Weight limits when riding on holiday: what providers state and why
Providers give weight limits that differ clearly, and the horses are the reason.
Weight limits for rides: what providers state, what a study on rider weight and horse shows, and how to clarify honestly and early whether a ride fits.
Where you find the limit
The weight limit is listed in many offers under “Not suitable for”. It belongs to the provider, not to us, and it can change.
The limits differ clearly from offer to offer. That has to do with the provider and its horses, and we come to that next. Important: not every offer names a limit. If there is none, that does not mean there is none. Ask.
Why limits exist
The reason is the horse. A study by Sue Dyson and colleagues (Equine Veterinary Education, 2020) had six non-lame horses in regular work ridden by four riders of similar riding ability but different bodyweights. The riders weighed on average 60.8, 77.8, 91.0 and 142.1 kilograms, which was 10.0 to 11.7, 12.8 to 15.0, 15.3 to 17.9 and 23.6 to 27.5 percent of the horse’s weight. Each pair rode a standardised test of 30 minutes, abandoned on lameness or signs of pain.
The result: all 13 tests with the two heaviest riders and one of 12 tests with the medium rider were abandoned. The horses moved evenly again after the abandonment, and the lameness was temporary according to the authors. They conclude that large riders can induce temporary lameness and behaviour consistent with musculoskeletal pain. Two riders with a similar body mass index had very different abandonment rates, so bodyweight is likely to matter more than the index.
What the study does not say: it is a pilot study with six horses and four riders. Saddle fit was not ideal in every pair, and the abandonment criteria were subjective. The authors derive no fixed limit in kilograms or percent. They write that further work must clarify whether fitness of the horse, adaptation to heavier loads and a better fitting saddle raise the weight-carrying capacity.
What this means for your booking
Three things help.
- State your weight honestly and before booking. A provider can only assign a suitable horse if it knows the number. That is not embarrassing, it is the basis.
- Ask about the size of the horse. Horses differ in strength. Ask which horse is planned for your weight and how long the ride lasts.
- Ask about alternatives. Some providers have shorter rides, others stronger horses. If the limit is exceeded, ask for another offer. We recommend not hoping for leniency.
Questions for the provider (for the email or the call)
- What is your weight limit, and does it apply with or without clothing and equipment?
- Which horse would you choose for my weight and height?
- Is there a shorter version?
- What happens if on arrival weight or riding level do not match the booking (refund, rebooking)?
Hinweise für Chef und Eddie
- Kein Gewichts-Prozentwert als feste Regel genannt, nur die Studienwerte.
- Die fünf Grenzen stammen von fünf Angebotsseiten (Rubrik “Nicht geeignet für”), jede am 11.10.2026 gelesen; sie können sich ändern, vor Livegang erneut gegenlesen.
Sources
- Dyson SJ, Ellis AD, Mackechnie-Guire R, Douglas J, Bondi A, Harris P (2020): The influence of rider:horse bodyweight ratio and rider-horse-saddle fit on equine gait and behaviour: A pilot study. Equine Veterinary Education 32(10), 527-539, doi.org/10.1111/eve.13085. Abstract read in the repository of Hartpury University: pure.hartpury.ac.uk/en/publications/the-influence-of-riderhorse-bodyweight-ratio-and-rider-horse-sadd/
- Offers: Viator pool and GetYourGuide hand cards, as of 11 October 2026.