how big is too big

[Welshie Squisher]

Does he ride 15hh horses

 

[lula]

Just a question, where do one's legs sit when seated on a horse. Personally I ride with mine tucked up my neatly formed bottom lol

is this an example of your 'excellent sense of humor'?

 

[tallyho!]

I have recently found out that someone who I know weighs about 20 stone. She has a 15hh full irish draught. I believe she is too heavy for it. Should I drop suttle hints or leave it be?

Subtle??

Hahahahaha..... look love, if horse hasn't keeled over yet, don't worry about it - plenty of horses n donkeys carry more than that without food or water and live for a few days.....

 

[Fantasy_World]

Maybe because there are a lot of fat people who are riding horses who are too small for them?

Most people who ask are not too big at all, because they have the sense and respect for their horse that they actually think about these things. Some people however, do not.

Now this I wholeheartedly agree with.
Nothing wrong with being overweight and riding so long as you are riding something that can comfortably carry you. I think there are lot of misconceptions about horses and weight carrying, both from those who are not obese to those who are.
Finding a suitable horse is a must and in some cases a tall horse medium/heavyweight horse may not be not be as suitable for someone than one which is smaller in height but built like a tank.

 

[Fantasy_World]

is this an example of your 'excellent sense of humor'?

Yes couldn't you guess as my ass will comfortably hide my legs lol

 

[Starbucks]

Now this I wholeheartedly agree with.
Nothing wrong with being overweight and riding so long as you are riding something that can comfortably carry you. I think there are lot of misconceptions about horses and weight carrying, both from those who are not obese to those who are.
Finding a suitable horse is a must and in some cases a tall horse medium/heavyweight horse may not be not be as suitable for someone than one which is smaller in height but built like a tank.

Although ID's are fairly chunky monkeys I wouldn't quite say tank like though, would you?

I'm a small person with a big horse so maybe have a different view on things, but if I were to put on weight I'd be seriously considering what I should and shouldn't be riding. For me personally, if I got above about 12 stone I probably wouldn't ride, I'd be too much of a lump of fat to be fair on any horse.

 

[cassie summers]

Although ID's are fairly chunky monkeys I wouldn't quite say tank like though, would you?

if I got above about 12 stone I probably wouldn't ride, I'd be too much of a lump of fat to be fair on any horse.

oh dear i think half of us should give up then what do you think people like Geoff Billington weigh to name but one

 

[Starbucks]

oh dear i think half of us should give up then what do you think people like Geoff Billington weigh to name but one

I said for me personally. If I had an extra 3 stone of lard hanging around I don't think I'd ride right, that's just me and what I'm comfortable with. My OH is 6'3'' and 15 stone and I'd be happy for him to ride my horse (16.3 ISH) but that's different to me riding him at 15 stone IMO.

As for Geoff Billington, I think he's fab and a great rider, but sure he'd do better if he lost a few pounds!

 

[Cinnamontoast]

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

So just to answer one of my questions for the record what do horses in the Household Cavalry for example carry during work and training?
Excluding the weight of the rider, saddle and other dress code worn by horse and rider a pair of drums alone weigh 9 stone 10lbs. Do most regimental riders weigh far less than 10 stone then? I think not

Anybody know? And a knight in armour? What the heck kind of horse did they ride?!

oh dear i think half of us should give up then what do you think people like Geoff Billington weigh to name but one

Geoff Billington is very short to my recollection-he may be chunky, but having seen him at YHL, he looked tiny on all the horses he rode!

As a bigger girl, I waited til I was under the RS limit to have lessons. Should I sell my 15hh, 10 inch of bone cob and buy a tank instead?

I think you have to take into acorn also what the horse/rider are doing. I wouldn't take my horse XC, but light hacking and schooling won't hurt, IMO.

 

[The-mad-cat-lady]

He's a lard ass
He would agree too!

 

[Welshie Squisher]

Cinammontoast - you mention you waited until you were under the RS limit prior to having lessons. Why do they need a limit?

To answer your question, no you shouldn't sell your horse.
BUT, we as horse owners have a responsibility to ensure that our horses are carrying a weight they are comfortable with, one that is not detrimental to their health.
So for me, that means loosing weight.
I have no idea in your case.

