Larger rider on on lightweight horse. Picture inc

xTrooperx said:
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?
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A healthy, heavyweight cob should have no trouble carrying you, even on fast rides/out hunting. Whoever told you you were too heavy was being pretty unfair.
 
Auslander said:
Ditto. I spend ages watching his vids!
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I think he's doing clinics in Oxford in a couple of weeks, isn't he?

I've just read your comment about piggy backs. I love that you felt the need to experiment with your theory and like all good scientists are now paying the price ;)
 
xTrooperx said:
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?
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You should be fine for a heavyweight cob :) incidentally though you would be better riding with a saddle than without as it distributes the weight over a larger are so reduces the pressure on the spine.
 
Auslander, but it's these comments which just sticks in your head, my cob has tanked of and will throw in a few bucks, she is quite happy to carry me and by no means a plod, ppl refuse to ride her as a Handful but it's at the back of my mind every ride is she tired, is this hill to much, am I hurting her back.. I'm hoping to get to 11stone, but I'm at a stand off at mo with weight just sticking 12 1/2st 12.10st. If I get to 12st I'm going to say f##k it & do the odd day hunting.
Buying a saddle this month, & yes I'm sad enough to ask about saddle weights.
 
Horses/ponys can carry more weight than people give them credit for, just look at donkeys abroad they carry grown men all day long { and no I don't think its right}
 
xTrooperx said:
Just worked out I'm 16.5% .. So way under the 20/25% rider to horse limit.
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I thought it was 15-20, not 20-25%...

Eta-25% would mean my 14h2 welsh D could carry 17 stone. I'm actually pretty horrified by that thought :( 20% would be 14 stone - still too much. 15% would be 10 and a half stone - much happier with this...
 
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ooohhh a good old 'weight debate'!

I defo don't agree with posting pics of someone else to get people to comment on but i do feel like this issue needs to be addressed by the horsey world somehow, guidelines perhaps because surely there is a welfare issue when it becomes extreme?

I got bad mouthed when looking for a sharer a while ago for voicing my view of not wanting overweight (IMO) riders to try out my horse. he's a 17.2hh MW warmblood but it was not due to me being 'fattist', it's because he's never been a weight carrier and is super sensitive to any shift in balance.

I think horses are the best hobby going but i feel that people need to be realistic about whether they 'should' ride a particular type of horse... the horse's safety and well being should always come first!
 
ameeyal said:
Horses/ponys can carry more weight than people give them credit for, just look at donkeys abroad they carry grown men all day long { and no I don't think its right}
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So can human beings - it's just they end up with buggered backs and joints.
 
Sukistokes2 said:
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.
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I have to say it doesn't really strike me as wrong, no. It's only the same as someone posting a video of the owner of a horse who has neglected it, or battered it with a whip across the face, and people discussing the rights and wrongs of that. I recently saw someone who is 'heavier' in weight riding a blatantly lame TB, and given that their position was pretty horrendous, coupled with the fact they were bouncing around all over it's back, it made for painful viewing. I don't think for one second it is wrong of people (and people did comment a lot) to raise concerns for that horse's welfare. This person must have known (unless they were completely stupid) that the horse was clearly lame (in fact, I think they got sent out of the ring), yet they continued to ride it. That, in my mind, amounts to intentional neglect.
 
Sukistokes2 said:
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.
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In what way could a slim person physically effect a horse's wellbeing or comfort by being too light?
 
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 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.
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This.
 
As Auslander posted a pic, I am going to bit the bullet. I bought Ollie 2 years ago from Clodagh on here as a 4 year old. I knew I was too heavy for him at the time, and he is my goal for getting slim. I joined a slimming club, and was mortified to find out I weighed almost 16st at 5'4. C thought he'd be comfortable carrying about 11st. For the first year, I didn't get on him, weight slowly came down, and he slowly muscled up. I concentrated on ground work, and my friend rode him. I decided when I got to 13st, I would sit on him, just sit, which I did. I am currently weighing around 12.5st, would like to lose at least a stone more before I am comfortable riding him. I get on him now and again, but just for around 20mins, walk and a bit of trot. He is hacked regularly by my friend, and he also has a young sharer who rides him twice a week, hacking and schooling.

This was us 2 weeks ago at the end of my little ride.

Not the best pic in the world, sorry. Was just glad to still be on him, he is much sharper than my 2 oldies.

c747e0c89adb7d293c81ac83087b5a51_zps4eab8bce.jpg


He is now 6 and stands at just under 15 hands last time we took the measuring stick to him.

