Larger rider on on lightweight horse. Picture inc

MaisieMcPherson92 said:
It doesn't seem like anyone can talk about heavier riders without getting defensive.
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I agree. Two years ago I got a little 14.2hh (then 13.3hh) Connemara and I was way too heavy to do all the things I wanted to do with him such as xc etc so I lost 3 stone. I had actually let the weight creep up over the prior 18 months due to a combination of working late every night and eating a lot of katsu curry (wagamamas is the devil!). I felt so much better about myself and so did pony. I would have been mortified if people thought I was too big or posted about it on a forum.

The real test for me was that I actually asked people what they thought; on my other two (15hh chunky cb/TB and 15.2hh TB ) I thought I was fine and didn't question it but on a little 4 yr old 13.3hh I did not feel comfortable despite everyone saying it was fine).
 
Mike007 said:
Arnt the words cob and lightweight horse rather contradictory? I just love these good old HHO bitch fests. I wonder how many who leap in to criticize heavier riders have any understanding of the mechanics of weight carrying ! For example ,riding bareback, (or how to ruin your horses back in one easy step!) Load per square inch, Load as a percentage of equine body weight, and when was the last time you saw someone out hunting ,get off and unsaddle for a few minutes? There are many things that seem to be overlooked yet have a much greater effect on the horses wellbeing.
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What you say is true, but an obese person is still putting too heavy a load on the horse. If you watch a horse being ridden by a rider of average weight and then by an obese rider, there's quite a difference in how the horse moves.
It seems that it'd be common sense for people to say, that they need to lose 4, 5, 6 stone before they ride, but not infrequently, they don't.

I'm not talking about people who need to lose a stone or so, it's the seriously big riders who should stop and think about the stress on the horse's back and joints.

It does make me cross.
 
Moomin1 said:
Actually, overweight riders are just as much of a welfare concern as those others you mention.
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Really!

I just think that some people just have problems with larger people or people who are diferent from them,
we are discussing an issue based on some persons view on the world, without the person who is involved even knowing about it. Does that not strike you as wrong.
We could be discussing whether skinny people should ride big horses.
Welfare issues aside this forum should be used for the power of good not for fattie bashing, or for taking the piss out of anyone, It demeans us all.
 
FWIW, I've just read this thread and wanted to mention that I do know a girl who has recently been told by her vet that she's too heavy for her horse! She's lovely, I like her a lot, she's a very good and capable rider, her horse is a gorgeous little cob, but there's no denying she needs to get some weight off for the sake of her own health and her horse's well being. This isn't "fatty bashing" as some have called it, it's a simple statement of the facts of the matter.

Coming from a trusted professional who was prepared to be frank with her for the sake of her horses welfare, she took it on the chin and is taking action to get herself down to a more acceptable weight. Had I decided to "offer some friendly advice" on the matter, I'd probably have caused a great deal of offence.

So how do you approach this topic with someone, where you feel there is a genuine welfare issue? It's a tough topic to raise in casual conversation!
 
I am size 8 and I hate all this weight talk, I hate people picking on my weight so I can imagine what it's like if you are overweight. Sometimes you can't help being the weight you are, and openly picking on people just isn't on. Yes some people are too big for there horse but it's not your prerogative to tell people if they can or can't ride based on there weight!!
 
In 2011 I bought an 8mo colt, I got him in the August and in the November I fell pregnant.

I put 3 stone on! He was 3 this January, and I had a chat with my yo about my weight, she said I should aim for 10st before I could ride him. She was absolutely right to do so. There was no way I could get on a little newly backed 15.2 (ish) 3yo at 13 st.

So, I went on a diet and worked my butt off to shift the weight, and I did, I'm now about 10.3st and I've started riding him. I'm so proud of myself and what I've achieved. It was the best motivator ever.

Of course it's a delicate subject, but it's also an important one for the welfare of the horse as well as that of the rider.
 
I have more or less given up riding due to my weight issues. I have tried everything and am still fat. I have accepted riding isn't really for me, so I groom for and help out a friend instead.
 
