Ranyhyn
Well-Known Member
good grief
how big is too big
- Thread starter katwin
- Start date
Tinsel Trouble
Well-Known Member
I'm sorry, but how rude!
Not in any circumstances should this sort if comment be mentioned to anyone!
If she is hurting the horse then the horse will show it.
I think you should be very careful that the woman on question does not see this. You will hurt their feelings, and you will discredit yourself.
Not in any circumstances should this sort if comment be mentioned to anyone!
If she is hurting the horse then the horse will show it.
I think you should be very careful that the woman on question does not see this. You will hurt their feelings, and you will discredit yourself.
Wagtail
Horse servant
I'm afraid I completely disagree with this. Horses are very stoical creatures. Often they don't show any discomfort until too late. I rode my TB who was found to have KS in ten places and in over a year he only objected once. At this time I got the vet, but he had put up with me riding him for a year.
ETA I think 20 stone is way too heavy for a 15hh ID. It puzzles me why it doesn't seem to occur to these people, but then you get skinny minies worrying they are to big on their chunky ponies.
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Ibblebibble
Well-Known Member
Surely a person of a certain size would be better getting two shetties? You know, one for each cheek?
fpmsl oh the image that brings to mind
BombayMix
Well-Known Member
I read somewhere that the reality is anyone over 14.5 stone exc. tack is too much strain on the horses spine regardless of whether it is a welsh sec A or a shire
Queenbee
Well-Known Member
That is just cruel, a rhino mounting a 12.2 pony... I'm sure that type of cross breeding must be illegal49kgs is actually just under 8st (7.10 to be exact). I weigh that and still school 12.2s
rhino
Well-Known Member
flying solo
Well-Known Member
Oh rhino your cute! Haha
Fantasy_World
Well-Known Member
Arizahn
Well-Known Member
I'm lucky; my mare is one of those horses that lets you know when something is wrong. Her body language changes completely if she is upset or scared, and the same if she is physically uncomfortable.
EG - When I went to view, she needed her teeth done (had been left unchecked for two years) and so she acted out a lot when her old owner was riding her. I got on, and could tell at once that she was leery of her mouth being pulled about. She was tense all through her neck and shoulders. Once she realised I wasn't going to tighten the reins at all, she relaxed and started ambling about calmly.
And yes, she's had her teeth done since then and is nice and settled
EG - When I went to view, she needed her teeth done (had been left unchecked for two years
) and so she acted out a lot when her old owner was riding her. I got on, and could tell at once that she was leery of her mouth being pulled about. She was tense all through her neck and shoulders. Once she realised I wasn't going to tighten the reins at all, she relaxed and started ambling about calmly.And yes, she's had her teeth done since then and is nice and settled
happyhacking:)
Well-Known Member
i agree.
im sorry but these type of threads really p*** me off. As a larger rider myself i find them highly insulting. I know lots of other larger riders too and whilst the pc brigade love telling us we should not be riding and that we are cruel we KNOW differently. If my horse were ever to have an issue with my weight i would know about it. just as any decent rider would know if something is up with their horse. just because some people are larger does not mean that they cannot be good riders or that they do not know their own horses limits.
If the horse is going well isnt suffering from any issues then i suggest you leave well alone.
Welshie Squisher
Well-Known Member
I don't think any horse of any breed or size should have to carry 20 stone.
Even tall, 20 stone is a very overweight person and there is nothing "light about their seat!
I also thinks its rubbish to say a horse will let you know you're too heavy. One only has to look at small ponies, donkey's and mules in India and similar 3rd world countries carrying bricks and almost collapsing and yet they continue with a tap of the stick and they do so because that's life
Of course all excessively heavy riders will claim there horses are fine, that they are doing no harm etc. There would be something seriously wrong with them if they acknowledged they are too heavy yet continued to ride
I'm no light weight myself, won't even consider riding my filly this year.
Fact is I'm a fat cow and need to get my lard arse on a diet and my pony sure isn't going to have to suffer me at my current weight
Even tall, 20 stone is a very overweight person and there is nothing "light about their seat!
