davkt
Member
12 1/2 stone is within the healthy weight range for an average (ish) height (5ft10 to 6ft) chap!
Heavy Rider School
- Thread starter rainbowsntoffee
- Start date
Red30563
Well-Known Member
Interestingly, Cumbrian Heavy Horses have a weight limit of around 16 stone. (Although apparently they are flexible if you are an experienced and balanced rider.)...
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=171467262872230
Heucherella
Well-Known Member
I agree that a school aimed solely at bigger riders would be odd, unethical, and probably unsuccessful, but I do think that if a school can advertise that it has sturdy horses capable of taking riders up to say 16 or maybe even 18 stone, it has a much larger possible clientele.
I am 15 stone, and have been for the all the 5 years I have been riding. my fitness has improved hugely since I learned to ride, and muscle had replaced fat, but the weight has stayed the same. I had to look at several riding schools before I found one that would take me, and even then I had to ask if they had a suitable horse. It would have been so much easier to have found a website or advert that stated "Riders up to 16 stone very welcome".
Since then I have had two share horses, have ridden a friends horse, and finally now have my own. All have carried me easily on long hacks, jumping lessons, and hunting. None have had back problems. They were a 15'3 Friesian,
a 17hh ISH,
my own 16hh Clydesdale x ID,
and a 14'3 coloured cob.
So yes, 15 stone 'curvy' women are fit enough to ride. There are plenty of horses out there that can carry us. And I would love to see all riding schools catering for us.
I am 15 stone, and have been for the all the 5 years I have been riding. my fitness has improved hugely since I learned to ride, and muscle had replaced fat, but the weight has stayed the same. I had to look at several riding schools before I found one that would take me, and even then I had to ask if they had a suitable horse. It would have been so much easier to have found a website or advert that stated "Riders up to 16 stone very welcome".
Since then I have had two share horses, have ridden a friends horse, and finally now have my own. All have carried me easily on long hacks, jumping lessons, and hunting. None have had back problems. They were a 15'3 Friesian,
a 17hh ISH,
my own 16hh Clydesdale x ID,
and a 14'3 coloured cob.
So yes, 15 stone 'curvy' women are fit enough to ride. There are plenty of horses out there that can carry us. And I would love to see all riding schools catering for us.
NeilM
Well-Known Member
If this is directed at me then thanks; but the point I was making is that there are a fair few female riders who weigh more than me, so that to say the only heavy riders are men is obviously incorrect.
little_critter
Well-Known Member
i agree with the 20st part, i dont think many horses could easily carry that however not all heavy people are unfit. my oh is a rugby player whos 5ft11 and weighs 17st!!! and trust me hes very very fit and healthy. i dont think there are many places who would take a well built man
Or even an averagely built man. Where I used to ride there was a man in our lesson who was approx 6 foot tall and 'average' build. He was fit (was in the army) so the muscles were what made up his weight - not fat......There was only 1 horse at the school big enough for him to ride!
TheEquineOak
Well-Known Member
I didn't say that the only heavy riders, are men. I said the only heavy riders I KNOW are men. I'm not stupid nor uneducated enough to make such an assumption
And, to say you weigh 12.5 stone doesn't really class you as 'heavy' IMO, far from considering your height. I know plenty of female riders that are around 12 stone. My interpretation of 'heavy' is 15-18 stone, above the weight limit in most riding schools.
Refering back to my original post, the only people I know that ride and fit within this weight criterea are men, I do not know of any women that are over 15 stone that ride.
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Auslander
Well-Known Member
It wouldn't be for me, but I do think it's a good idea.
I lost my horse (17.2hh warmblood by Ramiro Z) two years ago, and haven't ridden since. I'm 5"10, and 14.5st, so yep, I'm overweight. The only horses I'm likely to be permitted to ride are riding school weight carriers, who, much as I hate to be mean - are generally a bit ploddy and not much fun for an educated rider - I trained at Talland, then went to Germany and spent 5 years riding amazing dressage horses.
I've always been heavy, even when I was thin, but never thought twice about getting on 15.2hh TB's, none of whom had a problem doing days hunting, or cross country schooling - probably because I'm a balanced rider and can support my own weight. I wouldn't dream of getting on a small TB nowadays, but would happily eat my own left foot to ride a nice big'un again. Seems that even they have now been deemed incapable of carrying anyone over 12st. It sucks...
I lost my horse (17.2hh warmblood by Ramiro Z) two years ago, and haven't ridden since. I'm 5"10, and 14.5st, so yep, I'm overweight. The only horses I'm likely to be permitted to ride are riding school weight carriers, who, much as I hate to be mean - are generally a bit ploddy and not much fun for an educated rider - I trained at Talland, then went to Germany and spent 5 years riding amazing dressage horses.
