Introduction and a rider weight question

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IsabelleJ

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Hello everyone, I've been having a great time reading the forum and seeing all your lovely horses! I thought that I would introduce myself and also pick your brains a bit.

I was completely horse barmy from age 5 to age 18, then took about 10 years off for a variety of reasons, starting with an injury and I just never got back to it full time. I have ridden a few times in the intervening years, but something always managed to come up and I stopped.

Now the bug has bitten again, big time! The only problem is that, at this point, I'm a lot heavier than I was back then. I've been trying to lose weight, but the horse obsession has been fantastic as it has given me a goal to strive for. I'm about 17 stone at the moment, and the riding stable that I have my eye on has a maximum weight of 16 stone, which I figure means I need to get down to 15 and a half stone for. Obviously, after that I want to lose as much weight as possible, but I figure that if I continue to eat healthily and go to the gym, riding will only accelerate that process
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My question is this. Now that I'm in a position to afford my own horse, of course I want one as soon as possible! I definitely plan to get myself riding at a riding school first, but I dream of my own horse. My only concern is that the kind of horse that I have always wanted is a TB cross or warmblood type. Would I realistically be able to ride one of those at 16 stone? I also would look at sharing/loaning to start with, but worry that owners would be put off by my weight. 16 stone is just my short term target, of course I want to lose more weight, but would like some options in the meantime.

So, what of my dream of a TB or warmblood? Possible? If not at this moment in time, what sort of weight would I have to strive for to be able to ride them? This of course is the best incentive in the world! Say that I'm a competent rider, and that I get back to riding fitness, what's the prognosis?

Wow, that's a bit of a novel right there! I'll leave it at that for now, hehe. Please feel free to share any inspirational stories that you have.

Isabelle
 
Hello and welcome to the mad house.I like you am not a lightweight.My boy in my signature is Irish draught cross welsh cob.I ALWAYS worry that i am too heavy for him even though he has just under 10 inches of bone!.But everyone i speak to who has met us in the flesh said that Flint carry's me with no problems.I think bone and substance of the horse plays abig part of what the horse can actually carry.You do get some big boned TB's.Maybe a TB cross would suit you better.I need to lose some serious weight too!.
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I'd go for something with good bone so maybe a 1/4 TB with ID or shire. Increasingly shire x are doing very nicely at dressage and (I think) SJ (not really my area). My mare is a 16.3 heavyweight hunter with a good splash of shire in her. Everywhere we go she gets admirers and judges say things like 'beautiful big horse' and 'super horse with big elastic paces'.

Loosing weight isn't easy is it? I struggle with similar issues.
 
Welcome to the forum Isabelle.
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As for your weight and wondering whether you could ever buy a WB.....think about this logically for a moment; all the men who showjump, event, dressage......most ride WB's don't they! Most will not be much less, and probably more likely more, than 15 stone.
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So the answer is; of course you can! Choose wisely, nicely built Hanoverian or something similar will be perfect for you.
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Welcome to the forum Isabelle! *waves!*

As for your weight, echo everything Tia said! Good luck finding your perfect equine partner!
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Thanks for the nice welcome, folks
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I must admit that I had thought of Tia's point, but wondered if I was fooling myself a bit! You've all been very encouraging.

Anyway, as soon as I start mucking out and carting bales of hay about again, I'm sure the pounds will start falling off, LOL! I never realised just how fit riding kept me until a few years after I stopped.

I honestly think that horse people must be the nicest in the world. Well, apart from those bitchy people at livery yards we all hear about
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Isabelle
 
welcome to the forum! Nice to see another person from down south too
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ID x TB would be a good mix as you'll be able to have the bone & structure of an ID with the Tb mixed in - wonderful mix
 
Welcome!

Horses can carry alot of weight, even the riding school ones could probably take up to 20 stone, but they just have it as a precaution. A warmblood or tbX would be fine with you

Haz
 
Welcome!!
Yes it is a contant battle is it not for us females? I am sure we all aspire to be less heavy/bulky/wobbly than we are (I certainly do).
I am sure a IDxTB would be a good proposition for you, or perhaps a TBxShire or TBxClydesdale? All are nice types with good bone and substance, all are capable of turning their hoof to most things. Good luck and keep us posted xx
 
hi and welcome,i think that everyone has said it all really,id x
somthing with bone,i need to get a bit fitter like yourself you dont realise how fit horses kept you
we will all be so fit we could do the marathon next year !!!
yeh also nice to see another person from down south !
 
