weight limits for driving minis

i have acquired a lovely little mare last summer. she just turned 3 years old this spring.

she was broke to drive when i got her. she pulled a pretty heavy wagon with one adult (180-200 lbs).

she hasn't been driven since i got her, she was too young and too little. she is 32 inches tall and weighs about 220 lbs.

i want to start her again and i have sport boots for her and a harness and 70 pound cart. the problem is i am heavy. i weigh 200 pounds, i am on the way down but not too fast.

do you think i am too heavy for her to pull with the 70 poundd cart? i really need your honest opinion. thanks in advance

Usually, it's said that they can pull double their own weight. Of course, condition of horse and ground they are travelling on will have an affect. Level ground with good footing will allow for easier pulling. A horse in good condition should be able to pull more than one that is out of shape. Don't expect her to pull hills while she is learning, stick to level ground with good footing while you get her trained and in shape.

thanks Chandab, i feel better about driving her now.

I agree with conditions. I had a 20 year old, 32" , very refined retired brood mare for a while. She was a good weight but had no muscle tone when I got her. She was fine with me in the light sulky, but I could tell the wooden Jerald was a little too much for her. Even after she built up her muscle, I didn't ask her to work in the Jerald. She could do it, but I didn't feel good about it.

Since yours is young I don't see why you couldn't get her up to your weight pretty easily. Especially if she is built sturdily.

Thank you Marsha, wiil start the ground work tomorrow.