Heavy riders, who should speak out and when*spin off*

[Archiesmummy]

Are some overweight people so clueless that they do not think to themselves they may be too heavy for the horse they are about to ride, whether they are going for a nice little walk or do a round of cross country?

I am, it is fair to say, well covered. I have put on approximately 3 stones since I got Archie, weighing 11 1/2 stones when I got him. He was a newly broken ID x Cob. Now he is older, his body has matured and he has filled out. He has grown approxintely 3 inches and currently weighs 648 kg. He is now just over 16.2hh and is built like a tank. However, I am very, very well aware that I am pushing the boundaries of his comfort, I believe. There is only so much a horses back can take, surely. Luckily, we are slow junkies and poodle, with stops along the way and our idea of an intense ride is perhaps breaking out into an occasional trot.

If I were to get any bigger I would have two choices, lose weight or don't ride. I feel a diet is imminent. Anyone want to join me?

OP, you and I know we are pushing limits, wanna diet buddy?

 

[natinthehat]

I have nothing against heavier people that ride. I compete in showjumping and as harsh as it is to say that some people are too overweight for a horse, it is still a sport. Obviously, being fit would make it easier to compete in that you have more stamina, and stronger muscles.

 

[Big Ben]

Cut out wheat - seriously.

I totally agree, I think that I need to ban wheat and refined sugars for ever

You are too big, far too big. The fact that you think that it's acceptable, to be frank disgusts me. I don't see much difference visualizing you on the second horse with the man on the grey, looks like similar proportions to me - other than the grey being underweight, even if that horse was in perfect condition, people would still be saying for disgusting and cruel he is.

You are entitled to your opinion, I agree that the mare is currently a mismatch, but I've explained that before, not doing it again.

Ha sadly I am still the same bloody weight!!! Everything is just tighter etc and my measurements are down but I am still (morbidly) obese

You look great though, and by what measurement are you morbidly obese, those damn stupid BMI charts?

OP, you and I know we are pushing limits, wanna diet buddy?

Starting next Monday, and I will take any and all help, will be starting a thread then, maybe you want to jump in on that one and we can keep each other motivated

 

[SusieT]

can i ask why you are so heavy and yet your horse appears to be very much lacking in extra condition and has v. little muscle, and no fat reserves?

 

[brighthair]

Yep BMI. To get down to the top weight for my height I need to lose nearly 3 stone

 

[Big Ben]

can i ask why you are so heavy and yet your horse appears to be very much lacking in extra condition and has v. little muscle, and no fat reserves?

I'm to heavy because I eat the wrong food and exercise to little. Ben is NOT lacking in condition, he had just come back from 2 months at the trainers, working up and down hills every day, he was then in hard condition.

He had fat reserves, just not to many, he is now putting on a little as we head into winter.

Here he is last year, going into the winter, before he came here, and before he had done any work

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jjk_Bv9Qero&feature=plcp

 

[Archangel]

Very nice horse BB.

 

[FionaM12]

can i ask why you are so heavy and yet your horse appears to be very much lacking in extra condition and has v. little muscle, and no fat reserves?

What a weird thing to say. I can't work out what your point is. Even if you think BB's horse could do with a little more condition, what on earth has that got to do with her own battle with weight?

 

[rockysmum]

What a weird thing to say. I can't work out what your point is. Even if you think BB's horse could do with a little more condition, what on earth has that got to do with her own battle with weight?

I wondered that???

Only thing I can think of is she is suggesting the OP shares her meals with the horse

 

[Wagtail]

I wish you every success with your weight loss BB. But I am concerned that you are still intending to ride your horse despite probably 30 people or more telling you they think you are too heavy for him. Many of these people are overweight themselves. Some are abstaining from riding due to weight issues. Some, including myself are trainers.

 

[FionaM12]

I wondered that???

Only thing I can think of is she is suggesting the OP shares her meals with the horse

Yes I did wonder if the poster was trying to suggest that the OP scoffs the horse's feeds as well as her own!

 

[Big Ben]

I wondered that???

