I'm trying to help my friend.?

Question

Please do not make fun of my friend because I will report you...My friend, Sarah, is about 5'5" and she weighs over 300 pounds. She really wants to get a horse but I told her that she needs to lose a little weight so she doesn't hurt herself if she ever falls off. She got upset with me because I said it rather bluntly and now we are good again, but she wants my help finding a horse. I'm thinking she needs a bigger one just to be safe but she can't spend more than $650. Any suggestions? Please don't make fun of my friend. She's a sweetheart.

Answer 1

Your friend probably would not be hurt if she fell off.  I do not believe horses were meant to carry 300 unbalanced pounds on their backs even draft horses.  Until she found out she really liked horses why not use a buggy??

Answer 2

I think she should get a well muscled Quarter Horse or a Paint. She could probably get a real good deal on a solid Paint Bred in todays market that is well broke. A horse around 8 years old would be good. I have an 8 year old solid Paint Bred gelding that easily handles my sisters boyfriend and he weighs 300. Stock horses are big boned and a bulky one would work for her.

Answer 3

If she only has about $650 to spend on a horse, how is she going to afford the maintenance of a horse?  Also, if she's a beginner, she's going to need more lessons.

I would kindly suggest to her that she use some of that money to start up with lessons again, and really get her balance down (being 300 lbs would probably give her poorer balance on horseback than a 150lb woman).

If, after riding lessons for a few months, she really feels like its something she wants to do again, she'll at least be in better riding shape, and maybe have saved up some more money so she can get something that will work really well for her.  She should be looking at a stock breed, thicker bodied horse (look at paints, appys, breeding stock paints and appys, and QH's maybe) and help her find something that is "kid broke" just because she's a beginner.  Maybe do some searches on www.equine.com or www.dreamhorse.com for your area, and look at stuff $1500 and less.  If you find something a little out of her price range, maybe they sellers will negotiate, or your friend can try to save up  alittle more.

Don't forget, she needs to buy tack, pay board, etc.

Answer 4

so u suggested the right thing... actually u r cruel by putting her woes here in public...

Answer 5

Well in my opinion, she sounds like she needs more riding lessons, and she needs to do alot of research before she can start looking into getting a pet horse to own.

I mean if you say "She does know something about them," (key word; something), it tells me that she still needs to do alot of research about owning a horse, its not just that you know how to ride them, you need to know how to care for them. (etc.)

But to your question (again, your friend might want to wait for awhile), a Belgian might be a good idea, they are very strong, and very nice, gentle horses (but it prolly depends on the personality).

Answer 6

$650 doesn't sound like a great deal but considering how many "spare" horses that are knocking around she could drop lucky.

She's not going to get anything spectacular or fast for that money but something solid and (hopefully) sensible may come along. Put some ads up round and about or look for a solid loan horse.

Answer 7

she DOES NOT need a big horse like a draft or anything my uncle rides a tennesse walker and wieghts about 360 and she can run with him horses are strong she doesnt need a big one a quarter horse whould be good for her especially if she is a beginner, a tennessee walker or a appaloosa, just because your friend is big doesnt mean she needs a big horse she just needs a normal sized horse like every one else everyone falls of and everyone gets hurt its the horse persons like dont treat her special because bigger people dont like to be treated special the like being treated like evey one else and if she goes to a sale barn or looks online she will have no problem finding a horse in her price range none of my horses cost morse than $400 when i bought them and there all kid safe and i whould trust them with anyone but the horse market has been very low so she shouldnt have a problem finding any 650 and under but just remember if you buy at a sale barn the horses can be drugged and a good rider can make any horse look good. so be careful.

GOOD LUCK

HOPE THIS HELPED

Answer 8

a breed of horse such as a draught or shire horse would be suitable. this is because (no offence intended) they are weight carriers. Also, they tend to be calm and even tempered which will be suitable as she hasn't been around horses for a while. she will need to ensure that it is cared for correctly as she has quite a low budget. good luck and i hope she finds what she's looking for.

Answer 9

Try to find a draft horse. She could seriously hurt a lightweight riding horse's spine. I always learned that a horse should carry about 20% of it's weight, as a rule of thumb. Or, find a horse or pony that she could drive instead of ride. Driving is much less stressful on the horse/pony's back. And a lot easier on the rider.

