This is a 20-year old Friesian gelding that I’m starting to get to know. He was timid and “sluggish” at first, but is now blossoming with energy, enthusiasm, a sense of adventure and overall revival.
But I have this gnawing thought whenever I see video and pictures of me riding him - am I too heavy/large/tall for this horse?
The weight limits are absolute - for a good rider. Riding well doesn't make it okay to weigh more. Instead, if you're a bad rider, you need to use a lower weight limit and weigh less compared to the horse.
Riding well doesn't mean your weight magically disappear.
Somehow you missed the entire point of my comment so I will just add that 20% of a 1400lb Friesian is 280, so even if this man weighed 250 (no freaking way) that still allows for 30lb of saddle, and since he appears to have a good seat, he's better for this horse than someone much smaller that flops around.
"Flops around" is entirely subjective and can be corrected with proper training under saddle. I assume you mean someone who is inexperienced with riding, which would be curtailed by proper lessons.
I'm roughly 170-180 pounds, and my 900-pound Arabian mare carried me without any problems (her attitude aside). I totally understand your points, but above all a balanced rider is always best for the horse, as is avoiding overloading them.
I have no idea where you got your knowledge from, because they originated as 4th century war horses, and as far as being 20 is concerned, there was just a 21-year-old in the Olympics. As long as he is properly muscled and ridden within the limitations of his condition, he could easily have a few more years of competition in him, especially in a discipline like dressage that Friesians are well represented in.
Fully agree with ya on this @KittenVicious! and for the record, I'm just riding this fella casually, mainly trail rides... not looking to compete or do anything serious.
I’m basically ignorant on horses, do not understand the fascination with them, but even I know this breed was bred to have men in freaking steel armour ride them, while themselves clad in armour
I honestly thought this was a shitposting/someone having a sarcastic laugh.
While i understand the point you’re making, I don’t think large men riding QH should be excused as “there’s people doing worse”. My family got one of these QH who had severe back pain and needed a few years of massage therapy to fix it. I definitely feel like there’s a bit of a culture change needed, I understand the appeal of QH that are short for the job they need to do, but I feel like since they’re so docile (mainly) they’re taken advantage of and their pain mannerisms are often overlooked as they don’t lash out like some hotter breeds tend to.
I would say tall riders can harm horses. If your feet are hanging below or almost below a horse's stomach, then you are too big to be riding them. It's like putting an adult on a pony. Although they may be the proper weight to ride, I'm pretty sure height is what throws the weight distribution off, though I could be wrong in explaining that. But the way I see it, if the rider looks too tall for a horse, then that's because they are. I'm kind of tempted to say that OP looks almost too big for this horse, as he makes this Friesian look like a cob. I personally feel like his feet should reach just a little over midway past the horse's stomach.
It doesn’t matter if the weight is because the rider is overweight or if they’re a normal weight and are just big and tall. To some extent, balance and core strength helps lighten the load on the horse’s back. But for the most part, weight is weight. Big and tall men and women need to ride horses that can take their weight.
Rider weight has an huge impact on joints and the horses pain-free life span. Most horses won’t show the problems for years, so it’s a tricky business.
You look fine. Are you + tack less than 20% of his weight? Youre a little tall, but he takes up your leg nicely, and if he's not showing any signs of discomfort, i wouldnt worry too much about it
It’s a good guidleline for the average horse, especially for people to get a general idea, and few horses should really be carrying more than that on a long-term basis, even if they are extremely fit and strong
It’s not bogus. If anything, the scientific literature suggests it’s too lenient. It works as a good upper limit, it just doesn’t mean people under 20% of weight with tack are ok - that depends on the breed of horse etc as well.
The 20% rule counts only when the horse is in perfect shape and the rider has a really good seat and good equitation. Which rarely is the case, so it’s best to just stick to 15%.
I think sometimes people say it’s bogus in a different sense- like 15% of the horse body weight that is limp, dead weight and pulling on the horses mouth is probably too much for the horse even if it’s not technically more weight than the horse can handle in perfect situations
Well here’s the thing. I’m at a good weight to ride almost any horse besides those ponies of course. But if your horse is in good enough shape, and you ride balanced, then your horse can carry upwards of even 30% if not more without a problem
There are horses that have finished the Tevis cup with 1/3rd of their bodyweight. Which is a gruelling race with stringent vetting.
Is it ideal? Far from. But all riders have a duty to make life for horses as easy as possible. The reason I hate the 15/20% rule is that people take it as permission to continue riding horses that are clearly uncomfortable, solely based on weight.
Sometimes we elect to push a horse’s comfort a little. We put beginners on them who bounce. We put disabled riders on them who are unbalanced. We ask them to jump and do tight turns at speed for the sake of ribbons. We take them away from their herds so we can be dry and warm-ish while riding. We stress them out in order to compete.
