| With a growing number of people suffering from | | | | logical that the 16hh Thoroughbred would be able to |
| obesity, it is not surprising that many riders are | | | | carry more weight. But, this is not the case. With a long |
| questioning their horse's comfort at carrying their | | | | back and a finer build, the Thoroughbred is not built to |
| weight. The pressure to slim down is bad enough | | | | carry weight. Bred for racing for many years, |
| without worrying about your horse, but when you have | | | | Thoroughbreds are built for speed and for carrying a |
| an animal's wellbeing to consider it can be difficult to | | | | lightweight rider. The Quarter Horse may be smaller, |
| know what to do. So how do you know if you are too | | | | but the shorter back and more compact muscling are |
| heavy for your horse? | | | | far more suited to carrying weight. Quarter horses |
| If you were to look at things purely from a pound for | | | | have been bred for sports where they are expected |
| pound position, a horse can comfortably carry about | | | | to carry weight, and be athletic at the same time. |
| 25% of their weight. That means that a 1000lb horse | | | | If you are not sure if you are the right weight for you |
| can manage 250lb of weight. Keep in mind that this | | | | horse, you need to consider your horse's condition |
| must be calculated from the horse's fit weight; if he is | | | | carefully. If he is fit, has a reasonably short back, and is |
| a hundred pounds overweight, it does not make him | | | | showing no signs of soreness, he's probably doing just |
| capable of carrying more weight. In fact, he should | | | | fine with your weight. While losing a few pounds would |
| carry less weight since he is already carrying more | | | | be good for both him and you, he is managing. On the |
| than he should. | | | | other hand, if you horse is unfit, or has a long back, or |
| But life isn't simple, and the pound for pound scale isn't | | | | is showing signs of soreness either in his back or in his |
| an accurate way of calculating the capability of a | | | | limbs, you need to rethink your choice of mount. |
| horse. There are many other factors to consider. For | | | | This does not necessarily mean that you need a new |
| example, 250lb of floppy, bouncy rider are far harder | | | | horse. You can spend some time working on your |
| to carry than 250lb of fit, balanced rider. While 250lb | | | | weight, which always helps. But there are other things |
| may seem like a lot of weight, it is not uncommon for | | | | you can do. If your horse is not fit, see if you can find |
| a fit, tall man to weigh close to that. Some heavyset | | | | ways to get him fit. This could be longing him, or asking |
| women can be very fit, and yet still weight well over | | | | another rider to work with him a bit, if you do not have |
| 200lb. When calculating the weight your horse can | | | | the time. Make sure that you saddle fits your horse |
| manage, it is as important to consider your riding skill as | | | | well, and take some lessons to tune up your riding. |
| to consider your weight. | | | | Avoid doing a sitting trot, and try riding in a half seat |
| Another factor is the conformation of your horse. | | | | when cantering. Keep high-impact riding to a minimum |
| While it may seem that a bigger horse would be able | | | | until you get your weight down. |
| to carry more weight, this is not always the case. | | | | Of course, if you horse is showing signs of soreness |
| Sometimes a big horse is built in such a way that he | | | | and you are not in a position to loose much weight, |
| has a weak back and cannot carry as much weight. | | | | you may need to consider finding a horse better suited |
| Consider a 15hh quarter horse with a short back and | | | | to your build. Your horse might be happier with a |
| compact size and a long, lanky 16hh Thoroughbred. | | | | smaller rider, and you might feel better with a horse |
| Purely looking at weight and height, it would seem | | | | that fits you. |