Only thing I can think of is she is suggesting the OP shares her meals with the horse

I'm not sharing with him, Emmy and I get to the food trough first and don't let the others in

I wish you every success with your weight loss BB. But I am concerned that you are still intending to ride your horse despite probably 30 people or more telling you they think you are too heavy for him. Many of these people are overweight themselves. Some are abstaining from riding due to weight issues. Some, including myself are trainers.

With the greatest of respect, I have a lot of people here telling me that I am to heavy, a few on the fence, and a couple saying that the little I'm doing won't hurt him to much.

I have no idea of, and no way of knowing who knows what they are talking about, and who has never seen a horse in their life. Everyone is making up their mind from one small snapshot in time, and from that you are deciding how we are together.

I do give consideration to your views, but I'm sure you can understand that the people I have here, who know Ben and I in real life, are maybe in a better position to say what works and what doesn't.

Yes I know I'm to heavy to do much, but I am OK with the little we are doing, is Ben OK with it? Well he shows no reluctance to be ridden, he isn't sore, isn't lame, and he is well cared for. Now sure he would love to roll the clock back a year, and go back to doing nothing, as he has done for 8 or 9 years of his life, hanging out in a field with little handling, no foot care, simply being a horse.

You don't know what Ben means to me, what being able to ride him for the little that I do, does for me, and how it is motivating me to make the change so that I can enjoy him fully, and just ride him without rationing my time, or limiting myself to a walk.

 

[rockysmum]

Yes I did wonder if the poster was trying to suggest that the OP scoffs the horse's feeds as well as her own!

Even better

 

[rockysmum]

I'm not sharing with him, Emmy and I get to the food trough first and don't let the others in
.

 

[cornbrodolly]

Why dont people take responsibility for themselves. If you re fat,obese,whatever ,know that [unlessa medical condition] you have made yourself that way, and every day are CHOOSING to stay that way. The answer is simple - eat less+exercise more. For those that 'battle' and become quickly defeated with every diet[ because as we know quick fixes dont work ] - its not a diet but a lifelong commitment. How many fat people , by middle age have bad knees,hips or breathing ? A huge amount , and dont get me started on NHS costs of all this . Once you re in the obese category ,your health WILL be affected. And are these fat people good riders - no , they havent the tone to ride well, but sit like a tub of lard.
Rule of thumb for riding weights never more than 1/5 th of the horses weight. cant bear to see horsesstruggling with too much weight- it is cruelty.

 

[Mongoose11]

Why dont people take responsibility for themselves. If you re fat,obese,whatever ,know that [unlessa medical condition] you have made yourself that way, and every day are CHOOSING to stay that way. The answer is simple - eat less+exercise more.

It is seriously early for me to be handing out my 'Moron of the Day' award but do you know what...... you deserve it. Congratulations

(not suggesting that eat less - move more isn't factually correct)

 

[Hippona]

With the greatest of respect, I have a lot of people here telling me that I am to heavy, a few on the fence, and a couple saying that the little I'm doing won't hurt him to much.

You don't know what Ben means to me, what being able to ride him for the little that I do, does for me, and how it is motivating me to make the change so that I can enjoy him fully, and just ride him without rationing my time, or limiting myself to a walk.

And with the greatest of respect also.....not hurting your horse 'too much' should be totally unacceptable to you.

If you loved him that much....you wouldn't want to hurt him 'at all'.

Do the people who are saying its OK for you to be riding him have a vested interest, I wonder?

If its your instructor....then its in his/her best interests for you to be riding and having lessons.

If its your 'back person' then riding your horse and having his back checked often will certainly be in the best interests of this person.

Stop being so utterly selfish....lose some weight and then be confident that when you are riding you are not hurting your horse.

Where's the partnership here? I'm sorry...but you are considering your wish to ride, not the burden your horse has to carry.
He doesn't have a choice- you do.

 

[Littlelegs]

Very well put hippona.

 

[Victoria25]

I personally wouldnt confront someone about their weight/what they are riding as I dont feel it would be my business BUT if I thought for a second the horse was suffering then yes I would

I've known many a person to be upset when they've had a "telling off from the judge" about their weight

My husband is 16 stone (gym freak not fat) and I always get ... ohh does he ride your horses?? No he bloody doesnt!!!!!

