Another weight/height question

[HelenMac]

I don’t think I’ve found the answer in other posts.
I am short (and older so I no longer bounce well) so I was looking at getting a 14.2 to 15hh horse. I don’t think I want anything larger. I also have terribly short legs.
The problem is that I’m also terribly heavy. I weigh 77kg. Though I’m trying VERY hard i can’t seem to lose any of that weight.
From my research I would need a horse weighing 500kg minimum. I had hoped to buy a horse around 14.2. But a 14.2 cob at healthy weight weighs less than 450kg from what I’ve found out.
Am I wrong? Do I need a really big horse for my weight? Or could a 14.2 native carry me?

I know there’s a fitness and age thing to consider too. Let’s just say a 10 year old horse of average fitness. I’m likely to be doing schooling and happy hacking, not jumping and XC.


(Please don’t offer weight loss advice because I’ll likely cry. Yes I’m doing all the things - resistance training 3x per week, riding once or 2x, very low carbs, no snacks, no puddings, eating meat, fish, veg, salad, kefir yogurt, nuts, seeds, some mayo, some white wine and not much else. Yes I’ve tried IF, it makes my hair fall out. Yes I’ve got my thyroid checked and I take thyroxine. No I'm not keen on spending money on weight loss jabs because I’m already eating in a calorie deficit and I don’t fancy spending £1000 on weight loss just watch it all add back on later. Although I could shave off 80 calories per day by ditching all wine I suppose)

 

[Bellaboo18]

I'll say exactly what you asked people not to say...cut out the wine and you'll lose weight. Your body can't efficiently burn fat while it's processing alcohol. It's not a case of the 80 calories it's the fact you won't be burning fat.

 

[Tiddlypom]

As you say you are short with very short legs it’s not just your weight, it’s where you carry it.

If your weight is concentrated around your thighs and bum then saddle fit for you will be an issue, especially if you are thinking of a 14.2hh native. Is that the case?

 

[teacups]

My horse’s healthy weight is 500 kg and he is 15-15.1. At that weight he is not wide so doesn’t take up the leg much, so your short legs will go further…
How short do you mean exactly by short? I would be surprised if 15 hh would be too big. Also, as pointed out, it may be a better size for saddle fit.

I’d enjoy the one glass of wine treat, sounds as though you could do with it and keep riding - an extra ride or a mucking out session will get rid of those 80 cal!

 

[HelenMac]

My horse’s healthy weight is 500 kg and he is 15-15.1. At that weight he is not wide so doesn’t take up the leg much, so your short legs will go further…
How short do you mean exactly by short? I would be surprised if 15 hh would be too big. Also, as pointed out, it may be a better size for saddle fit.

I’d enjoy the one glass of wine treat, sounds as though you could do with it and keep riding - an extra ride or a mucking out session will get rid of those 80 cal!

I’m 5ft 2 or 160cm on a good day with short legs

 

[HelenMac]

As you say you are short with very short legs it’s not just your weight, it’s where you carry it.

If your weight is concentrated around your thighs and bum then saddle fit for you will be an issue, especially if you are thinking of a 14.2hh native. Is that the case?

Hard to say. I’m kind of fat everywhere.

 

[Gloi]

Something like a Dales pony would carry you all day.

 

[HelenMac]

Something like a Dales pony would carry you all day.

Are they actually heavy enough?
Me plus tack is going to be quite a weight.

 

[I'm Dun]

My lightweight cob was 475kgs eventing fit. My HW who was 14.1hh, fit and lean was over 500kgs. But both needed either 16.5" or very compact 17" saddles. Do you know what sort of saddle size you are comfortable and fit in?

 

[gallopingby]

@HelenMac difficult to know what to say as there are so many variables. Have you owned a horse before or is this just a goal? People on here range in age from somewhere like 14 years to 95 so although you may think you’re old you may not be very old . Plenty people in their 70s, 80s and even 90s still riding. Weight loss is relatively simple but hard work - cut out the butter, bread and alcohol and drink lots and lots of water and you should begin to notice a difference. Mediterranean diets also seem to work as does not eating late at night. The large M&M breeds - dales, highlands, Welsh Ds and some Connie’s are able to carry greater weights than maybe a partbred but a 14,2 highland is a very big animal compared to the lighter types and will take up a lot of leg. If you’ve only short legs you may feel as if you’re perched on top of a mountain and as a result quite unbalanced. Maybe make a plan and see how things go or….have you considered driving?

