Do I look to big (follow on from am I too heavy)

The saddle does not look like it fits you. It's not a very good pic either.

The best thing is to work out what percentage of your horses weight you are inc tack. Since that is presumably a youngster you would want to be well below the 20% max rule of thumb.
 
Looks a native type, so should be up to some weight, but not until it is fit and has some muscle. Difficult to to really see / judge from a back view, side on would be better - and are you a light or heavy rider? That will make a difference.
TBH as pictured - maybe - but with all the above caveats.
 
I think you should stop asking people on here what they think, if they tell you you are too big are you going to stop riding her? stop worrying about if your too big, if you are 'medically' over weight (bmi) then loose weight, if your not, then dont :) you dont look big at all to me but it all depends on horse etc. I would just ask someone who can see you ride her in real life
 
As this is the first time she has been sat on, and is therefore young and /or lacking in muscle then yes, I woud say you are too big (from the pictures you have shown) for her.
 
hollieeb said:
I think you should stop asking people on here what they think, if they tell you you are too big are you going to stop riding her? stop worrying about if your too big, if you are 'medically' over weight (bmi) then loose weight, if your not, then dont :) you dont look big at all to me but it all depends on horse etc. I would just ask someone who can see you ride her in real life
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Read my 'am I too heavy post' I've lost 9lb in a month and have a stone ish left to go :D
 
Hard to tell but going on the second photo, I'd say yes, a bit. Not by a great deal but also bearing in mind that this was the first time the horse had been sat on.
 
I agree with everything everyone has said. Yes, you are too big, yes the saddle doesnt fit you, and were you using stirrups?? As you're toes are pointing down. Sorry. Again not the answers you were hoping for :(
 
Would you believe that this whole topic migrated from here across the world to a forum in New Zealand last week :cool:

I endurance ride, so I ride a 3/4 Arabian, 1/4 TB mare, who is maybe 14.3 hh on a good day. I'm 5'10". My current ride weight (inc saddle) is 83 kg, which is about 13 stone. :eek: Too much winter chocolate !

But she manages just fine - we did an 50 mile ride at the weekend, with no issues at all. Endurance horses have to carry 75 kg for FEI 3* (160 km) rides and of course, being Arabians they are not very big and are light weight horses.

The typical thought in endurance is that it is more about how you ride, than how much you weigh. Up to a limit of course. :)
 
Yes JennyNZ I think people underestimate the strength of arabians as they look so little and fine, although I would think your horses are quite fit as well. I know a guy who used to breed endurance arabians and he is about 6ft5 used to riding 15hh max really.

We do seem to have a very cautious attitude to weight in the UK.

OP I can't really see but saddle is defo too small for you so probably not your most flattering angle ;-)
 
Yes, you do look too big for that pony. Saddle too small. Pony needs to be continued, imo, by someone considerably lighter, whilst you continue your successful campaign of weight loss. Great achievement, btw.
 
For first time sat on yes. I'm not big but wouldn't sit on any of ours for first time (inc cob x). I'd want v light weight and light seat for that. For a backed pony I don't think so.

Martingale and no stirrups on for first time sat on too??
 
PandorasJar said:
For first time sat on yes. I'm not big but wouldn't sit on any of ours for first time (inc cob x). I'd want v light weight and light seat for that. For a backed pony I don't think so.

Martingale and no stirrups on for first time sat on too??
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I never understand why martingales being used on young horses is an issue :/ I know you could use a neck strap but I dont see much diff tbh! Martingales dont do a fat lot when a horse sticks its head up. I ride both mine in one and a breast plate on my 4 year old....

Anyway :) Yes you are a little tall on her. Maybe a sideways pic?
 
badgermyers said:
I never understand why martingales being used on young horses is an issue :/ I know you could use a neck strap but I dont see much diff tbh! Martingales dont do a fat lot when a horse sticks its head up. I ride both mine in one and a breast plate on my 4 year old....

Anyway :) Yes you are a little tall on her. Maybe a sideways pic?
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Personally I go with as little as possible if no problems and then build up. If I was going to chuck a martingale on, I'd put my feet in stirrups too.
 
I never use stirrup either, quicker to jump off without them.

I'm also wondering about a martingale? I always use one on my horse, just incase, is this a bad thing? No sarcasm intended, genuine question :)
 
I use as little as possible. But if I was whacking a martingale on I'd use stirrups. Probably as I've always gone with minimal and don't click martingale in my head as just a neck strap, I see it as a gadget on a problem horse I guess.
 
Sorry but you are way too big to be backing that pony, and with badly fitting tack? Don't want to b blunt, but I think you know it which is why you are asking. Sorry.
 
I can only comment on the saddle as that's my area rather than backing! The saddle almost certainly is too small, but if that is the most her ribcage can take then you have two choices if you think she can take your weight - one is that you very carefully look at the front to back balance - does your weight make the cantle sink? You need to possibly use a rear riser to lift the back of the saddle so that your weight is spread evenly across the tree, presuming it is otherwise a good fit. Or you decide to have someone ride who fits the saddle, even if she can take your weight.
 
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