A question that comes up often on the blog is how much weight can a horse carry?
As usual, you all have lots to say on this:
“Can’t believe nobody has posted this already: Change your horse or lose weight! A no nonsense rule of thumb is a horse should carry no more than 20 of his own body weight. That includes the saddle and other tack!
Betty”
Lots of you sharing your thoughts on this one – have a look at the comments below on the ‘how much can a horse carry question?’
Now some of your tips:
“If your horses are biting each others’ knees it’s because that’s how they display their dominance – just as children play fight.
Biting the knees forces the horse’s opponent to kneel. This is a submissive position. Once it’s over, the old friendship will most likely recover immediately.
Watching them do this means you can work out who leads your horse’s group at pasture – and influence your approach during training.
Brett”
“Stop your horse guzzling grain by placing 2 or 3 large rocks in his bowl. He’s forced to eat around the them which slows him right down.
Kendra”
“It’s your horses ears that tell you how he’s feeling. Likewise it’s your eyes that speak loudest to him – so wearing sunglasses is a really stupid thing to do. If you don’t believe me google it – some trainers can control a horse from the ground using only their eyes.
Alexa”
Hope you liked today’s missive of tips.
Here’s Kathy’s comment on the ‘how much weight can a horse carry’ question:
“Re weight issue, you are right in the main. But in my experience I have seen overweight riders more balanced on a horse than thinner people! And I am underweight so don’t think I am being sensitive!
A real heavy 20 stone etc on a normal horse – Bad! But a 16 or more stone well balanced rider, looking after her horse, and riding it well – LEAVE ALONE!
I would much rather teach an “overweight” keen rider willing to learn, on a suitable horse, than a slim person who thinks she knows everything, and stresses her horse!
Kathy”
And if you’ve got anything to say on how much weight can a horse carry – please do leave a comment below!
Please do send me your tips if you have one and keep them coming.
Don’t forget the only way you can see all the posts on the blog is by jumping on the newsletter.
And now onto Sally.
“Wondering how much weight your horse can carry? It’s a great question, and a lot goes into the answer! A good rule of thumb is that most horses can comfortably carry about 15-20% of their body weight. So, if your horse weighs 1,000 pounds, they could carry roughly 150-200 pounds, including the weight of the rider, tack, and any extras. But, as with most things horse-related, there’s a bit more to it!”
“A horse’s build is a big factor. Stocky, muscular breeds like Quarter Horses or Haflingers usually handle weight better because of their strong backs and solid legs. Lighter, leaner horses like Arabians or Thoroughbreds might not handle the same load, even if they’re around the same weight, because they’re built more for speed than strength.”
“How fit your horse is also makes a difference. A horse that’s regularly ridden and conditioned will be much better equipped to carry a bit more weight than one who’s just starting out or has been off work. And of course, age matters—young horses and older horses might not be able to carry as much comfortably.”
“Terrain plays a part too. Riding on flat ground is a lot easier on your horse than climbing hills or navigating rocky trails, so it’s smart to adjust the weight for tougher rides.”
“If you’re unsure, check in with your vet or an equine expert. They can give you specific advice based on your horse’s build and fitness level. Keeping your horse within a safe weight range helps prevent soreness or injuries, and it means more comfortable rides for both of you! Sally”
Next up
I have heard that Percherons are easy to train and they are good around children. Is this true? 😀
We recently rescued a Percheron. She is truly a gentle giant. We have a five year old that takes lessons and she usually rides Bee. She takes Bee for walks and Bee shortens her stride to keep pace with the child. We ride her with a halter. No bit required. She is quite the character and a favorite of people who visit the rescues.
Absolutely, my friend owns one, he is 17hh and 720KG my 10yr old who weighs in at a mere 30kg can ride him well, he is a giant yet so very placid and gentle.
It’s one thing that they’re gentle giants. But have you considered the height from which your child may fall. That will cause some serious damage.
If you want a horse for your child to ride – buy a nice pony. But if you want one for fun – sure buy a Percheron.
Kendra has good advice there… I have one horse that eats WAY faster than the other and will go eat the others grain when she is done, so I keep her mineral block in her feed bin now and she eats much slower giving my gelding time to enjoy his (-:
My Qhorse share a paddock with two other geldings, ever since he was baby, he’s had the same attitude, don’t push me around and I won’t hassle you many have tried and none have succeed in dominating him, when I go to pick him up the other horses get to the gate first but when he arrives on the scene they move out of his way, but at same time he’s never given me a problem, we’re a team, he doesn’t like anybody getting to close when I’m near either, he’s an enigma but I love him.
any tips on heaves in young rescue mare ❓
antihistamines wet hay, no heavy dust. Use shavings for bedding. There are puffers for horses.
