An Open Letter to Fellow Instructors: Rethinking Weight Limits in Adaptive/Therapeutic Riding

Let’s talk about something that doesn’t get enough discussion time in our industry: weight limits for lesson horses.

Below is a conversation I’ve had many times…both verbally and through email with so many instructors and programs… and I thought it was time to share my perspective more openly since it’s such an important topic for all of us working in adaptive/therapeutic riding programs.

Many instructors are doing their best to manage horses who are burning out, showing increased behavioral issues, or requiring significant time and financial investment just to stay lesson-ready (I’ve been there and was one!). The reality is that the average “career span” of an adaptive/therapeutic riding lesson horse before signs of burnout appear is often shockingly short…sometimes just 6 to 18 months before they start to show “bad behaviors” or have health issues to the point where programs start reconsidering if they are a suitable lesson horse. Those that stay in programs longer frequently display undesirable behaviors or enter a state of emotional and physical shutdown.

Of course, this isn’t true for every horse or program but in my experience, this pattern is becoming more common than it should be.

What I’m sharing here specifically relates to lesson horses. I’m not diving into the separate (and nuanced) topic of weight limits for personal horses — that’s a different conversation entirely, with different variables at play. Our lesson horses face unique and often underestimated demands, which I’ve outlined below.

I recently received a message from a fellow instructor whose program is reconsidering their current limits…and I was thrilled to hear it. I applaud them for reaching out and broaching this tough topic.

Below not an easy conversation, but it’s a necessary one if we want to protect our horses, our staff, our students, and the quality of our services long-term.

Below is the message I shared in response. I’m posting it here in full to help others who may be facing similar questions. I hope it gives you food for thought as you evaluate your own policies and horse welfare practices.

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Hi!

Thank you so much for reaching out! I’m really glad to hear that you and your program are taking the time to thoughtfully reconsider the weight limits for your lesson horses. It’s a conversation that more programs need to be having, especially in the adaptive/therapeutic riding world where the demands on our horses and humans are unique and often underestimated.

There are several key considerations I encourage programs to factor in when setting weight limits. First and foremost, I strongly recommend setting two separate weight limits:

1. One for independent (not needing physical support) or fairly well-balanced riders and
2. Another, more conservative limit for supported and/or chronically unbalanced riders (such as those requiring physical support like thigh holds, frequent repositioning, need significant physical assistance during mounts and dismounts, and/or are unable to do their own emergency dismount/consent to falling in an emergency).

For the second group, I advise a very conservative rider weight limit in the range of 80–120 lbs, depending on the physical capabilities not only of the horse but also of the humans providing support. It’s easy to overestimate what our instructors and sidewalkers can safely manage … but regularly supporting and/or mounting and dismounting a human body to and from horseback is extremely demanding and should not be taken lightly.

Even for more body aware or balanced riders (who are often still beginners in our world), I encourage a very conservative approach. Personally, I don’t exceed a maximum of 14–16% of the horse’s body weight when combining the rider and tack.

For example, if going by the 16% maximum on a 1,000 lb horse with 20 lbs of tack, I wouldn’t exceed 140 lbs for the student. And for older horses, or those carrying riders with greater body awareness or proprioception challenges, I lean more toward the 14% limit. This is something I’ve personally and professionally been moving towards over the years due to my experiences managing lesson horses and also observations of other instructors and programs. I recently found out that the Riding for Disabled Associations are now recommending a more conservative maximum as well….it verified what I’ve been observing and experiencing (CLICK HERE for the RDA document).

I will increase the total weight percentage for what the lesson horses carry into the 16–18% range, but only for fit, balanced riders who are either doing schooling/training rides or who are experienced students with more refined riding skills, balance, and body awareness. These individuals know how to move with the horse, maintain proper alignment, and reduce undue stress on the horse’s back … which is very different from what we typically see in newer or unbalanced beginner riders.

I understand these guidelines may seem strict compared to traditional lesson program “norms”….but the “norm” are experiencing behavior issues, burnout issues, and dumping money into trying to duct tape their horses back together because we are asking unsustainable and unrealistic things from them. Our horses are not working with one or two independent riders a few times a week and the riders are constantly progressing in their physical and riding ability. Our horses are chronically carrying beginners, and in our world….many of whom have physical, sensory, and/or cognitive Challenges. That changes everything. The “20 percent rule” was based off very fit horses with experienced riders on them.

In my experience, and in speaking with other instructors and programs who have implemented similar standards, these more conservative limits result in noticeable, and I dare to say drastic, improvements in horse behavior, comfort, long-term soundness, and cost to manage.

Another management tip that goes hand in hand with the weight limits: try to split your horse’s weekly student load into thirds. For each horse:

• About 1/3 of their riders can be near their maximum allowed weight and/or those falling in the unbalanced/supported category
• Another 1/3 of their riders can be more in the middle
• The final 1/3 should be lightest of the more balanced/independent student selection (not “lightest” but in the unbalanced/supported category)

This workload balance, combined with thoughtful weight policies, can significantly improve your horse’s well-being and extend their working life in your program….and also have a positive impact on the budget spent on maintenance.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any follow-up questions.

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And… cue the ruffled feathers….

I know my stance on this topic isn’t always popular… in fact, it tends to be one of the more controversial stances I bring up. But that doesn’t make it any less important to address.

This is one of the exact areas in our industry where PATHOLOGICAL ALTRUISIM runs rampant. The desire to help everyone, to say “yes” to every student, to stretch our horses just a little bit further for the sake of one more ride and serving just one more student.

Yes, I fully see it comes from a good place. But when our good intentions result in harmful outcomes….at the expense of our horses’ well-being, we’ve crossed a line and need to stop even if its emotionally difficult.

In far too many cases, our horses are the ones paying the price for our over-extension, our avoidance of hard conversations, and our reluctance to put protective policies in place.

More in-depth videos with guidance on instruction theory and examples of this in real-life lessons can be found in The Intuitive Instructor Club video library where we dive deeper into saddle fitting, rider positioning, and matching the right tack to your students’ needs.

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Disclaimer: The information provided by Hoof Falls & Footfalls is for educational purposes only and is intended to support instructors in expanding their knowledge and skills. It is not a substitute for professional training, certification, or individual judgment. By choosing to implement any of the ideas, techniques, or practices shared here, you do so at your own risk and accept full responsibility for the outcomes. Hoof Falls & Footfalls and its creator, Saebra, assume no liability for any injuries, damages, or losses resulting from the use of the information provided. Always ensure the safety and well-being of your students, horses, and yourself by following appropriate safety guidelines and industry best practices.