How much weight should an equine carry - with Steve Edwards
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- Опубліковано 7 вер 2024
- I had the opportunity to sit down with Steve Edwards of Queen Valley Mule Ranch recently to talk about determining how much weight an equine can carry.
Most people start off with the 20 percent rule. This simply means an equine should not carry more than 20% of their body weight. While this may be a good starting point, it is not the final answer when determining a mule or donkey's capabilities. This estimate was derived from a study of horses and may not be as applicable when it comes to donkeys and mules. It has long been know that donkeys and pack mules can carry more weight than an average horse. However, how do we know when it is too much weight?
There are many factors that must be considered when determining how much weight an animal can carry. Factors include: the age of the animal, confirmation, condition, training, willingness to please, etc. Other considerations are: distance to be traveled, terrain, weather conditions, trail condition, etc.
The biggest factor in determining how much weight your animal can carry is…KNOW YOUR EQUINE! Just because you have a big draft mule does not inherently mean it is capable of massive amounts of weight. The more time you spend with your equine the better educated you will be when it comes to understanding their capabilities.
Years ago, I read an article in EQUIS magazine, reguarding the carrying capablities of horses. Although it deals with the equis caballlos, its very imformative.
good advice and always consider the condition of your animal
This was interesting. You care for your CAR , so care for the animal! A few simple indicators can really show how to help the animal. This was a great video.
Thanks so much for your very educational videos. I am currently looking for a pair of middle-aged pack donkeys/burros with whom I can spend my retirement fulfilling a 40 year-old dream of packing/trekking the country with donkeys (65 year young female retired wildlife biologist living in Alaska for last 25 years, but will be relocating to more donkey-friendly climate.).
Have completed all The Donkey Sanctuary health and behavior courses, plus a one-day packing clinic in the UK, but really want some hands on experience with 'real packers' before I get my animals. Do you offer any non-hunting packing clinics this summer of maybe around a week? Any referrals to folks in western US or Canada with suitable animals for sale would also be appreciated. Looking forward to more of your excellent videos.
Thank you Susan. Where are you located? Maybe I can help.
Hi...saw your note...I have three donkeys from Bill Garrett at Garrett Mammoth Jackstock in Stillwell, Oklahoma. Bill has a great farm and I would recommend him for any donkey advice. See his website of the same name.
I also recommend Tom and Levi Jones of Jones' Gentle Saddle Mules. Tom is without peer in the mule world, in my opinion, and his son Levi has a video on natural mulemanship on the website.
'
PS....I've found on the trail that donkeys will naturally stop and take tiny breaks when they feel stressed. Just wait quietly and let them breathe and cool a bit. When they're ready, no prompt is needed to get them to carry on again. My donk and I can now read each other's minds...he understands and I understand. He loves to go. I love to ride him and I love him. The relationship is amazing.
Great videos.
Tom E Muncey thanks!
Thank you...
This video has been recommended (October 2021) so I'm a bit late with a comment. This speaker/teacher (Steve Edwards) deserves abundant credit for the information and advice which he has provided. I would just like to add, to the list of physical considerations which he has provided. The age, of the horse, and the specific condition of the backbone, should be taken into serious consideration. The 1800 pound draft horse who has carried a 240 pound male rider with ease, may not be suitable for that same weight after he (the horse) has reached the age of 17 years. I used to work in a stable which was home for a nearly 2000 pound horse. His owner was a 240-250 pound business person who only rode on week ends. I was the(120 pound) exercise rider for this horse, on week days. My habit was to cool him down by riding bareback around the barn. I always noticed that his backbone was quite sharp. I did not understand the significance of that sharp backbone. This horse seemed to be healthy, even with an age of about 20 years. His tree-trunk legs seemed to be fine, and as far as I knew he was never lame. I know now that the managers of that stable should have been more concerned about the condition of this horse's back. That protruding backbone should probably have signaled the end of this horse's career as a mount for a 200+ pound rider. Given the age of the horse, they should have been more concerned about his back. They were only concerned with signs of lameness. If a horse was "sound" in terms of legs and hoofs, they thought he was fine.
