Pandering to overweight riders

[shanti]

I live in Australia and am curious to see what the general consensus is in other countries regarding overweight riders?

I was recently kicked off a Facebook group for telling a rider she is too big to ride any horse, let alone the 15hh TB she was sitting on. This person is 125 kilos (19 stone) however, out of the 100 or so comments, I was the only person to comment negatively, everyone else was saying ''oh you look fine'' and ''as long as you are a balanced rider your size doesn't matter''.

I felt like I was in some parallel universe! It's so crazy to me that so many people thought this was OK, is it this widely accepted everywhere else or is it only here?

 

[magicmoments]

I would definitely say to heavy, particularly for the horse in question. Good for you standing up against all that opposition. More people need to do that. I would also have added that a 19 stone body builder, or anyone 19 stone, no matter how physically fit, would be too heavy. The horse doesn't care whether it's muscle or fat it's still too heavy.

 

[Ali27]

Unfortunately it seems to be similar in the UK!
I absolutely hate seeing riders on horses who are way too heavy!
I’ve got a 14.2 cob x Connie and always had a 10 stone weight limit for her. My weight last year had crept up to 10.5 stone. So I’ve gone on a huge fitness/ weight loss campaign and now weigh 9.1 stone (I’m 5ft 6) and now feel that’s the perfect weight for her and she is so much happier now too

 

[Tiddlypom]

Jeepers, 19 stone on a 15hh tb . That's cruelty.

There are still far too many riders over here who are too heavy for the horse(s) they ride, but awareness of the issues of overweight riders re equine welfare is coming out more into the open now.

For instance, riders at some high profile shows have been told to dismount for being too heavy for the horses/ponies they were riding.

However, it really is an uphill battle. There is far too much general acceptance of overweight riders. I struggle with my own weight, but I would never ride when too heavy for a particular horse, and I go on the stricter 15% rider weight (inc all clothing and tack) to horse weight ratio than the IMHO much too lax 20% ratio. That (15%) is 12 stone 7lb max nekked rider weight for my 16.1 hh 630kg IDx.

ETA If I went by the 20% rule, I'd be with the limit for my mare at just over 17 stone . Just NO. At 5'10" and sturdily built, I could rock 17 stone better than most females, but no way would I ride any horse at that weight.

 

[sbloom]

As a fitter specialising in rider fit I'd say it's still a grey area, that it is possible to rider lighter, that 19 stones is probably too heavy for most/all horses but the more you get riders forwards on the horse, their feet under them and their weight across the whole pelvis and inner thigh, the horse can carry weight a lot more easily.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I agree, there are few pages in particular on fb that I’ve seen some photos that make me uncomfortable, no one’s allowed to say so though.

 

[Peglo]

Good for you for speaking up. I see a lot heavy riders on SM that make me feel uncomfortable but wouldn’t bother commenting.

I have a 14.2 haflinger and when I tell people I consciously try and stay light for her they tell me I don’t need to, she’ll manage me no bother but every bit of weight I put on she has to carry that. That’s muscle or fat. I used to enjoy doing heavy weight training but I’ve changed that to lighter high reps as I can put on muscle quite easily but I don’t want to get heavier.

I’m just under 5ft6 and between 9 and 9.5 stone and that’s where I want to stay.

 

[ycbm]

As a fitter specialising in rider fit I'd say it's still a grey area, that it is possible to rider lighter, that 19 stones is probably too heavy for most/all horses but the more you get riders forwards on the horse, their feet under them and their weight across the whole pelvis and inner thigh, the horse can carry weight a lot more easily.

Nobody can ride lighter than they weigh.

When people say it what they really mean is that a badly balanced rider can feel even heavier to the horse. But weight is weight.

ETA, whatever weight limit you set, and my limit is 15% including tack, no rider should weigh more and badly balanced riders should weigh less.
.

 

[scats]

If we are going to expect horses to carry us then we should do our best to be in the best shape we can be. Unfortunately we have become a society where nothing can be said about body weight or you are accused of ‘fat shaming’.
I have no issue with the size anybody chooses to be, but don’t inflict it on a horse.

