Horses and weight

[mojobanana]

Hi all,

just wondered if anyone has any idea of any guidelines on how much weight a horse can carry, e.g. a 12hh pony can typically carry a person who weighs 8st, a 16hh horse can carry a person who weighs 15st, etc.

I want to ride again and am losing weight to do so, but in the meantime would like to understand if there's a rough guide.

Thanks in advance
Jo

[noxlumos]

Well it largely depends on what sort of 13HH pony for example. Some are really hefty, rugged, little cobby types that will carry a Mrs Dooms-Patterson and other's a really fine pony only suitable for a light child.

Obviously a 17HH Irish draft X TB would be good for a full grown man hunting all day and most horses over 15HH are good for 10 stone plus but smaller than that and you have to really use your discretion dependant upon their build.

Check out what breeds you like and try to gauge roughly their build and common sense should really tell you the rest.Also if you are very tall you'll look daft and underhorsed on anything smallish even if it's up to weight so bear in mind your height too. If in doubt a good cob won't do you wrong:)