When the rider is on the heavier side I would say that it depends a lot on the conformation of the horse, the work being asked and the riders ability.
I am heavier than I should be but would have no problem getting on most horses/ ponies for a short hack/ schooling session because I am a balanced, sympathetic rider.
Many fit healthy men are around 15/16 stone ....should they not ride?
Weight is such a weird one....most people would not guess my weight from just looking at me. They usually put me at least a stone lighter.
 
Moomin1 said:
How do you help an overweight rider though?

Personally I don't get why it's such an issue to discuss weight of riders...I'm sorry but it really is a welfare issue, and if that offends some people then so be it.
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I have no issue with anyone discussing the weight of a rider - and I feel quite strongly about overweight riders. However, it is not acceptable for someone to post a photo of said woman on a horse on an open section of the forum for strangers to critique - that is cruel, and most certainly a form of bullying, which I don't like.
 
RunToEarth said:
I have no issue with anyone discussing the weight of a rider - and I feel quite strongly about overweight riders. However, it is not acceptable for someone to post a photo of said woman on a horse on an open section of the forum for strangers to critique - that is cruel, and most certainly a form of bullying, which I don't like.
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This exactly. I'm no lightweight, and I'm very careful about what I ride. I'm very happy that Alf will carry me happily (he has no qualms about bucking people off the moment they get on if he doesn't want them up there - and he chooses not to buck with me) - he's 17.1hh, part draft, and very muscular. I wouldn't ride Spike - who is 16.1hh, and, for a warmblood, quite fine. He's also old, unfit, and a bit creaky. If you are aware of your weight, take care to ride in a balanced fashion at all times (no "relaxing" out on a hack), and ensure that the horse you ride is up to weight and fit, then i think its ok to ride, but if you are large, unbalanced, unfit and unaware, then you should be in the gym, not on a horse!

I'm brave enough to take a roasting - but I believe this pic shows a happy comfortable horse, and a balanced rider doing her best to support some of her own weight. Charles de Kunffy isn't averse to larger riders - he made a very telling statement about horses being equipped to carry weight, but not burden. I try very hard not to be a burden.

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RunToEarth said:
I have no issue with anyone discussing the weight of a rider - and I feel quite strongly about overweight riders. However, it is not acceptable for someone to post a photo of said woman on a horse on an open section of the forum for strangers to critique - that is cruel, and most certainly a form of bullying, which I don't like.
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Well said :)
 
Fides said:
That's a bit harsh - she is concerned for the horse :(

Fwiw - I stopped riding my mare for 6 months after I was appalled to find I had put nearly 2 stones on. There's lots of talk about ill fitting tack and the damage it can do but a heavy rider can be just as bad :(
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I agree completely. Nobody is saying that you have to be a size 0 but it is a welfare issue if the rider is too heavy for a horse.

We would all comment on a picture on DD if there was a horse with a larger rider on it.

I certainly wont be riding my lad until my baby is born and I have got back down to my pre pregnancy weight :)
 
thewonderhorse said:
I agree completely. Nobody is saying that you have to be a size 0 but it is a welfare issue if the rider is too heavy for a horse.

We would all comment on a picture on DD if there was a horse with a larger rider on it.

I certainly wont be riding my lad until my baby is born and I have got back down to my pre pregnancy weight :)
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That is completely different - the OP posted a photo she had quite evidently taken of someone and then posted it on an open forum presumably without permission. I would assume the person selling the horse on DD has uploaded the photo themselves.

Weight for riding is a contentious issue and I appreciate it does attract debate, which is no bad thing, and of course the welfare of the horse is paramount. When irks me sometimes are the people have such extreme views on the subject that it provokes people to have to "justify" anything over 9 stone on a horse. I know there are a lot of idiots in the horse world but honestly getting the weight ratio right isn't an exact science, and is largely based on common sense, which I appreciate isn't common. Auslander, lovely happy boy :)

I welcome debate and had you come on here posting a photo of yourself and asking for opinions I wouldn't be quite so concerned at the comments, but the OP posted a photo of someone else.
 
Auslander, you and your horse look great. RTE - I agree with all you say.
As someone has said, most men would weigh 15 stone, if they were over 6', is it a problem them riding? My son is 6'5" and muscular, he rows. He rides my 17hh ID x tb and I am fine with that. He would have to weigh 15/16 stone.
 
