Very fat people on horses

Cinnamontoast

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Heavens, girl, I thought you were some huge monster! You look fine on all of those horses and they look fine, too!

Good God, were you on some dinky Section A, then I would worry, but I reckon all of those horses could carry you all day long and barely blink!
 

Thelwell_Girl

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Heavens, girl, I thought you were some huge monster! You look fine on all of those horses and they look fine, too!

Good God, were you on some dinky Section A, then I would worry, but I reckon all of those horses could carry you all day long and barely blink!

Thanks! :D I posted pics of me jumping Albert the other day, and had a lovely PM convo with someone who so very kindly suggested my weight was preventing me from jumping well! :p xx
 

baymareb

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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.

Small world. I know exactly who you're talking about. :eek:
 

walkingman

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Never mind the worry that the horse can't carry the weight, what pisses me off is seeing people that are too overweight to use their seat, legs or upper body in any meaningful way, making the horse work far harder than would otherwise be necessary. I wish some people hadn't discovered xcountry.
 

Holly Hocks

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After reading this, I have just been for my first run in over six months this morning....didn't feel like it, but feel better for it now.....I'm not overweight for my horses - but my weight has crept up from 9 and a half stone to just under 11 stone and I have two TBs - both 16.1hh, but I think they would benefit from me being at least a stone lighter......anyway, I am now sweating and knackered - off to get a glass of orange juice and a weetabix. Yum!
 

tallyho!

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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....

_6052398.jpg

Not good at guessing weight... ermmm... 9.5st? Bearing in mind you're a midget :p (only joking!!) Which is comfortable for you and your rather gorgeous horse!

You look like a pea on a mountain but if you were e.g. 5ft8 and 16st then well, perhaps I would say you may need to think about the weight.

I don't agree with underhorsing, but I see HUUUGE men out hunting on thier IDs, ALL flippin DAY! I mean, 9o'clock, sat on, sherry in hand, til god knows what time and when he gets off, the horse immediately camps out behind -now if that's not a bad back from carrying exessive weight I don't what is.

To put in context, an o/w ridew on a horse for an hour lesson doesn't look so bad now does it?
 

Thelwell_Girl

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That's what the ignore button is for, hun!;)

Hehe, I didn't know it existed until a week or so ago! Twas a very funny convo, with this person telling me I was going to take ages to progress in my riding cos I looked overweight to her, ending with me describing how I was baking loads of biscuits and did she want some ;)

Fun!
 

TinyTrigger

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I am defo too big for my horse at the minute,

IMG00025.jpg

Don't be so hard on yourself! B would be well capable of a fair bit of weight and you don't look like you are nearly that weight!

If you are only walking on B - I have absolutely NO business jumping & galloping all about on Gideon! G is a lighter stamp that B. I am just under 5'11'' and weigh around 13.5st atm.
 

Kub

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I think the pics that have been put up look fine and the horses look happy :)

Randomly, I've just seen the photos from mine and Harry's show yesterday and although he looks stunning, the photographer seems to have managed to have me looking down in every photo giving me a double chin, soooo not attractive!! Even more incentive to get the weight off lol!

Saying that, here's a pic that shows how big I am along with Harry. Do you think he'll be able to take my weight once he's been broken and built some muscle? (although really hoping I will be smaller by then!!)

bmrc_072010_0257.jpg
 
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immoralorchid

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i have to say i have mixed feelings reading this thread
from what a lot of people have said i should not have my beautiful pony bronte she is a 14.2 dales pony who i have rescued and loved for 8 years as my wieght has fluctuated between 11st and 16.7st. i didnt think i was too heavy she seemed pritty happy to be with me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJzPo98NDC8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQyItyH4bm4

im sorry guess it was my mistake reading it and i know im going to regret this as soon as i have sent it
 

Vixxy

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Well I think I am very fat and it depresses me a lot. I eat reasonably healthily, not much junk food due to Coeliacs and no pop or snack food kept at home. I was very ill last year so much so that hubby did a lot of mucking out and yard work for me and obviously not much riding at all. Up shot is I put on a few stone :(

I sold the horse in my sig for a few reasons but one of them was that I felt too heavy after putting on the weight (pics in sig from last year and my current weight).

