No doubt these top finishers were riding in balance with their mounts -- balance
is more critical than weight per se. Even a lightweight rider can cause a horse
to eventually go off due to fatigue-induced crookedness. I would also think that
a heavy rider walking (i.e., sitting in the saddle) for long periods of time is
potentially more damaging to the back than active trotting.
Does your mare seem to carry the rider easily? Does she stay round, or does her
back sink when he settles into the saddle? If she is long backed herself or has
any tendency to go high-headed and hollow-backed, then lots of riding with this
much weight, especially if not perfectly balanced, may be detrimental. On the
other hand, if your mare is stout and built like a certain brick building (as
1,000# packed into a 14.1 frame sounds!), then she may be just fine.
My dressage instructor always insists that his students stand in the stirrups
for five to 10 seconds every 20 minutes or so to unweight the back. This might
also be a good practice for your friend as he learns.
Bobbie Lieberman
Maryland
<<<<Got a question:
I have a friend that dearly loves to ride my 14.1, barely 1,000 lbs. arab
mare but he weighs in the neighborhood of 200 lbs. without tack. He's not
an experienced rider, so he's just learning how to carry himself properly
and 'help' the horse rather than being a sack-o-potatoes on her back.
Is this amount of weight on my mare detrimental to her? What is the rule
of thumb? Does technique, speed, and distance have anything to do with it?
Any comments?
Joyce