Can a rider's weight hold back a horse's potential?

5horses2dogsandacat

5horses2dogsandacat

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I think so, I had a lovely arabx welsh when I was 14. I was around 5ft4 back then and I did weigh heavy, probably 9 1/2 - 10 stone, but I was really sporty so a lot was muscle. We used to do a lot of BSJA an was popping round course of around 3ft6 ish at home 3ft 3 at comps.

I then was ill with an eating disorder and went done to around 7 1/2 stone when I was still capable of riding (I was about 5 stone maybe a bit less when I was properly ill) but I did find me and my pony were going around courses so much better and it didnt feel such a labour for him to get round and we were quicker too.

I just wondered what people opinions on this are?

Im now 24 around 10 1/2 - 11 stone :mad: little bit chunky, am a size 12 and 5ft 5 and i would like to drop down 3 stone to about 8 to 8 1/2 stone, so that I can break my little welsh sec a myself and also not be too heavy for when I break my newest addition who should get to 15-15.1hh..

I do have a 24 months to lose the weight so nice and slowly this time!! :)
 
It does seam a little drastic.

To put it in perspective I am 5'3 9stone and a size 8 my BMI is about 22.5

I think at your height you would be too thin at 8-8.5 stone sorry if this is not what you want to hear. A more sensible weight loss would be about 1-1.5 stone

You are not too heavy as you are to break your new addition
 
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erm, sorry mini-eventer, but i wouldn't put a 10.5-11 stone rider on a welsh section A, especially as first ever jockey. it's got nothing to do with height (at 5'10" i'd look daft on 1 that small anyway, my feet would prob touch the floor!) but that was my weight at my heaviest and absolutely NO WAY would i ever get on a pony that small, let alone at first backing. fwiw i've seen pics of the results of putting a rather large rider on a welsh sec A for backing, and he reared repeatedly in objection...
OP, good for you. that's loads of time to lose it, and if you are determined, you'll do it. i had no willpower at all when it came to chocolate, cakes etc etc but i found a way that worked for me.
to answer the question - yes, of course weight makes a difference, within reason, and depending on the horse's build, age, etc, and what it is being asked to do.
 
lol sorry kerilli I didnt explain properly yes that would be to large for the welsh!

I meant for her 15hh -15.1!!!!!!

& yes weight does make a huge differance, however if you lost weight too drasticly you would be at risk of not having the core strenght to ride to your full potential.
 
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To be honest, based on what you've said above, I think you might struggle to lose weight beyond 9 stone in a healthy way. I suspect the happy weight for your body is around the 9.5 stone mark.

Muscle does weigh more than fat for the same volume, so you can be slim but heavier than someone else BUT a pound of muscle weighs exactly the same as a pound of fat.

Based on the fact you say you have already had an eating disorder, I think you might have to get someone else to break your section A in (or do the riding for you).
 
rachel_s said:
To be honest, based on what you've said above, I think you might struggle to lose weight beyond 9 stone in a healthy way. I suspect the happy weight for your body is around the 9.5 stone mark.

Muscle does weigh more than fat for the same volume, so you can be slim but heavier than someone else BUT a pound of muscle weighs exactly the same as a pound of fat.

Based on the fact you say you have already had an eating disorder, I think you might have to get someone else to break your section A in (or do the riding for you).
Click to expand...

Agreed, better not to put that much pressure on your self and maintain a healthy weight :)
 
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