how big is too big

[team barney]

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

I agree height is irrelevant, but there are very few horses out there who would be capable of carrying 20 stone. Perhaps a few of the super heavy horses bred for their meat would be upto the job, but certainly non of the traditional riding types or natives. I wouldn't even be putting 20 stone on a super heavyweight gypsy cob.

 

[Burnttoast]

Bone and build may provide a guide but it's the back you sit on. Its length and strength (or otherwise) and the strength of the abdominal muscles should be the guide as much as whether or not the horse has 10 inches of bone.

 

[QueenOfCadence]

Bone and build may provide a guide but it's the back you sit on. Its length and strength (or otherwise) and the strength of the abdominal muscles should be the guide as much as whether or not the horse has 10 inches of bone.

Like like like!!!

 

[Wagtail]

Bone and build may provide a guide but it's the back you sit on. Its length and strength (or otherwise) and the strength of the abdominal muscles should be the guide as much as whether or not the horse has 10 inches of bone.

True, my 17.3 ID could not carry a huge weight. I could just tell by the way his back dipped slightly before his rump. I limited him to 14 stone light hacking and 12 stone for harder work. If his back had looked stronger then he could perhaps have managed 16 stone. But 20 stone is too heavy for any horse IMO.

 

[happyhacking:)]

Burnttoast that is true. There are lots of factors that Influence the horses ability to carry weight. So much so that without knowing all the facts about a horse it is very difficult to know for sure.

When I set out to buy a horse I won't for a specific breed known for it's weight carrying ability whilst not being enormous.

Just because some of us are a few stone heavier than would be ideal does not mean that we do not no what we are talking about or that we cannot be good and competent riders. I know I would know if my weight became an issue for my horse just as anyone else would know immedietly if something was wrong with their horses. It is much more important to have correctly fitting tack and regular back specialists/osteopaths visits to asses your horse and keeping the horse as fit as possible is also key. It is possible that over time the wear and tear on the horses joints may be greater than if they had had a lighter rider but then do much is down to circumstance. If the horse is happy working well and isn't showing signs of discomfort then odds are things are fine.

 

[welshcobabe]

To be honest I dont think it is up to you to comment. I think you should leave well alone I have know heavier riders who ride very light and thin people that are like a bag of spuds.
ID are good weight carriers.

 

[Burnttoast]

But 20 stone is too heavy for any horse IMO.

I agree with you totally about this btw. I must admit, I can't imagine how anyone would think anything different

 

[Burnttoast]

Burnttoast that is true. There are lots of factors that Influence the horses ability to carry weight. So much so that without knowing all the facts about a horse it is very difficult to know for sure.

When I set out to buy a horse I won't for a specific breed known for it's weight carrying ability whilst not being enormous.

Just because some of us are a few stone heavier than would be ideal does not mean that we do not no what we are talking about or that we cannot be good and competent riders. I know I would know if my weight became an issue for my horse just as anyone else would know immedietly if something was wrong with their horses. It is much more important to have correctly fitting tack and regular back specialists/osteopaths visits to asses your horse and keeping the horse as fit as possible is also key. It is possible that over time the wear and tear on the horses joints may be greater than if they had had a lighter rider but then do much is down to circumstance. If the horse is happy working well and isn't showing signs of discomfort then odds are things are fine.

You sound like you've considered the issue and know what you're doing - which is great, and I applaud you for it. I am fortunate in that it is rarely an issue I need to worry about. But, believe me, there are people out there who haven't and don't - and they would not all be considered as particularly overweight. I could show you pictures of a person of 12 stone riding (badly) a stocky 16hh IDx with a dropped back that would make your hair stand on end.

 

[Wagtail]

For all those who think this thread is 'fattist', we had a similar one recently regarding a 7 stone woman riding a miniature shettie. I and others were equally appalled. It has nothing to do with how fat or thin a person is, but whether they are too heavy for the horse they are riding.

 

[shadowboy]

I thinly there are very few horses out there with the appropriate shape and size that could carry over 20 stone without causing adverse wear and tear on joints. I've nothing against big riders I teach a lady who is 16 stone (size 18/20) and is competing at elementary dressage. But 20 stone imo is going to be difficult to be balanced and supple to support the horse through movements and transitions. plus saddle fitting must be difficult to ensure the rider sits 'in' the saddle.

 

[Honey08]

It would be interesting to hear Janet George's opinion as she breeds IDs doesn't she.

I'm another one that thinks that there are many other features apart from size that effect the weight carrying capabilities of a horse - a horse with a short strong back would be better than a taller horse with a longer back.

I always thought that the ID was originally bred as a strong riding horse that could carry a farmer round the farm and pull a cart to market, so it should be up to some weight carrying really. I also thought that they weren't over tall horses - so a 17.3h ID is probably not the best example of the breed, and perpaps not the strongest as it is "overgrown", for want of a better word, sorry Wagtail, don't mean to insult your ID, I was just suprised to read of one so tall!