I have now bought a new horse that I made sure could carry me, basically I asked lots of people and employed the services of an agent to advise (I am not a bouncing novice and I like to think I ride with sympathy), I won't jump until my weight reduces. Gino is 17.3h, well built sport horse out of Randi (also big and well built type), after reading this thread I am now thinking ohh my god maybe I should not be riding eek :eek:. The more physical work I am doing the weight is coming off slowly, I didn't over eat when ill but my physical work dropped significantly. Lets hope I can hurry and shift the pounds before I post pics of me riding the new boy :eek::eek::eek:

Here is a pic of the new boy...Please be honest, I am a bit panicked now :(

Gino.jpg
[/IMG]
 

guido16

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Vixxy - your boy is lovely but you dont say how heavy you are?
Cant get anyones opinion really. Although I doubt that at your boys height and build, your weight is going to be a problem
 

Ladyinred

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i have to say i have mixed feelings reading this thread
from what a lot of people have said i should not have my beautiful pony bronte she is a 14.2 dales pony who i have rescued and loved for 8 years as my wieght has fluctuated between 11st and 16.7st. i didnt think i was too heavy she seemed pritty happy to be with me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJzPo98NDC8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQyItyH4bm4

im sorry guess it was my mistake reading it and i know im going to regret this as soon as i have sent it

Your horse is totally gorgeous and there is NO way you are too big for her.

This thread is depressing and upsetting a lot of people with all the bitchy and unpleasant comments. Of course it is so easy to make a nasty comment and then swear blind 'it was a joke'

Not a single one of us is perfect but possibly many of us 'fatties' have kinder hearts than some of the skinny trolls who sit in judgement.

And, no, I don't ride anymore, but I have horses who could carry me if I wanted to.
 

eahotson

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Oh yes! THE JOKES.I think you are a huge fat ugly lump and I hate your huge fat hairy ugly cob.I have hurt your feelings??? Don't be such a wimp, I was only joking HA HA.And all done in print and under an assumed name.Well what does that make you?
 

Vixxy

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I weigh around 15 st, I have ridden all my life so I am fairly balanced when riding, I certinally dont ride like a sack of spuds!

I know he can take my weight and more, he was ridden earlier 1m 10 with a larger gent on his back as a youngster. My weight is reducing slowly, if a well built 17.3h cannot take my weight then quite honestly half the horses I have seen over the years out on the hunting field ought to be riderless!

I think I had a bad moment reading this thread in the middle of the night and actually bought into some of this ****!!! I was open, honest and clear with an experienced agent regarding my weight and the professional rider that sold me the horse. I have also had other opinions I actually value from memebers on HHO that are on my FB.

I think there are extremes...Yes I whole heartedly agree that light types and heavy people are not a fair combination to the horse. I am a rider that would not ride a light type at my current weight. Then again even 3 stones lighter a year ago I would not get on a lighter type.
 

Kokopelli

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Wow this thread started off as a discussion and has now turned quite horrible, just remember one person's joke is another person's insult!

And everyone who is worried they are too big for your horses, you're not and your horse is the only one whi can tell you if you are and by the sounds of it you're all fine just enjoy your horses and ignore everyone who is being immature :)
 

peanut

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Immoralorchid, sophie, vixxy, none of you look in the slightest bit too big for your horses.

I think I commented on this old thead pages back as I'd seen someone about three times the size of all of you put together on a tb that was practically buckling at the knees on an 8 mile xc ride.
 

guido16

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Vixxy, off course your horse can take your weight, dont let people get to you.

What I worry about for some horses is not the weight of the rider, but the additional weight of the giant oversized ego`s that some people have!!!!
 

hackedoff

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I am very concious that I am a bit too heavy for my pony at present. I am 5 foot 2 and wight 11 stone due to a 'womens problem' which I am seeking medical help for. Pony is a 14.3 hh welsh cob. However, on my last yard in the midlands the free lance groom working there must have been around 18 - 20 stone. She comepted very successfully on a huge percheron and won show classes, one day events and all sorts with him. She was also pictured competing at RAS in H&H. She looked fine on him but he was voer 18HH and big withit!
 

