.......and following on, rider size/fitness opinions?

[Saucisson]

Not wanting to hijack Thelwell Girl's thread but seeing some of the comments, I am interested in opinions on weight and riding generally. I know there's been threads on this before but I would be interested in different peoples' approaches and if/how they manage their fitness.

I'm constantly told by my undiplomatic OH that I need to loose some weight in order to get the best out of my 15h horse (and believe me, the comments on the other thread are nothing in comparison to my beloved's “you're to fat for your horse” type remarks – I'm not but I could be better ). He really bought it home this weekend when after having a training session on my horse he is now of the opinion that he could perhaps manage a 1* event in the future................but not with me at my current weight (I'm not huge by the way, just a bit fuzzy/wobbly round the edges ).

Quite honestly, I agree with him and intend to go on an exercise/health regime (also so I don't have to buy a whole new wardrobe ). I do believe that I will be a better load for my horse if there's less wobbliness and I'm generally fitter and stronger and we will both be able to achieve our combined ambitions to the best of our abilities. I have been fairly sporty and fit in the past so I know that I can be much better and feel more in control of my body.

I have always thought that horse-riding is a sport and as with any other sport, you will be better if you're in shape – not just thinner but fitter and stronger. My horse has lost loads of weight since I've had him just through regular work so if he can do it, so can I.

I guess there are differences between those who compete and those who are purely hacking for pleasure but I am interested in the general school of thought really.

Nothing motivates me to get fit more than making my horse's life more comfortable. Anyone with me on this?

 

[Kellys Heroes]

Yep deff.
Our mare just got diagnosed with pedal bone rotation (very mildly) in both front feet
she's just come back into work.
Whilst at 5''4' and 9st11lbs I'm not massive (and according to the docs, the right weight!) I am also a little wobbly
so worried about Kellys feet, I want to drop a little bit so there's less weight on her and less pressure on her legs!
It can't do any harm and will make me feel better too!

 

[xspiralx]

Its not something I've ever really worried about, because being a shortarse [5ft3], even when I put lots of weight on at uni due to general lack of exercise and went up to my heaviest at around 9 st 10, I've never been even close to too heavy for the horses I ride - 14.2hh+ but more normally around 16hh-16.2hh.

In the past I've improved my riding fitness by just riding more, and that has always been fine for the level of stuff I've been doing. Losing weight/getting fit for riding isn't really something I would think about unless I was looking to be competing at a fairly serious level and I was hindering my horse by being the weight I was.

However I do agree that the fitter you are the better, and since I've started running 5x a week, I've really noticed a difference in my riding - long gallops in xc seat don't tire me out now for example, which certainly doesn't hurt!

 

[Shysmum]

I had a book once called Horse and Rider Fitness.... I gave that up and just did my swimming, riding, poo picking, mucking out and sweeping. Fit, even if wobbly round the thighs

 

[stilltrying]

I think being fit, toned and correct weight can only be of benefit for your riding. I don’t know about others - but I find all the fresh air gives me a huge appetite, but whilst riding/mucking out keeps you strong it isn’t like doing ‘proper’ exercise. But having horses are so time consuming it difficult to juggle work / horse AND then find time to do other exercise. I seem to maintain reasonable fitness by riding + the occasional mountain bike ride. And most importantly…..I am aware of what I eat. Do more and eat less, works every time!!

 

[Saucisson]

Do more and eat less, works every time!!

Absolutely!

I agree that it's difficult to fit it all in. I need to work pretty hard on aerobic exercise (5 times per week for min 1 hr) to loose weight but I would probably be ok to maintain weight with once or twice a week.

Being sat behind a desk all day certainly doesn't help

 

[diggerbez]

interesting OP- have posted something similar myself actually... perhaps you could take up boxing and punch your OH?!! i'd kill my OH if he dared to call me fat (i am by the way...just don't like reminding about it! )

i definitely think you ride better when you are fitter and more toned. i'm struggling at the minutee- haven't been eventing for 2 years and now i find fast xc work more difficult than i used to and also i find that my posture is much worse because i have no core muscles - hence my flatwork is rubbish what my post was about was how to fit in more exercise to my life!!

