The maximum load that a horse is expected to carry should not exceed 20% of the horse's approximate weight. That is, the athlete and equipment should not weigh more than 20% of the horse's approximate weight.
The researchers found that an average adult light riding horse could comfortably carry about 20 percent of their ideal bodyweight. This result agrees with the value recommended by the Certified Horsemanship Association and the U.S. Cavalry Manuals of Horse Management published in 1920.
Generally, a horse can safely carry about 20% of its body weight. So, for example, a 1000-pound horse could carry up to 200 pounds safely. Of course, this is just a general guideline, and horses can often carry more or less weight depending on their individual circumstances.
As a general rule, anything over 300-350 pounds is too heavy for a horse to carry safely.
Deb Bennett, PhD, founder of the Equine Studies Institute and an expert in the biomechanics of horses, has advised that the “Total weight of rider plus tack must not exceed 250 lbs. There is no horse alive, of any breed, any build, anywhere, that can go more than a few minutes with more weight on its back than this.
If you want to ride in upper-level competitions, it's not uncommon for horses to get an intense training session 6 days a week. However, if you just want to keep your horse in a healthy physical condition, riding your horse three times a week for at least 20 minutes at a time can help maintain a good level of health.
I say “likely”, because while scientists have yet to devise a way to accurately ask large number of horses how they feel about being ridden, there has been research done that looks at horse preferences as it relates to ridden work.
As a general guideline in the UK, a rider should weigh no more than 10% of the horse's bodyweight, but in the US, this limit is doubled to 20% of the horse's weight. This means for a 500kg horse, the range for the maximum rider weight is large – 50kg in the UK (just less than 8st) and 100kg in the US (15st 10lb).
How much weight can a horse carry? As a general rule, a horse can only comfortably carry up to 15–20% of its own body weight, though this may differ slightly from horse to horse. For instance, a horse that weights 500kg can comfortably carry a load of 100kg.
A recent study has shown that rider weight can have “a substantial temporary effect upon the gait and behavior of a horse when taking into consideration the rider's weight as a proportion to the horse's weight” (Dyson, 2018). Put simply, the heavier the rider, the more likely the summative effects on horse performance.
Gorillas can weigh up to 400lbs and wouldn't sit lightly, meaning a horse would suffer injury carrying them over a distance.
“Riding a horse for 45 minutes at a walk, trot and canter can burn up to 200 calories. It you do something a bit more strenuous such as cutting or reining, that can come out to nearly seven calories per minute for the entire length of the riding period.”
In a more recent study of Arabian horses ridden in endurance races, figures showed the horses carried between 20% and 30% of their body weight for the 100-mile duration of the race.
The safest bet in horse racing is an each-way single bet. Backing the racehorse each-way means you have the opportunity of still winning even if your selection comes 2nd, 3rd or 4th place (first second and third mainly) A single bet means you do not need multiple horses for you to receive a return for your bet.
Horses and ponies generally like to live out on grass for much of the time. This is when they enjoy the freedom to graze, interacting with other horses and generally exhibiting 'normal' horse habits and behaviour.
Considering Weight
There is debate about this percentage, but the general rule is that a horse should carry no more than 20 percent of their weight. 2 Remember that this weight also includes the saddle and other riding equipment, in addition to the rider. An overweight horse cannot necessarily carry a heavier rider.
Based on these results, the study's authors recommend that horses not be loaded with greater than 20% of their body weight. A 545-kilogram (1200 pound) horse, then would be best off carrying no more than 109 kg (240 lbs) of tack and rider.
Horses should not be expected to carry more than 15% to 20% of their body weight. On a 450kg horse, that absolute maximum at 20% is 90kg. Anything above that is not fair to the horse and their well being is of utmost importance to us.
Look for a horse with a shiny coat, nicely arched neck, spring in his stride and alert, energized demeanor. Horses that are sweating profusely, bucking or exhibiting other nervous behavior may expend too much energy before the race to produce an optimal effort.
Ironically, when we objectively assess what really holds a riding horse back we have to admit something quite awkward, and that is—from a design, strength, and balance point of view—the horse's body is simply not designed to carry a person.
Two persons riding horseback is acceptable when you do it in a safe and controlled environment. It is also important to not overload the horse or ride it at a very high speed when riding double. A child and adult can ride together with use a buddy saddle, a pillion, or bareback with a pad.
Horses prefer to be rubbed and stroked over being tickled or slapped, and they often don't want rubbing on sensitive areas like the flank, girth, belly, nose, ears, and legs.
Some horses have physical conditions or diseases that require an early retirement. Other horses can be ridden late into their life without issues. As a general rule, most horses should stop being ridden between 20 to 25 years old.
Many experts agree that horses do, in fact, remember their owners. Studies performed over the years suggest that horses do remember their owners similar to the way they would remember another horse. Past experiences, memories, and auditory cues provide the horse with information as to who an individual is.