Backing horses - weight of jockey

Aperchristmaspud said:
This is potentially a really stupid question - but are you 100% sure about her sire? If you hadn't told us her breeding I would have said she has a fair bit of native in there. Is it possible that there was an accident around covering time? It certainly would explain why she isn't as tall as her parents. As I said, probably a very stupid question and I hope I won't cause offence by asking it. She is a gorgeous little filly but I was just quite surprised at her breeding.

RE your question, as others have said, a lot can happen in six months, she might have a huge growth spurt and you may lose some weight. However, you don't sound too overweight at all. Make sure to get an accurate reading on a doctor's scales before starving yourself - your health is far more important than being able to back your girl, as much as we want to do these things ourselves.
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Yes, absolutely certain of her sire. She has two other full siblings. She gets the buckskin (cream gene) from her sire. Her dam is brown. I know what you mean though as a couple of people have asked if she is Connemara.

I will get weighed at the doctors. I am not overweight, but definitely need to lose some for my little mare and I preferred being thinner. I felt much happier.


Digger66 said:
Ask if your local branch of Boots has a set of scales you can use. They are much more likely to be checked regularly.
When I was pregnant the doctors scales had me a whole stone heavier than the hospital's and a stone and a half heavier than mine. Eventually she bought new ones.
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Heck that's a big difference!
 
Rather than the doctor's could I suggest a visit to Weightwatchers - just to use their scales! They calibrate theirs weekly apparently so that anybody who visits a different class can be happy the scales are all weighing accurately and providing the same readings.

If you're going to the doctor's anyway, you may as well get weighed, but making a special trip for that isn't the best use of the NHS's precious resources.

PS. expensive scales are not necessarily the most accurate. My £10 from Argos scales weigh me the same as WW, my mum's expensive all singing all dancing add 1/2 a stone. The most important thing is they're on a good flat hard surface - don't put them on a carpet or they'll add a stone (or is it take one off? Either way they're not good on carpet) straight away!
 
annagain said:
Rather than the doctor's could I suggest a visit to Weightwatchers - just to use their scales! They calibrate theirs weekly apparently so that anybody who visits a different class can be happy the scales are all weighing accurately and providing the same readings.

If you're going to the doctor's anyway, you may as well get weighed, but making a special trip for that isn't the best use of the NHS's precious resources.

PS. expensive scales are not necessarily the most accurate. My £10 from Argos scales weigh me the same as WW, my mum's expensive all singing all dancing add 1/2 a stone. The most important thing is they're on a good flat hard surface - don't put them on a carpet or they'll add a stone (or is it take one off? Either way they're not good on carpet) straight away!
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I live out in the sticks so no WW very close by. I have ordered some new scales which are supposed to be very accurate and will get weighed at the doctors too.
 
Wagtail said:
No it's not a lot, but more than I thought for her height. I wonder if she will get any more bone at all?
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Plain answer is no, as I say she looks very like my boy at this age and stage, though in fact he was overall less mature, but he had plenty of bone from age three when I bought him, I think it was 8 and a half+ then and he went to 9 age when age seven!
Re your diet, use a measuring tape as well, you will often trim up even if the scales are disappointing you one week.
 
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Reckon that's your answer. She was born early to a maiden mare. She will make the size but will take longer than if her mother was an experienced mare. I don't know much about horses but the off spring of maiden sheep, cattle etc are always slower.
 
Bonkers2 said:
Plain answer is no, as I say she looks very like my boy at this age and stage, though in fact he was overall less mature, but he had plenty of bone from age three when I bought him, I think it was 8 and a half+ then and he went to 9 age when age seven!
Re your diet, use a measuring tape as well, you will often trim up even if the scales are disappointing you one week.
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Thanks. I would be pleased if she got another 1/4 inch then she'd be the same as my late mare who made nothing of carrying my 14 stone husband. But she was well muscled, fit and aged 11 when he started hacking her. He only rode her a handful of times as one day she ran off with him then suddenly decided to stop and eat. He went straight out the front door. He is a real novice. My old 17.2hh ID was a much better mount for him.
 
FfionWinnie said:
Reckon that's your answer. She was born early to a maiden mare. She will make the size but will take longer than if her mother was an experienced mare. I don't know much about horses but the off spring of maiden sheep, cattle etc are always slower.
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Thanks. I would be ecstatic if she made 15.1hh even. I prefer small horses, but there's small, and there's small!
 
I am watching this thread with interest as i have the same issues with my youngster, except that I have already has some of the really slim girls at the yard sit on her in the stable and she has been fine. But as for me I think i am too big
 
mjcssjw2 said:
I am watching this thread with interest as i have the same issues with my youngster, except that I have already has some of the really slim girls at the yard sit on her in the stable and she has been fine. But as for me I think i am too big
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It's awful, isn't it when you really like a horse and want to keep them but you are too heavy? I do think that your girl looks as though she has a bit of growing to do though. She looks less mature than mine. :)
 
Echo what many others have said - find a set of scales in boots or when you go to the docs and get an accurate measurement, the difference between 10 stone and 11 stone is significant when it comes to backing horses so best to be sure about your weight.

