Horseback riding is a sport that requires many different types of riders. What body type is best for horse riding? That depends on the individual needs and goals of the rider.
Many people wonder if their height and weight will affect the way they ride or how much control they’ll have over the animal.
When thinking about what body type is best for horse riding, it is important to note that riding is a unique sport. And while many people believe that rider weight can affect how well the horse performs. However, riding requires cooperation between its human and steed for it to work properly. An expert in this field will tell you that every body type has a place in the saddle (literally).
Below is a look at the different types of riders there are out there, as well as their advantages and disadvantages for each category:
- Taller Riders (over 6’2″)
- Shorter Riders (<5’3″)
- Heavy Riders (>220 lbs)
- Lightweight Riders (<140 lbs)
Taller Riders
The human body is designed for spending long hours in the saddle; think of all the endurance riders and jockeys who are successful. Though it’s not always visible, this type has an average pelvis size with a shorter torso that many horse breeds find desirable to carry their weight better than others – which means they’ll be able to ride any breed if they train correctly!
One of the disadvantages to taller riders on horses is the increased risk for injury from falls or collisions with other horses and obstacles in the ring. This can be due to your body weight distribution when you’re seated on the horse, as well as how far off the ground you are while riding.
Another disadvantage of being tall may be difficulty making contact with certain parts of your horse’s body during dressage tests such as leg-yields and shoulder-in movements because you don’t have enough clearance room at those points.
It also takes more effort to control your balance while turning or stopping abruptly on the horse.
Shorter Riders
Short riders know the difficulty of fitting their horse to them but recent studies show that short riders actually have a few advantages. Shorter people can ride horses with higher withers without feeling uncomfortable or being at risk of injury.
They are also more likely to be able to reach difficult ground under trees and bushes.
Lastly, it has been reported by some trainers that animals are less stressed when there is someone on their back who is smaller in size than most adults.
If you are a short rider, it can also be very challenging to ride a horse. There are some disadvantages that come with being a short rider on top of the usual challenges associated with riding horses.
A few examples include:
- You might not have enough leg room and will feel cramped up in the saddle
- You may need to buy equipment designed for riders of your size
- Your balance is more difficult to control due to shorter stirrups
Heavy Riders
Heavy riders typically have high body fat percentages and are shorter in stature which means they do well with small mounts because larger horses may be too much for them physically or just not as comfortable due to their size. It is common for riders like this to do well at lower intensity competitions such as hunter classes, driving contests, hack/conformation based events (e.g., team penning), among others but there will always be exceptions.
The weight of the rider on horseback is a topic that is often discussed. What we do know for most typical heavy horse riders is this:
- The heavier the person, the more difficult for horse to move quickly in response to commands
- The heavier rider will also put more pressure on their own lower back and spine than when riding lighter; which can lead to pain or discomfort over time
- As one gets older, body mass tends to increase because muscle mass decreases – so it becomes increasingly important for seniors who love equestrian activities such as riding, driving or showing their animals at events like county fairs etc., they need to be mindful of any significant in weight increase.
Lightweight Riders
The advantages of having a lightweight person on horseback are numerous. Not only does it give the rider more control, but it also improves the horse’s performance. The lighter weight helps to reduce fatigue and allows them to work for longer periods of time without wearing out as quickly. This is beneficial because when horses do not have enough rest, they can develop other injuries that will lead to costly veterinary bills or even death in extreme cases.
These body types are built for variable energy output. This suits their adaptable nature, which is necessary in sports across the board. In terms of riding they will do well at all disciplines – dressage and show jumping being most suitable to them due to their ability to adapt based on their anatomical structure/body type.
