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Does anyone know the weight limits for horseback riding? |
Travel Info We are going to South Lake Tahoe during summer 2007. Does anyone know about the weight limits? My husband weighs a bit more than 225# and we want to take the kids on the horses. Any information would be a great help! Travel Tips ..."may be thought that larger riders should only ride heavyweight horses, but in my opinion, this is not true. Many of the native ponies of Britain have been used for centuries to carry full sized men and their kill of deer down from hunting trips of the moors so size isn't really an issue. Conformation is important. A well proportioned horse, with a short back, well-coupled on to the hind quarters and straight, sturdy legs should have no trouble carrying a heavier rider. The horse does not have to be a draft horse, although many larger riders do feel more comfortable riding draft horse crosses, simply because they feel more in proportion with the horse. Having said that, there are heavyweight riders whose dainty-looking Arabians carry them comfortably for miles with no sign of strain. It depends on many factors, as you'll see below. As with any horse and rider combination, the fit of the tack is essential. With a badly fitting saddle, a horse can get sore even with a lightweight rider. Care should be taken to make sure the tree of the saddle is the correct width for the horse, and that it is stuffed properly, so that pressure points aren't caused when the rider sits in the saddle. .... The size of the saddle is important to the rider's comfort too. I know from experience that it's no fun riding in a saddle even as little as half an inch too small. Having to keep scooting back in the saddle to stop from bumping on the pommel or horn, or having to worry about hanging over the cantle are not condusive to good riding! Mounting the horse can be a problem for heavy riders, who may be less agile than their more slender counterparts. I've got short, stubby legs and so I need to use a mounting block to get my foot anywhere near the stirrup on my 16.2 hand TB gelding's saddle. Using a mounting block makes it easier on me and on my horse -- the saddle doesn't get pulled over to the side, possibly damaging his back or withers, my foot doesn't dig into his side as it does when I try and climb up from the ground. Don't ever be embarrassed to use a mounting block, no matter what size you are! Whether you're lightweight, average weight or heavyweight, how you ride is very important. Even the lightest rider, if they are off-balance, or if they bump on the horse's back over every jump or thump in the saddle at every posting trot stride, will make a horse sore in the back."Riding and the Heavy Rider .....Casual horseback riding is an activity which imposes few physical limitations on the rider and which can be enjoyed by almost anyone with an interest. Recreational riding at a novice level requires little more from a rider than very basic skills and the desire to share time with a horse. ....The biggest potential challenge is balance. I have often seen heavy riders work for considerably longer periods of time than their leaner counterparts to find their centers of balance in the saddle. Individuals whose weight is concentrated in one specific location rather than proportionately distributed over the entire body will tend to find balancing in the saddle even more tricky. Riders experiencing rapid weight fluctuations may also find it challenging to keep up with the ongoing shifts in body structure and balance. Growing teens, particularly if overweight, experience similar problems with changing body size, shape, and balance. Leg position and stability are other elements of riding more difficult for the heavier student to achieve and maintain. Large thighs, particularly if flabby and poorly muscled, will tend to misalign the leg position, further compromising the rider's balance and security in the saddle. Riding properly requires a certain amount of physical strength, stamina, and agility...... While riding horses appeals to many of us humans as a relaxing way to spend a peaceful afternoon, equestrian professionals know that it is the horse's interest which must be primarily protected. After all, these animals represent a significant financial and, in many cases, emotional investment for their owners and caretakers. To the inexperienced horse enthusiast, the equine animal may seem both imposing and impervious to harm. The fact is, horses face physical limitations just like the rest of us. Conformation and body type, age, general physical condition, and type and amount of use are all factors relative to a horse's appropriateness for a particular rider and activity. A large, middle-aged animal with a short, broad back, quiet nature, and smooth gaits is particularly suitable for the larger novice rider. It is an unfortunate truth that some equestrian professionals are less than sympathetic to the large rider. In fact, I have known some to be blatantly cruel and demeaning. There is no legitimate excuse for this behavior, and absolutely no reason for anyone to tolerate this sort of abuse. If you, as a heavy individual, have the desire to ride, do not be dissuaded by those who would try to convince you otherwise. Do, however, understand that all stables may not have the horses or equipment necessary to accommodate your specific needs. Just look a bit farther, and you will no doubt find a facility ready to help you enjoy this most pleasurable of pastimes." Source(s): yahoo search of "heavier horseback riders" Other Travel Tips I'm pretty sure that the weight limit on horseback riding is 250lbs. But you should check with the stable you plan on riding at. For most companies 250 is the max weight limit. |
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