20% of even a lightweight 1000lb horse is 200lbs!!!
Nollaig Shona
Well-Known Member
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?
exactly
Yes, it's to do with distributing your weight, you and your gear may weigh 15 stone, but you are not putting 15 stone directly on the horse's back.
Why do you think jockey's ride with such short stirrups, and stand up in them?
FionaM12
Well-Known Member
True, but the horse is still carrying 15 stone. I agree distribution makes a big difference to the horse, but surely the "sit on the scales with your feet on the floor" idea isn't comparible as the scales aren't then carrying all your weight?
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Annie&Lilly
Member
Hmmm...
Interseting thread!
After fracturing my shoulder a few months ago, I have put on quite a bit of weight, and i'm the wrong side of 14 stone.
Now, my Fresian x cob has happily carried my OH who is 16 stone, and a beginner (not for more than 30 mins, as he is still learning to balance) and has happily hacked out with me at this weight for a good few hours.
Being broken, I'm not supposed to be riding at all, and it was the only thing keeping me fit! So I have started again. My mare did not groan under my weight, her eyes did not pop out and her legs did not give way!
I think people forget that horses usually weigh half a ton, and are pretty strong and capeable of doing alot more than we think!
There are studies showing that an light rider who is unbalanced can cause so much more damage than a heavy rider with a balanced seat!
Interseting thread!
After fracturing my shoulder a few months ago, I have put on quite a bit of weight, and i'm the wrong side of 14 stone.
Now, my Fresian x cob has happily carried my OH who is 16 stone, and a beginner (not for more than 30 mins, as he is still learning to balance) and has happily hacked out with me at this weight for a good few hours.
Being broken, I'm not supposed to be riding at all, and it was the only thing keeping me fit! So I have started again. My mare did not groan under my weight, her eyes did not pop out and her legs did not give way!
I think people forget that horses usually weigh half a ton, and are pretty strong and capeable of doing alot more than we think!
There are studies showing that an light rider who is unbalanced can cause so much more damage than a heavy rider with a balanced seat!
rubysmum
Well-Known Member
the only consolation i can take from all this is that at least my body fat means that i do not need to layer up like the body fat challenged amongst you, so my clothes weigh less
Clava
Well-Known Member
I just picked up my Tb's saddle and got on the scales, the saddle and I together weigh 12st which she seems fine with and with my haflingers saddle I weigh 11.7st, but I'd like to loose a stone...