>>I have always been told (By professionals like vets) That a horse can hold >>1/2 there weight. I know that Icelandic ponies were used for years to >>carry adult men.
You might point out that they eat their mistakes in Iceland too. Personally, I think we should eat people who are stupid enough to make statements like that, but that's another story...I've NEVER heard 1/2 their weight!!!!! And, past that, Icelanders traditionally didn't ride ONE horse for very long periods. If they were going to be out for very long, they'd often pony a couple of spares, switching horses every hour or two. I put this on my website a few years ago (a very out of date website btw) http://windgait.com/WeightCarrying.htm It's just some of my complied GUIDELINES for carrying weight. I think Judy has this one plus some others, on hers. There is no one indicator of weight-carrying ability, or do any of the formulas work literally, all the time. But, that said, my favorite formula is the one that I first read in a magazine a couple of years ago that factors in the horse's cannon bone measurement along with the TOTAL weight the horse will be carrying - which includes the weight of the rider, the weight of the tack and the most overlooked factor, the horse's own weight. I'll see if I can find that one, or maybe someone else will forward it. Karen Thomas, NC
