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