Beginners riding in hampshire for larger people

[Mole125]

My wife is desperate to go horse riding as she has never been before and I'd love to be able to arrange this for her. However looking around many stables seem to have very low weight limits and her being size 20 and the last thing I want to do is embarrass her by turning up to a stables and being told that she's too big for their horses.

Please please please could someone suggest a stables Hampshire/the south coast/anywhere who do do rides for the larger beginners.

Thank you.

 

[trickivicki]

could your wife maybe do some light exercise and lose a little weight before attempting riding? (it is a more physical activity than it may seem so a certain level of fitness is required)

(also, it is not just wifes ego that may be bruised by being above certain weight limits as the horses welfare must also be considered)

It is great fun and a great way to tone up etc!

 

[Ladylina83]

Due to a very recent post that sparked a lot of interest re a school for larger riders I am slightly worried that this first poster lives under a bridge

FYI

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=455382

 

[FizzyFanta]

Not sure on the rules for nameing stables but Crofton Manner has some large cob types and a rather large gent was having a lesson so it may be worth googleing them and give them a ring....I also know of a Private yard that I could ask as they give one to one and very good advice.

 

[Gluttonforpunishment]

Hmm difficult one, you say your wife is size 20 but don't give us her weight.

I'm tall and size 16 but weigh in at 12st, my 16hh ID/TB carries me easily.

My opinion, and it is just that, is that if she is over 16st then in fairness to the horses she needs to loose a couple of stone before going riding. As a beginner she will be unbalanced and therefore a dead weight for the horse to carry.

I would not think very highly of any establishment that accepted beginners over the 16st mark to be honest, I don't believe they have their horses best interests at heart.

 

[woodtiger]

There's Burley Villa near New Milton.... they do New Forest Trail Rides

 

[Tickles]

Agree that at a size 20 whilst she may not be fat (e.g. if she is very tall and curvy/muscular) she will almost certainly be heavy. And, unless on the muscular side, unlikely to ride 'light' (basically this means loads of core strength and great coordination/riding experience to move with the horse so that nothing bounces around).

There are loads of romantic things you can do in Hampshire - e.g. I've hired a tandem bike in the New Forest (really nice off-road cycle paths through all the ponies). Suggest you have a look into something like that at that until your lady is a wee bit slimmer. Should be fun, outdoors, romantic and slimming!