Thoroughbred Rider Weight?

[Emi and Theseus]

Hi, I hope someone can help me. I am looking at buying another horse. I have found a beautiful thoroughbred mare. She is quite fine and is 15 2. Anyone have a similar horse if so could you please share your knowledge? The mare is about 500kg.
I would hope to event and do some shows on her, maybe even a pairs event. My current weight is 79kg but I think I’ll have to lose quite a bit before trailing her and making a decision. Any suggestions for a rider weight?

 

[Squeak]

To be honest if you're already worrying about weight before buying the horse I'd probably keep looking. It's just not worth the stress. There are plenty of horses that will carry 79kg easily.

I think the rule is 15% of their bodyweight so you're not far off if I've remembered that correctly.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Oh, another rider weight thread.

15% is a good rule of thumb.

As ever, remember to add all rider clothing, equipment and the horse's tack to the nekked rider weight. Allow 15 kg for this.

 

[[153312]]

Really, if you're questioning it, look elsewhere isn't bad advice at all. This hobby is supposed to be fun and if you're constantly worried about your weight you'll get far, far less enjoyment from it, plus there's always the possibility of the unexpected happening and you gaining weigh/horse getting injured and their weight carrying being capacity greatly reduced, so the 'it's fine but only just' when you purchase ends up with you with a horse you can't ride and a lot of heartache for you. 79kg isn't a lot at all though and there's plenty of horses who would be absolutely fine with that.

Edited for spelling and grammar

 

[ycbm]

My current weight is 79kg but I think I’ll have to lose quite a bit before trailing her and making a decision.

I'm not sure i understand this. Why will she still be available after the time it will take you to lose weight before you trial her? I think you will need to lose around 20kg, to get down to 75kg with clothes and tack, unless her tack is very light, and that's going to take quite some time. I'd look for a bigger horse, I think.
.

 

[Emi and Theseus]

sorry if she is still available I would

 

[ycbm]

E&T you've already posted one thread asking whether you are too big for your pony and saying you will lose weight to continue to ride him, and you're young. Please just buy a bigger horse so that you can stop fretting about your weight and enjoy your riding.
.

 

[[153312]]

Oh. I presumed OP was an adult looking to buy their own horse.

If you really are young OP (ie <18) definitely, definitely look for a different horse. Life is really far too short to worry about such things as weight at your age. Just focus on enjoying riding and horse ownership

 

[sbloom]

And that's all without looking at the space available for a saddle...often the bigger factor for whether a horse can carry a larger rider comfortably.

 

[[153312]]

And that's all without looking at the space available for a saddle...often the bigger factor for whether a horse can carry a larger rider comfortably.

OP isn't "larger" by any stretch if you look at photos they've posted.....!

 

[sbloom]

OP isn't "larger" by any stretch if you look at photos they've posted.....!

I wasn't saying she was, it's all relative to the saddle. I should have been more specific but if we're talking about a rider being too heavy for a horse then we're potentially into the territory of a "relatively too large" rider for the saddle that the horse can take.

 

[[153312]]

Yeah I know you weren't but have a bit of tact, a young/ish girl who's evidently concerned about their weight doesn't need that assumption made regardless tbh.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Unless they've gone back through her posts on other threads, people may not be aware that this poster is apparently 15 and already is worried that she is too heavy for her current pony.

So we are treading on eggshells here.

I was unaware of the background when I posted upthread, though actually my comment still stands.

 

[[153312]]

Yes, Tiddlypom is correct, apologies. Definitely a thread to be careful on.

 

[Birker2020]

I'm paranoid I'm too heavy for my horse. In reality I'm probably not as I've been told he's well big enough for me but it depends what you want to do I guess.

If you just want to go on some hacks and potter about on fun rides, probably not too bad but if you wanted to compete regularly it might be too much.

I'm on a rapid diet/keep fit regime at the moment, trying to go to the gym four times a week minimum and cut out loads of rubbish.

 

[sbloom]

If you just want to go on some hacks and potter about on fun rides, probably not too bad but if you wanted to compete regularly it might be too much.
.

In some ways I agree but actually I'd say that possibly/probably a rider that does more in terms of fast or advanced work, but prepares their horse through in hand work, good bodywork, works on themselves, and has a well fitted saddle, does less harm than a too heavy rider walking along around the lanes. In walk the horse has no self carriage as such and is more likely to drop the back and suffer from the effects on the whole body. It's an interesting one.