I've always been heavy, even when I was thin, but never thought twice about getting on 15.2hh TB's, none of whom had a problem doing days hunting, or cross country schooling - probably because I'm a balanced rider and can support my own weight. I wouldn't dream of getting on a small TB nowadays, but would happily eat my own left foot to ride a nice big'un again. Seems that even they have now been deemed incapable of carrying anyone over 12st. It sucks...
brighteyes
Pooh-Bah
I can possibly see more in the way of H&S problems getting an 18st person onto a Shire than horse welfare issues.
NielM you hatrack, you!
NielM you hatrack, you!
jodie3
Well-Known Member
My sister had a lovely cob who she kept at working livery in a riding school and she had to move him as it broke her heart to see him being hacked out by large, unbalanced novice riders with heavy hands
My very overweight friend (20 stone plus) rode out at the local trekking centre and was mortified by them insisiting that she had considerable help to dismount. Because of her size she looked very unstable in the saddle and she admitted that if the horse stumbled or put its head down she would be unable to stop herself falling off.
My very overweight friend (20 stone plus) rode out at the local trekking centre and was mortified by them insisiting that she had considerable help to dismount. Because of her size she looked very unstable in the saddle and she admitted that if the horse stumbled or put its head down she would be unable to stop herself falling off.
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lexiedhb
Well-Known Member
Being a bigger (15-16 stone) rider, who shares a 17hh warmblood, I actually think it would be a better idea for riding schools to acknowledge that there are folk out there over 13stone (I know not all have this weight limit but it seems a lot do) who want to ride and have horses capable of carrying them.
Yes horses should not be ridden by 17 stone novices for 6 hours a day, 7 days a week, as obviously this will cause problems but once/twice a day with the rest of their work load being made up by lighter/more experienced riders? cant see the harm in that. Not all weight carriers are plods, so it would work out well IMO
Yes horses should not be ridden by 17 stone novices for 6 hours a day, 7 days a week, as obviously this will cause problems but once/twice a day with the rest of their work load being made up by lighter/more experienced riders? cant see the harm in that. Not all weight carriers are plods, so it would work out well IMO
NeilM
Well-Known Member
ClobellsandBaubles
Well-Known Member
when i helped at a treking yard we had quite a few horses capable of carrying heavy weights as lots of tourist were not fit and IMO quite heavy they had two shire x giants several highland tanks and a highland clydie x but the novices only rode for 45 mins max at walk couple of times a week during the summer and they were schooled by wee things like me (aged 12) and the 2 shire x's were often taking as spare showjumpers if the posh warmbloods went lame so they had quite a varied life
don;t really have much to add whether it would be a viable business plan but it has been my experience as someone who loves riding big horses riding schools only have 1 or 2 at best who arent tiny ponies
don;t really have much to add whether it would be a viable business plan but it has been my experience as someone who loves riding big horses riding schools only have 1 or 2 at best who arent tiny ponies
dominobrown
Well-Known Member
If it would work potential clients should have to pass a fittness test, infact that would be a good idea for any riding school!
Harsh it may be, but you shouldn't ride unless you have a reasonable level of fittness. I do understand that some people can be 13 stone and still be actually quite fit, thats fair enough, not everyone is tiny, but again, basic level of fittness is needed.
However over a certain weight, there is no way a person can fit!
Harsh it may be, but you shouldn't ride unless you have a reasonable level of fittness. I do understand that some people can be 13 stone and still be actually quite fit, thats fair enough, not everyone is tiny, but again, basic level of fittness is needed.
However over a certain weight, there is no way a person can fit!
much-jittering
Well-Known Member
Not much to add, except to pick up on the comment somebody made about "can't see it getting a licence" - I disagree. I've encountered various different vets with totally different standards and things they do/don't want to see on the day doing RS council licensing inspections - and not one has ever been remotely interested in what actually sits on the ponies he is looking at/whether yard has a weight limit/etc. This is in the case of a stud based riding school with only the one breed in the school, which do only go up to a certain height - so far more likely to raise the question than the average riding school with horses of all shapes and sizes. They have never asked about weight, and they do not check the pony's backs either - check heart, eyes and watch a trot up, then some see tack on and some prefer to see it off so they can examine horse for saddle sores etc. There's a tick box for number of horses on site under the age of 3 (which I would have expected to be nigh on zero in your average RS?), not for the number of 18 stone riders riding 14h ponies. Bizare, but true.