 

[IrishMilo]

It’s really not about the weight of the horse… you might find a 14.2 that’s 600kgs and fits you within 15% (I don’t know if that does, I’m terrible at maths!), but that’s not healthy for the horse.

The problem with something of the size you’re looking at is that in order for it to be up to carrying 12 odd stone it needs to have a nice short back and croup… and you’ll then struggle to get a saddle to fit you both.

I’m 5’2 and 54kgs/8st6 and I just about fit in a 16.5” on my short backed TB x.

I wouldn’t discount a bigger horse, I’ve had 16.2s and didn’t feel too small on them. You just get used to it.

 

[HelenMac]

My lightweight cob was 475kgs eventing fit. My HW who was 14.1hh, fit and lean was over 500kgs. But both needed either 16.5" or very compact 17" saddles. Do you know what sort of saddle size you are comfortable and fit in?

No, I’m afraid I don’t.

 

[HelenMac]

It’s really not about the weight of the horse… you might find a 14.2 that’s 600kgs and fits you within 15% (I don’t know if that does, I’m terrible at maths!), but that’s not healthy for the horse.

The problem with something of the size you’re looking at is that in order for it to be up to carrying 12 odd stone it needs to have a nice short back and croup… and you’ll then struggle to get a saddle to fit you both.

I’m 5’2 and 54kgs/8st6 and I just about fit in a 16.5” on my short backed TB x.

I wouldn’t discount a bigger horse, I’ve had 16.2s and didn’t feel too small on them. You just get used to it.

Oh dear. That’s depressing. Last time I was that weight was about 30 years ago and I was doing crazy amounts of training.

 

[I'm Dun]

It’s really not about the weight of the horse… you might find a 14.2 that’s 600kgs and fits you within 15% (I don’t know if that does, I’m terrible at maths!), but that’s not healthy for the horse.

The problem with something of the size you’re looking at is that in order for it to be up to carrying 12 odd stone it needs to have a nice short back and croup… and you’ll then struggle to get a saddle to fit you both.

I’m 5’2 and 54kgs/8st6 and I just about fit in a 16.5” on my short backed TB x.

I wouldn’t discount a bigger horse, I’ve had 16.2s and didn’t feel too small on them. You just get used to it.

And yet I fitted in a 16.5" with no issues at much heavier than that. Its saddle dependent but also shape of your body. Probably the same weight as the OP, I cant get my head round kgs and it was a few years back. But I was a size 16.

 

[HelenMac]

And yet I fitted in a 16.5" with no issues at much heavier than that. Its saddle dependent but also shape of your body. Probably the same weight as the OP, I cant get my head round kgs and it was a few years back. But I was a size 16.

That’s more encouraging! I’m almost 13 stone and a size 14

 

[dottylottie]

i’m 5”2 with a 14.2 - goal weight for her is probably around 470 ish, welsh D but not terribly chunky. i’m about 50kg so also have a 13.2, 14.2 is in a 16.5” saddle whilst the 13.2 is in a 16”. my mum who is probably a size 14 or so can comfortably fit in the 16.5” saddle.

i’ll attach a pic of me on lily so you can see i’m not a pea on a drum, however most of my (small) height is my legs!

 

[HelenMac]

i’m 5”2 with a 14.2 - goal weight for her is probably around 470 ish, welsh D but not terribly chunky. i’m about 50kg so also have a 13.2, 14.2 is in a 16.5” saddle whilst the 13.2 is in a 16”. my mum who is probably a size 14 or so can comfortably fit in the 16.5” saddle.

i’ll attach a pic of me on lily so you can see i’m not a pea on a drum, however most of my (small) height is my legs!

Thankyou. I’m about twice your width with very short legs. I have to get childs long boots for example. Totally the wrong shape for riding.

 

[HopOnTrot]

I’m 60kg and I’m only just in my limit for my 13.2, i’m 5ft8. Yesterday I jogged round the block with one pony, rode one and then walked the dog hoping to be back down to my usual 55kg before Xmas

 

[Peglo]

Just to complicate things further if you drop your calories too low for too long your metabolism will slow down to compensate for the lack of food and start storing fat. So do be careful with having too few calories. Being starving all the time and still not losing weight is very miserable.

If you’re having alcohol everyday then that could well be limiting progress as said above your body stops burning calories and concentrates on getting rid of the alcohol. If you’re having a glass or 2 at the weekend then don’t worry. You’ve got to enjoy life too.

