Space for Horses Forum
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EQUINE WELFARE: too heavy too ride
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what weight would you say a middleweight cob could carry ?
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What height is he? i think it's good to think about weight, but think there are a lot of variables - eg. if cob has got got conformation with strong short back etc makes a difference, plus saddle fit, and if horse moves comfortably for what he's going to be asked to do? - how about 12-14 stone? Maybe max?
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Yeah I agree with you but I also think how you ride is a big factor of it to. As a instrutor I have seen people that are relatively light in build but ride heavy as there balance is slightly out.
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agree with stefanie, im 5ft 5, 12 stone and my 14 2 and a half show hunter carries me without a problem, it also depends on what ur doing, pleasure riding and hacks/ jumping or eventing.
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stefanie is right to see how the rider rides - it's like some people walk heavy up stairs, other people walk light - just the way people are, how they carry themselves. So maybe a 12 stone rider can feel either like 10 stone to the horse OR like a 14 stone sack of potatoes! Anyway, nice to know that you can influence how your weight feels to the horse.
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A basic rule of thumb is 1/5 the horse's weight is what he can comfortably carry.
This includes rider, clothing, tack, saddlebag contents, and anything else he has on him.
Thus my 1600 lb Percheron X Belgian cross Jenny can carry 320 lbs. Since I weigh 205, that leaves 115 lbs of cargo.
My 1/4 TB X 3/4 QH Jake only weighs 1250, and so he can carry 252 lbs, leaving only 47 lbs for all the stuff we take along on a trail ride.
One way I could improve on this situation is to lose weight. If were overweight and lost 25 lbs it would give Jake a break. As it turns out I am bulky but not fat.
By picking lightweight synthetic tack, and carefully choosing what to bring and what to leave home, I can economize on weight. For example my Wintec endurance saddles only weigh about 10 lbs, compared with heavier leather or Western style gear.
Another way is for me to ride a bigger horse, like Jenny for trail and use Jake for arena work and short hacks. Taking longer rides at a more sedate pace helps and also getting off every hour for five minutes' walk while leading the horses with a loosened girth gives him a rest. I know this is illegal in CTR, but I am not talking about the specialized athletes that do this sport.
Finally, by slowly training the horses I can develop their endurance and strength without causing injury. I will never overload them, even so. -
my cob is 15.1 and I only plod around the block, about an hours ride, I only ride once or twice a week, because I know I am overweight, we have a short canter every now and then, I would love to do sponsered rides but I will have to lose weight first.
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It isn't just weight that affects the horse. It is balance and how the rider "carries themselves". You can have a tiny rider, completely out of balance who will feel heavier to the horse than a larger balanced rider. My horse is a 15.2hh Standardbred, I am 5'6'' and at the moment slightly overweight (due to medical reasons which are now sorted and my weight is stedily decreasing back to my normal size) and he carries me absolutely fine as I am in balance and know how to carry myself. I wouldn't at all put a novice, unbalanced rider of my size on him though.
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Whoa! you won't be to heavy for him.Your horse is big and it can hold a lot.16.hh can hold almost anything.Your horse can carry you.It must do.My Dartmoor i used to have could carry me anywhere and she was 13.6hh and she was old but still enough to carry me and i am 12yrs old.
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i know he isnt a cob but i thort i had to get a heavy cob as i'm 14 stone but i got into riding to loose it now i'm obssed. but i have got a 17,2 TB WB and he carrys me fine. my other pony is a 13,2hh newforest but she is like a tank but i can jump her with no prob.
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in the show cob classes i do with my cob (he is a lightweight) the rules of each class state
light weight cob - able to carry upto 12stone
middle weight cob -able to carry up to 14 stone
heavy weight cob- able to carry up to 16 stone
although i think 16 is pushing things i agree with the above people when they say it is the style of rider. men tend to weigh more any way so a well build male who weighs 16stone and carries him self well and is in good balance could ride a heavy weight cob (lets face it the HW are brutes!!)
but in comment to candys comment that a 16hh horse can hold almost anything i wouldnt like to put more than 11 stone on my 16hh 7/8 thoroughbred youngster so size insnt everything breed and build are very important.
one last thing if you take into account horses long bones dont stop growing until they are 7 (breed depending) so theres no harm in being a little on the light side. -
But i got told by the old owner or somone
said that my mare who is a welsh section D can carry up to 20 stone !!!
and she is 15 hh and she is not heavy at all ! -
i wouold rather ride a chunck 14.2hh than a spinderly 16hh tb
it all depends on the rider as well -
would u let a 20stone person get on her? she will b slighty heavy if she is a full sec D but she may b able to carry that weight but not move lol. its just everything in moderation really....
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