My Mare has heaves, right now she is on msm and spirulina which is an algae a bit like kelp, has helped her a lot, We are in Canada. Before i put her on the spirulina i used Activated charcoal, it draws out toxins.Found in the health food store.
I had a horse with very bad heaves years ago. He healed himself with non intervention . It took a couple of years though. Look up homeopathic remedies for horses. Cannot write more on this stupid tablet as it is auto correcting.
Also keep her in a dust free environment, outside if possible.
You know, I never gave that any thought about wearing sunglasses around my horses! I’ll have to pay more attention with my one Arabian geldings and see if he acts any different when I take them off. I almost always have them on cause of the sun, don’t want wrinkles and the dust in my eyes! Thanks for that bit of knowledge, I had no idea they like to see our eyes so much.
Hi there i need some advice, my horse is stabbled at night, and put into a paddock day time, but she constantly rubs her backside rubbing up against a tree or fence, she is not a reel itchy horse,she is rugged at night and a cotton rug in the day,but these two nasty marks on her bottom end,are not good i have been using a natural method of sorbelene cream few drops citronella some yellow solphur mixed tog. and i put this on every night and most mornings, has someone got some advice for me, I`m competing on her in two weeks and i really want this faded or gone. Help
Are you in an area that you need to rug her all the time? When was she wormed last are you do? If hair is missing its going to take more than two weeks to heal. MTG (Mane and Tale Growth)product is good to use for missing hair.
When was the last time your rug were laundried? You may have something on them that is causing the problem.
Has she been wormed specifically for pinworms?
I check into the worms but in the meantime to try and hide the marks for competition….if she is white the old desitin (zinc based diaper ointment) and baby powder trick might help. A thin layer of the cream followed by a light dusting of talc or baby powder just before entering the ring can help not draw the judges eye to it and if they are dark skinned than regular old vasaline applied just to the skin to lesson the ashy appearance followed by a shine spray of choice to help even out the “glisten” also right before entering the ring might be helpful. But it sounds like there is difinately irritation due to either allergic reation to a possible detergent or even fabric softener or potentially a worm infestation. If its on the tail itself you might check for ticks too. This happened to a friend of mines horse….we thought he was wormy come to find out after extremely close inspection after a bath, low and behold he had a tick and it had crusted up around it so that it wasn’t really visable until we bathed him. At any rate, good luck. 🙂
A horse at the stable had this problem and rubbed her tail till she lost most of her tail hair. The vet said to clean between her teats and that solved the problem. Apparently some horses get a build up of dirt and a waxy substance.
❓ Why does my alpha mare, every spring, chew on the other mares mane, just when I get it long and pretty. They are not bored, have plenty of pasture, maybe a love bite? Ha, I thought of an old cowboy wisdom statement”worms” what do you think? Thanks. Oh yes right sunglasses are not good, they need to see your eyes to see your soul nd your intent.
I reckon your mare has a salt deficiency we always had a salt block available all year round( pink solid salt) good luck
Waear those sunglasses! For cryin’ out loud, do you want sun damage and cataracts at 30? On or off, my mare watches my body cues not my little bitty eyes. Wearing a hat to help prevent more sun damage, do you really think the horse can see your eyes? Dumbest thing I ever heard….. We are humans not horses!
hang on world sue has all the answers ,she knows it all 🙄
🙂 I keep my sunglasses in my pocket while preparing to ride and visually communicating with my horse. After I am mounted, I put them on.
Please do wear those sun glasses! Also a brimmed hat! I believe the horses do react to body language, smells and tone of voice. Eyes? Don’t know that they can see my eyes because of the gay brim
I might put salt brick or mineral/salt dock in the feeder – probably not rock or rocks as I would not want my horse trying to chew on one if feed stuck to it making it attractive
Mare tail rubbing: a) when was last time her udder was cleaned (this should be part of daily grooming as sweat and dirt accumulate between teats.) if she has an off odor or discharge she might have an infection
I have a 10 yr old Andelusian/Welsh gelding who is lovely to ride out on our own but is full of himself and Jiggy jogs to get to the front when out with others, i turn his head to the fence and if he takes off when not asked i 1 rein stop him, Both work, however its not long before he starts again,i am feeling very frustrated 🙄 any suggestions?
Ok Betty,
Re weight issue, you are right in the main. But in my experience I have seen overweight riders more balanced on a horse than thinner people! And I am underweight so don’t think I am being sensitive!
A real heavy 20 stone etc on a normal horse – Bad! But a 16 or more stone well balanced rider, looking after her horse, and riding it well – LEAVE ALONE!