This stable had another horse with a slight backbone deformity which should have signaled the end of his career. He was smaller (maybe 1200 pounds) and his owner was a high school student who weighed about 145 pounds. As this horse was tall, he looked like a suitable horse for this 145-150 pound rider. I always noticed, as the exercise rider, that this horse had some slight twisted-ness in his back. It was not so noticable with a saddle between rider and horse. I noticed this while riding without a saddle. He was about 15 years old but he was never lame, so he was considered to be healthy enough to carry his 145 pound owner on cross-country events. If I had known what I know now, I would have mentioned this slight deformity to the managers of this stable.
As his owner was just loping his horse easily around the arena, this horse lost the coordination in his legs. He either tripped on one of his own hoofs, or a leg buckled. He fell and his rider was pounded head first into the ground. This rider was knocked into unconsciousness and was later diagnosed with a brain injury. In my opinion now, an age related deformity in the backbone of this horse could have caused that loss of coordination. Trainers for this stable should have been checking the backbone of this middle-aged horse, on a regular basis. If they had been thinking beyond "soundness" of legs they might have recommended that this horse be retired, or sold to a smaller, lighter rider.
I have very much appreciated this video. The speaker is sensitive to the needs and conditions of equines. To the producer of this video...thank you.
I don't know so much about animals but, with people, when you start getting over 50% you have to be extremely careful. That being said, I've carried at least 100% maybe a little more and not got hurt and then I've carried around 25% and been hurt pretty bad.
You aren’t a pack animal. Your body is formed completely differently.
As light at possible as we save pow to a run or long life
So as a 240 lbs man (6'4 muscular) I'm too heavy to sit a horse comfortably? Heartbroken
Nah you just need a bigger horse.
That’s my concern. I’m not looking to own a mule but would have loved to take a mule ride down into the Grand Canyon. Unfortunately I’m about 260 lbs which I believe is over the weight limit for these adventures. Guessing virtual reality is my best choice.
@@TomBTerrific I play red dead online lol it's not the same but it will have to do
2:24 "Now if I've got a big draft mule, can I put 400 lbs. on him?"
"Heck no.... He's huge. He's got that huge body, but he's got that donkey foot... He's got that donkey tendon and leg. Sure he's big boned, and yeah, he's got a good hind quarter, but he's still got the tendons... Basically, at the Grand Canyon and at most stables - 200 lbs. - that's it."
So there you have it, folks! No matter how big your mule is, he's not proportional; he's got a little donkey tendon(?) And if you, your gear and clothing is over 200, no mule for you!
As dubious as this claim sounds, I have heard this about the Grand Canyon and several other mule trips. They could certainly acquire draft mules if that would help them accommodate more riders, but they don't. You ride what they have and if you and your clothing add up to 201, you're out.
I'm 170 pounds. Am I too heavy to ride?
BL4CK Lilly Not too heavy for a mammoth donkey.
That's interesting. I'll do my research for that. I really want to own a donkey in the future. I can't right now, but I can make sure I learn what I need to know.
What about 200lbs for a mammoth donkey?
Hi I'm 130ibs. Is it okey to ride a 13 hands donkey?
18 stone .
I have a buddy that's 350 lb. Can a big Mammoth donkey with good tendons and Confirmation carry his weight?
Ryan Pietrangeli No. I wouldn’t put that big of a rider on even the biggest donk. Your buddy needs a big draft mule.
@@mountainridgegear8172 yes that's what I thought. I'm 205 lbs. a donkey would handle me no problem tho eh?
@@imasmallfringeminority1988 I'm 200 too , wich donkey?
Im 330 lbs i used to have a riding mule years ago when i was lighter im thinking i want one again am i to heavy
Yes
Loose weight.
People are asses. Maybe not a mule with the smaller legs but a draft horse that is strong and large, I wouldn't think it would be a problem. Plus u have experience riding. If u think about beginners they don't sit correctly in the saddle, their weight shifting all over the place, pulling on the reins, ect.. someone that knows how to ride with the correct equitation and balance that is heavy is better than an average sized novice rider bouncing and pulling the horses mouth all over the place. That's my 2 cents
Steve Edwards is FAR from an expert on equines! Ask someone who really knows. He does make good saddles, but as a mule trainer, he doesn’t make the grade!