Very fat people on horses

[R2R]

I would like to say I dont have a problem on it IF the horse is suitable for the large person to ride.

At a competition at the weekend, I witnessed a very (very) fat lady ride a finely built TB. The poor horse looked very miserable, and the woman didnt even dismount and loosten her girth after the test - instead opting to ride back to her horsebox, stopping for a chat on the way.

So when is the limit? And when does it become a bit mean on the horse?

 

[Kub]

I am very concious about this subject as I am on the bigger side and constantly worry that I am too big for horses. There are a lot I wouldn't even dream of sitting on. I'm 14st, though working on getting this down as I will be breaking my traditional next spring and although he's a heavy weight, I do worry that this is still too heavy for a rising 4 year old, would people agree?

I'm interested to see the replies as I think I'm a little deluded as to how much a horse can carry, and I think I would break most of them.... :eep:

 

[R2R]

I think 14 stone is fine, I am talking more like 20 (and that is not an exaggeration, either)

 

[skint1]

There was a poster probably bigger than that on another US based board I go on, she had 2 horses. One looked fine to carry her, one did not, and the one that could carry her even looked uncomfortable when being asked to jump/trot/canter because her balance was off.
She didn't want to hear it though.

 

[bexwarren24]

I have no problem with bigger people ridding horses but agree it needs to be suited to the rider. I was at a competition a while ago and there was a HUGE woman riding a 16.2hh WB. She was hammering this horse over jumps and then beating it when it knocked poles down with its front legs. I was horrified, the horse could barely carry her weight let alone jump 3ft classes affectively with her weight leaning over him. He was such a genuine horse too and really did not deserve it

 

[Starbucks]

I think it should be like on racing yards and no one above 9 stone should be allowed to ride. If someone is so lazy as to get above 9 stone then they don’t deserve to ride.

 

[bonny]

Is that a joke ?

 

[BFG]

I think it should be like on racing yards and no one above 9 stone should be allowed to ride. If someone is so lazy as to get above 9 stone then they don’t deserve to ride.

Tell me you are joking ????

 

[R2R]

LOL Starbucks

 

[mystiandsunny]

I find it fascinating how VERY fat people manage. I'm not talking slightly obese here, but those people who struggle to walk fast/run because their extra weight is causing them physical problems. How can they balance properly on a horse? I've seen someone jumping who is so encumbered by their extra weight that they cannot fold properly.

I don't think 'weight' itself is an issue, as taller people weigh more etc, so long as the horse is ok.

 

[Serenity087]

My Mum rides occasionally, mind, occasionally, and she's really self conscious about her weight (not 20 stone, but not 14 stone!!).

She'll ride Dorey at times, and Dorey seems quite happy, but Mother is actually scared of the thing, so I have them on a lead rein and they never leave walk!

Depends on the horse though. We've had a few that were 14-15hh that she's ridden but they've been well bred with legs like oak trees, so it worked okay!

 

[zefragile]

Is that a joke ?

Think it's fair to assume so

I remember a thread like this, with Starbucks posting that people should ride suitable horses for their weight but the thread went a bit mental with people getting uber-defensive and all that

 

[Chestnuttymare]

I think it should be like on racing yards and no one above 9 stone should be allowed to ride. If someone is so lazy as to get above 9 stone then they don’t deserve to ride.

PMSL I am 5'9 just over 10 stone and a size 10. If i was 9 stone or less i would be emaciated.

 

[R2R]

I find it fascinating how VERY fat people manage. I'm not talking slightly obese here, but those people who struggle to walk fast/run because their extra weight is causing them physical problems. How can they balance properly on a horse? I've seen someone jumping who is so encumbered by their extra weight that they cannot fold properly.

I don't think 'weight' itself is an issue, as taller people weigh more etc, so long as the horse is ok.

That is what I mean - how is it fair on horse or ride?

