Re: RC: Rider weight -horse weight

[CMKSAGEHIL@aol.com]

In a message dated 11/2/99 6:28:27 PM Pacific Standard Time, 
poquito@flash.net writes:

<< How much weight can a horse safely carry?    Seems like I remember it
 being about 20% of  its body weight.  I'm asking for a friend.  How much
 weight can a 4yr. old 14.3 carry?.  To me this is not a horse for a
 heavy weight. What is your opinion? >>

25% used to be the old rule of thumb, but many successful endurance horses 
are carrying 30% or more.  As to what a 4-year-old that is 14:3 can 
carry--how much substance does he have?  One of my older stallions is not 
quite 14:3, but he weighs in at 975 in running shape and has 9" cannon 
circumference.  He is a GREAT heavyweight horse.  I've seen 15:2 horses with 
far less substance who break down with small riders.  As to age--that makes 
more difference on what speed and distance he can cover than it does what 
weight he can carry.  4-year-olds are not yet mature.  He could likely begin 
conditioning with a heavyweight IF he is a horse with sufficient substance, 
and if he is sufficiently fit, he might even be able to complete an 
occasional LD ride.  He will not be mature until he is 7 or so--and by then, 
if he is conditioned to carrying a heavyweight beginning now, he will be 
ready to do about as well as he is capable of doing.

Heidi


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