The influence of rider:horse bodyweight ratio and rider‐horse‐saddle fit on equine gait and behaviour: A pilot study
Authors: S. J. Dyson, Andrea D. Ellis, R. Mackechnie-Guire, J. Douglas, A. Bondi, Pat Harris
Journal: Equine Veterinary Education
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Rider Weight and Equine Gait Responses Determining safe weight-carrying limits for horses remains poorly defined in equine practice, prompting researchers to systematically examine how rider bodyweight influences gait quality and pain-related behaviours. In this prospective crossover trial, six sound horses were ridden by four riders of varying sizes (ranging from 60.8 kg to 142.1 kg, representing 10–27.5% of bodyweight ratio) through standardised 30-minute dressage tests, with sessions abandoned if lameness of grade 3/8 or greater developed in any limb or if horses displayed ten or more behavioural pain markers. All thirteen test sessions with heavy and very heavy riders were discontinued—twelve due to lameness development and one due to pain behaviours—whereas only one of twelve moderate-rider sessions was abandoned. Notably, moderate and heavy riders had similar BMI values yet markedly different abandonment rates, suggesting absolute bodyweight carries greater relevance than BMI alone, and lameness resolved within 45–60 minutes post-test in all cases. These findings indicate that riders exceeding approximately 15–18% of horse bodyweight risk inducing temporary musculoskeletal strain and related pain behaviours, though the study's limitations—including suboptimal saddle fit across some combinations and subjective abandonment criteria—highlight the need for further investigation into whether improved saddle fitting, enhanced horse fitness, and gradual weight adaptation might expand weight-carrying capacity.
Read the full abstract on the publisher's site
Practical Takeaways
- •Heavier riders (>15% of horse bodyweight) risk inducing temporary lameness and pain—consider rider weight management and fitness screening as part of horse welfare protocols
- •Saddle fit becomes critical with heavier riders; ensure professional fitting for riders >90 kg, as poor fit compounds weight-related stress
- •Horses may recover quickly after a heavy-rider session, masking cumulative musculoskeletal strain—monitor ridden soundness objectively and allow recovery time rather than assuming brief improvement means no harm
Key Findings
- •All 13 tests with heavy (>91 kg) and very heavy (>142 kg) riders were abandoned due to lameness (n=12) or pain behaviours (n=1), compared to only 1 of 12 moderate rider tests
- •Rider bodyweight percentage of 15.3-17.9% (heavy riders) and 23.6-27.5% (very heavy riders) induced temporary lameness in all horses tested
- •Bodyweight proved more relevant than BMI for weight-carrying capacity; two riders with similar BMI (28.0 vs 26.3 kg/m²) had markedly different abandonment rates (8% vs 100%)
- •All horses recovered soundness within 45-60 minutes post-abandonment and completed study moving well, suggesting temporary rather than permanent injury