How to work out how much a horse can carry

[Neburu]

Hi Guys

Does anyone know the calculation to work out how much weight a horse can carry?

Much appreciated

Neburu

 

[Spring Feather]

Weigh the horse. Weigh the rider. The riders weight should be less than 20% of the weight of the horse. I personally work on a 12%-15% rider weight versus horse.

 

[CobsGalore]

Weigh the horse. Weigh the rider. The riders weight should be less than 20% of the weight of the horse. I personally work on a 12%-15% rider weight versus horse.

I agree, 15% is a better percentage to work to.

 

[Neburu]

Thanks Guys, but I wanted the Calculation I know you work it by horses weight and riders weight and its 20% max, but I'm rubbish at maths and don't know how I would go about working it out

 

[BraveHart]

really easy way for 15% rule is;

horses weight minus 85%

so for example 400kg - 85% = 60kg

 

[BraveHart]

really easy way for 15% rule is;

horses weight minus 85%

so for example 400kg - 85% = 60kg

my wording isnt great here - i didnt mean it only works for the 15% rule, obviously for 20% rule, it is minus 80%.... (having a divvy day - sorry!)

 

[Mongoose11]

600kg horse....

600 divided by 100 = 6
6x20 = 120

So the maximum your 600kg horse can carry including tack, to abide by the 20% rule is 120kg.

 

[Horseyjen!]

Wow 20% is huge I deff think 15% is more like it.
One of my horses is quite light weight but tall so he weighs 580kg on the 20% rule he can carry just over 18 stone!! I wouldnt let him carry more than 12.

How much does your horse weigh we can do the calculation for you

I find the easiest way is on a calculator to do 600 x 20 % (dont press equals)

 

[Beetlebug]

I personally use 15% including tack i also think this is just a guide as it also depends on the rider and their ability and the horses fitness and build would play a part

 

[tallyho!]

I too have always used 15%... where did 20% come from??

 

[Spring Feather]

I too have always used 15%... where did 20% come from??

I've never used the 20% rule either, but many do on this forum.

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=591527&highlight=rule

 

[shadowboy]

A lot of people however will be weighing overweight horses! In which case weighing the horse is actually incorrect. You should take a healthy weight for the horse then remember to take tack and riding wear into consideration. Don't direct poor confo will also have an affect on weight. 20% has come from a German research project conducted some years ago. Current Arab one in Middle East not published as it is undergoing peer review at the moment.