YorksG
Over the hill and far awa
So what arbitary weight limit would you set ozpoz?
How heavy is too heavy?
- Thread starter Darkprincessh
- Start date
ozpoz
Well-Known Member
Sorry, i can't suggest a hard and fast rule, too many factors to build in and I am no good at maths. I know what limits i would set for my horses though.
I just go by the picture, in an old fashioned way, and watch how the horse moves.
I just go by the picture, in an old fashioned way, and watch how the horse moves.
YorksG
Over the hill and far awa
I agree with your method of deciding the weight limit for the horse in front of you, hence my post about our horses, so why decide that NO horse can carry 22 stones?
Onyxia
Well-Known Member
Would you also like to impose a limit of 12 stone? Genuine question BTW.
I think need to take the whole picture into account rather then a blanket bann of anyone over XX weight.
If you can mount,there is something out there that can carry you without getting hurt.
Above a certain weight,no human is going o be able to ride even if they wanted to,so really don't think most horses are going to be tested.
I also find it quite amusing that an earlier poster mentioned her horse was 35 stone over weight when she bought it and not a single eyelid was batted- no one would put a 35 stone rider on a horse,yet an extra permanant 35 stone was OK......
ozpoz
Well-Known Member
Honestly? Because it makes me wince!
I think they can "carry" it - I don't think we should ask them to because I don't think a horses gait should alter when it carries a rider.
ozpoz
Well-Known Member
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Arabelle
Well-Known Member
I don't think any person should carry 22 stone, let alone then put it on a horse.
These threads always get so emotive and I always end up thinking: if people are so sensitive and worried about their weight, why not address that issue rather than shouting down people who are, after all, just expressing a concern for the horses welfare?
If you know you are seriously overweight, you can yell, humph and convince yourself that your weight is fine for your horse, but you cannot stop people from thinking it looks terrible and cruel to the horse.
These threads always get so emotive and I always end up thinking: if people are so sensitive and worried about their weight, why not address that issue rather than shouting down people who are, after all, just expressing a concern for the horses welfare?
If you know you are seriously overweight, you can yell, humph and convince yourself that your weight is fine for your horse, but you cannot stop people from thinking it looks terrible and cruel to the horse.
Wagtail
Horse servant
My ID is built like a shire, and hs a short back. His legs are the same length as thedepth of his chest.
Wagtail
Horse servant
Wagtail, you can think what you want, of course. But to put it in print and accuse somebody of being cruel to their horse blah blah blah when you have proved several times now you are only interested in your own (wrong) opinions is foolish and ignorant.
Is your ego really so big that you refuse to accept fact? If you think a 17.2hh ID is a true weight carrying heavy horse, you are compounding your obvious ignorance in public. Again.
As Yunalesca and I have already pointed out to you,several times. You are ignoring and twisting what I say about my own horse, and saying she is not cared for properly, or even worse, you are saying her welfare is poor. When you know absolutely nothing, your own narrow experience is nothing to quote on this subject. Your silly statement that a heavy horse should carry only 16 to 18 stones is saying they can only carry 15% of their bodyweight. You are becoming a laughing stock. Please stop coming out with absolutely ridiculous ignorant statements.
Yunalesca is spot on when she says my horse is a good old fashioned tank of a horse who will carry anybody. Now what are you going to come up with next, are you really so pig headed??? I feel sad for you, wasting so much time trying to prove something, But when something is wrong, it's wrong. Deal with it. What you say is totally wrong on the subject of MY HORSE!!!!!
It is a shame that you do not appear to be able to sustain a reasoned argument without hurling personal insults. I wonder why you feel the need to get so nasty and hope that you reserve this treatment for people on the internet and not those in real life or your horses.
It is pointless trying to win an argument by calling people ignorant and pig headed, living on this forum etc. It smacks of someone who is unable to control themselves.
I think you are wrong, you think I am wrong, lets leave it at that shall we?
Wagtail
Horse servant
soulfull
Well-Known Member
Totally agree
Well said
Like I said earlier I am not a light weight and with over 25yrs on steroids for RA I never will be. I weigh about 12st 2 and have done for many years. I have tried to lose it but it just doesn't happen no matter how strict I am
However if I weighed more than 13st I would not be riding my 16h WB until I got rid of it!
