The comprehensive weight carrying ability thread

Arizahn said:
If in doubt, don't ride it. That's my theory.
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I agree with this, its not rocket science. By the theory of 20% you could pack weight on your horse to make it work for you

If people have to justify things by fractions of percentages or the odd kilo they are kidding themselves if they think that makes things ok
 
In terms of whether you are too heavy for your horse. If you have any doubt, I would:

1) ask an appropriate trainer for their views
2) have regular bodywork for the horse, and ask the bodyworker if the horse had any signs of struggling with your weight (e.g. pain under saddle)
3) have regular saddle checks to check saddle balance is distributing weight appropriately (no pressure points), and your weight is over strongest part of horse
 
HenleyRider said:
This formula doesn't make sense, if my horse has 9 inches of bone that means it can carry less than a horse with 7 inches of bone as 7 goes into the number more time than 9 does. Surely it should be in inverse.


The maths must be wrong. Has anyone else posted this, I can't be bothered to read through 7 pages.
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You have read it wrong. The higher the result the LESS weight the horse can take.
 
Have any studies been done into abilty and balance of the rider and its effect on the horse's weight carrying capacity?

We can argue and talk about weights, conformation, bones and loins all we like, but we are not talking about carrying spuds here. Every rider is very different in their ability to ride, and also to have less or more of an impact on the horse.

I don't like the phrase " riding light" you cant make your self lighter. However I would suggest that people do ride heavy. A 12 stone experienced rider may be far better for a horses back than a 10stone bouncy novice, as the novice is riding heavy by making things uncomfortable for the horse.

12 stone of balanced rider does not have the same impact as 12 stone of novice. People often argue that weight is weight regardless, however I dispute that, anyone who has carried a lumpy bulky bouncy around object compared to an ergonomically designed, even weight distribution, perfect centre of gravity rucksack will know that they both feel very different.

My boy can easily carry a heavier balanced rider, however I would only ever put a lighter novice on him. Even with a novice weighing a good 4 stone less than the experienced rider, you can see how stiff and tense the horse is with the lighter rider in comparison.

I am a believer in all of the rules and none of them. Look on them all as guidance if you are unsure, but take into consideration everything else also. Every part of the horses anatomy, breeding, training, ability, health, weight, fitness, balance, feet, and nature have an impact, as does every part of the riders anatomy, health, weight, fitness, balance, ability, training - never just a single aspect.
 
alainax said:
Have any studies been done into abilty and balance of the rider and its effect on the horse's weight carrying capacity?

We can argue and talk about weights, conformation, bones and loins all we like, but we are not talking about carrying spuds here. Every rider is very different in their ability to ride, and also to have less or more of an impact on the horse.

I don't like the phrase " riding light" you cant make your self lighter. However I would suggest that people do ride heavy. A 12 stone experienced rider may be far better for a horses back than a 10stone bouncy novice, as the novice is riding heavy by making things uncomfortable for the horse.

12 stone of balanced rider does not have the same impact as 12 stone of novice. People often argue that weight is weight regardless, however I dispute that, anyone who has carried a lumpy bulky bouncy around object compared to an ergonomically designed, even weight distribution, perfect centre of gravity rucksack will know that they both feel very different.

My boy can easily carry a heavier balanced rider, however I would only ever put a lighter novice on him. Even with a novice weighing a good 4 stone less than the experienced rider, you can see how stiff and tense the horse is with the lighter rider in comparison.

I am a believer in all of the rules and none of them. Look on them all as guidance if you are unsure, but take into consideration everything else also. Every part of the horses anatomy, breeding, training, ability, health, weight, fitness, balance, feet, and nature have an impact, as does every part of the riders anatomy, health, weight, fitness, balance, ability, training - never just a single aspect.
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Excellent post. :)
 
on the otherhand if I look at the 20% rule then 20% of 1122 is 224 thats 16 stones. !
so its either next to nothing or up to 16 stones.
Something wrong here.
 
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FairyLights said:
have meaured again the bone is 7.75 inches maybe a tiny bit more. Horse has a lot of TB in him a bit of arab the rest is native. about 15hh. I weighed myself dressed to ride holding tack that was 80kg [176lb] horse is 500 kg maybe 510 kg to allow for weigh tape inaccuraces. so thats 1122lb 1122 + 176 = 1298 divided by 7.75=173. divide by 2 = 86 and a half.
I weigh 10 st 5lb if I loose weight and get to 9 st then thats 126LB. 1122+126 =1248 divided by 7.75= 161 divided by 2 =80 and a half
so still too heavy and i'd be riding like Lady Godiva and bareback too!.
If I take the horses own weight of 1122lb divide by 7.75 then by2 I get 72. The horse isnt overweight. SO this means that the horse can only carry a small child!
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Do you have a picture of the horse? The reason I ask is that 500kg seems very heavy for a 15hh TB type with under 8 inches of bone. My 15hh (just!) TB x WB is 460kg but has 8.25 inches of bone. I had a 15.2 TB with 8 inches of bone that was 465 kg.
 