I also thinks its rubbish to say a horse will let you know you're too heavy. One only has to look at small ponies, donkey's and mules in India and similar 3rd world countries carrying bricks and almost collapsing and yet they continue with a tap of the stick and they do so because that's life
Of course all excessively heavy riders will claim there horses are fine, that they are doing no harm etc. There would be something seriously wrong with them if they acknowledged they are too heavy yet continued to ride
I'm no light weight myself, won't even consider riding my filly this year.
Fact is I'm a fat cow and need to get my lard arse on a diet and my pony sure isn't going to have to suffer me at my current weight
QueenOfCadence
Well-Known Member
I don't think any horse of any breed or size should have to carry 20 stone.
Even tall, 20 stone is a very overweight person and there is nothing "light about their seat!
I also thinks its rubbish to say a horse will let you know you're too heavy. One only has to look at small ponies, donkey's and mules in India and similar 3rd world countries carrying bricks and almost collapsing and yet they continue with a tap of the stick and they do so because that's life
Of course all excessively heavy riders will claim there horses are fine, that they are doing no harm etc. There would be something seriously wrong with them if they acknowledged they are too heavy yet continued to ride
I'm no light weight myself, won't even consider riding my filly this year.
Fact is I'm a fat cow and need to get my lard arse on a diet and my pony sure isn't going to have to suffer me at my current weight
We should have a like button for THIS^^^^^!!! As riders we all need to know our limitations, I wont ride anything smaller than 12.2hh as I'm a short **** (but even so I don't think anything smaller than 12.2 should be expected to carry me) - if you're a taller, heavier rider then you need to know what CAN carry you!!! Horse riding is a sport, so if you are heavily obese you CAN'T expect to be taken seriously - have you even seen an overweight sprinter? Or a fat Gymnast? Or maybe a jiggly Ballerina? NO. To be serious about riding, you unfortunately need to be serious about yourself - this means gyming (if it will help you to become easier to carry for your horse) and eating the correct foods (your horse will appreciate it)
Let's face it, 20 stone is as much as a small pony - you wouldn't expect your horse to carry around a small pony. Also, I believe that if loosing weight is impossible for you - buy a larger, weight carrying horse - not a scrawny TB or something along those lines.
Just my 2 cents worth
Always Henesy
Well-Known Member
I love this! You are a very funny Rhino.
Re the thread: I am just under 14 stone and 5'10" tall. My horse is a 17.1hh TB, medium build. My other horse was a 17.2hh TBxWB, medium build. Both carry me without a care in the world. I was worried that they would find my weight an issue but both my vet and my saddler laughed at me when I asked them.
But all have said that I do ride sympathetically and with a "light" seat????
I have been riding 27 years and would NEVER sit on a horse that I thought would not be able to carry me.
I am a lard arse though and plan on losing 2 more stone.
Wagtail
Horse servant
I don't think any horse of any breed or size should have to carry 20 stone.
Even tall, 20 stone is a very overweight person and there is nothing "light about their seat!
I also thinks its rubbish to say a horse will let you know you're too heavy. One only has to look at small ponies, donkey's and mules in India and similar 3rd world countries carrying bricks and almost collapsing and yet they continue with a tap of the stick and they do so because that's life
Of course all excessively heavy riders will claim there horses are fine, that they are doing no harm etc. There would be something seriously wrong with them if they acknowledged they are too heavy yet continued to ride
I'm no light weight myself, won't even consider riding my filly this year.
Fact is I'm a fat cow and need to get my lard arse on a diet and my pony sure isn't going to have to suffer me at my current weight
What a good considered post this is! There is nothing wrong with being overweight, so long as you are happy but there IS something wrong when you don't realise that you are too heavy for your horse! As I said in an earlier post, my horse carried me without complaint even though he was in agony from kissing spines. One of the worst cases the hospital had seen. I had had his back checked by vet, chiro and physio and also had his saddle professionally fitted. No one picked up on the pain he was in. He would sometimes freak if his girth was tightened but I was assured by the vets that he was just girthy. So I continued. Even did some low level dressage. Until one day, completely out of the blue, he exploded! I had to insist on xrays as the vets all said his back was fine. So no, if you are too fat for your horse, they will NOT let you know.