The best size of horse is the one you feel most comfortable on, personality and weight wise. A gentle kind 15.3 will feel a much better size than a buzzy stressy 14.2.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

I don't want to teach you to suck eggs but a calorie deficit is a literal biological equation, it's scientifically impossible for it not to work, so it must be either that you are over estimating your BMR or you are under estimating your nutritional intake. I really do empathise with the despondent feeling of nothing is working, I have been there, but I would encourage you, if you haven't already, to weigh your food for a few days and make sure that your intake is what you think it is - it may be that you have an epiphany moment and find one thing that can be tweaked to open the doors to some loss.

Just to complicate things further if you drop your calories too low for too long your metabolism will slow down to compensate for the lack of food and start storing fat. So do be careful with having too few calories. Being starving all the time and still not losing weight is very miserable.

This has been proven to only adapt thermogenesis by 5-15% unless the deficit is extreme and sustained for months eg: during literal starvation, so it would be unlikely that it would prevent a calorie deficit from working. Also a small glass of wine only halts it for the 1-2 hours it takes to metabolise the alcohol content, so whilst not helpful, it would also not halt the affect of a deficit entirely.


You may be able to go into a tack shop and try a 16.5 inch saddle and see if you would fit into it before committing, my local tack shop is very helpful in this way. I do also think that +- a couple inches of height won't make as much difference as you think, so it's worth exploring maybe a 15.2hh, it's miserable living with the 'am I too heavy' anxiety.

 

[HaffiesRock]

OP, it is tricky.

I helped my friend back a pony 18 months ago. She asked me as I am small at 5ft 2 and pony was a 13.1hh chunky cob. Friend was very tall and felt silly.

I was concerned about my weight (about 75kg and was a size 14) I could barely fit my bum in the 16.5inch saddle and poor pony really struggled. I saw a picture of me riding the pony and immediately refused to ever get on her again!

I then started riding her 14.2hh cob and felt so much better! Could fit my bum in the bigger saddle and didn’t fee like I was squashing her. Couldn’t get on from the ground though which I like to be able to do in an emergency!

I have since lost 3 stone and starting HRT has helped immensely! I now have a 13.1hh baby cob and feel absolutely fine on her.

I think a lot of it is going to be dependent on the pony. Not just their height and weight but their fitness and general ability to carry weight. You’ll also find more weight comes off when you are riding and doing yard work every day.

Happy to share pictures of me on any of the ponies at any weight if a visual will help.

 

[AppyLover1996]

It's a difficult one but well done you for asking the question - it's also nice to see the responses here that are helpful and kind x

For reference I am 13.5 stone, 5'1 in height (was 5'2 and had one hell of a fall screwing my back up and apparently loosing some height too!) and I average between a size 14 and a size 16. Most of my weight is in my boobs and tummy area and when I get riding boots I end up going for the ones that are a wide calf, slightly too long for me therefore I end up popping some heel raisers in them to make them fit better.

I have two horses, one of which is my 14.2hh, 20 year old Appaloosa cross pony. He roughly weighs 430kg. He is part native so has the hardiness of the native but the sportiness of the Appaloosa in him. He can carry me with tack happily all day long with no issues. He is also rather good at keeping himself fit and can happily do a 3 hour hack and still come back bouncing down the lane sideways My tack is a lightweight 16.5" Thorowgood T4 saddle, with a half pad underneath, standard saddlecloth, lightweight stirrups and a standard bridle.

I myself am watching my weight as I don't want to run the risk of being too heavy for him, so I regularly have the vet, chiro and physio out to see him, and when they're out, I always ask for their honest opinions.

I've had him for over 10 years and we haven't had any issues regarding my weight and being too heavy for him - I am very conscious about it though and am constantly watching what I eat and making sure I work out enough to balance the scales as the saying goes.

A lot of what you are asking my lovely will be dependant on the pony - their fitness, height and the general ability they have to carry weight. I've met some ponies who can happily carry 15 stone and I've met some ponies who can just about carry 11 stone on a good day x You'll also find that the weight will naturally come off doing various yard chores which will help too x

In terms of the height of the pony/horse - weirdly enough I feel more confident on horses that are 15hh plus. Now I don't know if that is because I mainly learnt to ride on horses that were 15hh plus, or if its just where I'm happiest as a rider (everyone has their preferred height of horse) but I wouldn't discount a horse that is slightly taller than what you are looking at. I have a photo somewhere of me riding my friend's 17.3hh Shire cross, and although I look like a little pea on a mountain, I felt perfectly safe and happy x

 

[emilylou]

Height isnt such an issue really, apart from getting on and off. If you found a native that isnt too wide, that was 15.2 with a good shoulder (not upright) I imagine you would feel very comfortable. There might be more flexibility with saddle fit then too.

