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.