Do you feel that it is Animal Abuse/Cruelty when a Horse has anyone over 150 lbs/68 kg on its poor back?

Question

When I see a Horse being miss treated by having a person over 150lbs/ 68 kg I just want to push /kick that person off that poor innocent horses back ......Is there a law that limits the weight of person to protect horses

SOME PEOPLE ALL MOST LOOK THE SAME SIZE OF THE HORSE THEY ARE RIDING.............Scary for the horse

Answer 1

I do understand and agree to a point.

It depends on the horse's size and inshape ability. Plus, the distance or event taken place (showing, trail riding or just in arena...light or heavy working)

My requirement for riding my horses (as they are all almost the same weight and size structure), that no more than 17% of their body weight is allow. Example: 1,200 roundation would be 204 pounds.

HOWEVER. The big issue is if the horse is 1) Been riding at that weight and 2) If the horse is healthy enough to handle that weight for whatever activity that is being presented.

My mare is about 1,100 at 14.2. I do not allow anyone more than 170 on her. I am 135 myself, which is like 12% of her weight.

My youngest gelding is roughly 1,300 at 15.3 hands and I am the only one that rides him. My fiance might ride him and he is about 170 pounds. That is the most I will allow on him as he is not used to any higher weight that can actually cause joint issue's by switching weight from one to the next extreme that quick.

Once in awhile I will have someone ride with me as a double for short distances and light walking. He does just fine and the max is on him is 350, tack included..which my saddle weights 40 pounds in itself. Yet, don't ride double often, only for qualifications or for training purposes as a member of the Sherrif's Mounted Search and Rescue Team.

My oldest gelding at about 16 hands is about 1,300 and I only allow my weight on him now as he is almost 29. Before, I would allow 180 max as he wasn't used to any weight besides mine or someone elses (160 pounds).

I do agree about how I see some people who have no business being on a horse when they are more than 20% of that horse's weight and size.

There is some horses, like draft breeds, who are built specifically for weight situations.

All in all, it is about the horse's state of health before their breed ability.

150 is a bit too low as majority of all male riders is over 180 pounds. Females average of 120 to 150 pounds themselves.

As someone else said, majority of vets will state that horses have the capacity of having 1/3 of their weight. However as I said and they too, it depends on their individual state of health as well.

Answer 2

Depends on the size of the horse. Of course anyone with a brain should know to size themselves to the animal before riding it. At 1100 pounds My mare could easily carry someone above 280 lbs. I would never let anyone that big on her, because of the riding we do in the mountain their is too much climbing and although I know she could do it she would be very tired afterwards. If they have a good sized animal it should be no problem. We have a 17 hand big boned Quarter Horse where I board that will carry the larger person. He would have no problems carrying someone close to if not over 300 pounds. We've had Shetland ponies that can carry a 200 lb man for a short distance no problems.
There are no laws pertaining to this. It's a matter of a little common sense.

Answer 3

There are many factors to consider, blanket statements do not fit. First the build of the horse needs to be considered, draft horses don't necessarily carry weight well, they are built more for pulling. Second, the skill of the rider, are they balanced in the saddle and know how to actually ride, not just flop around in the saddle. A lighter weight person, inbalanced in the saddle, will cause more pain than a balanced, heavier rider. Third, what type of riding is being done. A heavy rider doing 5 ft jumps will certainly be hard on a horses back. A little trail ride won't be bad.

Answer 4

Where did you get the number 150 from ? Just pulled it out of nowhere or ?? I agree that there IS definitely a limit to a weight limit on a horse's back, but I don't have a number in mind. And no, there isn't a law. Horses are more resilient than you might think. There is a reason that they have been used for centuries as riding animals, draft animals, pack animals, etc. They are very strong and can handle heavy loads... YES, they do have a limit but I think that 150 lbs. is well within a horse's carrying capacity.

Answer 5

This depends on how big the horse is. Horses are very strong animals though and I'm sure most horses can carry at least 150lbs. I know how you feel though, I really love horses and some people ARE to big to ride. I'd say over 200 is to heavy. Like I say though, it depends on the size of the horse.

Answer 6

It does not mean they are being mistreated- if the horse can carry them, it should be no problem. We have a mini gelding that can carry 2 adults in a cart (both about 150 lbs) without even huffing.
You don't get into problems until the person is pretty much twice that. I let people ride my draft horse and she starts to have trouble at about 290, but still can do it.
I am about 190 and have ridden 14h-18h horses with no problems whatsoever. I would not jump on a pony, but even most guys are over 150 lbs.
I have seen huge woman showing dressage on little arabians. You feel sorry for the horse, but they still have perfect movements and you do not see any ill effects.

Answer 7

If the rider is hugely overweight, it might be uncomfortable for the horse, but a lot of riders are over 150 pounds. Most grown men in the general population weigh over 150 pounds, including male equestrians.

Horses are very strong animals. If they're well cared for and well fed, they can do a lot of work, including pulling big loads and carrying adult humans.

The horses I worry about are carriage horses who pull tourist carriages in some cities. The loud and distracting environment can be punishing indeed for animals that are genetically geared to respond swiftly to environmental threats. Fortunately, this activity is much more tightly regulated than it used to be, if not ideal, with limits on the hours that the animals can work and the climate stress they have to endure.

Answer 8

It depends on the size of the animal, and the size of the person, I have a tw that is 16"3 hand horse that weights about 1100 lbs that my husband rides and he is well over 150 lbs, however I would not allow him to ride my mare who is 14h to 15h and weights 800lbs. He is in better proportion to the bigger horse than I am, we both trail ride and I agree that a large person should not ride an animal that is too small for them.

Answer 9

No depending on the size of the horse. Horses have been carrying heavy loads for some time.

Answer 10

Yes, it could probably damage the horses back after awhile. But animal cruelty is everywhere but you can't just say stop and it will. But yes that should be considered cruelty depending on the size of the horse.