With re also people of quite average weights saying riding schools don't have the big horses, try a Where to Train centre instead - they need to have the horsepower to provide the training to people up to stage 4 in some cases, so you're far more likely to find a nice big ex eventer type.
Final thing, Cloball that's what I was hoping! OH wants to start riding, have been putting him off for over a year as I haven't got anything big enough - so was planning on just going to trekking centre when we're on holiday as they're used to all shapes and sizes of novice turning up!
With re also people of quite average weights saying riding schools don't have the big horses, try a Where to Train centre instead - they need to have the horsepower to provide the training to people up to stage 4 in some cases, so you're far more likely to find a nice big ex eventer type.
Final thing, Cloball that's what I was hoping! OH wants to start riding, have been putting him off for over a year as I haven't got anything big enough - so was planning on just going to trekking centre when we're on holiday as they're used to all shapes and sizes of novice turning up!
ElleSkywalker
As excited as Kitty about to be a bridesmaid
Interesting idea, with good tuition, suitible horses and limits on how much work each horse did with a v heavy rider it sounds like a great idea!
On the other hand... advertising would be hard, as even if you gave lessons to all sorts, on turning up and school to find most of the horses were weight carring types it would be quite obvious it wasa school for fatties.
I like the idea of ride on simulator for 20 mins then 10 mins on horse or similar, and also then getting the folks to muck out after to help with weight loss, maybe thats the best way forward, horses are used as therapy, maybe you could do some sort of weight loss club for folks who like horses, using the stable work as cardio excercise and the riding as a sort of reward/goal for them????
On the other hand... advertising would be hard, as even if you gave lessons to all sorts, on turning up and school to find most of the horses were weight carring types it would be quite obvious it wasa school for fatties.
I like the idea of ride on simulator for 20 mins then 10 mins on horse or similar, and also then getting the folks to muck out after to help with weight loss, maybe thats the best way forward, horses are used as therapy, maybe you could do some sort of weight loss club for folks who like horses, using the stable work as cardio excercise and the riding as a sort of reward/goal for them????
Pearlsasinger
Up in the clouds
The RS where our RDA group is based certainly caters for heavyweight riders. The vast majority of the riders has learning difficulties, often combined with physical disabilities, or at least limitations.
The horses and ponies only ever did 2 RDA sessions twice a week and were ridden by YO's family, hunting, showing, SJing etc as well as 'normal' RS work. Now the YO has reitred and closed the RS, the only clients are RDA.
In 25 yrs I cannot remember one truly 'heavy horse', although there have been heavyweight hunters, strong cobs, P2Pers and a good few WHs. Every horse has coped well, even though these riders tend to be heavy, nervous and unbalanced.
The horses and ponies only ever did 2 RDA sessions twice a week and were ridden by YO's family, hunting, showing, SJing etc as well as 'normal' RS work. Now the YO has reitred and closed the RS, the only clients are RDA.
In 25 yrs I cannot remember one truly 'heavy horse', although there have been heavyweight hunters, strong cobs, P2Pers and a good few WHs. Every horse has coped well, even though these riders tend to be heavy, nervous and unbalanced.
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Tnavas
Well-Known Member
I would so love to have a place like that near me - I am overweight and I'd like to get riding fit before getting stuck in to schooling my Clydesdale.
The heavier built horses will carry those weights with no problem at all. Correctly fitting saddles, mounting blocks and sensible instruction will not cause them problems.
HAving taught for decades - rarely do riders start riding fit for riding - that comes with riding.
For all the skinny stick insects/gym bunnies - some of us have to start our fitness programme somewhere and riding is very good for getting fit as it uses so many muscles - it's also far more enjoyable than slogging around the block or endless walking on a treadmill and for those of us with sore joints it is far kinder to our systems.
I used to be a stick insect - but the years have slowly added the weight.
The heavier built horses will carry those weights with no problem at all. Correctly fitting saddles, mounting blocks and sensible instruction will not cause them problems.
HAving taught for decades - rarely do riders start riding fit for riding - that comes with riding.
For all the skinny stick insects/gym bunnies - some of us have to start our fitness programme somewhere and riding is very good for getting fit as it uses so many muscles - it's also far more enjoyable than slogging around the block or endless walking on a treadmill and for those of us with sore joints it is far kinder to our systems.
I used to be a stick insect - but the years have slowly added the weight.