Comparing horses of the past really is a poor argument, horses were working animals, and once their working life was over they generally ceased to exist. Life spans weren't as great as today, they were worked hard, and were knackered at a much younger age.
A bit like show jumpers jumped into the ground and knackered by 12!
We frown at this, why not a horse ruined by excess weight and its back being ruined in the long term?

 

[Starbucks]

Cinammontoast - you mention you waited until you were under the RS limit prior to having lessons. Why do they need a limit?

To answer your question, no you shouldn't sell your horse.
BUT, we as horse owners have a responsibility to ensure that our horses are carrying a weight they are comfortable with, one that is not detrimental to their health.
So for me, that means loosing weight.
I have no idea in your case.

Comparing horses of the past really is a poor argument, horses were working animals, and once their working life was over they generally ceased to exist. Life spans weren't as great as today, they were worked hard, and were knackered at a much younger age.
A bit like show jumpers jumped into the ground and knackered by 12!
We frown at this, why not a horse ruined by excess weight and its back being ruined in the long term?

Exactly - have people seen War Horse? I know it's a bit far fetched but horses were seen as a tool back in the day. They can put up with a lot but do we really want them to put up with stuff for recreational use? :-\

 

[Wagtail]

So just to answer one of my questions for the record what do horses in the Household Cavalry for example carry during work and training?
Excluding the weight of the rider, saddle and other dress code worn by horse and rider a pair of drums alone weigh 9 stone 10lbs. Do most regimental riders weigh far less than 10 stone then? I think not

Yes, I know, and they used to go to battle too, and the little pit ponies used to go down mines, and those donkeys carry 15 stone tourists up the side of mountains. Oh yes and can't Dartmoors carry a stone a hand? That means a ten hand pony can carry ten stone...

 

[JFTDWS]

Comparing horses of the past really is a poor argument, horses were working animals, and once their working life was over they generally ceased to exist. Life spans weren't as great as today, they were worked hard, and were knackered at a much younger age.

Do you have any evidence of this?

I've just googeld Copenhagen and Marengo - albeit later than suit of armour warfare - but hard working battle horses ridden by men - Copenhagen was late 20s when he died, Marengo in his 30s. (Obviously that's a very select 2, but they were the first two I looked up)

 

[The-mad-cat-lady]

Lets do a test..
Would anyone with a 15hh horse please find a 20st person and heave then on to your horse and pkease

 

[The-mad-cat-lady]

Report back !!!!!

 

[JFTDWS]

I have a 15hh horse. Shall I start on the pies and test it for you?

 

[The-mad-cat-lady]

Yes please !
Or find a lard arse ...

 

[JFTDWS]

I don't know any 20 stone people... How many pies would I have to eat to put on 8.5 stone? It may take a few days... Unless I kidnap someone from weightwatchers? Or disneyland?

 

[dafthoss]

I don't know any 20 stone people... How many pies would I have to eat to put on 8.5 stone? It may take a few days... Unless I kidnap someone from weightwatchers? Or disneyland?

I'll sit on him with you

 

[Tadah]

I have a 15.1 cob, built like a brick outhouse, short wide backed, short cannon's and 10 1/2 inches of bone. I am not the lightest person in the world by any stretch, with tack about 15 1/2 stone. I haven't been riding for long but I am fairly well balanced and I do my best to "ride light" My horse carry's me just fine, we are happy hackers and we toddle around very happily, however my husband decided he wanted to learn to ride in the summer, he was 18 stone. I thought he was too big but my riding instructor kept telling me he was fine, stop worrying. For first month my horse seemed ok, only an hours lesson a week, but when hubby started to learn to trot, even though my horse never tried to get him off, had the patience of a saint and did his best, when I rode him afterwards he just felt different to me. I got a back specialist out and all the muscles in his shoulders and back were bruised and sore. I had to give him 8 weeks off to get him right, he is fine now thankfully. However my horse showed no outward signs of struggling and being in pain, even though he was struggling.

I am on a diet now, even though I know I am not to heavy for him at the moment, I just feel it's the responsible thing to do for my horse, I don't want his back ruined, I want us to be happy hackers for years. I had his back checked again recently and he is fine.

I don't think heavy people shouldn't ride, I just believe that the choice of horse should be suitable for their size/height and build and that they regularly check their horse backs for problems, though that should be true of any rider.

Oh and I sacked my riding instructor !!!