I would much rather teach an “overweight” keen rider willing to learn, on a suitable horse, than a slim person who thinks she knows everything, and stresses her horse!
We have a teenager in the village given a “quiet” TB. He is quiet with me, and Billy over the road, as we know horses.
This girl has no idea, her mother professes to know I all.
Billy tried 3 times with the girl (been riding since yr dot) threw her hands up. I tried – showed her on the ground work – the horse did what I wanted, she does what I do and because she nervous horse not do – so she hit it on the face with the lead rope!
I told her off, she told me to f— off, so horse useless now.
What do you do with “know it alls”?
Her mother thinks it is the horse – no reasoning with her!!
Horses don’t need rocks in their feed bucket folks
Put a mineral brick in there .. if he overly chews it up just put it in when feeding.
Kathy, can’t help “know it alls”, but maybe you can help the horse. Can you buy him or know someone who could – horse needs to be rescued from people like this!!
How do you load a horse into a reailer that doesnt want to load
Do you mean trailer?
It takes time and patience.try finding a trainer or someone that is familiar with the problem.you could always try putting the trailer in front of the open gate and feed him in the trailer making sure he can’t get loose and the trailer is stable. Start at the door,working your way further into the trailer each time.not watching at first will help.once he’s gets used to that,put the halter and lead rope on, an assist him when you feed him. Make it a positive experience
Heres what you do. My horse WOULD NOT EVEN LOOK at a trailer after we got her home. First. Get a piece of old plywood that doesnt have excesive spikes. Walk your horse on it as you would load it in a trailer. If you have anything close together, put the horse inbetween there. Back the horse out MORE than you put it in there. Thats how essential backing the horse out is. Combine these when your horse has them down pat. After youve done this, your horse should be slightly less claustraphobic. Try loading your horse into the trailer after letting them sniff around the trailer and as far inside as they want to. When you try to load them, have a 4ish foot long whip or stick close
by DO NOT HIT YOUR HORSE WITH IT FOR ANY REASON! do not even look at it until youve pointed with your hand thats holding the leadrope into the trailer. DO NOT TUG ON THE ROPE! If your horse takes one foot in the trailer, pat them and back them out. DONT PRESSURE THE HORSE TO LOAD COMPLETELY! More than likely, your horse chose not to take that first step. Thats ok, gentely pick up the stick and hold it a few feet behind your horse. Your horse should now be in a very alert stage. Bring the stick closer, but dont touch the horse! If your horse still hasnt moved, pat it gently on the rump. Remember if the horse takes ONE SINGLE STEP into the trailer, reward him/her then back them up again.
Soon, your horse will be putting one hoof in the trailer like a pro. Use the previous steps to load the rest of your horse. Remember, this takes time. Youre trying to CONVINCE THE HORSE INTO THE TRAILER NOT SCARE IT IN!!!
Tips: never tie your horse to the trailer…i learned that one the hard way…
NEVER HIT THE HORSE WITH THE WHIP/STICK this can cause the horse to kick you plus it will associate YOU AND THE TRAILER with the slap. It will also lose all trust and respect for you.
Remember, youre convincing the horse to load, not forcing them. If you force/scare them into the trailer, they WILL NOT want to load again.
Using this, we had my mare loading in less than 24 hours. And my girl wouldnt look at a trailer, much less load. 24 hours is a little short for some horses, so let your horse decide when their ready.
Good luck in loading your horse!!!
Try parking the trailer in with the horse and feed in the trailer only. After a few meals most horses will load willngly. If you have time you can do this several days then take the horse for a slow short ride a few times. By that time you should have an easy to load horse.
Brent,I’ve NOTbeen around bourse that much,but the herd of six I have been around,They bite everywhere But the legs!
Franny are you in florida? A horse that fits that description showed up in my driveway 4 years ago. What a remarkable animal.
Betty …i always heard it was 30 percent. An 800 pound horse could carry 240 pounds. However in this day of so many horses without owners and at rescue facilities, please do not putmore restrictions on horses chance to get a human. i think if any human and equine can connect it is magical. These horses at rescues need homes. The percentage of horse owners is less than 1 percent of the population and true atheletes is even less. The rest of us if we are on our horses 2 hours a week we are lucky. Not likely to break the horse’s back.
I agree completely. There are certain circumstances, like a mini being ridden by a grown man, where this rule is needed. But most of the time, we need to stop stickin our horses in the prissy barn and let them get their manes wet.
