Am I too heavy at the moment.

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Missmac

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Am after some opinions on whether you think im too heavy for my mare at the moment.

I have a tb mare who after a year off work has been diagnosed with suspected sacro-illiac disfunction. I have been lunging her in a pessoa as prescribed by the vet for a few days but the exersise programme includes ridden work.

Problem is I am still carrying some post pregnancy weight. At the moment I weigh just under 11 stone and am slowly but surely on my way back down to 9.5/10 stone! A few months ago someone expressed an opinion that 10 stone would be the maximum she could carry. I wasnt worried at the time but am a little wary because of her SI problem and her lack of muscle due to being off work for a year.

Mare is a compact 16hh tb and is 6 yrs old.

I only have two photos of her on here and they are both far from ideal but they might give you some idea od her build etc. Photos were taken in April so she is carrying a bit more condition now.

Thank you in advance.x

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Get on that horse!! Although, that said, I have no knowledge of how the SI condition will affect her weight carrying ability. Without the condition I would say you are being ridiculous :o, with the condition I think you have the right to be cautious but perhaps your vet could advise? He/she knows the mare and its condition....
 
I think she looks perfectly capable of carrying 11stone without being near her limit. But again, I have no idea how her si issue could affect her so I would check the implications of it on her weight carrying ability. Though I don't really see 11 stone causing a problem.
 
I weigh 11 stone (am 5'8'') and ride everything from 14hh ponies to my two who are 16.2 warmbloods, so I wouldn't worry about the weight per se for your horse who looks more than capable of carrying that amount.

I don't, however, know the implications derived from her condition..... perhaps speak to an equine chiro or physio?
 
Missmac said:
I have a tb mare who after a year off work has been diagnosed with suspected sacro-illiac disfunction. I have been lunging her in a pessoa as prescribed by the vet for a few days but the exersise programme includes ridden work.
Click to expand...

I'm guessing you met the vet and s/he knows you're the owner/rider? I would have thought, that if there were obvious concerns about you riding your mare during her prescribed exercise, that the vet would have made it clear that x weight was the most s/he would consider appropriate for the recovery period at least...

If you're concerned, give them a tinkle and ask them... :) I hope she recovers swiftly...
 
I don't see the problem, my friend would be happy to get on a horse like that, and weighs more. His anglo doesn't seem to mind, and she is lighter framed than yours.
Enjoy the riding, it will help shift the post baby weight!
 
I would say just take it steady - ride with a light seat and listen to your mare. You will see if she is struggling, but as with any fittening programme - just build it up slowly with a combination of pessoa work in hand (I used long lines) and over one pole and ridden work allowing her to stretch forward and down.
I was advised to avoid circles - lots of straight line work. My horse is only now doing circles and we are 14 months from diagnosis. Good luck :)
 
Thank you.

At the time when he said that I would be to heavy for her I was
a 7 months pregnant
b really bloomin offended and
c thought he was talking utter tosh so im glad you lot agree!!

I will ring the vet tomorrow and see what he says. I wont be doing circles and I will be taking it very slowly. she is 6 but is green and mentally more like a 4 year old so im approaching her like im re-backing her. My balance and core strength is quite poor at the moment as well so i wont be attempting much more than gentle walking initially.

I cant wait to get properly back on board! I had a riding lesson on my friends cob the day before yesterday and boy do my muscles know about it!!
 
Ahhhh I'm getting super paranoid about my weight now :S am I too heavy for my highland and fell?? Both 13.2hh I weigh 11-11.5 stone at the moment slowly losing it tho?? salad here I come......
 
I wouldnt worry. The only reason I was asking about my mare is she has quite fine legs, a dodgy pelvis and has been out of work for a year. I have a 14hh semi retired new forest and I ride him no problems. infact got back on him for a little wonder round the field 6 weeks after my operation so i probably weighed a little more than I do now.
 
Hi,

I agree with OP if your vet's happy then go for it - besides the extra exercise will help shift the extra baby weight and help get your stomach muscles back to 'normal'. :)
 
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