Very fat people on horses

Spudlet said:
Sorry. Screwed up body image and hot and bothered not a good combo:o
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Don't sweat it :) I sometimes worry about being too big for Zoomy (Tedster on here will tell you, I'm always bloody moaning about it). But the good thing about HHO is that I post photos all the time and I'm sure the trolls and biatches would have a field day if I looked too humungous!

PS - don't ever have body image issues, I was 10 stone for a long time and I looked like I'd been in Auswitz :( I'm sure you look great!
 
Starbucks - I'm 5'8" and over 13 stone, I have a 15.1, solidly built TBX - should I cut off both legs or just one?

:p

(for those with sense of humour bypass, I'm joking :D)
 
I weigh 18 stone, , I leave riding to my daughter, who is too thin, and getting thinner, I worry for her, I think she's worried she'll turn into me so she just doesn't eat as well as she should, neither do I but in a different way, I have really ballooned in the last 4 years.

The reason I don't ride is because I wasn't a good enough rider even when I was smaller, I am not balanced, I have no core muscle strength on a horse so it will feel every pound of me flooping about. Someone else who weighs what I do may well have a good balanced seat, on the right horse they would probably get away with it.

The last time I did ride I weighed 15 stone, did daily power yoga and was gymming it 3 times a week, I was pretty fit actually, especially through the core, and I still felt I was flopping all over the horse and couldn't hold myself up properly (well only in a walk) I think that balance sometimes is more important than weight(as long as you're on a horse up to the weight of course) but of course there will be a point when your weight will compromise you on the back of a horse no matter how well you could ride before, I don't know what that weight is, perhaps it is different for every person.
 
skint1 at least you realise it and are good enough not to put a horse through it - problem is alot of people dont realise and poor horses end up suffering.

A lady at my old yard was huge and rode a 15'2 fine tb x and the poor bugger constantly bucked whilst she hung on tight and had umpteen back issues - the horse was labelled a 'nutter' - she just didnt see that her weight and lack of balance were probably/ most likely causing the horse to act that way.
 
Lol. Just to clarify. I wasn't being serious. ;) Heck, some of my best friends are fat...

And I'm an "ethnic" minority, so does that mean I can make jokes about fat people? Or just other ethnics? :D
 
I have 2 annoyances with the weight issue.

The first one is people telling other people they are too fat to rise a certain horse when they aren't. I was once told I should not share a arabxthoroughbred as I was 9stone 9 and everyone over 8 1/2 should be banned from riding arabs (sadly they were joking and I almost gave myself an eating disorder trying to starve myself as I am 5ft 10) I was also once told I should get off my then heavyweight 15.3 cob as I was too big for her at 10stone. Now I know I wasn't but some people could have been seriously put off.

secondly is people assuming that height equals weight carrying ability. I have had 2 17hh horses and both were completely different. One was an ish who would carry a 17stone man out hunting in big country all day, the other a wb who practically fainted at anything over 12 1/2.
 
bugbee717 said:
It pains me to see overweight people riding too, but do not tar us all with the same brush.

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.
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well said. I quite agree.
I am also quite over weight. But I ride a horse built to take my weight.
I am working bl**dy hard at the weight - eating sensibly (less than 1500kcal a day) and I'm pretty fit. We walk in excess of 10miles one day a week, and I use the gym (or go to BritMilFit sessions) 3 or 4 times a week, and I cycle to work the other 2 or 3 days (ok, so its only 7 miles each way and pretty flat, but it takes me 30 mins each way).

Plus, riding most days including hunting.
Plus working full time
Plus looking after the house etc.... It's not like I'm "lazy" per se. I'm just not small.

I'm 5'8" and if I weighed 9 stone like someone suggested I would be classed as severely underweight. My sister is the same height as me and 11 stone and she looks pretty painfully thin!
 
I have not read the whole thread, but when I was a teenager there was a lady on the yard that had a cob I think he was x shire though it was a long time ago lol, anyway, she used to ride him and was easily 20 stone plus. She done a lot of jumping and he was 5 years. He began having problems with his back, in a very tactile way vet told her that jumping him along with her weight was not helping matters for his back. The lady was very upset and continued to jump and ignore vets advice,
Saying that I used to teach on a RS years ago and have witnessed someone big but was very light in the seat and had really good balance said horse looked happy and worked in nice outline, the same horse with a lightweight rider on who was not as light in seat became hollow and looked extemly uncomftable.
 
