Are we both too heavy for him?

Question

Hi, my bf and I want to ride my horse double bareback. But I do not want us to be too heavy for him.

My horse is 17hh and weighs 1280lbs. He is heavily built and well muscled.

I weigh 112lbs and my bf weighs 91lbs. That is 203lbs together.

I was told the weight limit for a horse is 150lbs. Is that true?

Would we be too heavy?

Answer 1

My daughter and i always use to ride double ( without the saddle)  your horse should be able to handle the weight fine, whether he likes it or not is another thing  you'll soon find out his preference, just don't push him hard or ride him for too long, give him plenty of breaks, make sure its not hot and let him get used to the idea slowly.

Good luck and have fun.

Answer 2

No the weight is not a problem, it's the distribution.  Make sure your horse is used to having two people balancing on him.  My horse is 14.2 hands and has carried riders that are over 200 pounds.  But he has a shorter back which allows him to carry more weight. Two young girls at my old barn rode double bareback and fell off because they couldn't balance at a walk.  The horse bucked and both fell, one girl broke her wrist.

Answer 3

No you are not too heavy. You might start with your boyfriend getting to know him/her that way she/he will be a little bit more relaxed. Then walk her around for a while with him alone then you can try. 150 lbs. is definitely NOT the weight limit! People who are over 200 lbs ride horses as a way to be outside and be active...i'm not calling any one fat I swear. Riding double is soooo much fun after the horse has gotten used to it!  

Answer 4

No you do not wiegh to much. My horse is 15hh and I weigh 190lbs and ride with a 16'' simco big horn saddle that weighs another 50lbs and he is able to easily support my weight for 20 miles a day. You should not be giving your horse any problems and who ever told you 150 lbs is the maximum weight capacity is wrong.

Answer 5

150lbs is not true...there is some scale but im not exactly sure of it at the moment...but 1280 for a 17hh horse that is supposedly all muscle well since muscle weights more than fat and my TB mare weighs 1200 and and doesnt have too much muscle he sounds a little thin to me but i cant judge that without a pic ne way but i think you huys will be fine as long as ur only walking

Answer 6

No you guys should be fine, you're both light and its a big hrose

Answer 7

That is totally not true. If the weight limit for a horse is only 150lbs, then there wouldn't be alot less horseback riders. Heck I'm 200lbs, and I ride a 16hh skinny Thoroughbred mare. She carries me just fine, and she doubles with me and my hubby who weighs 160. So that's 260lbs, plus the saddle. I don't do bareback lol.

Answer 8

Definitely not, there really is no "weight limit." The smaller your horse is the less you should put on him because it can make it harder for them to walk, but they will still be fine. Ive seen people go hunting with their horses and carry deer back. You'll be fine.

Answer 9

it is ok ok

ok

Answer 10

the wait isn't a problem it all depends on the horse and bareback makes it liter so that's even better

Answer 11

No that shouldnt be a problem at all I know a 400 pound guy that rides a 15.3hh horse aqnd the horse is as happy as can be and carries the guy fine.

Answer 12

its ok