Hi Isabelle, I am in almost exactly the same situation as you but heavier
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I havent posted much on the forum but I did post a similar one to yours a couple of months ago and was totally overwhelmed by the response and how lovely, nice and kindhearted everyone on this forum is, I have never met, well kind of met
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, a nicer bunch of people in my life. Anyway was just wanting to say to you and I suppose to update everyone else, I havent done very well at all, I am currently 18.5 stone and just cant seem to find any enthusiasm to do anything about it. I run a small livery yard and have two horses of my own which I ride regularly and am constantly beating myself up that I must be crushing them! You'd think that would give me the incentive that I need but it hasnt im afraid. My two are a 16.1 IDX gelding and a 17.0 ID mare, both of which do seem to somehow carry me with no problem at all so I'm sure you'll have no problem finding a suitable horse for yourself LOL

Anyway i've probs bored you all to sleep now but was just thinking, would anyone be interested in having a kind of HHO weightwatchers for us humans? I'm absolutely desperate and was wondering maybe if those of us fuller figured riders (obviously who are unhappy with their weight) got together to swap tips and have a weekly weigh in, perhaps that could help us all?

Let me know if anyone out there would be interested but in the meantime sending loads of loves and kisses to all you lovely HHO's and your horsey's!!!!

Love Jayne xxxxxxx
 
There did used to be a weekly weigh-in down in the Soapbox but I'm not sure if they do it anymore. Great idea for you - you start one!! I am sure you will have followers who are interested in doing it; and you'll get better known on here too.
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Hi Tia,

Ooh excellent, i'll have a look on soapbox and see if its still running and if not maybe start something myself, i'll see what kind of response I get and if there are many people interested.

Love Jayne xx
 
Hello and I'm glad I'm not the only one who is at the top end of 17st. I have a 16.2hh tbxid. I once saw an interview with a racing trainer whose horse had just won he 17st and he rode his race horse everyday.
I would be interested in HHO weightwatchers
 
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would anyone be interested in having a kind of HHO weightwatchers for us humans?

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Welcome to the forum Isabelle! I agree with everyone else - TB x ID or shire to add osme bone and you'll be fine!

Jayne - I was thinkng the very same thing yesterday, that it would be good to have HHO WW for people....
 
Welcome to the forum hunny.

There are lots of horses that will carry you.

Just think of some of the men that hunt, not everyone is a 7 stone jockey.

I've had several horses that wouldn't bat an eyelid at it, including a Dutch Warmblood, Shire x Tb and the piccy in my signature is Milly my ID x TB.

There is no doubt you will loose weight, tone up and be fitter in general.

I really hope you enjoy your riding and the search for the right neddie.
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Hi jumpthemoon and selkie, thanks for your input, ive been off line for an hour having my tea (mmm, probs part of the reason ive got this weight problem, eating so late, oh plus the bottle of wine i'm washing it down with, ha ha
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I'll have a think over the next few days about how to do this ww thingy and post something then, obviously if anyone has any ideas pleasel free to PM me and we can all come up with something together.

Take care everyone and night night LOL

Love Jayne xxx
 
Hiya,

Maybe this will put your mind at rest.

I am a curvacious rider (LOL yes i mean larger than normal) and quite tall at 5 ft10 and yet i have the absolute pleasure to ride and own a beautiful 17hh pure ex racing TB.

In the years i have owned him i did go through a stage where i wondered if i was too big and even asked my vet for his advice to which he told me not to be so silly lol.

I have even been out riding and have had nasty shallow people pass comments about me and these deeply hurt but i have come to realise the following.

1) i know my horse and i know what he can carry
2) im a good rider with a light deep seat (something that can make all the difference)
3) Just because someone is of the larger build does NOT mean that they SHOULDNT ride!!!

Good luck in your search for a horse, im sure you will get back in to riding and horse owning and will absolutely adore it!!

Me and my boy, Indiana. (does this horse look like hes struggling to you?)
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(please ignore Indi's face he was chewing a polo LOL)
 
I used to weigh 20 stone!!! My ex riding stable put me on a lovely 17hh clydesdale cross, i asked to help out etc and within 3 months i lost a staggering 3 stone. I went and bought myself a lovely heavy cob mare and with the riding and caring for her myself, i have lost a further 2 stone!!

