I have nothing to add except I always use a tall enough mounting block to mount so I can reduce any strain to my horse’s back. Of course, if I am on a trail and have to dismount for some reason, I WILL get on from the ground if I can’t find a log. And trust me it is not because I CAN’T get on from the ground as my mare is only 141.hh, but again, to reduce strain from swinging aboard.
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I understand that kilograms are more important than kilometers! 
But when “rules” are postulated and claimed to be based on things they are not I just can’t help myself! 
G.
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The few times my husband has ridden him, my gelding seems to be fine with carrying his weight. What kind of behavior did you TB show that you knew he wasnt tolerating it?
He developed a sore back.
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In western riding, we see lots of big guys on little horses. Here’s the formula I’ve always used: [LIST=1]
[B]* Reference: The Heavier Riders’ Guide by Beverly Whittington and Rhonda Hart-Poe
For example: my little 14.2 hh QH’s last owner is a good-sized guy - about 6 foot tall and 225 pounds. He used a leather and wood saddle that probably weighs at least 40 lbs. Solano weighs 900 lbs. So
- 900 lbs + 225 lbs + 40 lbs = 1165 lbs.
- Solano has an 8" cannon bone circumference.
- 1165 lb/8" = 146
- 146/2 = 73
Now, my horse’s last owner is not a beginner by any means - he grew up on a cattle ranch and rode professionally for some years - and that makes a difference.
But I can’t imagine your husband’s size would be a problem for your QH. TBs are more delicately made.
[/B]
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That is some wacky math. 265# man on a 14.2 pony? That’s a hair under 30% of that animal’s weight. Not OK in my book.
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This came up interestingly in a discussion with a friend about horse lessons and how instructors are definitely having to both limit students and to seek out bigger horses. The H & H article points this out. As I said, on ranches they definitely have limits. A ranch where I worked started raising their own, crossing QHs with something drafty, to get sturdy stock for larger dudes (still have limits though)
Anyway, not likely applying to the OPs situation but on the topic of weight and horses:
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/…ndustry-387319
I think this is hte article that also mentions the Cavalry manual, but says that the horse/rider ratio was frequently over 20% (but goes on to say, as G pointed out, how carefully these horses were selected to begin with https://www.horsetalk.co.nz/2013/04/…-is-too-heavy/
THIS article is quite interesting. They were testing the impact of light/moderate/heavy and very heavy riders adn had to stop the heavy and very heavy portion because of intermittent lameness. https://good-horse.com/health-manage…earch-tell-us/
It would seem that research, such as it is, says that in general, up to 20% (combined body weight and tack) seems to pose little problem for horses. Above that…it would appear it can.
As to the example above, I would never consider a 900 lb horse carrying 265 lbs (which is about 30%) Just no. From that last article :
The horses did not show their discomfort in an obvious way and most people would not pick up on these stoic responses to pain and may well assume that everything is ‘fine’.
The article goes on to say that it’s weight, not fitness, that matters to the horse. And that weight is the same whether it’s a guy or woman!
Again, this would not seem to apply to the OP but it does speak to weight and horses. clearly, research is ongoing on this but it’s a good thing to be mindful of.
There are calculators here for determining how much a horse can carry https://good-horse.com/tools/calcula…n-horse-carry/ and here for which horses we can ride (by weight) https://good-horse.com/tools/calcula…y-comfortably/
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My tip for teaching larger husbands and boyfriends to ride your smaller horses without making you cringe too much: Get them in a bareback pad ASAP. They will learn to stop bouncing around very quickly that way :winkgrin:. With no bounce your horse should be fine to carry him.
My husband is tall but thin at around 165 lbs. When we do trails rides or visit ranches (he doesnt ride my daughter does so he gets dragged along) he is frequently put on horses under 14.3H.
Me also…also easier as we ahem age.
I think it’s wacky to claim all horses are created equal when it comes to weight-carrying. Which is what you’re doing if you only consider horse weight with respect to rider weight.
Ouch.
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Then there is the 20% of what argument…When I bought my mare she had been a pasture puff for two years and was overweight. Now she is great condition according to the weight tape she has lost 150 pounds, so can she carry less now? No, she is a better weight carrier now she is fitter and lighter.
How many people actually weigh their horses, yes we weigh rider and saddle, but most people are using a tape or a calculation to get to their horses weight…
Then there is the build of the horse, there are all sorts at the barn, huge TB’s with lighter build, and shorter, more solidly built QH and draft crosses.
20% is maybe a starting point, but it does not consider all the variables, common sense from the people actually on the spot, are better able to make an assessment of the suitability of horse and rider, than any amount of online guesses.
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I’m going to agree. I weigh 125 pounds. 20% of my weight would be 25 pounds. I would carry 25 for shorter periods but I wouldn’t want to go on a hike. I personally don’t like to see anyone bigger than a large child on a 14.1 hand pony. Just my personal opinion.
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The thing about that formula is at least it takes into consideration the amount of bone a horse has, which is a big consideration in weight carrying ability. Good solid heavy bones types are generally better at weight carrying than their lighter legged relatives…
There was some research done into horses competing in the Tevis Cup, that found level of fitness of the horse had more impact on being scratched than weight of the rider. They studied combinations with ratios up to 30%…that is a lot of weight to carry on that event…
I’m 5’3 and 130 lbs . My gelding is well broke but not really a kids horse at the moment. At various points in their lives i
think all ponies from small to large need an adult rider for training.
weight wise I like to hope my gelding doesn’t have a problem at all with me and esthetically I think we look pretty good too.