Totally agree annaellie, it isn't how heavy someone is, it's how they ride and how well balanced they are - plus what they are doing with the horse. Someone heavier but well balanced hacking about is different to someone lighter who flops about jumping. I'd know which i'd rather have on my horse!

You see it a lot at polo as you get heavier guys riding TB's.. and it looks a lot worse for the horse with a guy of 12 stone banging on their backs than it does a guy of 14 stone riding properly balanced.

Generally for hacking about i think people worry too much, a cobby pony is more than capable of carrying a good 12-13 stone - whereas a 16 hh TB might not be.
 
Ditchjumper2 said:
I can't believe all this cr~p!!!!!!!!1 What gives anyone on here the right to say how much anyone should weigh before they can ride or what they should ride. I am not hugely fat, but have been somewhat bigger. There are far far worst issues in life that large people on smallish horses...anyway what's the saying "an ounce of blood is worth an inch of bone".

So I say if you are big or bigger ride what you like, enjoy and ignore what some on here are saying. Some people need to get a life and let others enjoy theirs.
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That's plain stupid and irresponsible to say! I'm not an iron board nor obese, but I would THINK you shouldn't let someone weighing 120kg on a TB!!! Protecting "fat people"... my a**... who protects the horses???
 
Katt, I agree with everything you said. We have a 16.3 clydesdale mare and I will not put anyone over 15 stone on her, this is why my OH does not ride until he has got to under that weight or she has built up a bit more when she could carry up to 17 stone. She is only 6, still building her back muscles and as you correctly stated, the heavy horse breeds are bred to pull, not to carry. Cairo Clydesdale at his peak would carry 17 stone happily, but my OH mainly hacked out at a walk or trot with the occasional canter and jump over a ditch.

I am a chunky person built for comfort not speed and normally I weigh 9 1/2 - 10 stone but since being on chemo have ballooned and am now just over 11 stone - as I am only 5', I feel very fat and it is making me rather depressed as I can't loose weight as I must not diet according to my specialist whilst having treatment. I have a lot of muscle problems so a short walk or light riding when I have the energy is my limit. though I am still poo picking and pottering around the horses. I am eating plenty of fruit and veggies and not snacking, but it is the drugs and steriods that are my problem.

I feel very sorry for people who are on drugs long term. I finish chemo on the 8th July and will wait a month to get my energy back and then start to increase my exercise which will hopefully get my weight back to under 10 stone.

Luckily I have a 15.1 sturdy gypsy cob who is more than capable of carrying up to 15 stone so I can continue riding when I can, and Farra is also more than capable of carrying me. My real problem is that my long boots don't fit at the moment, but thankfully my joddies stretch:D
 
THIS is a VERY interesting website, it gives you your bodymass indication. Now, look at the pictures below, please tell me if you think I am too overweight for my horse....I am 5 foot 3 inches tall, my mare is 15 hands, and please....be brutal! Something I say afterwards may suprise many of you....

http://www.nhs.uk/Tools/Pages/Healthyweightcalculator.aspx

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4faults said:
No I don't think you look to big, but from your post I think your going to say something unexpected.
BTW your horse is gorgeous!
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Thankyou! Isn't she a babe? :D

Actually, according to this BMI thing, I'm not far being 'obese' at all!!!!

I was VERY suprised when I checked it, so....if i'm classed as obese (almost) at part do we start calling people fat...? I'm a 14 waist...larger top, sure, I need to loose a few pounds and yes, of COURSE overly overweight people need to watch the type of horse they ride, I just think that although many people here keep saying they are 'only joking!' about what they post, to those who do struggle with weight, I really think you need to think before you post...'Never a truer word said in jest....' springs to mind...

EVERYONE is different, and not everyone has the same sense of humour as some..
 
This thread has made me laugh so much so thanks guys. Just like to say to everyone who has posted pictures none of you look to big/heavy for your horses so dont worry and get out and about and enjoy yourselves :grin:

I have been told im too big for my horse in the past 15.3hh Angl Arab and im about 10 1/2 stone (He is in my sig) and i just told them to shut up basically and carried on with my ride. I also ride a 14hh welshx arab and a 13hh NF and they all carry me with no issues.
 