I've had a quick scan of horsequest and I imagine you'd be quite comfortable on something like this one as she wouldn't feel too wide, which is the main problem when you have short legs, and would carry you comfortably Horsequest Ref #: 389216

Smaller doesn't always mean more manageable. You have to look at temperament and conformation too. I've ridden extremely rude and wide 13.2's that are far less comfortable and more difficult to manage than the above.

 

[smolmaus]

What horses are you riding at the minute? I think that's your best starting point for type and size. What feels comfortable, which horses are happy, forward and easy underneath you then use that as your basis. If you have a local RS go and see if you can ride a variety, try a 14.2, try a 16.2 and see if they feel massive. I think a larger horse might not be what you want in a perfect world but you also don't want to be constantly worrying about weight ratios every ride either. That will suck the joy out of it SO quickly. You want to be HAPPY not just "within 15%".

I'm 5'2" also and have been comfortable on anything from 13h to 17.2. If not bouncing is a big concern, you can take just as nasty a tumble from a small horse as a big one. The height of the fall isn't the biggest factor in how hurt you might get! A small pony can torpedo you into the ground more easily than a big horse can A nice, kind ID type or a larger cross breed will do you just as well as a stocky little pony with more room for a saddle and you can argue the ID is a native breed! Bred to carry a meat and 2 veg farmer round the hunt field who would weigh much more than 77kg and will be having much more than a few glasses of wine a week too

 

[HelenMac]

It's a difficult one but well done you for asking the question - it's also nice to see the responses here that are helpful and kind x

For reference I am 13.5 stone, 5'1 in height (was 5'2 and had one hell of a fall screwing my back up and apparently loosing some height too!) and I average between a size 14 and a size 16. Most of my weight is in my boobs and tummy area and when I get riding boots I end up going for the ones that are a wide calf, slightly too long for me therefore I end up popping some heel raisers in them to make them fit better.

I have two horses, one of which is my 14.2hh, 20 year old Appaloosa cross pony. He roughly weighs 430kg. He is part native so has the hardiness of the native but the sportiness of the Appaloosa in him. He can carry me with tack happily all day long with no issues. He is also rather good at keeping himself fit and can happily do a 3 hour hack and still come back bouncing down the lane sideways My tack is a lightweight 16.5" Thorowgood T4 saddle, with a half pad underneath, standard saddlecloth, lightweight stirrups and a standard bridle.

I myself am watching my weight as I don't want to run the risk of being too heavy for him, so I regularly have the vet, chiro and physio out to see him, and when they're out, I always ask for their honest opinions.

I've had him for over 10 years and we haven't had any issues regarding my weight and being too heavy for him - I am very conscious about it though and am constantly watching what I eat and making sure I work out enough to balance the scales as the saying goes.

A lot of what you are asking my lovely will be dependant on the pony - their fitness, height and the general ability they have to carry weight. I've met some ponies who can happily carry 15 stone and I've met some ponies who can just about carry 11 stone on a good day x You'll also find that the weight will naturally come off doing various yard chores which will help too x

In terms of the height of the pony/horse - weirdly enough I feel more confident on horses that are 15hh plus. Now I don't know if that is because I mainly learnt to ride on horses that were 15hh plus, or if its just where I'm happiest as a rider (everyone has their preferred height of horse) but I wouldn't discount a horse that is slightly taller than what you are looking at. I have a photo somewhere of me riding my friend's 17.3hh Shire cross, and although I look like a little pea on a mountain, I felt perfectly safe and happy x

Thank you. That’s very helpful.

 

[HelenMac]

Height isnt such an issue really, apart from getting on and off. If you found a native that isnt too wide, that was 15.2 with a good shoulder (not upright) I imagine you would feel very comfortable. There might be more flexibility with saddle fit then too.

I've had a quick scan of horsequest and I imagine you'd be quite comfortable on something like this one as she wouldn't feel too wide, which is the main problem when you have short legs, and would carry you comfortably Horsequest Ref #: 389216

Smaller doesn't always mean more manageable. You have to look at temperament and conformation too. I've ridden extremely rude and wide 13.2's that are far less comfortable and more difficult to manage than the above.