Auslander said:
This exactly. I'm no lightweight, and I'm very careful about what I ride. I'm very happy that Alf will carry me happily (he has no qualms about bucking people off the moment they get on if he doesn't want them up there - and he chooses not to buck with me) - he's 17.1hh, part draft, and very muscular. I wouldn't ride Spike - who is 16.1hh, and, for a warmblood, quite fine. He's also old, unfit, and a bit creaky. If you are aware of your weight, take care to ride in a balanced fashion at all times (no "relaxing" out on a hack), and ensure that the horse you ride is up to weight and fit, then i think its ok to ride, but if you are large, unbalanced, unfit and unaware, then you should be in the gym, not on a horse!

I'm brave enough to take a roasting - but I believe this pic shows a happy comfortable horse, and a balanced rider doing her best to support some of her own weight. Charles de Kunffy isn't averse to larger riders - he made a very telling statement about horses being equipped to carry weight, but not burden. I try very hard not to be a burden.

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You look great on him.
 
thewonderhorse said:
You look great on him.
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i'd say I don't look awful on him, but I would look better a stone or two lighter. I'm happy that I'm helping him out as best i can, but I'm working on making the overall picture a bit prettier! I'd also love to be able to ride Spike - sat on him once for 5 mins, and he is LOVELY!
 
You should be able to discuss weight without being shot down its a important factor , horses just can't carry no end of weight they have limits , limits to which will keep them happy and healthy

I have a 16hh WB mare who I'm on the larger height size for at 5ft10 I'm currently pregnant and dying to get back on board after baby born but I won't untill I lose at least 2stone of my baby weight as it would not be fair on the mare to get on her while being that weight

I know I'd be too heavy for her , ignorance is not bliss

If your over weight for what ever reason on a particular horse you should do the decent thing and stop riding the animal untill you lose the weight.

I think most people deep down would know if there too heavy or not for there horse.
 
Also, equine science people - done 'bone' (as in cob versus arab) actually make a difference to the horses weight carrying abilities? Or has it more to do with 'bone density' and the strength of the horse's back?

I imagine the horse's fitness comes into it as well.
 
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I'm just shy of 15 stone...however I'm also just shy of 6ft tall. Anything under approx 12 stone makes me look and feel awful. I have just bought a bike to try to shift at least a stone before my Friesian x WB is finished being schooled....I have around 8 weeks. I'm then hoping to lose another 2 stone before next year when he starts doing proper work.
I feel this is realistic for me and I definitely need to lose at least a stone before I ride him.
But if you saw me I look nothing like that weight.
 
_HP_ said:
Many fit healthy men are around 15/16 stone ....should they not ride?
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This is a very good point. My OH & I weigh pretty much the same, give or take a few lbs. I am 5'6'' and overweight. He is 6'2'' and slim.

If we were to take a photo of each of us on the same horse, I would probably look much worse because I'm fatter. He would look fine because he is slim. But the horse would be carrying the same weight.

A lot of it is subjective. Unless you know all the facts (ie, true weight of the rider - not just a guess - vs size, weight, fitness etc of the horse and activities undertaken etc) I don't think it's really fair to say someone should or should not ride based on their weight alone.

Having said that, I do believe seriously overweight riders is becoming an issue.
 
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i absolutely dont agree with posting pictures of anyone except yourself on a forum to ask for a weight critique.
however, weight can be an issue.
yes many very tall, muscular people of both sexes can easily weight around 13/14 stone with some very tall men weighing more.
however, its how that weight is distributed and how in control of it the rider is, and if the saddle and horse are appropriate that makes or breaks it for the horse.

i have zero problems with for eg a strong,sound, weight carrying horse working under an athletic 15 stone bloke in control of his own body, able to balance easily and minimise stress on the horse.someone who is cardio fit as well as toned will not hinder the horse at any stage.

what i completely object to is someone who is basically obese by nature of their weight/height ratio, so completely un-balanced, un-able to sit properly because of the bulk of fat under their thigh and around their middle, riding in a too small saddle on either a too small, too lightweight, or weak backed horse. that shape of rider is rarely in control of their own mass and is far far harder for the horse to carry.
their is no ways someone classed as obese can either be cardio fit or toned in any way and as soon as they run out puff they are going to be a dead weight on the horse.
 
