Rider to weight ratio?

Question

Ok so im going to school to become a horse trainer and im a on the larger side im about 325 no rude comments please. My horse shooter is about 15.2 he is very stocky i mean hes got some muscle on him. I wanted to know if my weight is to much for him to carry keep in mind that im working on my weight. I mean I have been bigger my whole life and have ridden him when i was lighter and at my current weight. There is a couple of pictures one is my senior pic so you can see my weight now im not riding im just siting so you can get an idea. the picture at the fair hes a bit on the thin side hes gained about 200 pounds and some serious muscle since then. thanks for the help.

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj205/chelserz21/l_ea82307800453f7b13abb79a8faaf376.jpg

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj205/chelserz21/1069363661_l.jpg

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj205/chelserz21/1057224988_l.jpg

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj205/chelserz21/l_d9b7d18ce3e5a9ef7f685eb863ffea1b.jpg

Answer 1

I did a little research, and the rule of thumb was a horse is safe to hold 20% of it's body weight. Check this out =)

http://www.horsegroomingsupplies.com/hor...

ps- youre very pretty!

Answer 2

I think you weigh a little much for him, the common max. is 25% of the horse's weight, and that's PLUS your tack, so if you have a heavy western saddle it can add quite a few pounds. But you don't look out of proportion on him, so it's probably ok. Just don't ride bareback for over 15-20 minutes, since there is not any weight distribution and it can give him a sore back. I'd just be sure that your saddle doesn't weigh too much or it can easily add 50 pounds to the weight, putting you over the 25% ratio.

Answer 3

he will be fine and he is really pretty and you lose weight when you ride

Answer 4

I think he will be fine for you to ride him, if hes a big muscular horse he should have no problem

I have a little 13.2 very fine welsh mountain and I, average wieght for a 16 year old, ride him with no problems. I have been concerned if he could carry me as I have grown in height and wieght as he is so fine and small but everything is fine

I think your horse will be ok carrying you, but if you are so concerned I would get advice from someone more experienced =]

I hope this helps xx

Answer 5

I would love to see video.  That would tell me more than anything else about whether or not your horse can carry you happily.  I am sure he can by how the pictures look, but to be sure, a video would help.  You look very nice on your horse and should ride him happily and proudly.  He looks like a sweetie.  

First of all, your horse looks like he is athletic and muscular.  His conformation looks good from the picture.  He should not have a problem with your weight.  He probably does feel comfortable and loves you the way you are!

The only issue that may come up is whether or not you have good balance and a good seat.  That would be the deciding factor for me.  If you are not balanced, I would not recommend your ride him for extended periods of time.  If you are balanced, ride on sister!  

This goes for all riders.  It does not matter if  you are 80 pounds or 300 pounds.  Please make sure you are balanced.  You can do more damage as an unbalanced rider than a heavy rider any day of the week.

Answer 6

my friend has an 11.3 that used to buck and rear kids off so i rode her and im 12 stone and 5ft9 and she managed. i could even canter her

Answer 7

well i think it all depends. it doesn't look like you are to big for him. but just try to get a little lighter and you should have no problem. and if you feel you are uncomforable riding him you could always get a bigger breed of horse. like an oldenburg they are big boned and they are ment for carreing more weight than some other breeds of horses. well hope this helps and i hope i didn't offend you.

Answer 8

As a general rule, a horse can carry between 15% and 25% of it's bodyweight, depending on the breed, conformation, age etc. of the horse and also the ability of the rider - a novice rider will sit heavier in the saddle than a more experienced rider who can carry themself. I'd guess your horse weighs about 550Kg, which is about 1210lb (you need to weigh him to be sure, or use a weigh tape). He looks quite short and stocky so he should be comfortable carrying 25% of his bodyweight.

1210/100 = 12.1 (1% of his bodyweight)

12.1 x 25 = 302.5lb

So at the moment, you are a little overweight for him. HOWEVER all horses are different, and if he is comfortable carrying you (ie he is willing to go forward, not lame after rides, doesn't seem to be uncomfortable etc.) then he should be absolutely fine until you lose however much weight you want you (as you say you are working on it). Being on the larger side myself I know how hard it is, good luck!!!!

Answer 9

anything more than 20% of the horses *ideal* weight outs him at risk for injury.  For example, if you have a QH, regardless of height, that is ideally 1000 lbs, he should carry no more than 200 lbs (including tack) for extended periods.  If he adds muscle, he might be able to carry more, but you aren't putting pressure on muscle, you are adding the weight to his skeleton.  If you take the same horse, and add 300 lbs, you might think that since he is now 1300 lbs, so he should be able to handle 260.  Thats just not the case.

With that said, every horse is a little different.  I have a draft cross that is 1300 lbs of muscle, and I wouldn't go more than 250 lbs on him.

please don't take me as being rude, but I think you are a little too big for your horse.  Maybe try some ground work with him, and get out for some walks and you'll be able to lose a little weight and spend some time with him.  

I know if you care about him, you'd feel bad about injuring him.  If it were me, Id try get under 280.  I know its a lot, but you wil be fittern, heathlier, and you may add years to your own life

Answer 10

It's 25% of the horse's body weight for a stocky shorter backed horse, and some say as much as 30% is okay.  So at 325 lbs, ideally you'd ride a 1300 to 1400 lb stocky type horse.  Your guy looks sturdy and comfortable carrying you, so he's probably fine with the weight.  The weight of the saddle also has to be figured in.  I personally believe that a well built horse with good joint angles and sturdy feet counts for a great deal in determining what they can carry.