How much weight can my pony carry?
Ponies are some of the most versatile equines. One of the most frequent questions though is how much weight can my pony carry? They are used for driving, hauling, and riding and are often the stepping stone to horses. Ponies can be enjoyed by children and adults alike, but even though Shetland ponies used to carry grown men all day, today we have a better understanding of the horses skeleton and more awareness of how to successfully pair horse to rider.
The rule of thumb is that a horse or pony should carry no more than 20% of its bodyweight. 15% is often preferred. This percentage is to include both the rider and the tack that they are using. The important thing to remember is that this figure is based on the pony being healthy and fit. Older, younger, and less fit animals should carry far less.
When my pony failed to grow to her projected height I started thinking about the maximum weight she should carry, especially when backing and breaking her in. I thought I’d share with you what I found out.
How much weight can a pony carry?
The thing about ponies is that they’re often very willing and will tolerate a great deal without making a fuss. It’s up to us as owners/riders to ensure that we are doing the best for our pony’s welfare and not causing them harm.
Many ponies used to be used for carrying men to the mines, as pack animals, and to pull heavily laden carts. Nowadays, ponies are more often ridden by children before they outgrow them and move onto horses.
We know now that 20% of the pony’s bodyweight should not be exceeded by the rider (including tack). This assumes that the pony is fit and healthy and has no known health issues. Younger ponies that spines are still developing should carry less than this, as should older ponies, or those who are not fully fit. If this is exceeded then we may cause our pony long term discomfort and damage.
For example, Fatty is approx. 13.1hh and weighs 390kg. She is fit and healthy but is not fully developed as she is only 5 years old. Therefore I aim not to go above 15% of her bodyweight.
390kg/100 = 3.9 x 15 = 58.5kg.
Thankfully I’m able to just about fit under this figure as long as I refuse extra helpings at dinner! Once she has fully developed she’ll comfortably carry more as she’s very sturdily built.
SFB is also around 13.1hh and approximately 370kg, but is 12, fit and healthy, so I calculated the 20% rule:
370kg/100 = 3.7 x 20 = 74kg. However, this is over 11 stone which personally think would be too much for him. I cap his rider weight at 9 stone as this is the maximum that I think he can comfortably carry.
Each pony is an individual and should be judged as such when assessing how much weight they are able to carry. Height and rider ability are also important when choosing a rider for your pony.
Am I too big for my pony?
Especially if you’re an adult riding a pony you can wonder if you’re too big for your pony. This may be simply self doubt, but can also arise as many people believe that adults should only ride horses. This outdated thinking is gradually reducing as people realise that ponies are more than just lead-rein or first ridden steeds.
Indeed there are several groups on the internet now that are dedicated to adults riding ponies. Being closer to the ground is not only easier on our bones should we part company with our pony, it’s easier to mount and dismount, and ponies often have brilliantly wicked personalities. There is a reason that the saying ‘Tell a gelding, ask a mare, discuss with a stallion, and pray with a pony!’ came about.
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It’s not only weight that you need to consider when deciding if you’re the right fit for your pony. You may be well within the weight range but if your legs are trailing on the floor it’s safe to say that a bigger pony is necessary for you.
If you are too tall for the pony your centre of balance will interfere (IMO) with the balance of the pony and make life difficult for all concerned. Aids won’t be applied correctly and this could be confusing to the pony.
If you’re concerned about your weight or height it’s best to use the 20% rule for weight (you should be no more than 20% with tack of your pony’s weight). For height ask a friend to take a few photos of you riding the pony, then be honest with yourself about what you see. If it was someone else riding the pony would you think they were under-horsed? If so, it may be time to start your search for your next equine partner.
How heavy is too heavy for a horse?
Even with the accepted 20% rule (rider and tack weight combined to be less than 20% of the horses weight), some establishments have an upper limit on the weight of people who wish to ride their horses. This is often set at 15stone or 95kg. You may think that this is low, but this would be the upper limit for most horses without potentially causing long term harm.
However, rider skill is also important. A skilled and balanced rider, even if a little heavier, will be easier for a pony to carry than a lighter rider who has no core strength and rides like a sack of potatoes.
Many people think that Shires and other Draft horses can carry more simply because they are larger. This is not actually the case. These horses were bred to pull loads, not carry them. The muscles used are totally different. The 20% rule should still apply when working out if the horse will be able to carry you comfortably.
Which pony breed can carry the most weight?
Heavier set ponies are generally more likely to be able to carry a heavier rider. Ponies such as the Haflinger, the Fjord, and the UK’s Highland pony, are those types that normally have more bone and substance that will enable them to carry heavier loads more comfortably. Gypsy cobs often also have 9-10” of bone which makes them more suited to larger riders.
Amusingly, the Shetland pony is perfectly capable of carrying over the 20% rule, but is too small heightwise for most to ride.
How much do saddles weigh?
When you’re trying to work out if your pony can comfortably carry you you need to include the weight of a saddle too. If you normally ride in an English saddle but don’t have scales to weigh your saddle, use 7kg as a guide. Some saddles are lighter and some are heavier, but 7kg should cover the majority. Remember, you can never be too light for your pony…
If you use a Western saddle, it’s a little more difficult. These can easily weigh up to 27kg, so guessing or approximating is likely to be far less helpful when deciding whether you’re too heavy for your pony to carry.
Is the 20% rule too much?
In recent years even the 20% rule has been queried. A study has shown that 10% is a better weight for optimum performance. This doesn’t mean however that the 20% rule is to be abandoned, simply that if you want your horse to reach it’s optimum potential, a lighter jockey may be a positive move.
The type of work your horse does will also determine to a certain extent what weight you should expect to be carried. A slow plod around the countryside once a week will do less damage by a slightly heavier rider than 6 days of hard galloping, interval work, and high level schooling. If you’re looking at keeping your pony in full hard work, then careful thought about the riders weight will pay dividends not only for the horse, but for the rider too.
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How old should my horse be to carry weight?
Am I too heavy for my young horse is probably not asked often enough. A young horses spine does not in some cases fully develop until around the age of 8. Before this, a reduced weight should be considered to ensure that the pony’s back is not damaged.
Many people assume that once a horse is broken in a 3yo they are in effect ‘good to go.’ This is simply not the case.
Pony cobs especially are slow developers. They grow upwards to 5 years old, sometimes 6 years old. However, they bulk out for a couple of years after this point. Therefore, many people believe that you shouldn’t break in a cob pony until 5 at the very earliest. This however, is a perennial argument that is unlikely to be resolved any time soon.
Ironically, it is a pony’s back that is the last part of the equine to develop and mature.
Conclusion
In conclusion when asking how much weight can my pony carry, there are far more factors than simply the riders weight. The weight, fitness, and age of the pony are also important to take into consideration, as it the weight of the tack that you intend to ride in. The type and frequency of work your horse will undertake will also need to be factored into your eventual decision. If you stick to the 15% rule you won’t go far wrong.
