Rider "obesity" makes it on the Beeb

oh gosh go on then...

vet commented that he was concerned I might be joining the evangelical barefoot brigade I told him it was fine I'm just a geek ;)
 
Littlelegs said:
Of course there are other welfare issues, some of greater, some of lesser importance. But something like bad management, ill fitting tack etc is widely regarded as being acceptable to comment on. Whereas discussions on weight are nearly always viewed as fat bashing & personal. If a ym was to raise concerns over forage, hoof care, worming etc it would be regarded as perfectly fine, even if the ym already knows the client is struggling financially or timewise. Whereas if a ym expressed similar concerns over a too heavy rider, its seen as insulting. Likewise vets, instructors etc, they tread on eggshells round weight issues when they wouldn't with other concerns.
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Well I had a saddle very badly fitted by a qualified riding instructor (only when I noticed bare patches lines etc, on his back and did what I should have done in the first place, called out saddle fitter) and physio to put right damage.I was in a difficult situation at the time and had no end of s##t thrown at me by different people including said instructor.To be honest my experience of SOME vets and Yard managers is no better.My current horse came with a very bad back, dipping right hind quarter and RAO despite the five star vetting that he passed.He was coughing but in fairness the abnormal lung sounds may not have shown up at that point.Physio,saddle fitter and farrier put right the rest.I would always now have a horse checked by a physio as well as a vet pre purchase BUT that is my personal opinion.
I bought present one from a girl at least 2 stone lighter than me and probably in the 15 % at an educated guess.I was nearer 20% at the time I think.He couldn't roll his back was so bad.He would roll on one side, get up and then go down on the other side.The first time I saw him roll properly was wonderful.Another strange thing is his mane.The lower half used to break just looking at it, but is strengthening now that his back is better and improving all the time.
At one yard a stage 2 from the local college told me that they were trained to fit saddles so she didn't need one.She wa a seriously large girl, at a conservative estimate around 16 stone.She rode a15 handish cob on a small saddle and her bum overflowed on it.Lovely girl though actually.Had had a rough life.
 
canteron said:
Agree, well said.

I think you can tell from the emotive response on here how many people aren't prepared to take personal responsibility for their weight!!!
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Actually i think half the people complaining are the tall ones who, to be healthy, may weight 10st+.

According to this 10-15% ration i would be too heavy even for our 17.2hh ID x. I'm 5'10 and 10st....
 
Kadastorm said:
Actually i think half the people complaining are the tall ones who, to be healthy, may weight 10st+.

According to this 10-15% ration i would be too heavy even for our 17.2hh ID x. I'm 5'10 and 10st....
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Good point Kadastorm. My daughter is as tall as you and weighs 10 stone though is of course slim, due to her height.

I am glad the discussion is being had about rider weight, but actual obesity means a BMI of 30 - 40. So many people fall under 30 but may still be too heavy for a lighter type of horse or pony. Most of us are sensible and gravitate towards a suitable animal. Only occasionally do I see people with higher BMIs trying to ride spindly TB types.
 
eahotson said:
Well I had a saddle very badly fitted by a qualified riding instructor (only when I noticed bare patches lines etc, on his back and did what I should have done in the first place, called out saddle fitter)
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OT but I've got to say, there are a lot of experienced horse people who are better at fitting saddles than a lot of saddle fitters. You can only go by the individual not the qualification at all.
 
Flame_ said:
OT but I've got to say, there are a lot of experienced horse people who are better at fitting saddles than a lot of saddle fitters. You can only go by the individual not the qualification at all.
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Well people usually talk from their own experience I supose.Like everything there are good fitters and poor ones, good farriers and poor ones etc.You have to find someone you trust and stick with it.
 
Native Pony said:
Good point Kadastorm. My daughter is as tall as you and weighs 10 stone though is of course slim, due to her height.

I am glad the discussion is being had about rider weight, but actual obesity means a BMI of 30 - 40. So many people fall under 30 but may still be too heavy for a lighter type of horse or pony. Most of us are sensible and gravitate towards a suitable animal. Only occasionally do I see people with higher BMIs trying to ride spindly TB types.
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... and people think it's fine because WFP is doing it (insert popular excuse flavour of the month e.g. endurance, hunting blah blah)

Just because people are out there riding at 20%+ of their horses weight, doesn't make it right.
 
Had to resurrect, help is at hand, if you think you are to heavy here is teh answer

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