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Riding horses weigh around 1200 pounds on average; 20% is a safe weight limit. Thus a 1200-lb horse can carry a 240-lb rider. (Icelandic ponies can carry 30% of their weight, but they are hard to find and they don't weigh much.)
Medieval knights in heavy armor presumably had very heavy horses, and note that most knights did not wear full armor when they rode their everyday horses. Many knights had a heavy warhorse only for battle, and a light riding horse for normal riding. (Of course medieval Europe is a huge topic and I am just scratching the surface.)
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[–] pepeshadilay ago (edited ago)
https://www.horsetalk.co.nz/2013/03/26/many-riders-too-heavy-for-mounts/
Riding horses weigh around 1200 pounds on average; 20% is a safe weight limit. Thus a 1200-lb horse can carry a 240-lb rider. (Icelandic ponies can carry 30% of their weight, but they are hard to find and they don't weigh much.)
Medieval knights in heavy armor presumably had very heavy horses, and note that most knights did not wear full armor when they rode their everyday horses. Many knights had a heavy warhorse only for battle, and a light riding horse for normal riding. (Of course medieval Europe is a huge topic and I am just scratching the surface.)