 

[WoopsiiD]

I am a very fat person.
I am aware of this fact so don't need a lecture please.......
I am addressing the issue by having a lifestyle change-not a diet. Since the start of the year I have lost 1 and a half stone but still have some way to go.
Now, because I know and more imortantly admit I am fat and in no fit state I have chosen not to ride until such a time that I feel fit enough to benefit the horse and not be a hindrance to its movement.
I also know that I will never be stick think so an arab is out of the question and a IDxTB more suited to me.
I don't agree with over weight people ridng horses not suited.

 

[DAA83]

I would like to say I dont have a problem on it IF the horse is suitable for the large person to ride.

At a competition at the weekend, I witnessed a very (very) fat lady ride a finely built TB. The poor horse looked very miserable, and the woman didnt even dismount and loosten her girth after the test - instead opting to ride back to her horsebox, stopping for a chat on the way.

So when is the limit? And when does it become a bit mean on the horse?

I saw a fat person riding a bicycle yesterday. I swear to god I couldn't see the saddle as it had been consumed.

 

[R2R]

I am a very fat person.
I am aware of this fact so don't need a lecture please.......
I am addressing the issue by having a lifestyle change-not a diet. Since the start of the year I have lost 1 and a half stone but still have some way to go.
Now, because I know and more imortantly admit I am fat and in no fit state I have chosen not to ride until such a time that I feel fit enough to benefit the horse and not be a hindrance to its movement.
I also know that I will never be stick think so an arab is out of the question and a IDxTB more suited to me.
I don't agree with over weight people ridng horses not suited.

I applaud you for your commitment to get back in the saddle - it cant be easy And shows your determination
My issue is people who are far less considerate of their steeds

 

[teddyt]

As well as the horses conformation I also think it depends on the ability of the rider. A 20 stone beginner will be worse than a 20 stone experienced rider. But then assuming the person has always been big even an experienced rider was a novice once.

Like it or not, horses werent designed to be ridden (anatomically speaking) and the heavier the rider the more weight per square inch there is on the horses back. Not forgetting on the end of the reins. A fat person just cannot be as supple as a thin person without training, so there provides another problem. A fat unsupple person will be worse on the horse than a thin unsupple person.

Any tiny amount of uneven saddle fit will also be magnified with more weight on board.

This isnt fattest, its just facts of biology and physics! I dont think there is a formula to work out whats ok, it depends on the horse, the rider and the saddle. Generally speaking though a fat rider is more likely to cause more problems quicker (than a rider of the same ability) due to the simple equation that more weight = more pressure.

 

[WoopsiiD]

R2R I hear you! LOL -would insert smiley but am yet to work out how?????
It pains me to watch them as I know what happens when a fatty is on a horse!
I don't believe any of them that say its fine, balance becomes an issue, folding for a jump....even trying to sit forward up hill all becomes harder for the rider so the poor horse......

 

[BigRed]

At Dressage competitions, I used to bump into a lady who was really quite large, she rode a very fine little appaloosa. I have no idea what she weighed, but I have to say that little horse tippy toe'd around the arena as though his rider only weighed 8 stone. They were a successful pair in terms of winning. The overall aesthetic picture was not great, but he was obviously not fussed by her weight.

I think you only have to look at the Quarterhorses who can carry a heavy man, plus a very heavy western saddle all day, to realise that horses can carry much heavier weights than we give them credit for.

 

[china]

PMSL I am 5'9 just over 10 stone and a size 10. If i was 9 stone or less i would be emaciated.

i was just about to type the same thing im 5.8 and 11 stone and admitedly on a diet while my tb is off work but if i dieted down to 9 stones id look awfull haha. i dont mind if they have a horse that suits there weight.

 

[Chestnuttymare]

oops meant to add that I think it is fine if the horse is built for it but i have known and seen a few heavy people on quite fine or very young horses and they have looked very uncomfortable. I just don't understand why they can't see that they are not suitable. I have always been very cautious about my weight because my girl is quite fine.
and the argument that a 20 stone beginner will be worse than a 20 stone experienced rider, yeah i agree with that but if the horse is too fine for 20 stone then the experienced rider will be just as wrong for it as the novice.