Often horses will manage a one off carrying someone but IT WILL take its toll on joints etc if regular
Fallenrose
Well-Known Member
I was helping when some people from my RS went on an indurance ride. When trotted up for the vet one of the horses was unsound, and the YO decided that the bloke (at 12.5 stone) who should have ridden that horse was to ride one of the ponies instead - a 13.3hh light/middle weight. It was a very fit pony, used to doing this sort of thing with a lighter rider.
I was mortified but vets didn't have a problem with it and after the 20 mile ride the pony passed the vetting - heart and breathing rate were fine.
It's not a decision I would have made but the pony actually managed fine as a one off!
I was mortified but vets didn't have a problem with it and after the 20 mile ride the pony passed the vetting - heart and breathing rate were fine.
It's not a decision I would have made but the pony actually managed fine as a one off!
BSJAlove
Well-Known Member
im 8.10st and ride a 12.2hh NF. i have two sharers, one 9.5stone and one 9.7stone who ride my 12.2hh.
but id like to see anyone tell me hes not struggling with the weight. he is so full of beans, he moves well and he enjoys his job. the min he looks like hes struggling, ill stop it. oh and did i forget to mention hes just turned 5 years old? and i backed him, im 5ft4 and look way to tall for him but we sure as hell are not to heavy. my vet said he would carry at least 10stone happily. and this is his limit. im so cruel.
but id like to see anyone tell me hes not struggling with the weight. he is so full of beans, he moves well and he enjoys his job. the min he looks like hes struggling, ill stop it. oh and did i forget to mention hes just turned 5 years old? and i backed him, im 5ft4 and look way to tall for him but we sure as hell are not to heavy. my vet said he would carry at least 10stone happily. and this is his limit. im so cruel.
Annagain
Well-Known Member
I think it really is a matter of horses for courses, and while weight/height ratios can be a useful guide, they are just that and shouldn't be taken as gospel.
My 2 are fairly similar, Archie's a 16.2 IDx something weighing about 650kg while Monty's a 17hh 50%ID, 25% Welsh, 25%TB weighing closer to 700kg. They're both 15, and relatively fit - ridden 4 or 5 times a week, with a mixture of hacking, schooling, local competitions etc
Archie has feet like dishplates, legs like tree trunks, a big deep, wide, chest and a short back, while Monty has a Welsh head, TB neck, legs and feet (damn those TB feet!), an ID body and (huge) backside and a long back. (He's built like a Trivial Pursuit wedge, getting wider and wider as he goes back!)
At 11.5 stone, weight isn't really an issue, but if did have to put a heavy rider on one of them, I'd put him/her on A who despite being shorter and lighter than M would definitely carry more weight. In fact, maybe a bit more weight would make him easier to stop! Maybe I should stop watching my weight in a bid to find brakes?
My 2 are fairly similar, Archie's a 16.2 IDx something weighing about 650kg while Monty's a 17hh 50%ID, 25% Welsh, 25%TB weighing closer to 700kg. They're both 15, and relatively fit - ridden 4 or 5 times a week, with a mixture of hacking, schooling, local competitions etc
Archie has feet like dishplates, legs like tree trunks, a big deep, wide, chest and a short back, while Monty has a Welsh head, TB neck, legs and feet (damn those TB feet!), an ID body and (huge) backside and a long back. (He's built like a Trivial Pursuit wedge, getting wider and wider as he goes back!)
At 11.5 stone, weight isn't really an issue, but if did have to put a heavy rider on one of them, I'd put him/her on A who despite being shorter and lighter than M would definitely carry more weight. In fact, maybe a bit more weight would make him easier to stop! Maybe I should stop watching my weight in a bid to find brakes?
TheEquineOak
Well-Known Member
I dont comment on the 'am I too fat for my horse' threads but I competely agree with what has been said here.
A 22stone rider plus tack will always make my wince. That's just my opinion
YorksG
Over the hill and far awa
With regard to people arguing for heavier weight riders, because they are overweight and have an issue with it, I am the 9stone 5'6" rider I mentioned in an earlier post, so do not fit in that catagory. My ex weighed 15 stone, was 6'2" and a rugby player, NOT overweight. He rode our then Clydie mare, if it did shorten her life she was due to hit the record books, as she was estimated to be in her late 30's ear;y 40's when she was pts as a result of a failing heart, no joint issues at all.
