Question about weight

[Croccy1979]

Friend is really really keen to ride the 14hh mare I have on loan. Mare is a cob, but a more middleweight / lighter weight type and not a proper chunky heavyweight cob. She is in her teenage years.

I don't know how much friend weights (weight is a VERY sensitive issue for her) but she is about 5 foot 8 tall and I would say a size 12-14 so I suspect she weights a fair bit more than me. She is also a very very novice rider and quite 'heavy' with her weight (ie she doesn't really lower herself gently onto the horse's back when mounting....etc). So I am thinking she might be a bit big for this mare.

Pony is normally only ridden by myself (about 8.5 - 9 stone) and her owner who can't weigh more than about 8 stone as very petite and slim so pony is not used to carrying heavier riders.

Anyone got any thoughts on this? Also on a tactful way of telling someone they are too heavy to ride your horse?!

It goes without saying I would get the owner's permission before letting anyone ride her but just thought I'd see if any wisdom on here before I approach the owner!!!

[frostyfingers]

Physically I'm sure the mare is up to it, especially if she's not going to be doing huge all day rides or loads of indoor work. Perhaps you could tactfully explain that because of her years your mare isn't up to much riding from someone she's not used to (lay it on a bit, although how much rather depends on how much knowledge your friend has!) and that a few short rides under supervision would be ok, and also instruct her how to get on and off gently. Dress it up as horse welfare - don't want to hurt her back and so on, and make sure that she notices when you get on how you do it.

[Croccy1979]

Thanks - if she were to ride her it would just be a walk and trot around the school.
I just know friend is so so keen on having a ride on her, she is a bit down at the moment and keeps saying she's really looking forward to it. I have never actually said she can have a ride, she's kind of just assumed.......

As I say above, she is so sensitive about weight think I would really upset her if said she was too heavy to ride...

[BigBoPeep]

I'm 5ft8 and a 14 - would happily ride a 14hh cob, in fact regularly do, and smaller animals. I just go by whether the animal seems comfortable with it or not. I like to think I'm a 'light' rider though - if she's a total sack of spuds I think the laying it on thick about the mare's back is the best idea.

[CatPussRoastingOnAnOpenFire]

I'd put most people on a 14,1 middleweight cob! I'm bigger than her, and I'd ride it! Maybe give her some lessons and set some ground rules about mounting etc>

[50BalesOfHay]

I'm 5'10 and 10 stone and ride a 14hh, very wide cob mare. I let my 11 stone sister ride her, but wouldn't allow anyone heavier on her : if you want to ride you should be motivated to keep your weight to a reasonable level

[BigBoPeep]

Reasonable level is highly subjective though - I know many wouldn't let me near a horse, but then there's arabs winning endurance races carrying 15st. Likewise all the 14.2 QHs and criollos that carry hefty cowboys and western saddles around all day long, and the little mongolian and icelandics carrying full grown men and battle gear about for hours at good speed. Really, any horse worth it's salt should be able to deal with a walk and trot around a school with some substantial weight on board, barring health issues.

[50BalesOfHay]

You may have a point, BigBoPeep, I am known as a bit of a softie where my horse is concerned. I know she should be ok with up to 14st but I just wouldn't be happy

[Croccy1979]

Thanks for all the advice.
I will ask the owner if she is happy for my friend to have a little ride.

[CatPussRoastingOnAnOpenFire]

the thing is, cobs and natives are theweight carriers of the horse world. once you get up into horses they can actually often carry less. i.ve seen 17handers who would struggle to carry what a welsh cob would! i get very annoyed with the inferrence that anyone over a size 14 shouldnt be allowed to ride! what do people think happened before cars were invented?

[Croccy1979]

Thanks - no I am not saying bigger people should not be allowed to ride at all and I know natives can be great weight carriers - was just concerned about the fact that no-one over 9 stone has ever ridden this mare, so not sure it would be fair on her to suddenly put someone who is probably more like 11 stone on her, although just for a plod around the school should be fine.

[rogersmellyonthetelly]

Probably fine for a plod round the school, but I would be less concerned with size and weight than with the fact that she is a novice and therefore heavier in her seat than you would expect from an experiences rider of the same weight. I'm 5ft9 and a size 16-18, I weight (when not 9 months pregnant like I am right now) around 14.5 stone. I have ridden a friends 14hh new forest, a haflinger, a chunky cob, a 14.3 show hack (matchstick legs) as well as my own big beasties and none of them have shown any signs of struggling with my weight. If I rode them all day there may be an issue, but for a normal ride it should be fine. In hunter terms, 9.5 inches of bone below the knee is classed as heavyweight and should be able to carry 13st + for a full days strenuous hunting with jumping.