You said you have only lost 1lb despite being really low on your calories - I'd suggest you maybe up your calorie intake, as sometimes eating not enough can cause your body to store more fat hence limiting your weight loss. If you are a very active person then you need a fair amount of calories just to keep yourself ticking over, so dont try and starve yourself as that is probably doing more harm than good.

I'd even go as far as saying ignore calorie counting altogether and focus on good food groups, avoiding the bad. So cut right down on sugar, carbs and alcohol, and be careful with fat - you need good fats (oily fish, olive oil etc) but sat and trans fat is not good so watch out for that. You need some carbs however, but make sure they are the unprocessed kind (so nothing white - brown versions of rice, pasta, bread etc).

But keep in mind as well, between 10 and 11 stone is not overweight for your height so try not to be so hard on yourself, you are a healthy weight and you have nothing to feel bad about. Wait and see how your lovely girl grows/fills out over the next couple of months and take it from there, you could always have someone come to you to back her so you can still be involved (I'm thinking of doing this with mine next year).
 
kc100 said:
Echo what many others have said - find a set of scales in boots or when you go to the docs and get an accurate measurement, the difference between 10 stone and 11 stone is significant when it comes to backing horses so best to be sure about your weight.

You said you have only lost 1lb despite being really low on your calories - I'd suggest you maybe up your calorie intake, as sometimes eating not enough can cause your body to store more fat hence limiting your weight loss. If you are a very active person then you need a fair amount of calories just to keep yourself ticking over, so dont try and starve yourself as that is probably doing more harm than good.

I'd even go as far as saying ignore calorie counting altogether and focus on good food groups, avoiding the bad. So cut right down on sugar, carbs and alcohol, and be careful with fat - you need good fats (oily fish, olive oil etc) but sat and trans fat is not good so watch out for that. You need some carbs however, but make sure they are the unprocessed kind (so nothing white - brown versions of rice, pasta, bread etc).

But keep in mind as well, between 10 and 11 stone is not overweight for your height so try not to be so hard on yourself, you are a healthy weight and you have nothing to feel bad about. Wait and see how your lovely girl grows/fills out over the next couple of months and take it from there, you could always have someone come to you to back her so you can still be involved (I'm thinking of doing this with mine next year).
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Thank you. When I weighed myself at nearly 11 stone it was with all my clothes on and at the end of the day - and at Christmas! I have cut out all sweets, chocolates and white bread. I don't eat meat, but eat plenty of oily fish such as salmon and tuna. I don't have any snacks or biscuits either. As I say I have two scales at home and both have me at around ten stone. But the reason I think my parents' scales are correct is that both my Mum and sister have been medically weighed recently and they were around the same weight on my parents' scales (maybe a couple of pounds difference). Oh well, I have plenty of time to get the weight off and should have a clearer idea of what I weigh when my new scales arrive this week and when I have been weighed at the doctors. :)
 
Wagtail said:
Thank you. When I weighed myself at nearly 11 stone it was with all my clothes on and at the end of the day - and at Christmas! I have cut out all sweets, chocolates and white bread. I don't eat meat, but eat plenty of oily fish such as salmon and tuna. I don't have any snacks or biscuits either. As I say I have two scales at home and both have me at around ten stone. But the reason I think my parents' scales are correct is that both my Mum and sister have been medically weighed recently and they were around the same weight on my parents' scales (maybe a couple of pounds difference). Oh well, I have plenty of time to get the weight off and should have a clearer idea of what I weigh when my new scales arrive this week and when I have been weighed at the doctors. :)
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I can vary 4lbs between the morning and evening and a pair of jeans alone weighs about 3lbs! (nigh on permanent dieter who really knows these things!) I nearly always ride first thing thankfully!
 
annagain said:
I can vary 4lbs between the morning and evening and a pair of jeans alone weighs about 3lbs! (nigh on permanent dieter who really knows these things!) I nearly always ride first thing thankfully!
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Yes, I had jeans, tee shirt and fleece, and had had a big dinner :D. Good idea riding in the morning. I generally prefer to anyway.
 
mjcssjw2 said:
wagtail just measured my fillies bone she has just over seven inches! oh dear , 8 and a bit sounds good to me now.
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Did you measure just below the knee? I must admit I felt very pleased with 8 and a quarter inches as I've had a few TBs with less than that and they've been around 15.2hh.
 
I am just looking at her, she is not spindly but is not up to weight, thats my assessment, when fully mature she will be Ok for OP, but she will never be able to carry a 12stone adult, well she is not suitable for a 12 stone adlut.
 
This is a very interesting article http://www.horseprotection.org/id51.html It illustrates how important not only the amount of bone there is but also the COMBINED weight of horse and rider. I have always thought the 20% rule was rubbish as if a horse is very overweight they can in theory carry more! My late mare weighed in at 600 kg and didn't look that fat to me but after laminitis I shifted 125kg from her.
 