 

[Coldfeet!]

Weight has always been bane on my life, always struggled with it.

After my last child I weighed 15 stones and a size 20, had a young welsh cob and he was inspiration to lose the weight, he was 4 and I wanted to back him, I seemed to happily stop about 10 stone 11lbs and a size 12, I know this sounds fat to you whippets out there but I actually started to look a bit gaunt as I have a big frame. I was SO happy.

I lightly backed my pony (14.2hh)

got the saddler out to fit us a new saddle and the saddler with oodles of sugar coating told me I was too heavy for him.

It was like someone ripped my heart out.

Needless to say I was on the verge of selling my beloved pony and I piled on two stones comfort eating, I think I am just managing to pick myself up and dust myself off, that was the most devastating blow I have ever had to my self esteem but I am back on the right track diet wise but I am still up and down and frequesntly feel there is no point me even trying any more and have turned him away until next year, I dont know what to do if I cant ride my pony.

I think whatever you weigh because of people individual perceptions someone out there will always think you are fat.

 

[FionaM12]

The answer is simple - eat less+exercise more.

It is seriously early for me to be handing out my 'Moron of the Day' award but do you know what...... you deserve it. Congratulations

(not suggesting that eat less - move more isn't factually correct)

Couldn't agree more Billie. A truly idiotic post.

Why not tell all the alcoholics, "The answer is simple - give up alcohol." Problem sorted.

Cornbrodolly, I think you might find that intelligent people with weight issues know loads of the theory, almost definitely much more than you do. Please don't patronise people on a subject of which you clearly have no understanding.

 

[lcharles]

If you're that fat, I bet you'd think twice before sitting on a stool, perching on the edge of a desk, climbing a wooden ladder........because they would all break! Just because the horse won't physically splat/snap/collapse, it doesnt mean its ok! The horse will just break down in time, as will an overloaded van/car, a roof covered in snow.

Get on a diet and off those poor horses backs!

 

[alainax]

If you're that fat, I bet you'd think twice before sitting on a stool, perching on the edge of a desk, climbing a wooden ladder........because they would all break! Just because the horse won't physically splat/snap/collapse, it doesnt mean its ok! The horse will just break down in time, as will an overloaded van/car, a roof covered in snow.

Get on a diet and off those poor horses backs!

ummmm I think you have summed up and shot yourself in the foot at the same time..

Anyone of any size thinks twice before putting thier weight on anything that isnt suitable... Someone of 10stone would think twice of sitting on a plastic childs chair - as its not suitable for thier weight.

Someone of 10 stone may think twice of climbing a wooden ladder, if it doesnt look suitable for that weight...

Someone of 20 stone can plonk down perfectly fine on a stool if it looks suitable for thier weight..

The point being, its what item/horse is suitable for the weight.
And yes ofc if you are too heavy the item/horse will suffer as a result.


And I guess the point of the discussion, of what is suitable and what its not - and when would you say somthing


Ps- me personally I work out the 20% rule, and the other big calculation with measuring bone etc - and make sure im under both before I will ride I think also as a rider its important to be aware of how you feel on a horse. The big 16.2hh ID im buying felt like a rock underneath me, and I felt like a wee pea sitting on his back. I worked out the figures and im well under the 20% rule plus the big calculation one - so im happy

 

[BeesKnees]

If you're that fat, I bet you'd think twice before sitting on a stool, perching on the edge of a desk, climbing a wooden ladder........because they would all break! Just because the horse won't physically splat/snap/collapse, it doesnt mean its ok! The horse will just break down in time, as will an overloaded van/car, a roof covered in snow.

Get on a diet and off those poor horses backs!