Wagtail
Horse servant
I hardly think a fit 15 stone person riding a Clydsdale is the sort of thing people have a problem with. My 14 stone husband used to ride my 15.3 hh welsh section d x warmblood and she had no problems. However, I would not like him to have ridden her regularly, as I feel it would have been too much. That is why we got our 17.2 hh ID who, I have just measured with a weight tape at 870 kg. But when an 18 stone lady came to try him, you could tell he was unhappy carrying that much weight. We found a 12 stone sharer instead.
Megibo
Well-Known Member
i'm staying indifferent to the argument going on about 20st people etc etc
however i think wagtail has a point with this. she does think (i believe) that i should lose weight for the benefit of my pony. and it was said in a nice way! now she didnt tell me outright, i'd already made the choice, but she was polite in her wording of it.
if it's a stone perhand with natives then my welsh can carry 14 stone. and indeed with me weighing 12s to 12st 7 she has no troubles or worries she can go all day with me and still be a plonker if she so wished. i could quite happily go on riding her at my weight however that would cause more issues with her saddle, she cant have a bigger one to accomodate my bum and i dont think she should have to. therefore i'm looking at different saddle options and losing three stone so either way she'll be comfortable under saddle and with me riding her. she's a tough little 'just get on with it type' and due to this the saddle had been pushing on her back without my knowledge. i thought she'd be the type to complain but she had infact just been putting up and shutting up. as soon as i found out i've got the back woman out to check and am looking at options so i can ride her again. i've also always thought that, now she is 12 (and not old by any standard) as she gets older she wont want to have to carry heavy weight all the time and i do believe she'll 'last longer' with me three stone lighter and could go well into her late teens.
however that's just my opinion and my current situation etc
chessy
Well-Known Member
I'm 5'7" and 11 and a half stone, though you wouldn't think so to look at me, I've always considered myself to be "slim" but got quite a bit of leg and arm muscle.
My horse is 15.1 suspected Ardennes x, great weight bearer, could take much heavier than me!
My horse is 15.1 suspected Ardennes x, great weight bearer, could take much heavier than me!
Damnation
Well-Known Member
I am not light. At all
But my last little 15.2tb with not alot of bone carried me fine. Infact I was the only person who could get her forwards and round.
A 9stone good rider got on her and couldn't get her to move!
My current 16.2 KWPN has no issue with my weight or riding. Infact she buggers off with everyone else, I am the only one who can get her to stop running and go softly into a nice rhythm and outline..
ETA: I am NOT 20 stone! Far from it. I am also a light balanced rider.
I think that with correctly fitting tack, and a good light seat and hand you can make yourself feel lighter to the horse.
I do agree that some people just take the complete pee by being over 18 stone plus thinking that is acceptable!
But my last little 15.2tb with not alot of bone carried me fine. Infact I was the only person who could get her forwards and round.
A 9stone good rider got on her and couldn't get her to move!
My current 16.2 KWPN has no issue with my weight or riding. Infact she buggers off with everyone else, I am the only one who can get her to stop running and go softly into a nice rhythm and outline..
ETA: I am NOT 20 stone! Far from it. I am also a light balanced rider.
I think that with correctly fitting tack, and a good light seat and hand you can make yourself feel lighter to the horse.
I do agree that some people just take the complete pee by being over 18 stone plus thinking that is acceptable!
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Chloe..x
Well-Known Member
This thread has annoyed me quite a lot and the sheer naivety of some people on here is shocking.
I think that people are far too PC about weight limits and that it should be a more controlled factor when it comes to riding. Personally, I agree with Wagtail in the fact that a horse should never be made to carry 20stone+, just because he "appears" to be okay with it. Why should any horse be put under the strain of it and its obviously gonna cause serious long term effects.
I think the idea of putting heavyweight on horses is cruel and on parallel with unjust suffering.
I'm around the 10 and a half stone mark and have a 16.2 DW and a 15.2 ISH and certainly would not put anymore than 12stone on their back, why put them through anymore stress and unnecessary strain? Barbaric.
I think that people are far too PC about weight limits and that it should be a more controlled factor when it comes to riding. Personally, I agree with Wagtail in the fact that a horse should never be made to carry 20stone+, just because he "appears" to be okay with it. Why should any horse be put under the strain of it and its obviously gonna cause serious long term effects.