Thank you. What a shame that advert has gone already. I have always felt best on a 14.2 so that’s why I’m not convinced about anything over 15, I start to get nervous the higher up I am. And mounting from the ground is always such an issue too. To be avoided of course but there will be a time!

 

[HelenMac]

I don't want to teach you to suck eggs but a calorie deficit is a literal biological equation, it's scientifically impossible for it not to work, so it must be either that you are over estimating your BMR or you are under estimating your nutritional intake. I really do empathise with the despondent feeling of nothing is working, I have been there, but I would encourage you, if you haven't already, to weigh your food for a few days and make sure that your intake is what you think it is - it may be that you have an epiphany moment and find one thing that can be tweaked to open the doors to some loss.


This has been proven to only adapt thermogenesis by 5-15% unless the deficit is extreme and sustained for months eg: during literal starvation, so it would be unlikely that it would prevent a calorie deficit from working. Also a small glass of wine only halts it for the 1-2 hours it takes to metabolise the alcohol content, so whilst not helpful, it would also not halt the affect of a deficit entirely.


You may be able to go into a tack shop and try a 16.5 inch saddle and see if you would fit into it before committing, my local tack shop is very helpful in this way. I do also think that +- a couple inches of height won't make as much difference as you think, so it's worth exploring maybe a 15.2hh, it's miserable living with the 'am I too heavy' anxiety.

Yes I’ve weighed my food.
There’s been times at lunch when my colleagues have told me there’s not enough food on my plate. Bloody rude if you ask me!
The literal calorie deficit thing numerical maths equation issue? Yes. I’m literally suicidal about it.
I had not considered going to a tack shop to look at saddles. I will ask the R/S what size saddle the horse I ride has. He is a very chunky cob. A bit too round for my short legs but unless I can shed 2 stone or grow a few inches in height that’s my only option.

 

[HelenMac]

What horses are you riding at the minute? I think that's your best starting point for type and size. What feels comfortable, which horses are happy, forward and easy underneath you then use that as your basis. If you have a local RS go and see if you can ride a variety, try a 14.2, try a 16.2 and see if they feel massive. I think a larger horse might not be what you want in a perfect world but you also don't want to be constantly worrying about weight ratios every ride either. That will suck the joy out of it SO quickly. You want to be HAPPY not just "within 15%".

I'm 5'2" also and have been comfortable on anything from 13h to 17.2. If not bouncing is a big concern, you can take just as nasty a tumble from a small horse as a big one. The height of the fall isn't the biggest factor in how hurt you might get! A small pony can torpedo you into the ground more easily than a big horse can A nice, kind ID type or a larger cross breed will do you just as well as a stocky little pony with more room for a saddle and you can argue the ID is a native breed! Bred to carry a meat and 2 veg farmer round the hunt field who would weigh much more than 77kg and will be having much more than a few glasses of wine a week too

I’m riding a 14.2 chunky cob. He’s a bit too chunky for my short legs but taller horses over 15 hh make me nervous. Like I said, I’m old enough to be bad at bouncing.

 

[HelenMac]

OP, it is tricky.

I helped my friend back a pony 18 months ago. She asked me as I am small at 5ft 2 and pony was a 13.1hh chunky cob. Friend was very tall and felt silly.

I was concerned about my weight (about 75kg and was a size 14) I could barely fit my bum in the 16.5inch saddle and poor pony really struggled. I saw a picture of me riding the pony and immediately refused to ever get on her again!

I then started riding her 14.2hh cob and felt so much better! Could fit my bum in the bigger saddle and didn’t fee like I was squashing her. Couldn’t get on from the ground though which I like to be able to do in an emergency!

I have since lost 3 stone and starting HRT has helped immensely! I now have a 13.1hh baby cob and feel absolutely fine on her.

I think a lot of it is going to be dependent on the pony. Not just their height and weight but their fitness and general ability to carry weight. You’ll also find more weight comes off when you are riding and doing yard work every day.

Happy to share pictures of me on any of the ponies at any weight if a visual will help.

Actually photos would help if you don’t mind sharing. I’m at the stage of giving up if I’m the wrong shape for riding

 

[sarcasm_queen]

Don’t worry about the short legs thing! I’m shorter than you on a 15.2, and you adapt-we’ve both gotten much better at voice commands!

As others have said, the main issue will be the practicality of finding a short enough horse that will take a long enough saddle. But well done for doing the research and thinking about all this before you go horse shopping.