My vet told me I was an idiot today regarding weight carrying
- Thread starter Leo Walker
- Start date
Spot_the_Risk
Well-Known Member
OP he looks well grown to me, I'd be cracking on. I would bear in mind that no horse is fully grown (from the skeletal POV) until 6.5 years and plan the workload accordingly. I would have no issue with planning to hack your boy out every other day from now on, certainly my youngster has been on some long hacks this year (5 years old June 2014) and has come home tired, but he hasn't had a hard time of it, not fast stuff.
flirtygerty
Well-Known Member
They have said I am an idiot for not riding him because I think I am too heavy. Obviously this is made on a visual assessment so may not be accurate, but I do look pretty fat in the mirror :lol: I suppose I am lucky, that due to various medical conditions I have slim legs and butt and a big fat stomach and big boobs and a lovely double chin and huge moon face! Means I can easily fit in a 17" saddle, but doesn't detract from the fact that I am a big fatty :lol: I'm a size 20 round the middle, and a 14 on the bottom. I think I actually look fatter in person though, but who knows, maybe they arent accurately assessing my weight. In fact, I think I will have a chat with the vet and the chiro and ask for actual figures weight wise to see how it compares with my actual weight
What do you actually weigh and how big is your cob, I have a 4 yr old cob, currently 14hh but still growing, I could serve a banquet off his back, I am 5' 7" and approx 9st (don't do kgs), he is long reined twice a week and hacked out twice, depending on the route, I can see him tiring, at which point it's get off and lead, we are building muscle, so just walk and a little trot, our grandson is approx 10 st and 5' 6" and cob doesn't struggle to carry either of us, I would change your mirror
windand rain
Well-Known Member
He sounds as though he would soon tell you if he wasnt happy so get on with it we all baby our horses far too much as long as you are a well balanced rider and are not about 20 stone I would guess a little bit an often would condition his muscles to carry you. There is far more damage t horses from light weight unbalanced and rough riders than from heavy weight balanced and careful riders. Having said that the problem then arises when a heavy rider is also unbalanced and clumsy unsympathetic when the poor horse really is in trouble. Good on you for wanting to lose weight but maybe riding him a little will help that too as will the exercise getting him fit from the floor
thatsmygirl
Well-Known Member
You could always start a fitness plan for you and him by long reining.
Great for him to get out see the sights getting out for 20+ minute hacks and will start to build up muscle espcially if there is hill work and you for slogging it behind him will burn a pound or two
Totally agree with this ^^^^ go and get for together
Good luck
thatsmygirl
Well-Known Member
Leo Walker
Well-Known Member
I'm not sure what I weigh. I was 15stone last time I got on the scales, but I could well be a bit more than that now. The chestnut in the photo is 612kgs on a weigh bridge at the right weight and hes 15.2hh. So I work on Frankie being roughly 500kgs, just because side by side hes so much wider, and deeper, albeit, shorter :lol:
I really do have to lose weight, 3 stone ish has gone on in the last year because of problems with my back. The weight is making my back worse and its a vicious circle. I'm normally 12.7/13 stone, so I dont want to be a size 10, I'd be happy with 13 stone for his sake and mine. My friend who is 13 stone has ridden him and he didnt even know she was there, so 13 stone clearly isnt an issue.
I do want to ride I think, but really only this horse, riding anything else doesnt interest me, and the other one is on permanent loan as hes a very safe kick along and I hated riding him.
I'm going to give it a month, get on a diet and to the gym everyday see if I can lose some weight and get fitter. In the meantime I'll start to up the work his current rider is doing with him. A little bit more schooling and lots of hacking out. Then I can maybe start to do a little bit with him and see how he goes. He would def let me know if he wasnt happy. Hes a very very tough little horse but he doesnt put up with things not being right, even something silly like a bit of mane being caught up and pulling can end up in a meltdown :lol:
I really do have to lose weight, 3 stone ish has gone on in the last year because of problems with my back. The weight is making my back worse and its a vicious circle. I'm normally 12.7/13 stone, so I dont want to be a size 10, I'd be happy with 13 stone for his sake and mine. My friend who is 13 stone has ridden him and he didnt even know she was there, so 13 stone clearly isnt an issue.
I do want to ride I think, but really only this horse, riding anything else doesnt interest me, and the other one is on permanent loan as hes a very safe kick along and I hated riding him.
I'm going to give it a month, get on a diet and to the gym everyday see if I can lose some weight and get fitter. In the meantime I'll start to up the work his current rider is doing with him. A little bit more schooling and lots of hacking out. Then I can maybe start to do a little bit with him and see how he goes. He would def let me know if he wasnt happy. Hes a very very tough little horse but he doesnt put up with things not being right, even something silly like a bit of mane being caught up and pulling can end up in a meltdown :lol:
paulineh
Well-Known Member
I ride a 14hh 24yr old Arab mare which carries 75kgs over distances of up to 100km (60miles) she has won all her Endurance races this year.
It is not always the weight they carry but the way they are ridden. A lighter weight rider can ride heavy and a heavy rider can ride light. A balanced horse and rider will cope better. Certain breeds can carry heavier weights even if they are smaller.
It is not always the weight they carry but the way they are ridden. A lighter weight rider can ride heavy and a heavy rider can ride light. A balanced horse and rider will cope better. Certain breeds can carry heavier weights even if they are smaller.
Dunlin
Well-Known Member
I've ridden a medium weight hunting cob here who is 15.2 and I am 5ft 8 and 10 stone 8lbs, so closer to 11 stone when fully kitted up, he pulls like a steam train with me on and his owners partner is close to 18 stone and has ridden him and he still pulls like a train with him on. His owner takes him hunting and she is around 12 stone and he is a whole day hunter who pulls until he's back on the lorry. No idea on his weight or bone but I'd definitely describe him as a medium weight.
As you say, a horse/pony will soon let you know if you're too heavy. Start slow and see how you get on sounds like the perfect plan to me
As you say, a horse/pony will soon let you know if you're too heavy. Start slow and see how you get on sounds like the perfect plan to me
Wagtail
Horse servant
OP I think your cob could cope with 15 stone once mature. However, looking at the side on photograph he is, as you say yourself, very downhill and bum high right now, and this has produced a significant bend in his back. I would not want more than 10 stone on him until his withers come up more and his back levels out.
Rollin
Well-Known Member
The breed standard for a Higland Pony, we have one, is 14.2hh. A stalker's Highland has to be able to carry a 15 stone stag off the mountain.
It is my understanding that bone rather than height are important. Personally, I would not do any challenging work with any horse under the age of 4 years. We back and lightly hack the end of third year then turn away.
It is my understanding that bone rather than height are important. Personally, I would not do any challenging work with any horse under the age of 4 years. We back and lightly hack the end of third year then turn away.
Iownayetti
Well-Known Member
Right any reason to post a picture of moses! But I am on my iPad so it's touch and go if it works!!!
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What a lovely pic..good on you girl !
Kallibear
Well-Known Member
For a young horse just getting used to being backed I wouldn't want more than about 15% of their healthy (not fat) body weight. Once they're used to be ridden and fitter then build up to 20%. I wouldn't ask a horse to carry more than 20% for regular work.