29 August 2008 14:33
I have a 25-year-old, 14.2hh part-TB mare I have owned for eight years.
I am worried that I may be getting too heavy for her – I’m 5ft 7in and weigh 12st 6lb (80kg). With her being a veteran, I don’t want to place any unnecessary stress, tension or pressure on her back or legs.
She is a healthy and active horse who is turned out daily and exercised three or four times a week. We do light schooling, lungeing and gentle hacks, and we occasionally compete at local events. She is always a very enthusiastic ride and does not seem to tire or struggle with my weight.
Answer
By Your Horse
Natural Horsemanship Expert Charles Wilson replies:
Well done for having such a happy and healthy horse! As she enjoys her work and appears to have no problems, I think she is probably fine with your weight. I would agree that weight rather than height dictates how much your horse can carry.
A formula was worked out for the German cavalry last century, for how much weight the horse could carry, considering he would have to cope with the soldier and his equipment. Most of the horses were of a 15.2hh Warmblood type, and it was found that each horse could happily cope with one fifth of his weight – or less. This means that, to carry you, your horse needs to weigh 5 x 80kg, which equals 400kg. She is likely to be heavier than that. Also, remember that these cavalry horses would be doing a full day’s work at all paces.
Obviously, there are differences in the bone and strength of horses. The above ratio does not take into account the horse’s age, its condition or whether the rider is ‘riding light’ or being a burden. I would not expect a young horse of three or four years to carry to his full potential.
As your mare is elderly, she may have lost some strength in her back. Her spine should not be prominent along the ridge of her back. A well-muscled horse will carry weight easier than one in soft condition. The length of her back is also a consideration – a longer back is weaker than a short one. A mare will be weaker if she has had a number of foals.
From your letter I would think your mare is doing fine.