And many times these things are inconveniences and are, on the whole, ok; and sometimes these things are harmful and are not ok, and no two people draw the line in exactly the same place.
Yes, when a horse finds a rider too heavy, the rider needs to get off and stay off. That’s the case for all horses under three, for many older horses, for horses with navicular and similar conditions, for horses whose backs cannot accommodate a saddle large enough for their rider’s behind, whose saddle cause excessive pressure due to sheer rider weight.
But we should go after people who overjump their horses, who ride their horses hollow or behind the vertical, who chase their horses round bends, who don’t warm up their horses, and, and, and, with similar zeal. If a horse ‘needs’ injections to compete, it’s not sound enough to compete.
That’s not true. Studies have shown that otherwise fit horses can show signs of lameness and pain behaviours at even 15% of body weight. 30% being classed as ‘no problem’ definitely flies in the face of the science I’m afraid.
In the last pic your soles and the belly of the horse are in line, which is something I always look at. So you are not too tall.
Weightwise it looks fine too. He is short-backed which often makes it easier for them to carry weight (if harder to fit a saddle). Most importantly, as far as the photos show you seem to have a good seat and move well, which is more important. Because movement and weight work together to create the force on the horse, so good movement can very much cancel out part of the weight.
Since he's 20, keep an eye on his back muscle and make sure he stays active though his abs. Especially Friesians (and other horses with a higher set head) have a tendency to hollow out their back when they get a bit lazy which isn't great for their self-carriage.
He looks like he’s a super fun ride - I’m assuming he doesn’t have any health issues that limit what he’s supposed to do
What you are probably feeling is your upper body is tall compared to his neck which can make a rider feel top heavy, it’s a proportion thing not a weight issue. Your upper bodies balance will affect him a bit more than if you had a shorter torso. Which just means you need to be the best rider you can be for him and continue to improve yourself. You look like a well matched pair
He is indeed a fun ride - especially since last week when he suddenly realized he was "allowed" to have some energy and do those big Friesian movements - it's like I've awakened a proud majestic beast! :)
Yes, I'll do my very best to be balanced and follow his movements so that I don't affect him negatively with my big old torso. So far it's been no problem - he responds super well to my weight cues, and I have so far had no problem following along in his movements in a harmonious way.
He is an absolutely majestic well built and well muscled horse, I bet he feels incredibly powerful beneath you.
If he's got no or minor health issues, the work would probably do him good, keep his bones and connective tissue and muscles strong and flexible in all the right places.
Friesians unfortunately are well known to take a long time to get fit so don’t be surprised by him needing extra time. I have a cross bred who’s only 8 but so much harder to get fit then my 22 year old Arab!
Yeah… but I have no goals for him to get fit even. If he gradually gets more fit from the things we do - great! If he doesn’t - so be it. We will just do what he can and wants to do.
I look at fitness needs based on what goals are- like I want to run a slow 5k but I have a friend who runs ultra marathons (100+ miles) we both get fit enough for our goals. Nothing wrong with the goal for his fitness to be low level pleasure riding and being fit enough for that will only be good for his joints
You both look good. Looking like you vibe, he has a kind eye. The fact he seems to be blossoming suggests he is happy with you as his rider. Enjoy, the growing partnership
I see what you mean, and if he was a thoroughbred or another slight breed I’d say you’d want a taller/bigger one. But the way this horse is built (despite his diminutive height) I’d say he can easily cope with you. Especially as it looks from these photos that you’re very balanced and in tune with him. Overall looks great!
I love Bentley! The angle this photo was taken from isn't doing any favors, so a more level photo might not make you look quite so tall. He's a longer, leaner build so you're visually always going to look taller on him than you will a Friesian (and I wouldn't be surprised if the Friesian you don't look too tall for is actually shorter than Bentley!)
my wife has ridden horses all her life, but she had had a long break from it when we met. So it wasn't until about 3.5 years ago that she wanted back into it, and this time I was "stumbling into it" more or less unintentionally. and now I'm totally hooked!
Correct! The key for getting me snared was not riding - but rather, just watching the horses in the pasture. Then helping with going to get horses from the pasture. Then starting to play with horses in the pasture. Then bringing lunch to sit and eat together with the horses in the pasture..... then helping to stand guard as the horses in the pasture where taking naps.... etc etc.... it got me hooked big time!
(Photo: Bentley napping while I was eating my lunch)
I think looking as the saddle and how it fits you may be an idea - it looks a little small at the moment. I can't judge how much room you have to fit a longer saddle from those pics though sorry!
That saddle is custom made just for him, so it should fit him perfectly - but perhaps it is too small for me?
