Rider weight limits.

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lex32

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I have a 17hh cleveland bay mare who is fairly well built, although the circumference around her cannon bone just below the knee is only 7 inches.
I would like some advice on acceptable rider weight limits, as I am not on the slim side and I do not want to saddle her with an unacceptable burden (so to speak) while I loose the weight.
It really confuses me as to how much weight a horse is capable of carying, and although I appreciate that a lighter, capable rider is less of a hinderance and problem than a heavy or more novice rider due to the way they carry themselves when mounted, I don't want to ride her if I am likley to cause her harm.
Thank you all for any help and advice.
 
There is an equation based on the diameter of the cannon bone, the weight of the horse, tack and rider. I'll copy and paste it below. My arab cross is only 14.2 - 14.3 hands, but her cannon bone is 7.5 inches, so because she is probably lighter than your horse 915lbs can probably carry a heavier load. We worked out that she is okay for me (8st) but not for my husband (12st) - not that he wants to ride :)

Have fun with the equation, my OH ended up putting it into an excel spreadsheet.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Measurement Test
1. Add up the total weight of the horse, rider and tack. (See TGH Summer 1998, page 37.)
Our example: Damascus, Lady + tack = 1188 pounds.
2. Measure the circumference of the cannon bone midway between the knee and fetlock.
Our example: Damascus, 7.5 inches.
3. Divide this total weight by the circumference.
Our example: 1188 ÷ 7.5 = 158.4
4. Divide the result by two.
Our example: 158.4 ÷ 2 = 79.2

Values near 75 are great, below 75, even better. Values from 75/80 are acceptable.
Values over 80 indicate weaker legs and a need to train carefully, especially downhill.
Values over 85 suggest you need a horse with more substance.

Damascus rates near the end of the acceptable range, but should still be able to
carry Lady in style, comfortably.
 
You don't say how tall you are or what you weigh, how old she is or what you will be doing with her, but i would have thought your mare, if she is fit with correct muscle would carry around 15 to 17 stone.
To help her out you could get a synthetic saddle as they are lighter than leather ones and use a pro-light pad which disperses the weight evenly under the saddle.
Enjoy your horse, I'm sure she will cope :)
 
No offence lex32 but are you sure you've got that measurement right? That would seem very light of bone for a 17hh & according to the breed society a CB should have " 9" upwards of good flat bone below the knee measured at the nearest point on a tight tape".
 
Nari said:
No offence lex32 but are you sure you've got that measurement right? That would seem very light of bone for a 17hh & according to the breed society a CB should have " 9" upwards of good flat bone below the knee measured at the nearest point on a tight tape".
Click to expand...

Well worth checking, it did seem stange that a 17hh cleveland bay might have more spindly legs than my little girl :)
 
Pretty sure I got the measurment right. I will re check though.
She does have thin short legs compared to the rest of her, she's almost like 2 different horses.
Thank you for your help though, I'm 5'7, and recently got on the scales and discovered to my horror that I am quite a bit over 17 stone.
I made a decision there and then that I wouldn't ride her again until I had lost weight, but was unsure how far along my weight loss journey I needed to get before I could start riding her again.
Up to now I had been riding her 3 times a week for around 30 to 40 mins, mainly in walk and trot, so I wouldn't say she was very fit.
I am planning a lungeing and led hill work for us both over the next few weeks, just to help both our fitness levels.
It is quite handy that she's kept at a livery yard on quiet hilly roads, so we'll be off for lots of walks.
The work she'll be building up to when I start to ride again will be around 45 mins of flatwork 3-4 times a week and a mainly walk with a little bit of trot hack once or twice a week.
I'm just going to do my sums now HollyB66, thank you very much for that calculation.
 
Most people go with the 20% rule (some 25%).

Reasearch has shown a fit horse can easily cope with 20% of its own body weight, including tack of course.


this is a little helpfull to work out rouhgly his weight -

http://www.saracen-horse-feeds.co.uk/feedcheck/height_to_weight_guide/

so from that i would roughly guestimate hes at least 650kgs, so could carry 130kgs ( includind all tack and equipment)

:)
 
*sorry "shes"!

Best to do both tests and see how they compare. :) As a fine boned horse is obivously much less of a weight carrier.


ive never done the cannon bone test before, but just got my measuring tape out and im shoked at how small 7" is!!

What size do most horses have? ( i know its depending on breed, but just roughly what do they different types have?)
 
Lex32, sounds like you've got a very sensible plan for both of you. Make sure you do your 'weight loss' sensibly and it will stay off. I lost 3 stone 3 years ago and have kept it off. I followed the Rosemary Conley diet because I could adapt it to feed the family at the same time and didn't have to buy special 'diet' products or cook separate meals.

We still follow lowish fat meals and I try not to indulge too much.

The fact that you are combining exercise with weight loss will shift it quicker, I didn't increase my exercise so it came off very slowly.

Alainax, the 20% rule would probably only work with a 'fit' horse (as you said), if the horse is overweight then it would only be capable of carrying less because its legs have to carry its own excess weight - if you see what I mean??..
 
