general horse information?

Hi I was wondering how much weight a horse can take from a rider? is there a weight/height ratio of both horse and rider? as my husband is wanting to ride my 16.3 stan Wink

dardbred, and my husband is very tall? also why does a horse always go on the float on the side behind the driver? is it something to do with the road and the weight of the horse?

All horses are different in weight carrying abilities. For heavier people, you want something that has a bit more bone (so say a Warmblood, Clydesdale (or cross), and a Standardbred have more 'bone' that a thoroughbred for instance) and also has a strong back. Back strength is a combination of muscle development and good conformation. A horse with a long back won't be as strong as one with a shorter back.

If your husband has a go and the horse is unusually naughty, or does an odd stretch when he gets off - he's too heavy for it.

Taller people are better on taller horses as they find it easier to balance, and easier for the horse to balance them.

In regards to floating, you always put the heavier horse on the right because of the road shape. Australian roads rise in the centre and slope away at the edges, to encourage rain to drain off quickly to make them safer. If the heavier horse is on the right, he's on the highest part of the road which makes it much safer for towing as the float is much less likely to flip if the horse freaks out or there's an accident.

_________________
There is never a music so sweet as a soft whinney at dawn

Just wondering what everyone does with or how to disposes of horse poop? well do you dig a big hole? the big horses are okay out in the paddock of 5 acres, its the shetland pony in her founder paddock, there is only so much you can put in your garden, Wink

G'day again Mary,
I've been given a lovely standy mare (she's yet to arrive) and I don't actually know much about her but I think she's 15ish hands high, my OH is skinny but tall and she will be her horse and I'm sure she won't have a problem (but will be monitored) so I'm sure your partner shouldn't have a problem.
As for poop most people either go out and spread it out with a rake or pick it up and put it in sand parts of the paddock to encourage grass growth or take it to a 'poop corner' where its usually removed and put onto peoples gardens. People even advertise free poo in the quokka and the public will come and take bags and use it on their own garden.
Hope this helps!

Hi all, just wondering if we are feeding our gang too much? the 13yrs stbd, 6yrs tb mare, 10yrs shetland pony- can eat!! anyway I reckon a small bale of oaten hay per day for the big ones is too much? I have been watching my mare, and she is still very good,has droped a bit of weight- mainly due to king-(dickie) my stbd stealing from her? they are up to date with worming, but are always hanging at the gate for the bale. Wink

We feed our Tbs as much hay as they'll eat, about 3 flakesa day for stbs and one flake for lil ponies Smile

_________________
There is never a music so sweet as a soft whinney at dawn

I agree, feed them as much as they'll take.

My mare never stops eating so there's never a limit to her but on the other hand my colt has one bikky of hay in the morning and two at night. If he gets two in the morning he only eats one bikky before going about his day and the paddock is absolutly bare with no pick on it!

Hi all, we are thinking of moving to a smaller property from our 10acres to 5, Im wondering/concerned about space for the 2 big horses? as for my shetland well she wonders around the home paddock of 3acres, is there enough room for them to run? I have heard its normally 1acre per horse? and there is also a forrest across the road for riding, so thats good. Very Happy

this place has many smaller paddocks,a large dam, and 3 wooden post and rail fencing for farrier/dentist, its also got eclectric fencing.