Auslander, I think you look great on him.
 
xTrooperx said:
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?
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But not having a saddle means you are not distributing your weight, are you saying you are too heavy therefore ride bareback???
 
xTrooperx said:
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?
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But where's the point blaming 'these threads'? If you are overweight for your horses, then that IS a welfare issue and something you should address, be it by losing more weight or getting something more suited to carrying your weight. Not having a pop here, but just don't see what good it is for someone to blame other people for an issue which essentially is in your control only.
 
There is ongoing research on this just now. If you are interested, the Saddle Research Trust Conference in November is for you!

Personally, I hate to see an over loaded horse. Yes, it will carry you willingly, yes it will beggar off, jump etc. but can you hand on heart say that you aren't damaging joints and backs, long term? I don't think so.
 
Fides said:
I thought it was 15-20, not 20-25%...

Eta-25% would mean my 14h2 welsh D could carry 17 stone. I'm actually pretty horrified by that thought :( 20% would be 14 stone - still too much. 15% would be 10 and a half stone - much happier with this...
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Agree totally. I would never let my 16st OH ride my 14.2 welsh.
 
cptrayes said:
This discussion is about the weight of the rider relative to the horse. The gender of the rider is absolutely totally irrelevant.
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But there aren't many muscular, fit women well over 6', so in that context gender was vaguely relevant.
 
TheresaW said:
As Auslander posted a pic, I am going to bit the bullet. I bought Ollie 2 years ago from Clodagh on here as a 4 year old. I knew I was too heavy for him at the time, and he is my goal for getting slim. I joined a slimming club, and was mortified to find out I weighed almost 16st at 5'4. C thought he'd be comfortable carrying about 11st. For the first year, I didn't get on him, weight slowly came down, and he slowly muscled up. I concentrated on ground work, and my friend rode him. I decided when I got to 13st, I would sit on him, just sit, which I did. I am currently weighing around 12.5st, would like to lose at least a stone more before I am comfortable riding him. I get on him now and again, but just for around 20mins, walk and a bit of trot. He is hacked regularly by my friend, and he also has a young sharer who rides him twice a week, hacking and schooling.

This was us 2 weeks ago at the end of my little ride.

Not the best pic in the world, sorry. Was just glad to still be on him, he is much sharper than my 2 oldies.

c747e0c89adb7d293c81ac83087b5a51_zps4eab8bce.jpg


He is now 6 and stands at just under 15 hands last time we took the measuring stick to him.

Auslander, I think you look great on him.
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Now that he is 6 he can carry more than 11 stone, IMO. He's a lovely boy!
 
Clodagh said:
But there aren't many muscular, fit women well over 6', so in that context gender was vaguely relevant.
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I actually think there is a difference between a muscular, fit rider and a fat, overweight rider of the same weight riding. Generally, the muscular fit rider will have a better core strength and be more able to maintain a lighter seat and better position.
 
Moomin1 said:
I actually think there is a difference between a muscular, fit rider and a fat, overweight rider of the same weight riding. Generally, the muscular fit rider will have a better core strength and be more able to maintain a lighter seat and better position.
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I do agree with you, but weight is weight, and I still think you have to take a view on what is acceptable total weight for a horse to carry.
 
Moomin1 said:
But where's the point blaming 'these threads'? If you are overweight for your horses, then that IS a welfare issue and something you should address, be it by losing more weight or getting something more suited to carrying your weight. Not having a pop here, but just don't see what good it is for someone to blame other people for an issue which essentially is in your control only.
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Agree with above. My horse is a 15.2 tb. I am 8 stone. I would not let anyone ride him over 10 stone. I am not against someone who is too heavy, was going to say fat but not sure if that's politically correct now a days. As a nation we are getting bigger and bigger because we eat too much. Simples. So dont get on a horse that would struggle with that weight. I don't understand why it's such a taboo subject. People are scared of saying anything in case it offends.
 
I'm going to be honest & say TheresaW that I think you look fine. If he was 3 or 4 then maaaaybe, but don't forget it is an excellent motivator! FWIW, I found that cutting out carbs after 2pm helped, it's murder though! Also, every time you reach for something to eat that you don't need, think of your horse and your goal. Good luck, I know how hard it is :(

I think it is riders like this: http://youtu.be/dRF9OdAhILY

& this: http://youtu.be/uV3VxRGkGeQ

that are a concern and IMHO, just abuse, I think they are obesely overweight and need to lose the poundage before even contemplating getting on a horse :(
 
Thankyou Minkymoo. I will never be thin, but want to lose that bit more as much for myself as for Ollie. Unfortunately, I do love pasta, but am careful what I eat, and have started cycling to work as well.

Those riders were pretty grim viewing, poor horses. Will definitely make me think before I grab a biscuit, big bar of choc, 2nd glass of wine etc.
 
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