Rider "obesity" makes it on the Beeb

tallyho!

tallyho!

Following a strict mediterranean diet...
Joined
8 July 2010
Messages
14,954
Visit site
According to a popular broadsheet, a third of riders are too heavy for their horses.

I know we all know that here, from one or two discussions, but it's actually made it onto the telly!
 
Given that no one seems able to agree on what 'too heavy' actually is, how on earth has this been measured? Does it say who did the research?
 
Theocat said:
Given that no one seems able to agree on what 'too heavy' actually is, how on earth has this been measured? Does it say who did the research?
Click to expand...

It's in one of the broadsheets they were discussing on the BBC news...

Sunday Telegraph... there was a study mentioned!
 
Last edited:
I think some horse can carry a bit of weight but recently I have seen big riders riding horses with no bone but thinking that they are big horses 16.3/17hh that they can carry the weight. People need to be aware that it is the amount of bone a horse has not how tall the horse is!!!!
 
From memory it was the British Veterinary Association who have flagged it up and yes, so many people are in denial about their weight that yes we probably do need to discuss. It is, to my knowledge, the first time they (vets) have actually weighed in to any public debate, with a really strong horse welfare position, so good on them.

Its bl**dy hard to keep to a sensible weight and resist all the temptation thats around, but the amount of people I see around me with medical problems which are diet (ie eating badly) related is immense, so if people don't want to do it for their horse, or to save the NHS drowning in diabetics, etc, then they should do it for themselves!!! Its up to everyone to educate themselves, the information is out there.

(PS I also think how fit/how you hold yourself has a huge amount of bearing on the weight/horse issue)
 
Yes, I'm sure it will. Perhaps I should never have brought it to attention.

It was interesting that something to do with horses that wasn't racing or the olympics had made national news. A shame it had to about this subject in particular.

Anyway, I haven't been to shops yet to find out who/what/where/whyfores of the study but it would be interesting to see how they came to that figure. We here have seen all sorts of wonderful calculations being used, so I really would like to see the criteria being measured... wouldn't you?

:)
 
I know that there has been some research done (in the Netherlands I think - i've forgotten the name of the author) which does conclude that 10% is optimal, 15% average and 20% a welfare issue.

I'll be interested to see what is in the paper!
 
(PS I also think how fit/how you hold yourself has a huge amount of bearing on the weight/horse issue)
Click to expand...

I agree to some extent in regards to ability of rider, but at the end of the day, if you're 17 stone, the horse is still carrying 17 stone of a dead weight. It just makes a difference that weight may or may not be slamming down on their back for every trot stride. The horse would still be carrying too much weight.

Maybe this news report and study will shame those who are too heavy into dropping some weight and saving their poor horses backs.
 
Me too, if anyone has a copy do help us out.

I will be popping out later to get a copy but first... must vacuum and put some washing on!
 
eahotson said:
And everything written in the papers is of course, always absolutely true.
Click to expand...

Lets shake plenty of salt on it, but lets not throw the baby out with the bathwater ;)

... before we even know what has been written and by whom :)
 
My experience of horse vets.Had a horse 5 star vetted from a vet from horse specialist practice.Why does he stumble so much I asked.Lazy she said.Saddle fitter said badly fitting saddle and see physio.Did that and 99% STUMBLING stopped.Fast forward.Nice lady in our yard had new horse vetted.Looked like he had a bad back to me because of the way he moved.YM questioned the way he dragged left hind leg.Guess what? LAZY.Saddle fitter came out.Questioned his back.Physio came out and said send for vet more to this than the back (although it was bad).Turned out he had arthritis in left hock, fortunately treatable.Some vets are better than others obviously but their opinions need plenty of salt too.
 
Willow1306 said:
I know that there has been some research done (in the Netherlands I think - i've forgotten the name of the author) which does conclude that 10% is optimal, 15% average and 20% a welfare issue.

I'll be interested to see what is in the paper!
Click to expand...

I hate seeing overweight riders on too small horses, but 10% really would be ridiculous. Even a person on two legs can carry 10% of their bodyweight easily. At 10% that would mean that I am overweight with my tack on for my 17 hand hunter, who weighs around 650 kg fighting fit. Does he look as if I am over the weight he can easily carry? :

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EuL6xpZs-q4/TqCNep9gtKI/AAAAAAAAAxM/K6BUGQ9p5ZA/s400/radar+hedge.jpg

I would agree with 15% though, I feel 20% is an awful lot if the horse is doing more than a plod.
 
