I've read that *most* horses can carry up to 20% of their body weight pretty easily. Going by this rule of thumb, a 1500lb or more horse would be appropriate.

This rule doesn't always hold true though. If you are a physically fit rider and are able to aid the horse with correct weight placement and balance you can ride a *smaller* horse.
Conformation would also be important. Finding a horse with a strong short back and good bone mass will help them hold up under use.

Bottom line: Yes, I believe that you can find a horse! A draft is probably the way to go for you. Around here there I have seen several percherons and Irish Draughts(both heavier breeds). I guess it's up to your area and what breeds are available. Dreamhorse.com is a good site for horse searching.

 

Agree with the previous poster. More important that height of the horse is correct conformation with bone and substance. The type of horse you're looking for is sometimes referred to as a Man's Heavy Weight Field Hunter, and is usually a draft cross. There are plenty of people your size who do ride and enjoy it and do not 'kill' the horse. Unfortunately, a horse of the size, bone and substance to comfortably carry you will probably carry a premium price tag.

I think, at 6' 7", you're also going to want a horse with a substantial barrel, and a lot of depth through the heart girth, so that you can actually put your lower leg *on* the horse and feel secure.

If you're concerned about how your weight affects the horse, there's some general things that you can do as a rider to help. (Actually, *all* riders should do these things, but they become critical for larger riders.)

Never mount from the ground if you can help it. Stand the horse in a depression, use a mounting block, bucket or stool. The stress and torsion of mounting can damage your saddle, and pulling on the saddle as you mount can hurt the horse's back. In addition, practice mounting lightly, catching your right stirrup and standing up for a few strides while allowing the horse to walk forward, then slowly sitting down.

Make absolutely sure that the saddle fits the horse and you. Any saddle fit issues will be exacerbated by the extra weight.

Avoid spending a lot of time riding in full seat. Alternate riding in full seat with half seat or posting.

Make gradual transitions. Don't slam on the brakes to halt, or expect the horse to accelerate like a sport's car.

Good luck, and hope that helps.

 

Thanks a lot you two i really appreciate the response so quickly. The riding tips have been googled and interrupted as well as bookmarked .

OK now that both of you have mentioned that a draft horse will be a good choice BUT , "there are plenty of people your size who do ride and enjoy it and do not 'kill' the horse. Unfortunately, a horse of the size, bone and substance to comfortably carry you will probably carry a premium price tag." Mmhmm...... now HOW can i search for this kind of bone structured behemoth? :P (As in , what could i type in to google , do i just type in horse breeders and call a good horse breeder or?)

 

Try equine.com....horsetopia.com.....dreamhorse.com.....equinenow.com....all are good search engines for horses for sale. Also remember, often with the bigger horses comes breeding issues in their feet--many large hot bloods (and drafts for that matter) are bred to be bigger and bigger horses, while the breeders of these horses often forget about the feet! Many large hot bloods have very small feet that can't support the weight of themselves, plus 20% of their weight. Hence comes the "knowledge" that any horse over 16hh can carry a lot less weight than one under that height.
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Didnt know about the feet. So do i just contact the horse owner and ask him to tool me hoof size or is a percheron not a good choice for me after all?

 

Can you post pictures of the horse on here? Most of us can easily tell if the horse's conformation, bone, and feet are correct
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Great Percheron gelding that loves trails. | Buy this Horse at Equine.com this one!

http://www.equine.com/horses-for-sale/horse-ad-993991.html i was looking at this one as well

but i REALLY liked the first one

 

The first one looks more like a weight carrier to me. No worries 'bout the feet, either.

The second, while attractive, is a little too light boned and lacking in substance.

I'd love to see a decent confo shot of the first one.

 

Yeah me too , think im going to give her a call , but i forgot to mention.

I will be herding cattle as well with this horse , do you think a Percheron can handle it? It will be trail riding , hunting , and for herding cattle. The ranch im talking to does a little bit of everything.

I also dont plan on having him just go straight into it , i plan on working him and getting him shape and the ranch said they will help me work with my horse and build it up to strength if need be but i havnt asked him if a percheron will be able to do it or not.