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Kristina DeFilippo
Member
Username: Chicco
Post Number: 2
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, Feb 13, 2005 - 2:04 am: |   |
Hi, I hope you can help. I have a 9 year old quarter horse gelding about 15.3 and 1100 pounds. Every so often - sometimes 2 times a week I have a friend ride my horse. My friend weighs about 280 pounds and uses a saddle that weights approx. 30/35 pounds. She does not work the horse hard. Mostly walk and trott and about 20 minutes on the trail. Should she ride my horse ? What weight is good for what horse. I also have a 14.1, 1000 pound Haflinger, he seems to do well with this weight. Please advise. I thank you |
Denise Bryant
Member
Username: Contilli
Post Number: 31
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, Feb 13, 2005 - 7:16 am: | |
Hi Kristina
It is funny you should bring this situation up. I am wondering the same thing. I just purchased a Fjord and she is 4 inches shorter than what the seller told me she was. My error, I did not see her before purchase, I just took their word and ad information and believed it. I am 5'11 and 147 pounds. My new "pony" is 13.2 and 1126 pounds. She was supposed to be 14.2. I have a REAL problem riding something small even though she is built like a brick house. I called the seller with my concerns and they were sure she was 14.2 AND agreed with me that I may be too large for her. I had my vet certify that she is 13.2 1/4. Not that it matters at this point I already have her here. But, people always say, it's a big horse so he can handle it. I do not believe it to be a fact.
My twin sister has a three year old Oldenburg (which she bred). Dawn (my sister) is 192 pounds and 6’1. Her mare is 15 hands. She sent her out for training because she felt she was too large for her. I felt she would be fine just as long as she didn’t work her hard. She has yet to get on this mare – she says she doesn’t want to hurt her. Two professional trainers agreed with her.
I know several of the reining competitors are heavy men and they ride very small Quarter Horses. I will assume that they are at least 250 and they seem fine.
If I were in your situation, I would watch your friend ride and watch your horses’ response. If your horse doesn’t seem to mind then I would say it is fine. On the other hand, if she pins her ears back while mounting, resists to move forward at the trot, tosses her head, shallows her back or raises her head as if to avoid the pain then the answer is obvious. I think each horse has their own level of comfort with weight.
www.TheHorse.com recently had a study about this exact thing and just because he/she is of a larger build doesn't mean he is stronger. I am currently trying to find it and as soon as I do I will post it. In my belief, once you create a sore back and cause the horse pain they learn bad behaviors. They are fast learners when pain is involved. Like not liking to be ridden, tossing their head, getting “girthy”, shallowing in the back etc. Create a back problem and it is difficult to fix.
I’m not sure where the “line” is on this but it a cause for concern. Once a bad habit is born it is nearly impossible to fix.
Just my opinion,
Denise
www.BryantFarm.com |
Randi Anderson
Member
Username: Paintluv
Post Number: 10
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, Feb 13, 2005 - 9:04 am: | |
I don't think weight is an issue for a large pony and especially a horse. I am 177 and ride a 15.1 hand paint. My daughter has a 13.1 hand Quarter Horse who looks like a medium built QH, not the bulldog type but not TB either. They both handle me just fine. In fact the little one is usually much friskier when I ride her than when my daughter rides her.
When I told my daughter's riding instructor (who shows at QH shows)about my daughter's horse, she was about ready to buy her on the spot. She said a lot of the reiners and team penners like to use a small QH and these are big men. The horse of the cowboys was the small QH. Its only been in modern time that we have bred them so big. Same with the Appaloosa. When I was a kid I had Apps. The largest one I had was 14 hands. They could go all day.
The most important this is conditioning. If the horse is in shape and you are a decent rider, anything over 13 hands can carry an adult easily. I have seen demonstrations with the little Icelandic Ponies, some of which are not even 13 hands, race about with their riders without breaking a sweat.
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Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 12063
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Sunday, Feb 13, 2005 - 9:17 am: | |
Check out this discussion, Archived Discussions » Care for Horses » Routine Care & Procedures » Discussions on Routine Care & Procedures not covered by the above » What Can a Horse Carry?.
DrO
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Denise Bryant
Member
Username: Contilli
Post Number: 32
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, Feb 13, 2005 - 9:20 am: | |
Randi-
I think 177 vs. 280 are complete different storeis. Would you feel okay with 280 plus a 35 lb saddle on a 13 hand pony? I think that would be considered abuse.
Denise
www.BryantFarm.com |
Denise Bryant
Member
Username: Contilli
Post Number: 33
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, Feb 13, 2005 - 9:35 am: | |
Found the article at TheHorse
http://thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=5190&kw=horse%20carry
Good Luck,
Denise
www.BryantFarm.com |
Holly Wood
Member
Username: Hwood
Post Number: 553
Registered: 3-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, Feb 13, 2005 - 9:50 am: | |
Hmmmm . . . I get two different pages when I click on different e-mail posts of this subject . . . ??????????
Anyway, after reading the archived discussion, just want to add that, I have heard that Shetlands are the strongest horses for their size, and can carry 2/3 their body weight. I have a 12.2h POA who seems to validate that. Also, studies have been done to show how much weight and the pressure points that riders of different weights and abilities place on horses' backs, and it was determined that an good, overweight rider puts less strain on a horse's back than a light, "bad" rider. There are so many factors (saddle tree type, muscle condition, back length, leg/hoof health, type of ground, type of work . . . etc.)
The best indication to me would be the horse's demeanor and actions when being mounted and ridden. |
Redmare
Member
Username: Redmare
Post Number: 69
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, Feb 16, 2005 - 9:54 pm: | |
Denise-
I'm a Fjord owner, too. Have you joined the Fjordhorse list?
I didn't see any pictures of your mare on the web site -- just those big fancy critters  |
Denise Bryant
Member
Username: Contilli
Post Number: 35
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, Feb 17, 2005 - 5:27 am: | |
Hi Redmare-
Are your's 'red'duns?
I added Vinni to my web page. I couldn't get her to post here.
Take care,
Denise
popjpeg{21773,Vinni at Two
www.BryantFarm.com
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Redmare
Member
Username: Redmare
Post Number: 70
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, Feb 17, 2005 - 10:05 am: | |
Denise-
Vinni is beautiful! Is she NFHR registered, or Canadian?
No, mine are the more common brown dun. Feel free to email me to talk Fjords. I can send you info on the email group, training tips, and where to buy tack that fits . epona1971@aol.com |