 

[JFTDWS]

I'll sit on him with you

perfect - I didn't fancy all those pies anyway

 

[dafthoss]

Ok I'm back next weekend then we can report back and let every one know if J colapsed

 

[The-mad-cat-lady]

Thank you ladies...
If you are serious about this. Challenge ....
Please don't ride through the drive through.....

 

[happyhacking:)]

tell you what ive got the osteopath coming tomorrow pm. i'll ask him for you all shall I? I will ask him (again) whether how much weight my 13.2 mare is capable of carrying. I think I already know the answer he will give though

 

[FionaM12]

I'm confused by people saying a woman of 20 stone can be fit and healthy. If you consult a doctor about your weight, he/she will advise you that a healthy BMI (body mass index) is between 18 and 25.

If a person is six foot tall and 20 stone, their BMI is 38. So a doctor would advise they are obese and at serious risk. That's not fattist or judgemental, that's just what current medical knowledge tells us.

Of course, if she's shorter than six foot, her BMI will be even higher.

 

[Ladydragon]

This is correct - especially cob geldings who can still exceed 45mph whilst in foal

Seriously... LMAO!!

Bugbee717 - doesn't matter what you look like, 20 stone is 20 stone.

I am fat myself, and yes I can call myself fat. I refuse to kid myself, to justify being fat with a whole list of what I can do.
I'd rather concentrate on the list of what I can't do, and do something about it!

And riding my 13.3hh young pony is on the can't do list at present

As I said in my previous post, of course those that are overweight for their horses will tell you their horses are fine, because to admit to being too heavy and continue riding shows little regard for the horse.

I stand by what I originally said and that is absolutely no horse should have to carry 20 stone, its just wrong, regardless of size or breed

Good post...

I'm 2 1/2 stone overweight... It's not rocket science why that is - a combination of diet choices, calories in vs calories out, fitness and exercise levels, maybe caring a bit less as I'm older... Carrying the equivalent of nigh on 16 bags of sugar around unnecessarily though is definitely *not* healthy whatever argument/excuse I tried to use...

My father was mahoosive... 19 st on a good day but 6' 4" with a 64" chest and the overall build of an average barn... He carted around far less excess sugar bags than me but still weighed considerably more... I've got a 15.3, close coupled, stock type QH - arguably bred to hike hefty guys around and still have plenty of bounce... If the horse was given the OK, I might have let Dad on for a gentle walk on soft ground - but certainly nothing more than a walk... I just wouldn't have felt happy with the extra compression that would have occurred on the horse's joints/skeletal system with his weight on board...

 

[Alphamare]

Apparently the light brigade came in at around 21 stone with armour, tack, rider etc.

 

[QueenOfCadence]

I'm confused by people saying a woman of 20 stone can be fit and healthy. If you consult a doctor about your weight, he/she will advise you that a healthy BMI (body mass index) is between 18 and 25.

If a person is six foot tall and 20 stone, their BMI is 38. So a doctor would advise they are obese and at serious risk. That's not fattist or judgemental, that's just what current medical knowledge tells us.

Of course, if she's shorter than six foot, her BMI will be even higher.

Hoozah . As I said before (not being judgemental - ot fattist, it's just the way it is) Horse Riding is a SPORT (unless you plan on being a happy hacker, which in that case - ride on), you CANNOT be a fat athlete. Have you EVER seen a fat Dancer? Or a fat high jumper? Or maybe a 20 stone sprinter??? It's not how it works. At 20 stone YOU are not fit (just like you can't be fit if you're underweight), your body's physical structure maintains the same structure when you pick up weight so you do not physically become bigger but your body needs to lug around all that extra mass. It's unhealthy to the point where they'll give you gastric bypass surgery - how can anyone of that weight be fit? I'm sorry - maybe a 20 stone body builder would be okay but I personally doubt this lady is 2 meters tall and a body builder

If she does infact just want to be a happy hacker (which is fine as well), she should get a suitable horse. A 15hh weight carrier might be able to carry quite a lot of weight - but definitely not 20 stone

As for looking back on how much the war horses use to carry, they also use to wear this bit

Shall we carry on with that as well while we're at it

 

[Sheep]

To go back to the OP, I do think that this lady is probably too big for this horse. Unfortunately, as others have pointed out, it is an incredibly sensitive issue. I do feel sorry for her, and I think that deep down, a lot of larger people are unhappy with their size. But as this also takes into account the welfare of an animal, it becomes even more complicated.

How do you know she weighs 20 stone anyway? Did she tell you?