$650 isn't much for a horse. She also has to be able to pay for vet, farrier, feed, board, etc. Maybe she should wait for a while.

Answer 10

I can relate...yes, she'll need a bigger horse, one with some depth to it and width to it.  A good loin, and deep in the heartgirth...great if you could find a draft/TB cross for her.  She not only needs to ride but also do some walking with her horse...don't laugh..the horse can go for a walk right along with her..this will initially begin to build muscle and tone her body...won't be easy for her in the beginning.  

You deserve a pat on the back for your efforts to help her lead a healthier lifestyle!!!

Answer 11

Maybe you can put n some money for her to get a greater horse. or just be honest with her, tell her to face facts and save up more money to get a bigger one.

Answer 12

Oh my god.  I think she will only be able to get an untrained stud. She will have to train it herself. 650 won't really get her anything. She will probably have to get a huge horse. Over 300 pounds! I feel bad for her. You will have to be sure that the poor horse can carry this amount of weight. Does she know how to ride or not? If she isn't experienced with horses then I don't reccomend her getting a horse.

Answer 13

Aww your poor friend has she lost any weight at all? Well she could get a draft horse but those are way over $650. I really don't know maybe she should wait awhile. In the mean time ask her if she would like to go for a walk with you or something and if you guys would like lunch go have subway or something. Maybe she'll lose a little weight.

Answer 14

she should get a draft horse. they are bigger

and stronger

Answer 15

I agree, if she only has $650 to spend, how will she afford boarding and everything? Buying the horse is the LEAST expensive part. I spend $400+ every month, and my mare is boarded outside and in a reasonably priced area!

Answer 16

find a horse with some sort of drafty in it. a half bred with draft could do just fine for someone a little heavy-set.

Answer 17

I think she needs to take lessons first to get familiar with riding and taking care of horses.  Don't just go out and buy one for the heck of it if you haven't had any experience with one yet.

Answer 18

I'm sorry to say, but rodeogirl51292 is very wrong. Someone at that weight should not ride a normal sized horse. That is too much weight to put on their backs. I don't mean to sound mean, because I also have a friend that is very over weight (290 something). I know that losing weight is a very hard thing, but she needs to try, not just for riding but for her health. Sarah could maybe start trying lessons. 650 may cover the upfront cost of the purchase but won't cover the continual costs of the horse. I know it's hard to tell someone no, but you need to think about the horse as well. Without the appropriate finances, the horse will suffer by not getting fed properly or housed properly, I'm not saying that she would do it on purpose, but this can happen. Then what? You can't sell it, the horse market is down as well. However, if the financial upkeep isn't a problem, then she needs to try something like a draft, or a cross. when you calculate it out. she needs to only way 20% of the horse's weight. So something 1600 pounds or more. Good luck, have fun and please be safe. :D

Answer 19

I agree with a nice stocky breed like a quarterhorse or morgan. I have a morgan quarter horse who can carry my cousin no problem and he's close to 350 pounds. We go for short trail rides and Renegade never bulks for him.

One thing I would suggest that I have not seen posted in any answers yet, is to make sure the horse doesn't have a long back. A nice big horse who LOOKS strong and sturdy could actually be pretty week for lifting weight. Think of a board stretched across two blocks, the longer the board, the easier it is to bow, with less weight applied to it. The shorter the board, the more weight it can carry with much less bowing. (Which is why I think the stockier horses would work the best for your friend.)

$650.00 isn't a whole lot of money, but we have let our horses go for less after getting to know the potential owner and learning what their goals with the horse are. Also, getting a mixed breed that can't be registred is also usually cheaper and you can get one h3ll of a horse if you're not breed specific!!! (My renegade is a fine example of that!!!)

Good luck to your friend!!!!

Answer 20

I DONT THINK YOU CAN GET A HORSE FOR THAT PRICE BUT ANYWAYS NEVER MIND.

DONKEYS ARE GREAT WEIGHT CARRIERS TOO!!!

HERE'S SOME HORSES THE FIRST ONE NEEDS BROKEN IN...

http://www.dreamhorse.com/show_horse.php...

http://www.dreamhorse.com/show_horse.php...

http://www.dreamhorse.com/show_horse.php...

http://www.dreamhorse.com/show_horse.php...

***SORRY THAT'S ALL I COULD FIND BUT GOOD LUCK!***