How Big of a Horse Do I Need? (How to Choose the Correct Size Horse)

• Horses with a history of chronic lameness، back problems، or founder should not be asked to carry as much weight as healthy ones.
• Older ones should also not be asked to carry as much weight.

Conformation and Type

A horse's confirmation definitely impacts how much weight it can carry.

• Back. A horse with a very long back is likely to be prone to back problems. Thus، the amount of weight should be reduced a little. In contrast، one with an extremely short back may not be able to carry heavy saddle bags as they will be too far back and، at the very least، uncomfortable for the animal.
• Bone. The key to weight-carrying ability is the bone. A horse's bone is measured by running a piece of string or dressmaker's tape around the horse's front leg just below the knee. In England، horses are called light، medium، and heavyweight based off of the amount of bone—lightweight is 8" and under، middleweight is 8" to 9" while heavyweight is over 9". The more bone، the more they can carry and the sounder it is likely to stay. Very tall horses often have insufficient bone.

• Type. Type is also important for taller riders، more so than height. You need one with enough barrel to "take up" your leg. That is to say، your heels should not normally be below the horse's barrel، as this makes it harder to ride and also makes them look too small for you، even if they are carrying you fine. At the other extreme، you do not want one with so much barrel that your heels are hitting the saddle and not the horse.
• Ponies. As a general rule، ponies can carry more weight، in proportion to their size، than horses. Some breeds are known for incredible carrying capacity، most noticeably the Dartmoor and Exmoor ponies in England (no more than 12.2، but often capable of easily taking a full-grown man across the moors) and the Icelandic Horse.