The weight is still coming off me and its all thanks to my horses. Even though my cob can carry some weight, i thought that because she was young that i would lose some weight for her lol.

Ive not cut down on my eating, i just changed what i eat! The horses are helping me keep the weight off!!
 
Well I fall into Tia's category of a male SJ'er (well) in excess of 15st and riding a WB.

Both my boys are KWPN...a chunkier 16.2hh and a finer built 16.3hh and they both compete BSJA.

Obviously it is better if you can lose some weight but I like many struggle to do so and seem to fluctuate quite dramatically...but it isn't just about weight. It's a lot to do with how you ride too
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Hiya Isabelle and welcome.

It would help to lose weight but there are some of us that this is proving to be a little harder than first thought. I am only 5ft 2inches and I weigh in at about 16stone so not a light weight at all. However I do exercise and except for the flabby belly, big boobs and rotund bum I am fairly toned and this I think is the key. Self posture with help ENORMOUSLY with riding and making you a 'lighter' rider. So think about that - I use one of those big balls as I have bad arthritis and the pounding stuff at the gym is a no go.

Take a look at Gen in my piccy. He is an irish cob cross Selle Francais. Had him from a foal and he is now about 16.3hh. Certainly has no issues with my weight and he looks like a warmblood type. He also competes at Afflicted Elem dressage with my friend so by no means a dumb plod.

Good Luck with it all and keep posting.
 
Hi there.

As Tia says, there is a weekly weigh in on the soapbox on a Friday if it's of any interest. I'm afraid I've not been around on a Friday for a couple of weeks so I don't know if anyone else has posted but I promise I'll be doing one this week for certain.
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Hi Isabelle, You'll know when its the right horse for you. I was 16.5st when I started riding again after an 8 year gap, I soon dropped to 14st 5lb and maintained there for 2 years. I just rode heavy cobs and finally fell in love with the one I'm looking after now who excelles in his flat work. I have to add though that I have been doing the Cambridge Diet since 15 March and have lost an increadible 3st 8lb and my riding has improved tremendously. I've gone from a size 18-20 down to an increadible 10-12. So if you want an even faster weight loss which you then only need to maintain I can highly recommend the Cambridge Diet. Good luck on your search for your horse and I'm certain you will find the one for you.
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Hi Isabelle

Welcome to the forum!

I'm a heavier rider and I must admit it was fairly difficult to find a horse that had plenty of bone and would be comfortable carrying my weight, however they are out there! I bought my 17hh Gelderlander last year, hes technically a warmblood and doesn't look like a carthorse! I'm not a big fan of cobs but realised I couldn't get away with a TB type so a warmblood type was perfect. My boy looks fairly flashy, and is a big gentle giant.

Keep at it, you'll find your perfect horse!

Mel
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H&H weightwatchers is a great idea!

I used to weigh around 16 stone, got down to 10 1/4 (through misery, self denial and exercise) but now my weight is heading back up again....

Need to get it sorted - I have a TINY little TB that I event.

So yes, I'll come to your H&H weightwatchers club.
 
AS everyone has said, there are loads of horses that will be fine with your weight.

Don't be put off by the riding school restrictions, most of them have weight restrictions because quite often they just don't have any larger horses (they tend to concentrate on middley ones that a wide range of people can ride) and also their horses do work a lot of hours, so it's fair to not push them too much in any one ride.
 
Hi Sally, Oh thats brilliant, i'll watch out for it on Friday then and log my starting weight
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eeekkkkk!!!!! What happens after that, do we just log on each Friday with an update? LOL Jayne xx
 
Yeah just watch out for the Friday Weigh In post, join in and tell us how you've got on. There are usually plenty of us taking part
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As you can see from my ticker I have reached my target weight but I find chatting to everyone on here every week a real boost to the motivation to stay on track - I even posted my before and after photos one week and the support and encouragement I had was truly amazing!
 
Jayne,

I think a HHO Weightwatchers thing would be great
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I have had weight problems ever since I stopped being able to ride my beloved riding school pony (14.2 fine boned New Forest) at about 10 stone, and it's really nice to have all this encouragement. I think a group would give each other a lot of support.

Isabelle
 
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