Embo said:
This is a very good point. My OH & I weigh pretty much the same, give or take a few lbs. I am 5'6'' and overweight. He is 6'2'' and slim.

If we were to take a photo of each of us on the same horse, I would probably look much worse because I'm fatter. He would look fine because he is slim. But the horse would be carrying the same weight.

A lot of it is subjective. Unless you know all the facts (ie, true weight of the rider - not just a guess - vs size, weight, fitness etc of the horse and activities undertaken etc) I don't think it's really fair to say someone should or should not ride based on their weight alone.

Having said that, I do believe seriously overweight riders is becoming an issue.
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I don't think how people look is the issue at all. The point is - the horse is carrying the same weight, regardless of if the rider is male or female.

Also riders that carry their own weight is a myth - get on the scales and try carrying your own weight, does it make a difference to the number? I know that a rider that hinders the horse or thumps down on the horse's back can be bad for them, but I wouldn't let one of those on board, just as I wouldn't let someone too heavy ride!

Horses do have weight limits, even if people don't want to hear it.

I will admit that they can carry more weight than you would at first think, but again I think fitness and breeding for strength (look at cowboys on quarter horses) is very important in that respect. A horse that hollows is obviously going to suffer more under a rider that's too heavy for it, than a horse who can lift through it's back.
 
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Pigeon said:
I don't think how people look is the issue at all. The point is - the horse is carrying the same weight, regardless of if the rider is male or female.
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Of course, you're right, but it's not the point I was trying to make. People get into a flap and slate a fat person they see in a photo (or know of personally, see hacking out or at a show - whatever) with no knowledge of anything about the person or the horse, for being too heavy.

I suppose what I was trying to say is that just because a person looks slim, doesn't mean they are light and equally, a fatter person may not be as heavy as one might perceive them to be. Me & OH were the example, not specifically due to male/female comparison, but because I don't happen to know a female who is taller but the same weight as me!

Everything you've said, I agree with. It is a problem.
 
Pigeon said:
I don't think how people look is the issue at all. The point is - the horse is carrying the same weight, regardless of if the rider is male or female.

Also riders that carry their own weight is a myth - get on the scales and try carrying your own weight, does it make a difference to the number? I know that a rider that thumps down on the horse's back can be bad for them, but I wouldn't let one of those on board, just as I wouldn't let someone too heavy ride!
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Agree that the horse is carrying the same weight, whether the rider is balanced or not, but going back to what Charles De Kunffy said - there is a difference between weight and burden. A balanced rider does weigh the same as an unbalanced one, but their ability to carry themselves, stay in balance, and move with the horse will make them less onerous to carry, than someone who isn't truly "with" the horse. I'm not saying this to justify my own considerable weight, but because it's very clear to me, from years of teaching/observing, that horses find it easier to perform under a good, but heavy rider, than they do under someone of the same weight (and often less), who isn't fit enough to support themselves, sits heavy, doesn't go with the horse, and thumps around on its back.

My son is 6"0 and built like a brick outhouse, and I can (just) give him a piggy back (although, I can't cope with him mounting from the ground, which backs up my thing about always using a mounting block!). If he sits there making no effort to support himself, I can't move with him on my back. If he sits tall and uses his core to hold himself, I can move under him. He feels different when he's making an effort to carry himself - still heavy, but easier to carry. i know this because I just carried out an experiment. I may have given myself a hernia though...
 
It is because of these sort of threads I feel guilty and limit my riding even though I have a heavy weight cob (10 inch) and I weigh under 13stone but I look bigger I don't even have a saddle as that would add a extra whole stone on. I've already been told my cob can't go hunting/fast rides because I'm too heavy.
I also have two other horses one a light weight & other a heavy cob but shorter which I won't be able to ride and be kept as companions/driving as I know I'll get shamed & comments on my weight, yet I've manged to lose 4/5st so I can ride again, but it's never enough :0?
 
Auslander said:
Charles de Kunffy isn't averse to larger riders - he made a very telling statement about horses being equipped to carry weight, but not burden. I try very hard not to be a burden.
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He does come out with some cracking sound bites. I love listening to him teaching and talking about training.
 
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