I think you look fine size and height wise on her. Wouldn't call you fat either, could probably lose a bit without doing yourself any harm but couldn't we all.
 
if it makes you feel better I have just done my kids and oh, all of them even my skinney little two year old, who I have to have a belt on his trousers/shorts to keep up because they fall down, are borderline overweight which is a joke.
if you are fit healthy and active that is all that matters, and no you dont look to big on your horse.
 
DragonSlayer said:
Thankyou! Isn't she a babe? :D

Actually, according to this BMI thing, I'm not far being 'obese' at all!!!!

I was VERY suprised when I checked it, so....if i'm classed as obese (almost) at part do we start calling people fat...? I'm a 14 waist...larger top, sure, I need to loose a few pounds and yes, of COURSE overly overweight people need to watch the type of horse they ride, I just think that although many people here keep saying they are 'only joking!' about what they post, to those who do struggle with weight, I really think you need to think before you post...'Never a truer word said in jest....' springs to mind...

EVERYONE is different, and not everyone has the same sense of humour as some..
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You look perfectly fine on your horse and no way obese :confused: If you could just send your horse to me then that would be great :D She is gorgeous, so shiny. :)
 
Haha! No, you can't have Tia Maria!

She is without a doubt, the best horse I have ever had, VERY forward going but as sound as a pound, bombproof on the busiest roads and stamina to die for!

We do everything including Trec! :D
 
Dragonslayer - you look perfect on your girl. Absolutely perfect.

These threads really make me cross. Not many of us can say we're happy with our weight, but the narrowmindedness of some people when referring to larger riders is quite shocking. People have been shot down on here for lumping all traveller type people into one category....well there are many who do similarly for overweight people! Yet the reality is there is a huge scale in terms of weight and the horse's ability to carry - and the link is not necessarily just due to breed either.

I'd love people to see if they can guess my weight, based on the fact that I am 5'2, and that my horse is part bred Arab, 15.2. And do tell me whether you think I am too big - because judging by some comments on here and in the past, I should be selling my horse immediately....

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_MizElz_ said:
Dragonslayer - you look perfect on your girl. Absolutely perfect.

These threads really make me cross. Not many of us can say we're happy with our weight, but the narrowmindedness of some people when referring to larger riders is quite shocking. People have been shot down on here for lumping all traveller type people into one category....well there are many who do similarly for overweight people! Yet the reality is there is a huge scale in terms of weight and the horse's ability to carry - and the link is not necessarily just due to breed either.

I'd love people to see if they can guess my weight, based on the fact that I am 5'2, and that my horse is part bred Arab, 15.2. And do tell me whether you think I am too big - because judging by some comments on here and in the past, I should be selling my horse immediately....

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Don't do anything of the sort...looks fine to me!
I only posted the pics alongside that link because I never saw myself as 'very fat'...sure, chubby and podgy yeah....but when it told me I'm approaching 'obese' I nearly fell off the sofa! And as I said earlier, the 'jokes' really need to stop because not everyone is 'as strong' as some when it comes to being 'open and honest etc etc.....
 
haha, this post really made me chuckle.

Its all relative to the horse, every horse is different in its weight carrying abilty and is again affected by riders ability.

Larger people should ride and enjoy it, but on a horse who can comfortably carry their weight, and I think comfortably is the key point.

I ride my daughters 13.2hh Welsh section C in the school sometimes, I'm 5'2" and weigh 10 1/2 stone............by no means a hugh fat person, but whilst she can walk and trot in comfort, she clearly struggles a little in canter.
Yes I could make her and she could canter with me but not comfortably, but is it fair? I dont think so, so I dont do it.
I've a choice, loose 1 1/2 stone, or dont canter............this is consideration for my pony !
 
This is a very emotive subject and one I'm personally struggling with. I'm 5'1" and very overweight and currently NOT riding because of it. I have had M.E. since 1995 after struggling through a bad bout of glandular fever with my horse on diy and two small children.

Before that I had been bulimic + anorexic with my weight yoyoing up and down between 6 to 9.5 stone since my late teens, I may have looked ok and fit on the surface but I can assure you that I wasn't and that it was probably a contributing factor to my illness.