PLEASE IGNORE my posts above peeps. I got the calculations wrong.
just redone it.
basically using the measuring the cannon bone halfway down it comes out that the horse can carry no more than 10st inc saddle. the 20% rule says he can carry up to 15 and a half stone including.
me and the saddle weigh 12 and a half stones.
Thats about halfway between both methods.
something is wrong when there are such discrepancies between ideas.

Wagtail I'm going to measure him again tomorrow. Make sure I've got it right.
I did have a 15hh arab once who has 7 and a quarter inches of bome [ that was under the knee].
my gelding is finely built despite having some sec D in him.
 
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Bumping the thread, having gone and crunched he numbers for myself and the Camel.

Using the formula in the opening post, and allowing for his weight, my weight, and my stupidly heavy western saddle (35lbs on its own!), his cannon bone measurement of 8.5" etc. I got 77 - not bad at all :) I now feel happy to back him myself once he is fully mature, but I still want to buy a lighter saddle! I plan to spend the intervening time long reining him around the roads, so I should drop some weight myself too doing that.
 
Arizahn said:
Bumping the thread, having gone and crunched he numbers for myself and the Camel.

Using the formula in the opening post, and allowing for his weight, my weight, and my stupidly heavy western saddle (35lbs on its own!), his cannon bone measurement of 8.5" etc. I got 77 - not bad at all :) I now feel happy to back him myself once he is fully mature, but I still want to buy a lighter saddle! I plan to spend the intervening time long reining him around the roads, so I should drop some weight myself too doing that.
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That is really good. I remember trying to lift my sister's western saddle and getting quite a shock at the weight of it. I guess the load bearing surface is greater though so the weight id spread over a larger area of the back. Good luck with backing him. I am hoping to do the same with my little mare this summer. Am now down to 10st 3 so want to shift another 6 - 7 lbs. Although our value according to the formula is around 72 at the minute, but obviously that would be when she is more mature.
 
weight of the horse is irrelevant unless it is the perfect weight for its type as the pressure of 100 kgs of fat and a 80 kg of rider and saddle means its joints etc are carrying considerably more than if it was lean and fit. I think it is fairly obvious if you watch a horse if the rider is either too heavy or too heavy for their ability however little they weigh as the horse becomes stiff and stilted through its shoulders and struggles to extend its forelegs forward. Best way of understanding if you are too heavy for the horse is to have an honest and forthright vet or instructor to tell you
I also think that a huge number of horses are able to carry far more than they do but why would you ask them to after all I am sure many have carried two adults for long distances. 12.7lbs used to be the minimum weight for old style 3 day eventing to equal the handicap so lighter riders carried weights which of course are much harder to carry than weight supported by bone and muscle
There were a lot of thermo imaged photos going around with a 8 stone novice and a 15 stone professional riding the same horse in the same tack and the heavy rider did far less appreciable damage to the back according to the image
 
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windand rain said:
weight of the horse is irrelevant unless it is the perfect weight for its type as the pressure of 100 kgs of fat and a 80 kg of rider and saddle means its joints etc are carrying considerably more than if it was lean and fit.
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I think the weight of the horse is very relevant in the calculation as if it is overweight then it allows for less weight of the rider and tack. That is why I prefer it to the 20% calculation where if a horse is overweight it says it can carry more than if it is an ideal weight. I would therefore say that the straight percentage calculations should only be done on a fit and healthy horse of ideal weight.
 
The vet clinic in yesterday's H&H is worth reading but suggests there is no straightforward formula as there are so many variables. eg health of horse, fitness and conformation, gait and posture, age etc etc.
 
It's now a moot point for me, as after the events of this afternoon, all I want is for Camel to be field sound again. He can be an ornament all his life if he prefers :(
 
haven't read all replies...I just go by common sense..ie if I had to ask someone or question it in my head if im too heavy I prob am...I get on most horses from tb to cob... im tall 5ft9 and 11 st 8 lbs (probs 12 st 8 lbs in full tack and riding gear) ... most days I just jump on and ride ... no horses have been squished I promise !
 
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