That includes not only the rider's weight, but also the weight of the saddle, as well as everything else carried along. Western saddles engineered specifically for ranchwork or sports such as roping or cutting tend to be heavier, 40 pounds or more; those designed for trail or pleasure uses tend to be lighter, 25 to 30 pounds, but some models can range up to 40. Australian, endurance and synthetic Western saddles are lighter--with weights ranging from 13 to 22 pounds. English saddles vary somewhat by discipline but generally weigh 20 pounds or less, and some models weigh less than 10 pounds. Gel-filled saddle pads can add several pounds, as can any other gear worn by the rider or tucked into saddlebags.
The jury may still be out on exactly how all of this weight affects individual horses, but anything you can do to minimize the amount your horse carries will almost certainly benefit him over the long term. "I could stand to lose some weight," says Wickler. "It'd be better for me, and it would also be better for my horse."
This article originally appeared in the January 2005 issue of EQUUS magazine.
