Could my friend and I ride my horse double?

Question

I have a 15.2hh TB mare, who weighs about 1000lbs and is 8 years old.

Could my friend and I ride her double without a saddle? Our weight combined is around 230lbs.

I don't want to hurt my horse!

Answer 1

Riding double back is bad for the horse and could damage there back bone. I know from experience. only if the horse is a farm horse, or a clydsdale.

Answer 2

Well shecould probably do it with those long TB legs but I wouldnt take a chance. Better safe than sorry. If she was a big clunky Draft I would say yes but since she is probably a thin little TB, I would be safe. She could buck you off even if she normally doesnt buck.

I wouldnt take a chance.

Hope i helped

:)

Answer 3

Well riding double for any lenght of time 1/2 hour or more can hurt a horse.

I had a heck of a sore that I put on my first horse playing taxi as a kid.  I'd ride over to the Moss Beach Trailer Park from the Northern outskirts of Half Moon Bay and pick up my buddy for the first couple of weeks after school got out as a kid.  By the end of the second week, my poor mare had a lump on her back about where the skirt of my saddle would go...  That ended the taxi rides...

Answer 4

Your combined weight should not be a problem for your horse at all.  You need to be careful when you first ride double to be sure your mare isn't going to act up, but otherwise, don't worry about your combined weight.  She should be fine.  You may want to start off with short rides and distances, then build your way up to longer rides and distances.

Be careful and have fun!

Answer 5

I dont think it would cause any serious problems... just hope she doesn't mind it some horses don't like two people on the back of them.. would you?

Answer 6

I think she should be ok with that amount of weight. However, make sure that she is ok with riding double. Some horses don't take to it well and you and your friend could get hurt if she decided to dismount you.

Answer 7

for her size, i would say yea.

i want a horse that is 14.1 and 7 and can be ridden double.

hmm... 230 lbs i dont think for the size of your horse that'll be a problem.

depends on if you're just walking, or what..

but being 15.2

id say try it and if she gets sore, dont do it again or wait till she's older and try it.

EDIT:

my friend and i galloped double, and rode double on a 15hh 27 year old.. our combined weight is about... 210

so for the size of her, id say she's def. fine

some horses dont like it though.. so just try it and dont sit too far up on her withers, or too far  back on her butt

Answer 8

depends on horse.  i would say could probably carry the weight.  my mare woould carry double at a walk, if asked to speed up she would buck.

Answer 9

yes

Answer 10

i think that you two would be fine. Is yous hurt her she will probably let you know

Answer 11

i wouldnt suggest it. double riding is a lot of fun but its a lot of stress on your horse's back. if you do double ride only do it for about 15 mins @ a time and i would only walk. hope this helped :)

Answer 12

For that breed of horse I  would say not a good idea

I would say taking turns on your mare would be better

A stockier horse would be better for double riding

Answer 13

If it did not seem that like it would put stress on your horse, then go ahead, but i would not ride her double for hours at a  time.

Answer 14

Shetland ponies can carry a 200lb man through the MOUNTAINS.....Your horse can handle it.  I used to ride my horse double all the time....she'll be fine...she is 35 and looks 20....the only thing is some horses get sensitive about having someone sitting right on their kidneys..so she might buck..be prepared.

Answer 15

it's perfectly fine. it depends on the build but considering your horse is at a fair height, it should be ok. you won't hurt the horse! don't long distance ride and just be sure the back rider doesn't kick the flank :) that, on the other hand, is not ok.

Answer 16

if you just walk. If she is stocky maybe. TBs usually arent though. I wouldn't really suggest it she should only hold around 200 lbs.

Answer 17

you probably could as long as you dont sit to far up on the horse's neck, although im sure your horse could handle the weight