Weight difference with/without tack

I haven’t watched that video, but I’ve posted many a time on HHO that all horse tack and rider clothing and equipment adds an average of 2.5 stone to the rider’s unclothed weight. It’s that all up figure that should be used in the calculations of rider to horse % weight.


My saddle fitter has (very bravely) done horse and rider weigh ins at her own yard and she comes up with the same average figure of 2.5 stone for rider clothing and horse tack.
 
Does depend on your tack and riding gear.

Last time I weighed it all, my tack and riding gear was 10kg total. That included coat, wellies, Charles Owen hat, saddle and accessories.

We have since reduced the hat and boots weight and my saddle is lighter (lightweight minimalist treeless).

The things that surprisingly weighed a lot in our investigation were stirrups and boots!

I can well believe that a traditional leather saddle on a wooden tree significantly increases the weight. I picked a friend’s up the other day and couldn’t believe how heavy it was! Even the synthetic treed saddles we do have are featherlight in comparison!
 
maya2008 said:
Does depend on your tack and riding gear.

Last time I weighed it all, my tack and riding gear was 10kg total. That included coat, wellies, Charles Owen hat, saddle and accessories.

We have since reduced the hat and boots weight and my saddle is lighter (lightweight minimalist treeless).

The things that surprisingly weighed a lot in our investigation were stirrups and boots!

I can well believe that a traditional leather saddle on a wooden tree significantly increases the weight. I picked a friend’s up the other day and couldn’t believe how heavy it was! Even the synthetic treed saddles we do have are featherlight in comparison!
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It is interesting how heavy a saddle and the stirrups weigh. I have a pony who refused to grow so have to be very careful on weight on him. I ride in a plastic treed saddle (tekna) and because it's only a 15inch saddle is incredibly light. I've chosen composite/plastic stirrups as well t reduce overall weight.

I'm still at the the higher end of what I'm happy with him to carry (17.5%) but he needs the exercise so it's a compromise to avoid him being overweight and risking lami. It's all straight line hacking on forest tracks with a balanced and short rider.

I do wonder the weight % of some of these small adults riding shetland ponies and other small native ponies in the show ring is.
 
When I first took on a treeless brand after 15 years of fitting treed saddles I almost tried juggling with them 😆. Stirrups can also make a huge difference. On the flip side a well fitting slightly heavier saddle will always be a better option than a synthetic treed saddle chosen more for its weight than a perfect fit.

The closer you are to the weight your horse (at healthy weight for themselves) can carry, whether 15%, 20% or whatever, the more important the weight of your kit becomes.
 
when we had the weighbridge out i stood on it with my saddle and without, riding clothes but no hat/bridle, and my saddle weighed 10kg - i’m nowhere near 15% for my 2 but i was curious😂
 
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