 

[LEC]

Strong core and being fit is vital. I had a Ride with Your Mind lesson and interestingly she picked up on the same thing my chiro has in that my left side was weaker and I need to do more on that side. I always fall of the left as well if i do get dumped!! I have lost nearly 1 1/2 stone and think my dressage position is better than ever (my seat feels better as do my thighs against the saddle). I certainly look better on a horse.

 

[[69117]]

whilst riding/mucking out keeps you strong it isn’t like doing ‘proper’ exercise. QUOTE]

That depends how you muck out and what you're doing when riding! I got dangerously thin a few years ago due to an illness that then led to an eating disorder. I was still having to work while I was ill - mucking out anything from 16 to 22 boxes a day, and riding up to 8 lots up the gallops and over hurdles. I lost so much weight that one day I collapsed into a big pile of poo whilst mucking out.

I don't do any exercise other than work - mucking out and riding a lot of horses every day. I muck out FAST because I'm obsessive about sticking to a time frame (and muck out properly to all those who say it can't be done quickly!). My average is six straw boxes an hour or nine shavings... more if I'm really going mental. I'm not a skinny minnie any more, but I'm not a podge either... I'm normal!

I have a medical condition which makes it hard for me to loose weight (PCOS), and my doctor has frequently told me that if it wasn't for my job, I'd be more like a size 20 than a size 12...

 

[Saucisson]

...perhaps you could take up boxing and punch your OH?!! i'd kill my OH if he dared to call me fat (i am by the way...just don't like reminding about it! )

Ha ha, yes I do tell him to watch what he says as I now, quite obviously, have a bigger weight advantage

Is core strength more important even than weight? It's the difference between carrying a badly packed and a well packed rucksack I suppose.

I definitely agree with you LEC on the thighs thing. I am sure I was more comfortable when I was less..........er..........cuddly

But as I always say to OH, there's more of me now and that could NEVER be a bad thing

 

[pottamus]

I have one horse and ride 6 days a week in summer (when light for roadwork before or after work). This coupled with poo picking every day and mucking out etc does not keep me fit enough at all...yes it is hard work and I am always short on time to rush around to cram it in before leaving for work at 7.30am...but it is not cardiovascular work like getting a sweat on and raising your heart rate through running, swimming, cycling etc.
I have got steadily less fit over the years due to a lack of time for walking etc and would never be able to fit in going to the gym etc. But this year is different as I really need to keep my lad more exercised throughout the winter months...he had laminitis and lost lots of weight, so I need to keep it off...I have no school or lights and we only ever hack, so doing that is not an option in falling light. So this year I am going to do do some in hand work around my 2 acres of field that never gets used...lots of walking, circles, serpentines and trotting...I would think half an hour each morning in the week of running round with a fiesty Welsh D should get me loads fitter!!! Wish me luck!

 

[tallyho!]

Definitely with you on this but need to factor in how light you ride and how well 'put-together' you are as a rider.

You can be a size 0 but if you ride like a lead skeleton then you will not get best out of horse. If you're a real woman with a little muffin top but are toned and strong (core strength) and ride softly and lightly on the same horse you'll achieve a beautiful ride.

I think the line is drawn when you think the riders weight, outweighs the riding i.e. hindering true movement of rider and horse.

Also, if the horse is overweight then you won't get best out of horse either.

So, anyway, I don't think your OH is being fair. Maybe you ride better and he's just jealous???

 

[Kokopelli]

I find I have to watch what I eat, I try not to snack in between meals and if I really need to it will be something healthy. I find if I go through a "lets get fit" stage then riding does seem easier but normally I cba to go running nor have I got the time.

I'm not to heavy to ride my horse but as I'm 5ft I back and ride a lot of little ponies so I try not to get to heavy or people might stop asking me. I try not to get over 7.5 stone as I feel this is a good size for backing small ponies who are weak.