Wagtail
Horse servant
I love this! You are a very funny Rhino.
Re the thread: I am just under 14 stone and 5'10" tall. My horse is a 17.1hh TB, medium build. My other horse was a 17.2hh TBxWB, medium build. Both carry me without a care in the world. I was worried that they would find my weight an issue but both my vet and my saddler laughed at me when I asked them.
But all have said that I do ride sympathetically and with a "light" seat????
I have been riding 27 years and would NEVER sit on a horse that I thought would not be able to carry me.
I am a lard arse though and plan on losing 2 more stone.
But you are not 20 stone, are you? I would expect both your horses carry you just fine. But what about 20 stone on a 15 hand horse, like in the original post?
tazzle
Well-Known Member
I have a 15hh half shire and actually would have a stricter weight limit on her than my 14 welsh cob because of their conformation and age differences.
the older half shire used to be ok imo with 14 stone, maybe a tadge more if only light work and not a beginner bouncing around......... she is now limited to 12 max due to her age and not being very fit.
the welshie carried 14 stone doing endurance .... and she is one of those that does let one know by her behaviour when she is in pain ...... although I do agree that many are stoical and would not till they one day have had enough !!!
edited to add...... or rather some of them do tell in ways that humans either do not see, put down as being "naughty" or choose to ignore ( either by necessity or just not caring)
I would not allow anyone of 20 stone on either of my horses. ...... maybe a short backed fit ardenne or similar as this was the limit / decision at the RDA group I used to volunteer with.
the older half shire used to be ok imo with 14 stone, maybe a tadge more if only light work and not a beginner bouncing around......... she is now limited to 12 max due to her age and not being very fit.
the welshie carried 14 stone doing endurance .... and she is one of those that does let one know by her behaviour when she is in pain
...... although I do agree that many are stoical and would not till they one day have had enough !!! edited to add...... or rather some of them do tell in ways that humans either do not see, put down as being "naughty" or choose to ignore ( either by necessity or just not caring)
I would not allow anyone of 20 stone on either of my horses. ...... maybe a short backed fit ardenne or similar as this was the limit / decision at the RDA group I used to volunteer with.
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Puzzles
Well-Known Member
Whether rightly or wrongly, there is a heavy horse trekking company in the Lake District who will not allow 20 stone riders (I witnessed the owner turning someone away who was of that weight) and their horses are (obviously) 17.2-18.2hh fit heavy weights..
C&C
Well-Known Member
I would keep shtum, it really isnt anyone elses business. Even though it maybe wrong and you may not agree with it, its not affecting you or your horses so i wouldnt say anything. I mean that in the nicest possible way
lula
Well-Known Member
hurt feelings is probably nothing compared to what that horse's back must be feeling.
which is likely to hurt the most and who's do you prioritise?
i know whose i would. the one that cant speak up for itself.
i just hope to hell she uses a crane to mount and doesnt do a belly flop from the mounting block or need the local fire brigade to give her a leg up...
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Wagtail
Horse servant
I would keep shtum, it really isnt anyone elses business. Even though it maybe wrong and you may not agree with it, its not affecting you or your horses so i wouldnt say anything. I mean that in the nicest possible way
So we should turn a blind eye to cruelty of it doesn't affect ourselves or our horses?
C&C
Well-Known Member
So we should turn a blind eye to cruelty of it doesn't affect ourselves or our horses?
Oh come on PLEASE......is it REALLY cruelty!!!!! Is the horse starved, doesnt get looked after, feet a mile long, no water etc etc etc!! So the owner is a larger lady SO WHAT! Im sure the horse is much loved and cared for and happy. Ive seen PLENTY of larger ladies riding 15hh and smaller on the hunting field and in the SHOW RING!! Im sure the judge would have something to say if they thought the rider was TOO HEAVY for their horse!!!