 

[TPO]

Apparently, people's selfish want to ride, despite being too heavy, overrules animal welfare.

Some people think their want is the priority, and despite claims that they "love" their horse(s), they clearly don't care in the slightest.

You can't ride "lighter", there's such a thing as gravity. F= M x A

I'm sure it was Russell McGuire that carried out the studies that the weight on the horse's back is x2 in trot and x2.5 in canter. So we're talking 40st +, and that's before you get to these people wanting to jump. It's pretty sickening how selfish certain people are.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Agree with TPO and YCBM
18 stone lifted from the ground is 18 stone regardless of anything. Yes the rider can be more balanced and that’s going to be easier to carry for the horse but, there’s no getting away from it 18 stone doesn’t become 15 because of how a person carries themselves.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

I have had a few people tell me now that I would be fine on Dex - I'm not sure if it's because they feel I would be genuinely, or they think my feelings would be hurt if they agreed with me that I'm not. Either way, it's definitely something people don't stand up for - we even have companies sponsor influencers that shouldn't be riding.. Ray The Goth... Blog of a Cob....

I do think some weight limits are a little OTT, I have seen someone on here say a big TB type shouldn't carry more than 10st (albeit it was a long time ago) and I think that is unrealistic and discredits any remarks made about being too heavy in the future.. but something does need to be done. I think it's becoming a little more known about, we just need to get through to the masses somehow.

 

[Skib]

I am not strictly speaking over weight but I was allowed to continue riding an elderly horse when my weight was 10 stone and the same with my favourite hack. Both had a normal limit of 9 stone 7. I am not well balanced (people always mention balance) but I did know both horses well. Neither struggled with my extra weight but when I lost the extra pounds my favourite did go far easier, so for the sake of the horse I kept my weight down.

 

[Rowreach]

Well it’s a universal problem and we’ve seen it often enough on this forum sadly. Just imagine the flaming someone would get if they suggested a forum member shouldn’t be riding their horse (or any horse, for that matter).

It’s interesting that a lot of overweight riders have overweight horses, which means the poor horse is struggling to move its own body weight as well as the person on top - and just because the horse weighs more doesn’t mean you can apply the 15/20% “rule” and make it ok.

And riders who sit with all their weight in their seat and don’t make any attempt to “carry” themselves will be more of a burden to the horse, regardless of their actual weight.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Someone near me must weigh near on 20 stone and she rides her 13.2 cob I saw them only last week

 

[webble]

Yup too much pandering to sensitivities rather than horse welfare goes on these days

 

[tristar]

i was at a dressage comp viewing and one horse had a rider who was er large sideways on, shall we say, oh heck suppose i`m not allowed to say that?

she was riding a lightish weight around 15 hh and looked unbalanced, it was a medium i think, well they went in to perform and the poor blxxdy thing fumbled got spurred and held by the mouth and staggered, then actually tripped twice it was so confused by the stop go method and nearly fell over twice, i kid you not!

i had to laugh cos someone threatened me with violence for having an umberella, of course i was watching to see any adverse reqction by said competing equines, none whatsoever

 

[Mildlander]

It's not just at amateur/grassroots level there is a problem. Was at Burghley last Thursday to watch the dressage and one of the competitors there was too large for their horse - there was muttering about it in the stands all around me when they came in.
Legs below the belly, not the slightest build, if it had been a showing class I would like to think that they would have been asked to dismount! they were a balance sympathetic rider but they didn't get around the xc course! I've emailed FEI to see what they have to say about it - but not holding my breath for a response.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

I'm on an adults-on-ponies FB group as well as a group dedicated to the particular brand of saddle I use.

On both groups I've been "reprimanded" by Admins and told I will be booted off if I "offend" again. My crime? Telling the truth when someone comes on the group with the inevitable query of "Am I too big for this pony".

If people don't like the truth told to them then why do they ask.

