khalswitz
Well-Known Member
Also all this about 'weight carriers', is that actually true? Because some of the vanner types you see, they were built for pulling rather than ridden work, and have horrendously weak backs.
There are horses built to carry weight, but nothing with a weak back will - thats why I hate hearing of people buying a Clydesdale to carry a heavy rider.
Usually it is the heavier pony types that best carry weight. Highland ponies for example were bred to carry deer across the hills for hours - Haflingers to do the same job. Icelandics, despite their size, carry full grown men with ease.
I'm no expert on cobs, but I'd imagine a quality HW would carry weight, however like a horse to do any other high impact job you would have to select for conformation.
ETA, however there aren't many out there that would carry in excess of 16 st regularly, particularly doing hard work/jumping/beginners who can't carry themselves. So weight carrying I guess is relative...