 

[QueenOfCadence]

Am I the only one that thinks that it's absolutely ridiculous that we're even discussing if a 20 stone woman should be on a 15hh PONY (which IS what I see most 15hh horses as!). I don't care if the horse has vertebrae of steel - she is too heavy for it! It's not a debate that should even revolve around opinion! Anatomically she is TOO HEAVY - end of story!

 

[FionaM12]

I have enormous sympathy with anyone with a weight/eating disorder. I've struggled with weight issues in the past and have a history of compulsive/disordered eating. So I am the last person to be guilty of fattism. I have my own weight under control these days but it's a life-long battle and has taken a lot of work and support.

However my history means I've a little knowledge on the subject too, and a 20 stone woman is probably morbidly obese and at grave risk of heart and other organ failure. She will also be aware that there are some things her weight means she cannot do, unless she loses weight.

And in my opinion, sadly for her, riding a horse is one of them.

 

[rhino]

Anatomically she is TOO HEAVY - end of story!

But as horses were not anatomically designed to carry weight at all, of course how much weight we feel they should carry is down to opinion!

 

[lula]

i bet the sight of her backside in skintight jods is something special to behold

sorry

 

[Honey08]

Am I the only one that thinks that it's absolutely ridiculous that we're even discussing if a 20 stone woman should be on a 15hh PONY (which IS what I see most 15hh horses as!). I don't care if the horse has vertebrae of steel - she is too heavy for it! It's not a debate that should even revolve around opinion! Anatomically she is TOO HEAVY - end of story!

Yes a bit, but then I thought that you were a bit ridiculous thinking that you were too heavy for a 14.2 at 7 stone! At 7 stone there is very little that you would be too heavy for! (Not meaning to be offensive). I honestly thought to myself that you must be verging on anorexic to have posted that.

And a 15h is not a pony. And a 15h ID is totally different to a 15h arab/tb type..

 

[jodie3]

A cob with a strong, short back would not be able to take a saddle big enough for a 20 stone riders bottom.

 

[FionaM12]

i bet the sight of her backside in skintight jods is something special to behold

sorry

Now that's unkind. Many of our behinds are not such a great sight either....

 

[FionaM12]

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

Oops that could be me.


It's just jealousy, of course.

 

[Daytona]

Way too heavy, now I consider myself a larger rider at 5.10" and 13 stone, and at this weight I'm overweight for my height. But i
am working on it, joined WW last
week as I believe it is unfair for
my 17hh 4 year old WB to carry
me at that weight and with a lack
of fitness. People put alot of
emphasis in the horses fitness
and weights so is it fair not to
expect the same from the rider. If
you want to ride a horse I think
you should have a good fitness level yourself and not be overweight or worse obese. I cringe at competitions watching large people out of breath on their poor horses. It's not rocket science, eat less, and excercise 99% of people are capable of being a healthy weight. So sorry I would say something.

 

[Burnttoast]

Oops that could be me.


It's just jealousy, of course.

Ha ha! Yes, so it was! But you had help Your comrades need to come and fess up too, now - speaking as a skinny(ish) I am most hurt

And diverging slightly to your post in reply to Lula, I would like to say that I am 8.5 stone and have a bottom that I am embarrassed to be seen in public with If there's any spreading inelegantly to be done, you can bet my bottom will be doing it...

 

[Fantasy_World]

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...[/QUOTE]

How rude !!!!!!!!

 

[Capriole]

Yes a bit, but then I thought that you were a bit ridiculous thinking that you were too heavy for a 14.2 at 7 stone! At 7 stone there is very little that you would be too heavy for! (Not meaning to be offensive). I honestly thought to myself that you must be verging on anorexic to have posted that.

And a 15h is not a pony. And a 15h ID is totally different to a 15h arab/tb type..

Sorry QOC but I had the same thoughts. And no, 15h isnt a pony, its a horse

 

[Alphamare]

Just to point out, those drum horses in the army carry a man plus two 90-100lb drums!

 

[ridefast]

Well, I'm 8 stone and worry that my rabbit won't be able to pull me in a sleigh next christmas

 

[rhino]

Well, I'm 8 stone and worry that my rabbit won't be able to pull me in a sleigh next christmas

Then get a goat Problem solved!

 

[ridefast]

I don't like goats, because I'm breedist. How about a sheep? I have 3 of those!

 

[rhino]

I don't like goats, because I'm breedist. How about a sheep? I have 3 of those!

Yes, that would do. What kind of sheep? Zwartbles are good drivers, and I've seen a nice little Jacob drive too

 

[ridefast]

Bum am I supposed to have pedigrees? They're Texel/mule crosses

 

[ClassicG&T]

I think you should say something, IMO 18st and over including tack is too heavy, no matter what breed/built. It isnt fair on the horse and they must struggle to work well on the flat or jumping with that much weight thumping of their back.

I know someone who is around 16st and their horse struggles with jumping and they are a 17.1hh ( not sure on breed but certainly isnt a heavy one eg ID) beast.