 

[stilltrying]

whilst riding/mucking out keeps you strong it isn’t like doing ‘proper’ exercise. QUOTE]

That depends how you muck out and what you're doing when riding! I got dangerously thin a few years ago due to an illness that then led to an eating disorder. I was still having to work while I was ill - mucking out anything from 16 to 22 boxes a day, and riding up to 8 lots up the gallops and over hurdles. I lost so much weight that one day I collapsed into a big pile of poo whilst mucking out.

I don't do any exercise other than work - mucking out and riding a lot of horses every day. I muck out FAST because I'm obsessive about sticking to a time frame (and muck out properly to all those who say it can't be done quickly!). My average is six straw boxes an hour or nine shavings... more if I'm really going mental. I'm not a skinny minnie any more, but I'm not a podge either... I'm normal!

I have a medical condition which makes it hard for me to loose weight (PCOS), and my doctor has frequently told me that if it wasn't for my job, I'd be more like a size 20 than a size 12...

yeah just to clarify I meant if you have just the one horse!! that many stables would do me in I think!!! Making me tired just thinking about it...

 

[TGM]

I do know I rode much better when I was younger and lighter and had slimmer thighs! Personally, I find excess weight on the legs does seem to make it harder to get a decent leg position.

 

[Saucisson]

So, anyway, I don't think your OH is being fair. Maybe you ride better and he's just jealous???

I wish! No, he's very good and to be fair, he does watch his weight too.

I don't have the mucking-out exercise either. Really do need something aerobic to sort myself out. I hate running but it is free, love swimming but there's always time constraints.

My Mother says I'm getting chubby because I don't clean the house properly She might be right

Blimey, she makes OH look positively nice

 

[tallyho!]

Well it sounds as if you have the ambition and more than enough resolve to achieve it which is further than I've got!!

I hate being o/w and riding. My weight goes up and down like a yo-yo (between 9-11st). A huge health risk now I'm 30! I've just resolved to be healthier and lose some weight (yet again - I always lose 2 stone, keep it off for about 12 months then it just creeps back on the next).

I always notice the difference. For a start my thighs aren't in the way and I don't give up as easily as when I'm fat as I get tired quickly and my fat boobs do my head in!

I'm losing all tone and strength, so I'm with you on the exercise thing! And probably ought to practice what I preach . I'll be your gym buddy anytime

 

[thatsmygirl]

I'm on a mega diet right now, I thought I was 12 stone but when I weighed myself I'm actually 13.1. I'm gutted and feel fat fat fat. I'm tall at just under 6ft but use to be very slim. I won't wear jods as I look fat and always worry about riding my horses so I'm losing weight now

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Welllll, my boy was on working livery up till the beginning of July and I didn't have to lift a finger for him; now he's come back to live with me at home and I have to "do" for him; and guess what, I've lost nearly half a stone!

So it just shows that its not just the riding, its the traipsing to and fro from the field, lugging hay bales & feed bags around, mucking out, etc etc. All good stuff!

 

[Kallibear]

We were discussing this the other day with friends.

Being overweight affects your balance and flexibility, doesn't matter how fit you are. Ergo - loosing some weight improves your riding. Simples.

I've never been properly fat but I did put on an extra stone once and i certainly felt less athletic and capable, and more insecure in the saddle.

 

[prosefullstop]

After fifteen years out of the saddle, I credit yoga and weights with keeping me balanced and strong in the saddle. Weight has never been an issue for me, but I notice that if I slack off with the core and leg work, I don't ride half as competently.

 

[Saucisson]

I always notice the difference. For a start my thighs aren't in the way and I don't give up as easily as when I'm fat as I get tired quickly and my fat boobs do my head in!

I'm losing all tone and strength, so I'm with you on the exercise thing! And probably ought to practice what I preach . I'll be your gym buddy anytime

Ambition sure , ability........not so sure but enthusiasm is definitely there

Fat boobs are evil, rubbin and floppin around.........men like em though

Let's go and do it! Let's do a Soapbox diary of honest BMI (weight and height don't mean so much, I'm 5'2" and I'm pretty sexy at 8.5 stone). But my Mum is 5' and her weight at my age was 6.5 stone - I take after me ole Dad!

Target BMI is 26 (not too crazy) how about it? Hols in Belgium for all who suceed (under 25 peeps not BMI folks? )