Maximum Rider Weight Advice

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Beanriding

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Hi all,

I’d really appreciate some advice. I’ve recently taken on an approx 13.2hh pony who I estimate is in the region of 375kg.

I understand there is the 15-20% weight rule but am finding advice from different people to be quite varied (I imagine because some take their build into account?). Some saying he’s should be a children’s pony only and others saying I’m fine (as a 10.5 stone 5ft 5 woman to be riding him - currently losing weight so hopefully will be about 10 stone before too long).

Before I invest in tack or on the other hand look to loan him out, I’d really appreciate knowing what others think on here and what maximum rider weight you’d personally put on him.

The riding would be a few times on a week on lanes, woodlands, etc. Nothing overly strenuous just walk/trot with bits of canter.

Thanks in advance for any advice!
 

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My understanding is that you need to add the weight of tack onto the rider weight.

I think it’s also supposed to be as a % of the horses ideal weight, so an over weight pony can’t carry a heavier rider.

I think it would be worth finding out his exact weight rather than estimating.

Based on the picture he looks not very fit so would probably be better to aim for 15% as I think 20% is meant to be for really fit well balanced horses.

In your position I think I would put him on loan or sell and get yourself something bigger.
 
Herewegoagain said:
My understanding is that you need to add the weight of tack onto the rider weight.

I think it’s also supposed to be as a % of the horses ideal weight, so an over weight pony can’t carry a heavier rider.

I think it would be worth finding out his exact weight rather than estimating.

Based on the picture he looks not very fit so would probably be better to aim for 15% as I think 20% is meant to be for really fit well balanced horses.

In your position I think I would put him on loan or sell and get yourself something bigger.
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Tiddlypom said:
How old is he? He looks like an older pony.
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Yes, he is older - he's 20.
 
Herewegoagain said:
My understanding is that you need to add the weight of tack onto the rider weight.

I think it’s also supposed to be as a % of the horses ideal weight, so an over weight pony can’t carry a heavier rider.

I think it would be worth finding out his exact weight rather than estimating.

Based on the picture he looks not very fit so would probably be better to aim for 15% as I think 20% is meant to be for really fit well balanced horses.

In your position I think I would put him on loan or sell and get yourself something bigger.
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That's all really interesting to note, thank you. And combined with the advice 'The Fuzzy Furry' gave about calculating rider weight accurately I agree about loaning him out.

The weight I gave came from an equine hospital he was under the care of so I imagine it's pretty accurate. But I'm not sure how they calculated/estimated it.

Yes, I'm not sure he is particularly fit and he is older too so 15% max sounds wise.

I hadn't planned to get him (a long story!) but part of the reason I am asking is if I do loan him out, I want to make sure I choose the most appropriate rider for him :)
 
My Arab weighs a fraction more than your pony. I'm on a constant diet to keep my weight around 57.5kg (9 stone), even then by the time I add my clothing and (lightweight) tack I am 16.5% of her body weight. She has been slowly and carefully conditioned to carry me with particular attention being paid to her core muscles.

I'm sorry to say but I honestly can't see how you will be able to get yourself down to a suitable weight in the near future once you consider your clothing, boots and tack. Perhaps in the long term if you're dedicated to it. There's many a day when I wish I'd just bought a bigger pony so I could eat that treat! (But she's worth the effort 😊)
 
20% with tack IF the horse is in perfect health and well muscled
Is this horse currently in work? Do they need to be brought back into work?
An older horse can’t carry the same as a younger horse
 
Beanriding said:
That's all really interesting to note, thank you. And combined with the advice 'The Fuzzy Furry' gave about calculating rider weight accurately I agree about loaning him out.

The weight I gave came from an equine hospital he was under the care of so I imagine it's pretty accurate. But I'm not sure how they calculated/estimated it.

Yes, I'm not sure he is particularly fit and he is older too so 15% max sounds wise.

I hadn't planned to get him (a long story!) but part of the reason I am asking is if I do loan him out, I want to make sure I choose the most appropriate rider for him :)
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Cross posted with you. A wise decision I think
 
JBM said:
20% with tack IF the horse is in perfect health and well muscled
Is this horse currently in work? Do they need to be brought back into work?
An older horse can’t carry the same as a younger horse
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That's great to have that confirmed re: 20%, thank you - I've come across all sorts of interpretations and some seem to be more lax! He has been in work with his previous owner up until recently (ridden about 5 times a week for at least a couple of hours I believe on varied terrain). He's currently resting as he's had a couple of health issues to recover from (not that would impact his riding though).
 
Beanriding said:
Thankyou 👍

For loaning him out, what would your advice be of an appropriate max rider weight for him?
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Providing he is safe, I would recommend a lightweight teen, around 45kg. That's basically who I had share my 13.2 when he was still in ridden work, and he was fit and healthy, although in his early 20s at the time.
 
There's not an issue with him being ridden, but there is by someone ten st, especially considering he's been out of work for a bit.
A lighter rider would be fine. Exercise/movement in any form is good for all horses though think the 20% standard is too heavy personally.
I wouldn't sell a 20yo on though, particularly considering he's had health issues, but would loan him out where he can go back to carrying active.
 
Beanriding said:
On speaking with my vet, he still has quite a lot of life left in him and I think he'd get bored unridden otherwise I would have happily let him retire. I haven't owned him long which is why I'm looking at what's best for him in his next chapter :)
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Of course he has! At 20 a native pony is really only middle-aged, not elderly.
 
So firstly get his exact weight, secondly convert your weight to kgs, thirdly get someone's tack and weight yourself holding it. You will soon see if the 15% ratio is achievable
 
ihatework said:
About 7 stone in his current condition assuming he is fundamentally sound.
Possibly up to 8 stone once he has lost some weight, got a bit fitter and more muscled.
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Sounds about right, an empathic rider who adjusts the work and activity accordingly, probably do him a lot of good - physically and psychologically. Good luck!
 
Tiddlypom said:
Did the vets comment on his rather knobbly arthritic looking knees?

A sympathetic lighter rider who would look after an older gent like that would be needed if he’s to be ridden. Do you know when he was last in work?
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No, they didn't. He walked/trotted up fine and they didn't note anything when doing their evaluation when I got him recently. He was also in an equine hospital for a couple of weeks where he had a lot of checks by different vets and nothing was noted (he wasn't in there for anything that would impact his riding ability though). Yes I do, he was last in work about 4 weeks ago and was ridden very regularly :)
 
I'm Dun said:
At 20 if hes been in work and is a good doer, being ridden will do him far more good than harm. Hes been cleared by the vet, the owner is being super sensible about the weight of rider, so why is there an issue with the pony being ridden?
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Thank you, that's very reassuring to hear :) I'll look to find an appropriate rider for him given all that everyone has recommended - I believe he'd enjoy the mental stimulation of getting out and about and seeing the world!
 
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