What weight can a horse carry?

Thanks for that and very interesting that their findings concur with the old Cavalry weight carrying guide. :) Makes sense to me. I feel a link sharing coming on. lol

ps. It doesn't mention what happens when horses are overweight themselves.
 
I also notice it is based on the horses body weight - so the morbidly obese 14.3 cob at the yard can carry significantly more than the ideal weight 14.3 cob? :rolleyes:

I really dont think you can put any 'formula' in place to determine how much a horse can carry. It has to be based on each individual horse surely?
 
Woohoo - finally a sensible response.

I was very worried that this was another of those bl&&dy 'I am too heavy for my horse threads' :p

Please can this be 'stickied' and anyone who asks the above question in the next 10 years be referred straight to it.

Thank you TP!
 
I still feel 20% is a little on the high side. It would mean my mare should be able to comfortably carry 18 stone of weight. Nope. I really doubt it. And certainly not comfortably.

15% seems more reasonable. Brings my mare's comfortable weight to just over 14 stone, which I feel would be about right. Sure, she could carry more but I think she'd feel it.
 
I notice in the abstract wider loins and thicker cannon bones were also found to help with weight carrying... these are also long established measures used to assess weight carrying capability.
 
i think 20% total is about right and certainly agrees with most of the stuff I have read.

Have to bear in mind that 20% includes all tack - some saddles can weigh up to 10kg which is 1st 8lbs of weight AND a rider in full riding gear including riding boots and hat (and lots of layers at the moment :D) will weigh more than just someone on the scales at home.
 
Last edited:
Its difficult subject, I ride everything from 14 hands upwards, its a dependent on breed really. Take a sec D Welsh cob, now they can carry exceptional weight, but cross it with something a bit more lightly boned then the weight it would carry healthy wise would dramatically reduce.

I would judge weight carrying too bone size not horse/pony weight. Fat horses/ponies carrying heavy person would possibly = heart attack! in either the animal or rider!!!!!!:rolleyes:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top