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Devonshire dumpling
Well-Known Member
Yeah good point, my hubby is 6 foot 2, as skinny as a rake and 12.5 stone, my friends hubby is 6 foot 6, also not an ounce of fat on him and 18 stone, just a big built bloke, he would love to learn to ride.
davkt
Member
Nope, just a general statement of fact! I'm sure plenty of us average heigh and healthy weight chaps don't have a problem finding somewhere to ride! First time on a horse in twentysome years last weekend having a polo lesson, 12 1/2 stone 46 year old me lighter than several of the 20something year old young ladies in the lesson and the instructor (school owner) explained weight distribution by telling us he had 8 stone on each foot.
ChesnutsRoasting
Well-Known Member
I've been daydreaming as you do..
What would you think the market would be for a heavy rider school, say advertising specifically at 12-13st -18st?
I know several people who ended up buying horses before they were really ready having ridden as kids, given up in their teens, had their own kids and wanted to start riding again. With baby weight and the obvious eating too much! they couldn't go to local riding schools (weight limit max 13.5st in these parts).
My ardennes boy would carry anyone up to 20st without blinking if he didn't have a dodgy set of hips. He's not expensive to keep at all and has a great temperament etc. Shoes are more expensive but if he didn't have the hip issue wouldn't need them anyway neccessarily.
I know beginners are heavier to carry, but I don't see why you couldn't do half hour lessons until rider is balanced and horse not do more than one total beginner a day or something. No mounting from the ground ever, although maybe some sort of set up with a saddle stand for practising the theory! Plus perhaps combine that half hour of ridden lesson with half an hour mucking out/stable management lesson which would also help the riders get fitter and maybe loose a bit of weight as a bonus.
I'm presuming the horses were all extremely well boned and confirmationally good themselves, fit and healthy with well fitting tack.
I realise running a riding school isn't cheap by any stretch- rent/mortgage for yard, horse cost, dentist, back checks, tack, insurance (Lots of insurance!) and the like..
At the riding school I learnt at the horses didn't do more than an hour-two a day anyway, so I sort of think it *should* be possible. Plus you wouldn't exclude light riders, just cater specifically more towards extremely chunky cobs.
I guess to balance the books you would need to increase charges a little.
Can you possibly list pluses and minuses and why noone has done it? Excluding the animal activists placcarding the gate of course
Ta! (back to work now.. hohum)
Why not? Go for it! I can see it now "Heavy Horses for Heavy Riders! If there's a market, there's money to be made. There are fitness classes specifically for the overweight or self conscious person, so why not riding lessons. We in the western world are obsessed with body weight and image and if those who are overweight avoid exercise because they are embarassed, then its a pity. Suitable weight-carrying horses are out there and perfectly capable of carrying the larger sized person.
ChesnutsRoasting
Well-Known Member
Forgot to add - muscle weighs more than fat, at least thats what I tell myself when I (very rarely) weigh myself!
ChesnutsRoasting
Well-Known Member
I disagree. Fitness is built through controlled exertion. Any decent instructor will not over stress their client or their horse to the point of exhaustion.
Bryndu
Well-Known Member
I've been daydreaming as you do..
What would you think the market would be for a heavy rider school, say advertising specifically at 12-13st -18st?
I know several people who ended up buying horses before they were really ready having ridden as kids, given up in their teens, had their own kids and wanted to start riding again. With baby weight and the obvious eating too much! they couldn't go to local riding schools (weight limit max 13.5st in these parts).
My ardennes boy would carry anyone up to 20st without blinking if he didn't have a dodgy set of hips. He's not expensive to keep at all and has a great temperament etc. Shoes are more expensive but if he didn't have the hip issue wouldn't need them anyway neccessarily.
I know beginners are heavier to carry, but I don't see why you couldn't do half hour lessons until rider is balanced and horse not do more than one total beginner a day or something. No mounting from the ground ever, although maybe some sort of set up with a saddle stand for practising the theory! Plus perhaps combine that half hour of ridden lesson with half an hour mucking out/stable management lesson which would also help the riders get fitter and maybe loose a bit of weight as a bonus.
I'm presuming the horses were all extremely well boned and confirmationally good themselves, fit and healthy with well fitting tack.
I realise running a riding school isn't cheap by any stretch- rent/mortgage for yard, horse cost, dentist, back checks, tack, insurance (Lots of insurance!) and the like..
At the riding school I learnt at the horses didn't do more than an hour-two a day anyway, so I sort of think it *should* be possible. Plus you wouldn't exclude light riders, just cater specifically more towards extremely chunky cobs.
I guess to balance the books you would need to increase charges a little.
Can you possibly list pluses and minuses and why noone has done it? Excluding the animal activists placcarding the gate of course
Ta! (back to work now.. hohum)
You know what?......I LIKE the idea...but I don't think it would work.
