Weight carrying - so now we know

[Orangehorse]

So the Household Cavalry horses are 16 hh, to carry 16 stones including rider and tack and to work for 16 years.

They are of course at least middleweight, although the Chargers are probably a bit finer, and they aren't going to be jumping around cross country fences (not all the time!). But they do a lot of road work, and what about all their summer displays when they are working very hard a couple of times a day, plus all the hours of training.

 

[ycbm]

Just because you can doesn't mean you should.

The horse the Army once tried to buy from me, and another they bought when I wanted to buy her, were both 17 hands so I'm not sure about your height thing there for the ridden horses. And we have no idea what treatment and medication those horses have to do that job.


edited to remove inaccuracy.
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[teapot]

They definitely vary in height, 16hh is just the basic benchmark. Some also retire early, some late so not sure it’s as black and white as it appears.

ETS: oh and some/most of the female troopers will not be 16 stone, even with their ceremonial kit!

 

[ihatework]

I can’t imagine it’s that cut and dried.

I suspect they will have a minimum height, with weight carrying guidelines. They will then mount their riders in accordance with the horse height & type. Modifying as required for horse age and health. Just like any good horse person would do automatically.

A blanket statement of 16 stone on 16 hands is quite frankly reckless and horrifying given the intellectual capacity of some horse owners.

 

[CobsaGooden]

That’s quite a sweeping statement. Does that mean my 13.2 can carry 13stone? I absolutely wouldn’t put that on her back and she’s a cob type.

Very odd post

 

[Flowerofthefen]

They came out to assess a friends horse. The horse was middle weight and over 17hh. It didn't pass the vetting.

 

[maya2008]

I would imagine that is 16 stone including tack, boots etc, so perhaps about 14 stone on the scales for the rider in their pjs (depending on weight of gear).

16 stone is 101kg. A horse of that size would be minimum 600kg, probably more. 101/600 = 16.8% which is within the 20% guidelines.

 

[SilverLinings]

I would imagine that is 16 stone including tack, boots etc, so perhaps about 14 stone on the scales for the rider in their pjs (depending on weight of gear).

16 stone is 101kg. A horse of that size would be minimum 600kg, probably more. 101/600 = 16.8% which is within the 20% guidelines.

This HHO article says the kit they carry weighs about 4st, so riders could be up to 12st. It also says most retire about 17 or 18yrs, and that 16hh is the minimum height:

11 things you might not know about Household Cavalry horses - Horse & Hound

'Nimrod: A Cavalry Black from foal to retirement' is a new book published today, giving a unique insight into the life of Household Cavalry horses

www.horseandhound.co.uk

 

[LEC]

Let’s also add in that they carry that kit rarely and for short periods of time in training unless trooping the colour or special events.

 

[Cortez]

Army buyers rarely look at horses under 17hh, and they are definitely interested in the weight carrying types. Minimum height is 16hh, and I'll bet max weight is 16st including tack.

 

[Goldenstar]

16 hh ID would be able to the job if it had decent conformation
They came and looked at a horse I had many years ago they keen because he what no white at all .
He was 16.2 and they turned him down for not being up to the weight .

 

[ycbm]

So the Household Cavalry horses are 16 hh, to carry 16 stones including rider and tack and to work for 16 years.

They are of course at least middleweight, although the Chargers are probably a bit finer, and they aren't going to be jumping around cross country fences (not all the time!). But they do a lot of road work, and what about all their summer displays when they are working very hard a couple of times a day, plus all the hours of training.

From the Horse Trust announcing the arrival of 12 ex Army/Police horses for retirement. None of them reached 16 years service. This horse, by initial of his name according to the website, was in service with the Army for 12 years so is probably no more than 16 years old. OK the photo is a snapshot in time but he looks prematurely old and that poking forward of the foreleg is a shoe-in for heel pain (navicular disease).

Meet Twelve New Retirees from the Household Cavalry, Police, and Light Cavalry - The Horse Trust

In a moment of heartfelt farewells as well as exciting new beginnings, twelve extraordinary horses have retired to The Horse Trust's Home of Rest for Horses after years of dedicated service and distinguished careers.

horsetrust.org.uk