Last edited:
cptrayes said:
I hate seeing overweight riders on too small horses, but 10% really would be ridiculous. Even a person on two legs can carry 10% of their bodyweight easily. At 10% that would mean that I am overweight with my tack on for my 17 hand hunter, who weighs around 650 kg fighting fit. Does he look as if I am over the weight he can easily carry? :

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EuL6xpZs-q4/TqCNep9gtKI/AAAAAAAAAxM/K6BUGQ9p5ZA/s400/radar+hedge.jpg
Click to expand...

Not to mention the idea that a poorly put together, long backed 600kg TB type can carry as much as a well put together, short backed cob-type of the same weight :cool:
 
The gist of it being that riders (without saddles) should apparently be no more than 15% of the weight of their horse. No mention of conformation other than as a closing statement "larger riders need to ride bigger horses".

*head desk*
 
This is why I have given up riding - I am too heavy simples. I have tried and tried and tried to diet but just end up miserable, lethargic and ill, so as i'm not bothered about riding I have decided to give it up and have a bash at carriage driving instead!
 
Well, you know, you can't speak for every single combo going and each must be judged on it's own merit.

I think it's good to have a "rule of thumb"... but there are so many!!!!!

e.g. bone, percentages, breed, conformation of back, legs, knees etc etc...

For the more experienced of us, perhaps it's a no-brainer but those starting out DO need a guideline.

The uptake of new riders inspired by the olympics does mean that more people are getting off their arses and doing sport. Great if it's fencing, gymnastics etc but when there is another living being involved a formal limit should, IMO, be imposed to stop neglect and abuse at establishments that cater for newbies just starting out - I use that word in the lightest sense.

So, I can see why it may rile you all, but just think of the wider implications if there were absolutely no rule at all and everyone use only the "sense should prevail" motto.
 
maisie06 said:
This is why I have given up riding - I am too heavy simples. I have tried and tried and tried to diet but just end up miserable, lethargic and ill, so as i'm not bothered about riding I have decided to give it up and have a bash at carriage driving instead!
Click to expand...

Commendable attitude and I would do the same if I ever get too heavy to ride. Driving is a much overlooked way of enjoying horses :)
 
I don't think using a percentage of weight is automatically a good measure. What if the horse is overweight to start with? :confused: To use that I think the horse should be a good weight and in good condition.

ps. I am thrilled this issue has made it to mainstream media. I hope it's a sign more are to follow.
 
I think this debate could go on forever.

I bought my boy last year. He was a very chunky 480kg which was far too much for his 13.2hh Haffy frame. The 20% rule would mean he could carry about 15 stone, so that on top of his already massive weight would be cruel in my opinion.

He is now a little too thin coming out of winter at 360kg so the 20% means he should now be able to carry 11ish stone. As he is now, lacking in muscle and a tad thin, I do nothing more that quiet hacking and a little bit of schooling in walk and trot. I do lots of lunge work as I feel it cruel for his under developed muscle to carry me around at almost 11 stone. I am on a diet now and have already lost 5lb in my first week and hope to get to under 10 stone before I start doing any jumping or strenuous work.

Now when he is up to full fitness with correct muscle, I dont doubt he could easily carry a full grown man on a quiet hack but for now, I wont strain him. I aim to get him fit and his weight stable at around 400 kg and me light and strong at around 9 and a half stone. If my maths serves me, that is 15% of his bodyweight.

There is someone I know who is far too heavy for both her ponies. She is easily 16 stone and not a balanced rider at all. She has a 14.2hh cob who obviously struggles to carry her but he is so honest and tried his heart out. Watching them pop a jump is sometimes hard to watch as you can see the poor pony struggling. When last weight taped he was 390kg so is carrying more like 25%. She also has a finer, slighty smaller pony who I have not seen her ride, but I doubt very much he carries her well at all. She posted on here a while back and got completely slated for her weight and called cruel. However she still carries on with the same poor ponies and if anything has gained a few pounds :(
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top