Kathy they might be mean people hiding under a veil of “no it all”. If her first reaction was to “hit”. I think the horse senses it is in danger. Too bad. However, i bought a beautiful 16 plus gentle giant quiet paint. I was used to 14plus hand horses so his size intimidated me. When he got to my place he was so out of his element and scared. I had a hay string in my hand and he acted like i was going to beat him wirh it. ( this horse has not been beaten). I just could not believe his crazy behavior. I started working friendly maneuvers on the ground for 4 days straight. Now he felt he had a leader he could trust. It still took a month for him to settle in. The previous owners would have never imagined he could be so emotional. They knew i would take the time it takes. Now it takes less time.
The rule that a horse can carry 20% of its weight started with the Calvary looking for horses for their troops. The sad part is that the only thing that was remembered was the 20% rule, which does not fit all horses and riders. The Calvary would turn down a long backed horse, long pasterns, cow hocked, U-necked, thin legs, peg-legged, small hooves and on and on. Good conformation was paramount! Horses will break down when asked to carry too much weight based upon their poor conditioning and carrying too heavy a rider. People keep getting larger, but horses are not. The better the person can ride helps the horse.
Hi all im really new to the horse world a month a go we bought our daughter a horse he is now 6months old at livery hes at their really helpful but we are getting conflicting advice some say regular grooming and spending time with him so hes realaxed around us others are Saying we should bave minumle interaction with him and leave him in the field all year round he need to lean to be a horse first no human contact until hes 2 whT is best for him not us plz any Aadvice would be great thank you
I have a 3-4 year old horse with only one visible tesicle and he is not that friendly to be in the paster with i cant tell if he is just tryin to play or hurt whoever goes in there he bit my boyfriends little brother and it seems to happen only when the little ones are in the paster…he is not broke snd i know since he still has a nut or another we dont know that he is still basically a stud but the thing is he didnt act up when he first got him he was the nicest horse ever n we hadnt notice his nuts before we just saw him ejaculate after getting an erection. it was our gelding we were afraid of cause he is so skeddish but now hes the broke one and we had no problem stickin the saddle n tack on him he just stood there shackin….thing is i dont know what to do ive grown attached to him n cant sell him but everyone thinks i should
I have always worn sunglasses. I have very light eyes and have been ORDERED by my Ophthalmologist to wear. NOT wearing sunglasses can cause melanoma, blindness and even death. Never had a reaction from any horse. Don’t be “blinded” by that comment people. Sight is important. 😉 AND if the sun is in your eyes, how can you focus??????
We have a Missouri fox trotter who’s 12 yes. Old. I took him in because the people who were getting rid of him were going to put him down ,an I can’t see any animal going down just because your tired of them.
well we’ve had sonny for about 3 yes. now an been working with him off an on.
But this past yr. I’ve had a trainer come in an do more extensive training with him an now he’s a different horse.
He only has one problem when were out on a ride and he sees a bunch of horses with riders off in the distance he starts acting up for about 10-15min.
But if we pass riders comming an going hes find.
Some one told me he could have moon blindness.
Can anyone help me out.
Good tips thanks
I think you a tip sheet is great a lot of good questions coming from the public and Getting the answer’s ! thanks for the tips appreciate it and I look forward to reading them every day
Saying that a horse can only carry 20% of its body weight is like saying that a 12 year old child cant carry a 50 lb feed sack. Its possible. HIGHLY possible, but they need to work up to it. They cant have only carried a pencil their whole life then be expected to carry an anvil. I agree that miniture horses shouldnt be ridden by 200 lb people but i think 20% is a little drastic. My mustang is an estimated 950 lbs and i am around 150 lbs and my saddle is around 50 (its a big leather trail saddle). This puts us 50lbs over the limit. But she is fine with it. She doesnt have sway back or signs of it. Shes used to it. I rode her as i grew, causing her to be used to the weight
Not wear sunglasses!?!?!
OK back home in Sweden I didn’t ride with sunglasses. But I’ve been living in Los Angeles, California for almost 35 year. I have blue eyes & they’re light sensitive. I’m blind without sunglasses in the intense light here. I’ve not ever had an issue with my horses understanding me & I’ve worked with a lot of them. I don’t always wear the sunglasses, but if I’m working in sunlight on the ground – you bet I’m wearing sunglasses & I’ve had no issue with horses on this issue. Neither from the saddle nor from the ground. Trust me, horses is more body language than eyes. As a matter of fact, I was taught as a child not to look into a horse’s eyes cause that can upset them. Well, I’ve been doing that all my life & not ever had a problem with that as well. Maybe I just communicate enough love in my body language 😉
Are horses bothered by the smell of perfume? Can they use the fragrance to identify a familiar human?
What factors affect how much weight a horse can comfortably carry?
Generally, horses can carry about 15-20% of their body weight, but it depends on factors like the horse’s build, fitness, and the type of terrain