Heavy Riders
Americans are getting bigger and heavier every year, but our
horses aren’t. Horses aren’t machines. They can carry only so
much weight safely and comfortably. A good rule of thumb is 20%
of the horse’s weight, including tack. In other words, if the
horse weighs 1,000 pounds, it should not be asked to carry more
than 200 pounds – a 180-pound rider and a 20-pound saddle. But
this formula doesn’t take into account a horse’s build and body
type. A 1,000-pound horse that is tall and thin, with a long
back will not be able to carry as much weight as a 1,000-pound
animal that’s short and muscular, with a short back. Also, if
the horse is overweight, its extra pounds are a burden, not an
asset. So what’s a large rider to do? Sit at the barn while
everyone else is happily riding? No! There are plenty of breeds
fully capable of carrying heavy riders. Below are a few.
The Percheron – These are small draft horse, generally standing
15-17.2 hands, with heavy muscling and good legs and feet.
Percherons usually weigh around 2,000 pounds, and they’re black
or gray in color. They have a sweet, willing nature, and are
often used for driving and jumping. They’re often crossbred
with Thoroughbreds to add bone and substance to jumpers.
The Quarter Horse – A foundation-bred Quarter Horse in good
physical condition is a good weight bearer. Its strong back,
wide chest, and heavy muscling make it an excellent choice for
larger riders. These “bulldog” Quarter Horses perform well at
trail riding, pleasure, timed events, reining, roping, and
cutting. The Quarter Horse is also known for its wonderful
temperament.

The Haflinger – This horse stands between 13 and 15 hands and
can weigh as much as 1,300 pounds. The Haflinger is extremely
sturdy, with dense bone and muscling, large feet, and a
powerful build. They’re generally calm and not easily excited.
Haflingers are usually some shade of chestnut.
They’re most often used for jumping, dressage, driving,
pleasure, and trails.
The Friesian (Baroque type)– This descendant of medieval war
horses is glossy black in color, with a long, thick mane and
tail. It stands an average of 15.3 hands and weighs between
1,300 and 1,500 pounds. The Friesian has a long arched neck, a
powerful body, and fairly short legs that are very sturdy. The
breed exhibits a gentle, yet active temperament. They are
popular choices for dressage and driving.
The Arabian – Many folks are surprised at the strength this
breed possesses. They look refined and delicate, yet they are
extremely hardy and tough for their size. Their backs are
unusually strong because of the horse’s unique bone structure.
An Arabian has one less vertebra than other breeds, so its back
is short and sturdy. Arabians excel in every discipline, and
they dominate competitive endurance races. This breed might be
a good choice for a moderately large rider.
The Suffolk Punch – For a very large rider, a Suffolk Punch
would fit the bill. These sturdy draft horses are 16-17 hands
tall and weigh around 2,000 pounds. They are powerful, with
short, broad backs, an arched neck, and strong legs. In
addition, the horses tend to be “easy keepers,” requiring less
grain for their size compared with other breeds. They’re also
healthy, gentle, willing, and long-lived. The Punch is often
cross-bred with lighter breeds to produce large
hunter-jumpers.
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