Whether I messed up my metabolism through binging/purging/fasting or maybe it was just from being a very hyper/active person to bed ridden for long periods of time I gained 5 stone in the first six months of my illness and steadily increased ever since :(

I'm now at a point where I can do most things *if* I'm careful not to over do it and owning three horses with my oh and daughter both riding I am desperate to start again myself.

I've been seriously trying to loose weight for the last ten years but it's been a nightmare, I've tried every diet in the book but after two to three weeks I always stall and just don't loose any more and eventually give up until the next attempt. However six weeks ago I joined slimmers world and something seems to have clicked :) I've lost 19lbs so far and am so exited at the thought I may actually be able to ride again one day soon :)

I've seen a very, very heavy woman ride a welsh cob in the past that was obviously struggling with her weight. When she mounted the poor cob's back would hollow and her head would be straight up in the air and then it would plant it's feet and refuse to move. The rest of the time it refused to be caught.

Anyway the point that I had intended making was that no way would I inflict my weight on any of our horses as I am at the moment, apart from the weight issue I doubt I'd be able to comfortably mount/dismount lol. But I did ride our middleweight 16.1 tb mare (walking/trotting only) a few years back when I'd fasted and temporarily got down to 13.5 stone and despite some people saying 12 stone maximum she was fine, relaxed and still full of energy at the end of our hacks, but with her build I wouldn't have jumped her or done any fast work or intensive schooling (would have killed me too:D)

We also have a very chunky 13.2 welsh c, my oh is very slim but weighs almost 12 stone and he exercises him when daughter is at college (he's deep and takes up the leg) for her and he doesn't show any difficulty whatsoever. My BIL whose bigger all round than my OH has also had a short ride on him (on a lead rein around our field lol) and other than him being unbalanced due to his height there was no sign of discomfort (trust me I watched very carefully), but then again this was just a steady walk around the field.

I think with care and considerate riding most horses would probably be able to carry more than we think they can (not silly weights though). Decent well fitting tack with a big enough seat to distribute the weight without pressure points (but not to long for the horses back), a balanced rider with an independent seat, not thumping on the horses back and gradually building up their strength and fitness with walking and trotting for maybe 20 minutes a day for a start, long reining is excellent for building muscles. If you are unsure get someone to video you riding if a rider is too heavy it is usually obvious from the way the horse carries itself, ie: tense, hollow, swishing tail as well as tension in the mouth/eyes. If they are bucking or napping that could be back pain but I've heard people saying how they must be fine if they have the energy for it:rolleyes:

Anyway sorry for the long ramble, as I say it's a very touchy subject and whilst I'm a very realistic person who cares about my horses welfare I'd be mortified if once I loose enough weight to start riding again I overheard some slim person making nasty comments, not everyone can be beautifully slender, well not without jepordising (sp?) their health anyways, and for those of us who are struggling I heartily recommend Slimmers World:D
 
I am defo too big for my horse at the minute, hence I don't really want to ride him. He is ridden by others and I do walk and trot only, as well as plenty of lungeing etc.

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Pants pic, sorry. I was wrapped up in about 100 layers and lighter than I am now. I won't be doing anything more than gentle walk until the weight is gone (again, having lost 8 stone then slapped 4 back on :rolleyes:) I'm on a mission this summer because it's only fair for my horse. I chose him, not the other way round.:o
 
Ekkkk... JUST Ekkkk..

IMO by the time you get into to you late teens in stone I think you need to think how health you are, not just for riding but for life. I Would really struggle if I was in double figures let alone twice my weight.

I pick horses and ponies that are right for me, I even have a 13hh pony but at 9,5 stone he really doesn't care if I ride him or not...

I think you really need to have a long hard chat with yourself thou if you still trying to ride at 20st.....
 
Wow... This thread is HUGE!

I'd be interested to know whether people thought I was too big to ride these horses/ponies... I have an idea of what people might say, be honest but dont be horrid! :p
Albert
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Bonnie Coblet (please excuse my awful grimace! I am a lot better than this now :o
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Ruby the Ginger beast!
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Sorry for the mini-hijack!

And Dragonslayer I LOVE your horse! So pretty, you two look perfect together :)

Just looked, according to The Evil BMI Calculator, at 5'1 and 11.5stone, I'm quite obese! :eek::o
 
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