Young horses and rider weight

[HB.Cowgirl94]

Alright! So here is something that is argued about A LOT. What can you do with a three year old?

So I have a three going on four year old. He is a grade non-gaited walker/trotter of some sort. He’s about 14.2 and about 800lbs. I’ve been lightly riding him since I got the vets approval at 3.5 years old. He has never shown any signs of stress carrying my weight. I am 110lbs and only 5’2. So that’s that.

Now my other project is a two going on three year old Stone Cabin BLM mustang. He is coming along very well. He is about the same size and weight as my other colt (14.2 and about 800lbs) but is a year younger. My Fiance has fallen in love with him and (when the horse is ready!!!) wants to be the one to train and ride him. My Fiance is 160lbs and 6’3 (yes, really). I’m worried that even once the mustang is old enough my Fiance will still be too much weight to start out with. I’m not sure how much this mustang will grow in the next year, but if going by the 20% rule he’d have to gain 200lbs in the next year? & Is the 20% fair to young horses?

[KittyinAus]

Remember that the 20% rule isn’t just the rider but everything that the horse has to carry including the saddle. I think it’s great that you and your fiance care so much about the well being of your horses. 20% is also for a fit mature horse. Others might think differently to me. I tend to be conservative in matters like these. Sorry to waffle, but yes, I think he might be too heavy.

[Bluey]

It also depends how a rider balances, if one is light and helps the horse carry the weight easily, or if he rides like a sack of potatoes the horse has to fight it’s balance against that dead weight on his back.

Starting colts of any age or size, generally you didn’t put anyone much over 120 on them and they had to ride “light”.
I was the designated colt starter because I was 98 lbs for many years and at my heaviest 115, on my 4’11".

If we consider training horses being about teaching them to carry a weight and do things, to move in space carrying themselves and the extra weight a certain way, not just walking along any one way, like heavy on the front end and struggling to do anything else, then it becomes more about how that person rides and teaches the horse than how heavy it may be, within reason.

The OP’s fiance may be a very good, light rider that will be able to bring a green horse along just fine.
Then that weight should be ok.
If he is someone that is not that balanced and “rides the dashboard” in a chair seat for balance and bounces on the horse’s back every time it gets faster than a walk, then I would suggest he needs more lessons first.

[Mango20]

I think it would be better for you to be that horse’s first rider, but maybe you can still make it your fiance’s project. Have him do all the ground work. Have him lead/longe the horse with you on him at first. Have him direct your first rides on him. In other words, give him ownership of the training process, and have him use you as a tool to accomplish it.

If he is a light, balanced rider, he can probably take over once the horse learns to be balanced with a light rider. Maybe consider getting a lightweight synthetic saddle to lower his weight on the horse.

[NoSuchPerson]

If your fiance is a good, balanced rider with the skills to start your mustang, I wouldn’t worry one bit about his weight. That 20% thing is based on an old cavalry recommendation for horses and troops who spent long day after long day riding out over rough country and is not particularly relevant to the kind of short rides on manicured surfaces that most of us routinely take.

Soapbox moment - I wish people would stop quoting that stupid 20% every single time anybody asks “Am I too heavy for my horse?” The real answer to that question is a function of a dozen different variables related to horse size, conformation, bone density, and condition and of rider weight, height, body type, experience level, and condition.

[beau159]

@HB.Cowgirl94

Now my other project is a two going on three year old Stone Cabin BLM mustang. He is coming along very well. He is about the same size and weight as my other colt (14.2 and about 800lbs) but is a year younger. My Fiance has fallen in love with him and (when the horse is ready!!!) wants to be the one to train and ride him. My Fiance is 160lbs and 6’3 (yes, really). I’m worried that even once the mustang is old enough my Fiance will still be too much weight to start out with. I’m not sure how much this mustang will grow in the next year, but if going by the 20% rule he’d have to gain 200lbs in the next year? & Is the 20% fair to young horses?

I also do not like the 20% rule. It does not take other things into account. And if you actually followed that rule, a lot of men would not be able to ride most average-sized horses.

Assuming you are just going to do light short rides on a coming 3-year-old, your fiance will be just fine on him. Don’t worry about it.