05/15/2026
Never have I ever agreed with the 20% rider weight limit on a horse. Why... because theres so much more that goes into what a horse can hold. Just because one 1000lb horse can carry 200lbs doesnt mean it should or all 1000lb horses can. Consider the following...
#1. Did you actually weigh the horse or are you guessing?
2. How is the horse built? Is this a draft cross, a properly conditioned horse; overweight horse or is this a 20yr old you picked up at a rescue lacking top line and muscle tone? Factor it all in.
3. Consider the weight of your tack. Is this an english saddle that weighs 20lbs or a roping saddle that weighs 70lbs.
4. What type of work will you be doing with your horse? A short loop around your backyard, a circle in a sand pit, trails, mountains, barrels etc. 20 min once a week or an hour 5 days a week?
5. Is this an experienced rider that has a good seat or will they be flopping all over, unbalanced, and putting extra pressure on the horses back etc.
6. Is this a generally healthy horse? Solid feet? No back issues, lameness issues, etc. Some horses may appear like they should be able to but cannot because of pre-existing conditions requiring them to only do light riding and or with a lighter rider and in some cases not at all.
Gotta consider the full picture. It's not just as simple as 20% of the horses weight as the max weight the horse can carry.