I think the idea of putting heavyweight on horses is cruel and on parallel with unjust suffering.
I'm around the 10 and a half stone mark and have a 16.2 DW and a 15.2 ISH and certainly would not put anymore than 12stone on their back, why put them through anymore stress and unnecessary strain? Barbaric.
BSJAlove
Well-Known Member
one of the masters rides around here on a 16hh ISH type and hes huge. horse moves well. looks well. is extreamly fit and is more then coping.
IMO horses are strong animals. by no means would i put 20 stone on anything. but you can also go ''too much the other way''.
aimsymc
Well-Known Member
I agree with you bsjalove.
I weigh around 11.4 stone most of the time and until 2 weeks ago rode my 16 hh tb mare who unfortunately i had to pts. i must admit i was always considering my weight thinkin if i was too heavy. I have just purchased this week a 16.2 dutch x ish mare who i feel is perfectly able to carry more than me! I must admit i find the thought of any horse carryin 20 stone horrendous! In my younger days i was told by vendor i was to heavy to buy his horse, it was a 16.2 tb and i was 9.7 stone, yes really! x
I weigh around 11.4 stone most of the time and until 2 weeks ago rode my 16 hh tb mare who unfortunately i had to pts. i must admit i was always considering my weight thinkin if i was too heavy. I have just purchased this week a 16.2 dutch x ish mare who i feel is perfectly able to carry more than me! I must admit i find the thought of any horse carryin 20 stone horrendous! In my younger days i was told by vendor i was to heavy to buy his horse, it was a 16.2 tb and i was 9.7 stone, yes really! x
jenki13
Well-Known Member
But including your tack you are probably putting 12.5 stone on their backs already. You wouldn't let William F-P / Oli townend & the likes on them if you got the chance because I'll bet you that they weigh more than 12 stone especially with tack aswell.
Now I'm not advocating that you plonk a rugby player on a 13.2hh pony but you have to take a lot of factors into consideration. Any extra weight, through rider or fat will put extra strain on joints the same as humans. Some horses may have weak joints & that may be half the reason why 2 horse of reasonably same stature feel so very different about carrying the same weight.
I'm just over 11 stone, now I could do with losing half a stone but its for my benefit really not my horse's she'll probably barely notice the difference as she tanks off with my dad & he's probably about 13 stone. But as I used to ride a 14hh ~25yr old when I was 9 & a half stone I think she'll manage.
Megibo
Well-Known Member
9.5 to 10.5 stone really isnt that much though, and neither is 11
Wagtail
Horse servant
I don't think the issue is with the majority of responsible adequately horsed people on this forum. I think the issue is with people who think it perfectly okay to plonk 22 stone plus tack on a horse and go hunting all day. I expect thatthis sort of thing happens quite a bit. I've seen quite a few huntsmen who must be approaching 20 stone! And yes, I DO think that it's cruel and that it is treating horses like machines. Horses love hunting and will try their hearts out for their riders. It is no wonder that so many are worn out before their time. I also know many overweight people do not even weigh themselves, and so may not even know just how much weight they are subjecting their horses to.
But I am not against people who are light balanced riders and who have well matched mounts riding. I certainly wouldn't draw the line at 12 stone. If I had to put a figure on it tough, I would say it would be pretty hard to find a horse that was not detrimentally affected by a rider of more than 16-18 stone.
But I am not against people who are light balanced riders and who have well matched mounts riding. I certainly wouldn't draw the line at 12 stone. If I had to put a figure on it tough, I would say it would be pretty hard to find a horse that was not detrimentally affected by a rider of more than 16-18 stone.
bugbee717
Well-Known Member
How do you view a 20 - 22 stone person, what size clothes are they in, what are they able to do. What do they look like. I am just curious
Camel
Well-Known Member
Wagtail
Horse servant
My friend is 20 stone. She is lovely. But she doesn't ride any more as she knows she is too heavy. She has a 15.2 hh cob that she has a sharer for. I don't really understand your question TBH. Some 20 stone people can be very active. Others are couch potatos. Some wear trendy clothes, others wear caftans. I am not sure what your point is.
tallyho!
Following a strict mediterranean diet...
Clinically obese, you see them on Supersize vs superskinny on telly and needs a "fat" ambulance?