riding age

Question
i have an 18 month old filly and my husbands weight with saddle and tack is about 240.
She's a Tenn. Walker if that matters.

Answer
Joann -

If you question is:  Is that to much weight for an 18 month old?  Yes and no.  If the horse remains perfectly calm and only works at a walk, then short rides will not cause any trouble at that weight.  If the horse doesn't tolerate riding well, or if the horse starts moving at faster than a trot, then no.

The bones in the legs stop growing between 18 months and 2 years.  The ones in the back stop growing between three and five years dependent on breed and individual horse.  So your horse is on the young side of things still, you can more than likely work her with no long term problems, but be smart about it.  Don't push her, and keep the rides short.

Best of Luck!

Michael Hockemeyer
Kicking Bear Mustangs