Why?
Well if they all came on a regular basis....they would get thinner and wouldnt need a chunky beast!!!!!!
Bryndu
Tnavas
Well-Known Member
You know what?......I LIKE the idea...but I don't think it would work.
Why?
Well if they all came on a regular basis....they would get thinner and wouldnt need a chunky beast!!!!!!
Bryndu
But by then they would be so happy at being streamlined again they would continue on riding the big beasties. Plus they would have fallen in love with them.
I love my Clydesdale - she is so gentle and enormous.
Bryndu
Well-Known Member
Evelyn....I know where you are coming from.....but then Rainbowsntoffee would have to start a second school called Lighter Riders!!!!!!
Bryndu
SophieLouBee
Well-Known Member
I think it's a good idea in theory. I'm sure that there are alot of bigger riders out there embarrased to go to general riding schools in fear of being told they are too heavy or that other people in the lesson will laugh at them.
I agree with the simulator idea, will make sure that balance is better, and seat is better before you get on a real horse. Mounting block essential, well fitting tack with good polypads etc, possibly even treeless (although not sure how these would be for balance?), lessons to start with should be done in walk only, moving onto trot when good balanced is established, thus hopefully helping to avoid accidents. Lessons 1hr max, pref 30 mins. Quiet horses who are kept fit by other people, regularly rotated, with regular days off and visits from vet/back person just to make sure! Damn good insurance, myself i'd stipulate that riders had their own! I'd still think that you'd have to have a weight limit? This applies to the novice rider, as I'm sure it's a lot different for an experienced one!
So inpractice, very expensive and unrealistic perhaps?
I agree with the simulator idea, will make sure that balance is better, and seat is better before you get on a real horse. Mounting block essential, well fitting tack with good polypads etc, possibly even treeless (although not sure how these would be for balance?), lessons to start with should be done in walk only, moving onto trot when good balanced is established, thus hopefully helping to avoid accidents. Lessons 1hr max, pref 30 mins. Quiet horses who are kept fit by other people, regularly rotated, with regular days off and visits from vet/back person just to make sure! Damn good insurance, myself i'd stipulate that riders had their own! I'd still think that you'd have to have a weight limit? This applies to the novice rider, as I'm sure it's a lot different for an experienced one!
So inpractice, very expensive and unrealistic perhaps?
HollyWoozle
Well-Known Member
I do think it's good if a riding school can cater for riders up to a certain weight, bearing in mind that some tall, fit, healthy people can be quite a weight but fit enough for horse riding. However, I don't think that a riding school specifically catering to this is viable. I presume that most riding schools wouldn't wish to limit their clientele with a weight limit unless they had a reason for doing so.
I think it would be better to start a fitness club for riders, encouraging members to partake in exercise which would help them with their riding. By this I mean activities for improving cardio fitness, yoga for flexibility, exercises to improve core strength and balance etc. but all provided in a friendly environment and amongst likeminded people.
I think it would be better to start a fitness club for riders, encouraging members to partake in exercise which would help them with their riding. By this I mean activities for improving cardio fitness, yoga for flexibility, exercises to improve core strength and balance etc. but all provided in a friendly environment and amongst likeminded people.
madeleine1
Well-Known Member
bl**dy b*llcks sorry but that makes me angry you clearly have never met a rugby player at top level or weight lifter or numerous other sports where people are unbelievably fit and often 20st. i personally have a 16hh horse and im 18st and i play rugby and my horse happly clears 1.20m with me on and my riding school have loads of horses they are happy for me to ride for often well over an hour.
and in answer to other comments made i wouldnt mount from the ground regularly even if i was 5 stone. its jst not neccasery every time and doesnt help the horse.
Auslander
Well-Known Member
Absolutely agree with this - and not just because I am also a hefty lump!
JenJ
Well-Known Member
Nice idea in theory, but if there are loads of heavier people wanting to ride but being denied at their local school, presumably they are still scattered around the country?
Where would you have it? You would be catering to a niche market, with a service that probably wouldn't justify people travelling long distances for. Would there be enough demand locally?
The yard I am at has quite a few weight carriers, I'd estimate that in terms of school horses/hirelings, they could quite happily mount 8-10 15+ stone people out hunting on any given day. Guess we're just lucky
Where would you have it? You would be catering to a niche market, with a service that probably wouldn't justify people travelling long distances for. Would there be enough demand locally?
The yard I am at has quite a few weight carriers, I'd estimate that in terms of school horses/hirelings, they could quite happily mount 8-10 15+ stone people out hunting on any given day. Guess we're just lucky