Am I Too Heavy for my Horse?

The question of whether someone is too heavy for their horse comes up often and as there are clear welfare implications it is a valid and important subject to discuss.

It is widely accepted that horses should carry no more than 20% of their bodyweight, this includes the rider along with their clothing, boots and tack.

The 20% rule is well documented and researched however it is important to remember that 20% is the upper limit and in fact most horses will perform better carrying a weight of 10-15%. We also need to consider the condition and fitness of the horse in question. When calculating the weight ratio the horse should be in 'ideal' condition, this means having a condition score of 3 on a 0-5 scale. We also need to be aware of any underlying medical conditions such as lameness before making a sensible judgement on their weight carrying ability.

Calculating rider to horse weight can be tricky and involves some difficult maths but we have made this easier for you with our Weight Ratio Calculator, all you need to know is your horses weight in KG's and your weight in KG's (you can use a google weight converter if you know your weight in stones or pounds). The calculator will automatically add the weight of clothing and tack and provide you with an indication of your weight in relation to your horses weight.

Visit the Calculator by clicking the following button

WEIGHT RATIO CALCULATOR

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