 

[ihatework]

We need to stop pussyfooting around the issue.

This was me at 15.5 stone when I stopped riding, mostly due to my weight. The horse was over 17hh.
I spent a year on a lifestyle change and got down to 11 stone.
No one told me I was too heavy. But it was blatantly obvious I was.

A sad farewell

My big eventer has sold. I’ve never felt so nauseous about selling on a horse as this one but am as sure as I can be he is going to a great home. It’s been a crazy few days I have to say with an influx of buyers this week (what is all that about???) but I will soon be one of them to because...

forums.horseandhound.co.uk

 

[tristar]

We need to stop pussyfooting around the issue.

This was me at 15.5 stone when I stopped riding, mostly due to my weight. The horse was over 17hh.
I spent a year on a lifestyle change and got down to 11 stone.
No one told me I was too heavy. But it was blatantly obvious I was.

A sad farewell

My big eventer has sold. I’ve never felt so nauseous about selling on a horse as this one but am as sure as I can be he is going to a great home. It’s been a crazy few days I have to say with an influx of buyers this week (what is all that about???) but I will soon be one of them to because...

forums.horseandhound.co.uk

and even so you look good riding, position wise

 

[sbloom]

Nobody can ride lighter than they weigh.

When people say it what they really mean is that a badly balanced rider can feel even heavier to the horse. But weight is weight.

ETA, whatever weight limit you set, and my limit is 15% including tack, no rider should weigh more and badly balanced riders should weigh less.
.

A load is always easier to carry if it is well placed, no, it's not about riding lighter, it's about saddle fitting and the influence on way of going. Horses are harmed by light riders if they're allowed to move in compromised patterns, and yes a heavy rider will compound that, but a well loaded heavier rider may actually do less damage, if they ride the horse to move correctly, than the lighter rider.

I agree that there are clear cases of overweight riders, but the language we use, and our lack of understanding of the horse-saddle-rider interaction, isn't helpful to understanding the nuance here.

 

[ihatework]

and even so you look good riding, position wise

That’s the thing isn’t it … I work full time and was riding one horse sporadically as an amateur rider - in that kind of category I’m actually pretty competent. But I was still obese and putting undue strain on both my body and the horses body.

I’m noticeably better balanced at 11 stone. This is me on a light ish 15hh and at 11 stone think I’m probably at the limit

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid032CTBjcgqPvqWG5EhVKnLr921VtkioS4hR7pPcga3o8Xp94a5wtCAUAvXyGtfHyYEl&id=723446722

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[tristar]

That’s the thing isn’t it … I work full time and was riding one horse sporadically as an amateur rider - in that kind of category I’m actually pretty competent. But I was still obese and putting undue strain on both my body and the horses body.

I’m noticeably better balanced at 11 stone. This is me on a light ish 15hh and at 11 stone think I’m probably at the limit

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid032CTBjcgqPvqWG5EhVKnLr921VtkioS4hR7pPcga3o8Xp94a5wtCAUAvXyGtfHyYEl&id=723446722

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02VEvocKT6EGGXH4P6csWAKW7fjQjszUZ6gW8K5zDDK2rgCqKPmfAAbq914dTYkiUjl&id=723446722

you look sympathetic and relaxed, nice

 

[TwyfordM]

I genuinely don't understand why all the heavier riders I see pick teeny TB types

I have put on a fair bit of weight since I last rode (was at 10st) and wouldn't feel comfortable riding anything fine at the moment.

I always err towards the solid/good bone types anyway as I'm 5ft9 and I'm never going to be super lightweight.

As above, you can ride light. But it's never going to be lighter than you actually weigh!
Plus from my experience, the more I weigh, the less balanced i am - so more likely to ride "heavier"

I don't have an issue with people on the heavier side riding, but pick a suitable horse, make sure they have the fitness level they need and don't bomb around jumping etc

 

[Gallop_Away]

I think all too often people forget, riding horses is a privilege not a right, and their welfare must always come first. Whilst there are also other factors to consider such as fitness of horse, level of work, rider height, etc, weight is weight unfortunately.

