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

• Draft horses. Many heavier riders feel that the answer is to buy a draft horse. After all، they are huge and have plenty of bone، right? The problem is that draft horses are not bred to carry weight on their back but to pull weight. Their proportions and muscling are different. A high-quality cross between a draft horse and a riding horse is better for an extremely tall and heavy rider than a pure draft.

Purpose، Use، and Gear

• Western vs. English gear. It's worth considering that western gear weighs more than English. A western saddle often weighs 50 pounds. An English saddle، without irons، weighs 20 or less. This is a considerable difference that is very noticeable when saddling. If you are trail riding and plan on using saddle bags، you should allow another 15 to 20 pounds.

• Work. The more you plan on working a horse، and the more intense the work، the less weight you should ask it to carry. If all you ever do is short trail rides close to your own property، you can often get away with a smaller horse.
• Showing. For showing، it is very important that you look proportionate to your horse، although in the dressage and saddlebred arenas، very large horses are currently fashionable. It is often felt that if you want to win، you need a tall one.
• Barrel racing and gaming. For barrel racing and gaming، in contrast، the smallest one that can comfortably carry you and do the work is most desirable، as smaller horses can turn more quickly. Barrel racing horses are seldom over 15 hands but tend to be stocky sprinter types that can carry more weight.