Get a life and stop bitching about people who are overweight! Honestly!
lula
Well-Known Member
I don't think any horse of any breed or size should have to carry 20 stone.
Even tall, 20 stone is a very overweight person and there is nothing "light about their seat!
I also thinks its rubbish to say a horse will let you know you're too heavy. One only has to look at small ponies, donkey's and mules in India and similar 3rd world countries carrying bricks and almost collapsing and yet they continue with a tap of the stick and they do so because that's life
Of course all excessively heavy riders will claim there horses are fine, that they are doing no harm etc. There would be something seriously wrong with them if they acknowledged they are too heavy yet continued to ride
I'm no light weight myself, won't even consider riding my filly this year.
Fact is I'm a fat cow and need to get my lard arse on a diet and my pony sure isn't going to have to suffer me at my current weight
and that is what i call good old fashioned common sense and i completly agree with you.
Nowadays its so un pc to just call anyone Fat isnt it.?
well sorry if some of you find this fact unsavory but 20 stone is not a 'larger rider' its bloomin obese.
Always Henesy
Well-Known Member
QueenOfCadence
Well-Known Member
Just like a judge would say something about a horse with a bleeding sides??? (did anyone else see the Chinese lady who's horse's skin was broken because of her spurs at the last Olympic games). It's not the judges job to stop cruelty - they're only there to judge performance. Also if carrying 20 stone on your back isn't cruelty - lets see you do it for 35 - 40 minutes
Burnttoast
Well-Known Member
What's all the shouting about?
Umm, there hasn't been any bitching about the overweight as far as I can see. If anything, it's the thin who've been getting it in the neck But come on, have you never carried a heavy rucksack and wished you didn't have to? It's every rider's responsibility to make a realistic educated decision about whether their horse is up to their weight, but not every rider will do this, unfortunately. Hence these debates.
Me too!
Wagtail
Horse servant
Yes it IS cruelty. Just because there are worse things being done to animals does not mean it should be ignored.
And FTR I could not care less about whether people are over weight if that is how they are happy. Nothing against overweight people at all. But I Am against abusing animals, and in my eyes forcing a 15 hh horse to carry 20 stone plus tack is abuse.
Puzzles
Well-Known Member
While some of the comments might be a bit bitchy, from my perspective it isn't about the individual being overweight that is the issue: it's about the effect of that person's weight on the horse when it is too great. Regardless of whether that person's feelings might be hurt, or if the horse is being looked after well, you can't say that a horse carrying a rider that is too heavy is not an issue. It's a very important issue in many ways! Mainly with the physical problems that it would cause - not necessarily instantaneously but over time and as the horse ages, plus the vets fees if that horse needs medical treatment for it, the person not being able to ride because their horse isn't well, etc. If only there were an objective, systematic way of measuring whether a rider is too heavy for a horse.
You could think about it this way - think of all the 'minor' problems that horses have when they are carrying lighter riders, with regards to tack fit, kissing spines, bruising sore backs, stiffness etc ... with a rider that is too heavy for the horse, all those common niggles are magnified.
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team barney
Well-Known Member
The fact you think cruelty is only defined by lack of nutrition beggars belief. There are plenty of well fed horses that are beaten and abused does the fact they have adequate nutrition make the treatment they receive okay?
No one who weighs 20 stone should be riding full stop, if they do ride, clearly don't give a damn about their horse's welfare. Anyone that who is overweight to that degree should refrain from riding off until they slim down. If losing weight isn't an option they should find another way to enjoy the company of horses, riding isn't the only pleasure we get from our equine friends.
happyhacking:)
Well-Known Member
I'm sorry but I don't think any of you have a right to judge. I'm not 20 but I'm not light. My mare DOES NOT HAVE Problems due to my weight. Would I let someone of 20 stone on her yes I would of I knew how they rode. Height of horse is completely irrelevant where weight carrying is concerned. How stocky they are and how much bone they have is a much better indication of weight carrying Ability