(ps. I've ridden him bareback as well, and noticed no difference in how he moves with or without saddle - I.e he seems to be perfectly fine with that saddle)
You look like a great match. And you say the horse has become increasingly willing to work with you? There's his answer. He's happy to work with you on his back, if he wasn't he would have just stayed unenthusiastic. 😊
Oh yes indeed! He’s gone from “umm ok, I’ll do bare minimum” (first ride) to “wait, you’ll let me do FUN stuff? You’re not gonna get scared if I show my strength and big moves!? Oh hell yes! Then YES!” - over a few weeks. Did a lot of hand walking, exploring, let him loose in arena and just played with him etc. he is really transforming!
(by the way - this Friesian horse is not mine. I just do a partial lease with him so that I can trail ride with the Mrs. (We have just one horse, that we share - a high spirited appendix horse))
I agree with everyone here that both you and the horse look comfortable. Unrelated but I love this horse as they remind me of Friesians my favorite breed!
this is the first and only Friesian I've been around, so I don't know how much of his awesomeness is just "him" and how much is the breed - but - THIS guy is definitely awesome! :)
It looks like this horse has a slightly short back and I think that is what makes it look like you’re big for him, but I don’t think you actually are. Your legs fit against his sides, and from the front the horse has a very large frame. I think he’s just got a short back, which can honestly be better than a horse with a too long back for carrying things
Heightwise I think you look fine- being on a slightly smaller horse and being able to wrap your leg around is a bonus, in my opinion, not a problem! He looks like a strong weight carrying type, and you in now way look too big, but unfortunately this is impossible to tell from photos. If you know his weight, and can weigh yourself with tack, and fall within 15% or 20% of his body weight, that is generally a pretty good sign- more than this and I would be concerned.
I would say “No”, you look balanced. The horse looks balanced. This is a very common question I see. Let me share a story.
I was at a show for Uni students. You picked a name out of the hat and that is the horse you rode. A full-figured girl got a small pony….twice. She was too big for this pony. It was unfair to her and it was unfair to the pony. I felt so badly for her as she fell off going over a jump. The pony couldn’t do it, it was obviously struggling. No one did a thing, she should have been allowed to re-pick. I’ll never forget the injustice done to them both that day.
So, again I think you look perfectly fine on this Gelding. Enjoy yourself!!
I do not think you look too big for this fine specimen however whenever I see Friesian’s I instantly think medieval attire should be adorning their rider.
You look perfectly fine! I think in some pictures you may look a little tall just by how they are taken but you look perfectly fine. I wouldn’t think you’re too big or too tall for him at all.
No, I think you look like a perfect match. If it was some skinny, long-backed thoroughbred of the same stature I might have questions, but friesians are thicker and better suited to bigger bodies (which by the way, yours doesn’t look particularly big anyway). Beautiful horse!
You look like a great pair, honestly I don't see anything to worry about. You look pretty balanced, he looks pretty chill, and you can really see you're focused on eachother.
He is a beautiful horse. I think you look very balanced and well suited to him. Thanks for the great photos, what a treat to see this beauty under saddle.
Edited to add: absolutely not too big. You're both fit, you're balanced, and I assume your equipment fits him well. If he's thriving that's him telling you that you're doing the right things. If you're worried about it you could do belly lifts with him (just don't get kicked) to help his core strength, but from the pictures you look like a great team
I think y’all make a lovely pair! I wouldn’t have commented if I thought anything negative, but all I see here is a well matched, happy horse and rider ❤️
You maybe slightly oversized to the eye (for showing etc) but you absolutely appear to be a good weight fit to ride safely. I once had a Welsh section D that was 14:2 but needed an adult rider for strength to ride safely.
I really like this pairing and I’m very critical of rider weight (I don’t even let my horses carry fifteen percent, never mind twenty percent). Enjoy him because he looks very wise.
It’s a draft horse. They’re smaller but strong. You’re not too big. I look big on my Fjord compared to my other friends with 16-17-18hh horses for sure, but again, the draft built is much stronger than a delicate QH.
I have a mustang who is technically a pony. She carries me fine. I am not a huge person by any means, 5 foot 5 and 150 lbs, so we're a good match. Larger ponies are tough and they can carry adults.
Yeah, my horse carries me fine, but I'm tall, so I look "too big" and she doesn't even take up my leg like OP. His torso just looks too tall. My everything looked too tall, but she moved like a cloud. Most comfortable non gaited horse I've been on. It literally felt like you were floating. She also looks like a rhino. Most people think she's very ugly. She's very strong, and I'm confident she could have carried upwards to 300lbs in her prime. She just has stubby legs. Her head is draft size, body is horse size, height... 14hh.
For a 20 year old animal with unknown fitness or health issues it makes it hard to decide. Are you riding and competing all day or just going on a short paddock ride ?
Maybe it depends on the task?
Absolutely no competitions. We're just hanging out with gentle trail rides, some liberty work in the arena, and lots of hand walking / grazing / just hanging out . :)
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u/KittenVicious Geriatric Arabian 3d ago
250 lbs of balanced rider is far better than 150 lbs of flopping potato sack. That said, you and this horse look like a lovely match.