My smallest is a 13.2 tank of a welsh pony. A few years ago my weight crept up to almost 11st. I refused to ride him once I was over 10st but everyone on the yard thought I was mad. All I kept hearing was "don't know what you are worrying about - he will carry you all day" and whilst it was true I was not particularly overweight and I'm sure my fit little tank of a pony WOULD have carried me without issue, I strongly believe that just because he could doesn't mean he should.

I worked hard and lost almost 2 stone to get back riding him. I also have a 14.3hh Welsh Section D and a 15.2 standardbred, and didn't feel particularly comfortable riding them at my heaviest either, and desperately missed hunting my pony.

I now make sure to keep my weight between 9 and 9.5st. With tack he is carrying around 16-17%. I don't follow the 20% rule as gospel but it is a useful guide.

Riding will always be a privilege to me. I think we owe it to these beautiful trusting animals to always try and put them first no matter how hard that is to ourselves. Just because a horse CAN carry someone weighing x, y, z doesn't mean that it should.

 

[Cortez]

One of the many reasons why I no longer judge, especially in the UK, is the pure effort of having to bite my tongue as so many (soooo many.....) overweight riders wobble and bounce around on their long-suffering horses, which are almost universally massively fat too. To continue to ride when you are obese is outright animal abuse, and I have no problem telling people. And they should be ashamed.

ETA: you cannot "ride light", the term is accursed. I think the idea people are trying to convey is that of being balanced; a balanced load is always easier to bear than an unbalanced one, but it is still precisely the same weight.
E yet A: The vast, vast majority of overweight riders I have seen are anything but balanced.

 

[ycbm]

A load is always easier to carry if it is well placed, no, it's not about riding lighter, it's about saddle fitting and the influence on way of going. Horses are harmed by light riders if they're allowed to move in compromised patterns, and yes a heavy rider will compound that, but a well loaded heavier rider may actually do less damage, if they ride the horse to move correctly, than the lighter rider.

I agree that there are clear cases of overweight riders, but the language we use, and our lack of understanding of the horse-saddle-rider interaction, isn't helpful to understanding the nuance here.

They are two completely separate things though. A bad rider or a badly placed rider can harm a horse, unrelated to weight.

A rider who is too heavy for a horse is too heavy for the horse.

Two separate issues, made worse than the sum of its parts when both are present in the same rider.

I understand what you are trying to say but your words are easily taken by those minded to do so to excuse why people who are too heavy for their horses should carry on riding them.
.

 

[littleshetland]

It's difficult subject. Alot of overweight people tell us they have every right to be the size they are (and they most certainly are) whilst others tip toe around, making sure we cause no offence or hurt anyones feelings whilst they celebrate their own body image. Thats great and I'm happy for them but also quite sad as they are they harming their own health, ask any GP. But when they inflict harm on some poor equine, labouring under the illusion that everything's fine, I have real difficulty keeping my thoughts to myself. If we see such horse/rider combinations I really feel we have a duty to say something, because the poor horse can't.

 

[TwyfordM]

You've also got the issue of saddle size too.

I have a really long upper leg, so need saddles that are longer, therefore a longer horse without being overly long in the back for its frame as that would effect weight carrying ability.

I can get away with shorter saddles, as I don't have a huge butt but that's got to have some effect on how the weight is distributed and potential to cause issues so I wouldn't want to do that on the daily.

I personally, like Arabs. But if I was getting one to ride I'd have to be at a much lower weight, find one that has the right proportions to carry a longer saddle as they are often shorter in the back. They are tough horses and reasonable weight carriers (the proper Arab types rather than the spindly ones) but no good being a weight carrier if the saddle isn't fitting you both

ETA - lots of h/w cobs are short in the back too. Might look more than capable of carrying me but I worry about the long term issues with badly fitting saddle and weight distribution. A warm blood, good bone, and on the bigger side, might actually be a better long term horse for me, even though that's not the traditional weight carrier.