 

[Coffee_Bean]

I agree I cringe when I see very large people riding unsuitable horses... I also think that even someone who is 15 stone, cannot be as balanced and fit as their 10st equivalent.... William FP must weigh 12/13st at least? But he is so balanced and light in his seat that I think this is completely different to a 5ft woman who is overweight at 13st.

I also cringe seeing larger people riding very young horses, particularly 3/4yos, they are still developing and particularly for the initial backing I think they deserve to have a lighter "lump" on their back as possible. I agree with the earlier poster who said horses are not anatomically designed for riding- so true which is why so many have problems! No point denying, they aren't designed for us, so we must do all we can to make it as comfortable as possible.

Someone also said that horses can carry a lot more than we give them credit for... yeh i can pick my 11st dad up, doesn't mean its comfortable!!

However, having said all that, I have no problem with larger people riding, as long as they are on a suitable horse

 

[aimeejay]

In my opinion an experienced rider who weighs a couple more stone than a novice rider is the better person to have on the horses back. I agree with Coffee_Bean though that a horse can carry weight but that doesn't necessarily mean the horse is comfortable.
I have no problem with 'larger riders' as long as the horse is comfortable. They cannot have as much balance as a 'smaller rider' and this is a disadvantage to the rider and horse but as long as the horse is fine with the rider I cannot see a problem. However, I do hate to see riders who are very, VERY, overweight but I applaud(sp?) any one who is willing to lose weight to be able to ride.
Sorry for the long post

 

[indiat]

Perhaps the issue here is not one of weight but fitness and awareness? Being aware of your weight, choosing a suitable mount to reflect this and being able to ride well so it doesn't affect your horse makes the question moot. For me, the problem is seeing seriously obese people taking up horse riding as a way to get fit (yep, seen this on a couple of occassions). Not only has the horse struggled to cope with a heavy rider whomping along on its back and hanging onto its mouth but the rider has no coordination. They have always come off and always hurt themselves badly too. I don't understand why someone would talk up a dangerous sport as a way to lose weight when they cannot walk for 20 minutes.

 

[xRobyn]

If a person struggles to carry themselves (day to day basis) then they, imo, cannot expect a horse to carry them. I'm 13st so not at all light, but I do recognise that should I put on 2 more stone I would not ride my horse until I had lost the weight. It is the riders choice to make the right decision

 

[Tinkerbee]

Personally I hate seeing fat people, never mind on a horse.

 

[pastie2]

Personally I hate seeing fat people, never mind on a horse.

Well that, Tinkerbee is something we both agree on!

 

[monkeybum13]

I think it should be like on racing yards and no one above 9 stone should be allowed to ride. If someone is so lazy as to get above 9 stone then they don’t deserve to ride.

QR:
You're joking right?

Whilst some people are larger than others I would prefer to see a "larger" balanced, kind rider than a twig who hauls at the mouth and doesn't ride well.

As for riding back to the box after her test, having a chat and not dismounting I do this all the time.

 

[bugbee717]

It pains me to see overweight people riding too, but do not tar us all with the same brush.
My current weight is 18 yes, 18 stone.I went up to over 22 stone when I had my children.

Trust me I eat less than everyone in my household, I have one meal a day, salad and chicken and that is it.I feed my oh and children and do not eat whist they eat. I can not take the wonder pills like some as I dont have a gall bladder.

If you want to call me lazy feel free, but if you do we can swop lives for a week.
I have three children 7, 5 and 2. Not forgetting the 4 dogs, oh and the 7 horses/ponies. I also work pretty much full time. Five of the ponies are stabled in winter which I do myself once the kids are at school, then I go to work.

I looked at many different breeds when I went to get my horse, I have a horse that if a light weight rider gets on he will take the pee, you have to be over 13 stone for him to notice that you are there. I have had many light weight riders on him just to see. My horse can lift me, yes all of my off the ground with his head.

If you can lose weight then well done to you, what ever way you have done it. I would never want my children to be fat like I am, at 18 I weighed 16 stone and was a huge size 16, yes I am tall as well, I was jumping and doing x country then.
I am more flexible then my trim oh, trust me I have to be with 3 small children.



As I have said please dont tar us all with the same brush
not all fat people are unfit, lazy people which do nothing.