Weight limit

[Paint it Lucky]

Please could you advise me how much weight a 15.1hh lightly built anglo arab, aged 18 and returning to work after ~ a month off (just started walking) could carry? He has reasonable though not brilliant conformation (weak behind) and is prone to a bad back. Yard manager wants me to ride him (as I am the smallest member of staff) I have ridden him alot in the past and he coped fine with me, and I am still the same weight (though not saying what it is!), I am not overweight and am a balanced rider. But I worry about him as he is feeling his age a bit now and so I don't want to ask too much of him.

 

[pixiebee]

12 stone??

 

[magic104]

In the old days a hunter was measured as so;
not less the 8in bone LW capable of carring upto 12st 7ib
8.5" bone MW capable of carring 12.5 to 14 st
9" bone HW capable of carring over 14st

But bone texture various Arabs are known for good hard bone (though obviously depends on diet). It also depends on the rider though, some riders who look heafty actually ride lighter then someone less heavy.

 

[Thistle]

I would have thought less than the recommended amounts bearing in mind the horses history atm. I would also want to do some fittening work on the lunge and longlines prior to riding. I would not like to put much more than 10 -- 10.5st on him initially and only for short periods until his strength increases.

 

[JAK]

Just seen this post & would agree with Thistle here. We had a very similar sounding horse at our place & thought that 10st was a reasonable & sensible limit for him.

 

[magic104]

I have not given a weight for this particular horse, I have provided information from my youth on what was accepted in hunter classes. It is up to the people who know him to guage from that what they think he will manage. As I stated weight can vary depending on how the rider carries themselves. I have seen someone of 12st ride lighter then a 10st rider. He is also only in walk work, & I should think that these sessions are quiet short. I have not suggested they put a 12st person on him, it is a guide only.

 

[Paint it Lucky]

Thanks everyone, I weigh less than 10st so your posts please me a lot!

I agree with Thistle, normal weight rules don't apply to this horse due to his past history. I am taking his fittening very slowly to make sure he is strong enough to cope.