HollyB66 said:
Alainax, the 20% rule would probably only work with a 'fit' horse (as you said), if the horse is overweight then it would only be capable of carrying less because its legs have to carry its own excess weight - if you see what I mean??..
Click to expand...

Well done on your weight loss :) Ive lost over 6 stone now, and kept it off :o


Yes of course, the 20% only works with fit horses, and capable riders too i presume (as ive head begginers positions can cause more problems). And your right - if the horse is over weight that tips the scales the other way for the rider!

Just out of curiosity, would that mean an underwieght horse with a load of bone could carry more :confused::confused: or again does that circumference rule only work on a fit horse?
 
HollyB66 said:
My arab cross is only 14.2 - 14.3 hands, but her cannon bone is 7.5 inches, so because she is probably lighter than your horse 915lbs can probably carry a heavier load. We worked out that she is okay for me (8st) but not for my husband (12st) - not that he wants to ride :)


Measurement Test
1. Add up the total weight of the horse, rider and tack. (See TGH Summer 1998, page 37.)
Our example: Damascus, Lady + tack = 1188 pounds.
2. Measure the circumference of the cannon bone midway between the knee and fetlock.
Our example: Damascus, 7.5 inches.
3. Divide this total weight by the circumference.
Our example: 1188 ÷ 7.5 = 158.4
4. Divide the result by two.
Our example: 158.4 ÷ 2 = 79.2

Values near 75 are great, below 75, even better. Values from 75/80 are acceptable.
Values over 80 indicate weaker legs and a need to train carefully, especially downhill.
Values over 85 suggest you need a horse with more substance.

Damascus rates near the end of the acceptable range, but should still be able to
carry Lady in style, comfortably.
Click to expand...

eeeep now im confused!!
You say your arabs 915lbs, and your 112 lbs, that would mean your tack weighs 161lbs!!!! ( in order to get "Damascus, Lady + tack = 1188 pounds")

( i only found this when trying to work out if your arab would carry me :o)

(or am i just being blonde and Damascus isnt your arab and was just an example :p)
 
Last edited:
alainax said:
What size do most horses have? ( i know its depending on breed, but just roughly what do they different types have?)
Click to expand...

7" does see very light.
My 16.2 TB has 8 1/2 (maybe a bit more) and has dinky little TB cannon bones.

I was alway told divide horses weight by 6 ( as opposed to 5 which is 20%) but like everything depends on other things like fitness, health, and how balanced the rider is.
 
alainax said:
eeeep now im confused!!
You say your arabs 915lbs, and your 112 lbs, that would mean your tack weighs 161lbs!!!! ( in order to get "Damascus, Lady + tack = 1188 pounds")

( i only found this when trying to work out if your arab would carry me :o)

(or am i just being blonde and Damascus isnt your arab and was just an example :p)
Click to expand...

Hi Blondie :) Ha, ha, you did make me laugh :)

That was just a cut and paste example, I am 112 lbs, my horse Rosie is 915 lbs, and I can't remember how much OH put in the example for my tack - but it is a synthetic Wintec :)

I'm on lunch break at the moment so can't find out 'til tonight.
 
Apparently OH allowed 20lbs for tack, which gave us an indicator of 69.5 ish, so well within acceptable.

A good incentive for me not to eat too much choccy :)
 
HollyB66 said:
Hi Blondie :) Ha, ha, you did make me laugh :)

That was just a cut and paste example, I am 112 lbs, my horse Rosie is 915 lbs, and I can't remember how much OH put in the example for my tack - but it is a synthetic Wintec :)

I'm on lunch break at the moment so can't find out 'til tonight.
Click to expand...

:D:D:D

that makes much more sense :p:o

i went and measure the two horses who i rides cannon bones today.. they thought i had finnaly lost the plot. One has 7.5" and the other 8.5" :)
 
The Old Wives Tale method was to measure the circumference of the bone directly below the knee [in inches] then double that number to get the max weight of rider [in stones]

So 9" of bone = 18 stone rider

7" would = 14 stone

(don't know the measurements in cm/kgs!)
 
Lobelia_Overhill said:
The Old Wives Tale method was to measure the circumference of the bone directly below the knee [in inches] then double that number to get the max weight of rider [in stones]

So 9" of bone = 18 stone rider

7" would = 14 stone

(don't know the measurements in cm/kgs!)
Click to expand...

I'd say that sounds about right, and I think includes tack too? Everyone will be armed with measuring tapes today! :D
 
lex32 said:
I made a decision there and then that I wouldn't ride her again until I had lost weight, but was unsure how far along my weight loss journey I needed to get before I could start riding her again.
Up to now I had been riding her 3 times a week for around 30 to 40 mins, mainly in walk and trot, so I wouldn't say she was very fit.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't stop riding her just because you've weighed yourself, she's been carrying you without any problems so why not continue to ride her in walk and trot and you'll be getting fitter and loosing weight alongside her getting fitter.
 
OP, you've already had loads of good advice abt formulae but I wanted to add a voice of support for your very sensible and unselfish decision. You can have loads of fun doing non-ridden things (look for the andalabrador post on here for less conventional inspiration) and most of them will be good for fitness of both horse and rider as well as your bond. Good luck!
 
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