Okay, so I just got weighed on a calibrated scale at the health clinic and am 10 stone 11lbs. Good news is my new scales weigh the same - yay! So looks like I need to lose eleven pounds at least. But I have until summer and am really determined.
 
good not too much but enough to make you try Good luck best way is the same as the horses low sugar, low fat, high fibre diet so don't go on a specific one as commercial diets are designed to get you to lose weight quickly and as soon as you stop you put it on again plus a bit more so you then pay for another round. Healthy eating is a life style change that should be one you are happy with and can live with forever so no banned foods just sensible choices.
We should all support you and I am delighted you are going to do her yourself
 
windand rain said:
good not too much but enough to make you try Good luck best way is the same as the horses low sugar, low fat, high fibre diet so don't go on a specific one as commercial diets are designed to get you to lose weight quickly and as soon as you stop you put it on again plus a bit more so you then pay for another round. Healthy eating is a life style change that should be one you are happy with and can live with forever so no banned foods just sensible choices.
We should all support you and I am delighted you are going to do her yourself
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Thanks. I have banned all sweets, biscuits, chocolates and white bread. I have been rigidly sticking to around 1500 calories a day. I'm really determined to lose the weight. :)
 
Oh OP, I am in the opposite situation! Currently backing and breaking my rising 4yo. She is a big KWPN, and is currently standing at 16.1-2 at her wither,and bigger at her bum... I am 9stone and about 5'3! I hope she knows i'm there....
 
ljohnsonsj said:
Oh OP, I am in the opposite situation! Currently backing and breaking my rising 4yo. She is a big KWPN, and is currently standing at 16.1-2 at her wither,and bigger at her bum... I am 9stone and about 5'3! I hope she knows i'm there....
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Lol, it's always the way!
 
Wagtail: do you actually need to loose the weight? I think you're the the same height and weight as me and I don't need to loose much, if any. If you do genuinely want to loose a little that's fine, but not if it's solely so you can ride your little filly.

I hate to say it but your are ALWAYS going to stress and worry about her size compared to yours. I did for years with my little cob (more than capable of carrying my 11st-with-all-my-gear-on but I always felt too tall for him), so sold him and bought something bigger. Much bigger as it turns out: the 'to make 16.1hh' ISH is rising 5yrs now and standing at 16.3hh (measured yesterday). But the relief of not feeling guilty about being too big is immense and I hadn't realised how much it was putting a downer on my riding. The cob would carry my weight no bother but I was tall and unbalancing for him. I genuinely believe that the horses should not just 'manage' the weight but find their rider's weight EASY.

For what it's worth, at my weight I would back (sit on, hop off) but not ride your filly currently. Next year I would ride for short periods but spend the entire time feeling guilty.
 
Kallibear said:
Wagtail: do you actually need to loose the weight? I think you're the the same height and weight as me and I don't need to loose much, if any. If you do genuinely want to loose a little that's fine, but not if it's solely so you can ride your little filly.

I hate to say it but your are ALWAYS going to stress and worry about her size compared to yours. I did for years with my little cob (more than capable of carrying my 11st-with-all-my-gear-on but I always felt too tall for him), so sold him and bought something bigger. Much bigger as it turns out: the 'to make 16.1hh' ISH is rising 5yrs now and standing at 16.3hh (measured yesterday). But the relief of not feeling guilty about being too big is immense and I hadn't realised how much it was putting a downer on my riding. The cob would carry my weight no bother but I was tall and unbalancing for him. I genuinely believe that the horses should not just 'manage' the weight but find their rider's weight EASY.

For what it's worth, at my weight I would back (sit on, hop off) but not ride your filly currently. Next year I would ride for short periods but spend the entire time feeling guilty.
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Thanks. No, I don't need to lose the weight as I'm well within the healthy weight range for my height, but if I'm honest I was MUCH happier with my weight before I gained the extra stone. I would love to lose it for myself too. I love my filly so much, selling is out of the question. If I can't lose the weight I will send her to my sister for her son to ride as he is just growing out of his 12.2 pony. If I come off my medication, I will drop a stone very easily. But I have already lost two pound in seven days, so hopefully can lose it anyway. It will just be very hard.
 
Just weigh taped my girl and she's 460 kg. Now according to the 20% rule she could carry 92kg (14st 4) which is rubbish! Just shows what a silly rule that is. Even as a mature horse, it would be too much. I prefer to use 15% as the absolute maximum for a mature horse of ideal weight. That would be 69kg including tack (10st 12).

I am now 10st 9lbs so need to get down to 10 stones maximum to ride her once she is fully mature and muscled - if she doesn't grow. But really, I think for backing I would need to be even a stone lighter. That's not going to happen as that would put me at an unhealthily thin weight. I have been that weight before and looked awful. So it looks like I will be looking for a light weight person to back her (9 stone or under) unless she grows significantly in the next 6 months.
 
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