Why dont people take responsibility for themselves. If you re fat,obese,whatever ,know that [unlessa medical condition] you have made yourself that way, and every day are CHOOSING to stay that way. The answer is simple - eat less+exercise more. For those that 'battle' and become quickly defeated with every diet[ because as we know quick fixes dont work ] - its not a diet but a lifelong commitment. How many fat people , by middle age have bad knees,hips or breathing ? A huge amount , and dont get me started on NHS costs of all this . Once you re in the obese category ,your health WILL be affected. And are these fat people good riders - no , they havent the tone to ride well, but sit like a tub of lard.
Rule of thumb for riding weights never more than 1/5 th of the horses weight. cant bear to see horsesstruggling with too much weight- it is cruelty.

*Sigh*

People with weight issues, may or may not have a choice in being the way they are

You, however, do have a choice in whether you join a very long thread, at the end, without reading much of said thread to see if what you insist on saying has already been said, and insist on making unhelpful comments.....

 

[Hippona]

*Sigh*

People with weight issues, may or may not have a choice in being the way they are

You, however, do have a choice in whether you join a very long thread, at the end, without reading much of said thread to see if what you insist on saying has already been said, and insist on making unhelpful comments.....

*Bigger sigh*

They may not have total control over their weight, no.

They do however have total control over whether they choose to climb on board a horse....

 

[Big Ben]

And with the greatest of respect also.....not hurting your horse 'too much' should be totally unacceptable to you.

If you loved him that much....you wouldn't want to hurt him 'at all'.

Do the people who are saying its OK for you to be riding him have a vested interest, I wonder?

If its your instructor....then its in his/her best interests for you to be riding and having lessons.

If its your 'back person' then riding your horse and having his back checked often will certainly be in the best interests of this person.

Stop being so utterly selfish....lose some weight and then be confident that when you are riding you are not hurting your horse.

Where's the partnership here? I'm sorry...but you are considering your wish to ride, not the burden your horse has to carry.
He doesn't have a choice- you do.

Again, you have your opinion, based on one picture, others have theirs, based on real life. Do they have a vested interest? well yes the professionals I pay do, but then I pay them to help me with ground issues as well, or to look to the health of the rest of the herd.

So yes I will be guided by the people on the ground here, and will continue to do the very little we are doing, and as I lose weight and get fit I will be asking for more from both of us.

 

[Hippona]

Soooo.....the question was, originally....who should and when would you tell someone they are too fat to ride?

Seems to me there is no point, because those who ARE told they are too fat to ride don't listen to anyone whose opinion they are not paying for.

Whatever.

Do what you will.....you quite obviously are going to anyway.

 

[Littlelegs]

People are very good at only hearing what they want to. Look at the fuller fillies site for instance. Unlike some posters here who want to lose weight, for their own health as well as to ride, its full of people trying to convince each other that its a good thing & makes you a real woman to be morbidly obese. They don't want to hear about the health problems for themselves, let alone the horses.

 

[scarymare]

Really sorry as I haven't read thread but FWIW.

Instructors have a professional responsibility to advise on this issue. So many don't though.

It is hard. My sister who is obese owns 2 totally unsuitable LW horses (think she must be 16 stone). Both have had issues, both unrideable now. Trouble is although I have told her nicely that she perhaps should get something with more bone/bigger she is in absolute denial about her problem. 'I prefer smaller horses' etc.

What gets me is the dealers who sold to her. But then that's why I love animals, so many crap people lacking any sort of integrity in this world.

 

[FfionWinnie]

Coldfeet what does your cob weigh in fit condition? My 14.3 paint mare is 435kgs, I would have thought a 14.2 cob would weigh more than her and would be within the 20% limit or under wouldn't it. Maths was never my strong point I should admit . But I would work it out properly and see what your target weight would be to ride your cob

Did your saddler bother to ask what he weighs and what you weigh before they said that?

I think it is true you cannot judge someone by just looking at them as height makes a big difference as to whether you look the weight you are if that makes sense.

I think whether or not folk think the op should be riding that horse or not there is no need to be nasty, you won't change someone's mind by being rude to them and at the end of the day it is her horse and she will do what she likes with it.

I do think longing lining is good exercise without it feeling like exercise. I've lost weight this week working my youngster on the long lines (on a circle mainly) and it was fun, not a word I'd usually attach to exercise or weight loss.

And get a wii fit, that's another great tool