Thelwell_Girl

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Ive just seen this thread resurface. Has it turned horrid again? What us up with all this aggro going around at the moment on HHO?

I posted a simple thread asking whether I was too big (height, weight, whatever) to ride a 12hh pony, as I was. Not. Sure. And what did I get for my trouble? Bombarded with people who clearly thought I was awful to even suggest I rode any horse at all.

I am 5'1, 11.5 stone, and ride anything from 13.2 to 16.2. None of them have complained about my weight yet!

I really do think we worry too much about our weight as a society. Yes, I am heavier than I should be. But I am 16, and I have far better things to do (I.e. RIDE!) than to worry about silly stuff now. I can honestly say that I am happy with the way I look, and love my body shape. How many teenagers do you know who can say that?


*Aaand Breathe.....!*
 

LauraWheeler

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LOL and breathe thelwell_girl. (((((hugs))))).
Do people think i'm to heavy to ride Herbie? I'm 5ft2 and weigh 9 stone ish. On TGs other thread i heard people saying small ponies shouldn't carry more them 7-8 stone. Herbie is 12.2hh ish.
So if i'm to heavy why oh why does he still rear, buck, leap and spin with me on top :confused: Shorly i should weigh him down with my fat arse on him ;) :p :D :D.
 

Thelwell_Girl

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I just get so upset when people worry about their weight! It is NO WHERE near the biggest problem we face today. WHile we should also be healthy, we should be happy!

Nahh, you're fine for him! He is a spirited bouncy ponio, and he's a Newfie after all, they're made of tough stuff!

Oh and I reeeeally love Newfies... and the new forest in general... It's fab!!
 

JadeyyAndLadyy

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On TGs other thread i heard people saying small ponies shouldn't carry more them 7-8 stone.

Are You Serious?!?! ponies are tougher than people think! ive got a little 12.2 pony who can carry at LEAST 11.5 stone without ANY trouble or complaining at all and would happily and Willingly gallop around and jump fences with what some people on here would consider as an over-weight person.
 

skewbald_again

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this is becoming a board obsession. Use your common sense, folks. I am 12stone and ride a 14.3 connemara-based cob.
However, we seldom go very far and we rarely get out of walk, other than for a few short, inspired bursts of trot. I have had him since my children were on the lead rein and he was perfect. He has a very cushy life, and doesn't seem bothered by my weight at all. That being said, I have ridden all my life, I sit very still, my balance and reflexes are both very good - I sat a somewhat lighter beginner on him and he looked uncomfortable so I took her right off.
One of these days I must re-examine my life - either I need to shed some extra pounds if we want to wake ourselves up from this bucolic day dream, or he must go back to his owners and I must look for somebody who can keep up with my now cantering jumping hunting children :D Or possibly both, since Archie's footwork is not exactly his longest suit and he is inclined to fall over if he takes his mind off counting 1-2-3-4 ....
The point is ... you can't just say 'I'm x'y" and weigh Ast Blbs and my horse is 15hh and a something or other cross ... am I too big for him?'
It's more complicated than that.
 

Onyxia

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I think there are extremes...Yes I whole heartedly agree that light types and heavy people are not a fair combination to the horse. I am a rider that would not ride a light type at my current weight. Then again even 3 stones lighter a year ago I would not get on a lighter type.
Begger off.
William Fox-Pitt's bio says he is 12 stone 8 lbs. Hands up anyone who has a problem with him riding TB's over the toughest tracks in the world! :D

It is good that we are aware of a horses weight carrying ability and do not over burden them,but it's stupid to get tangled up in knots worried that perfectly fine people are too heavy for their horses.
 

LauraWheeler

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Oh and I reeeeally love Newfies... and the new forest in general... It's fab!!
If you ever come down give me a shout. We could meet up and you could meet the horrid one :p :D :D

Are You Serious?!?! ponies are tougher than people think! ive got a little 12.2 pony who can carry at LEAST 11.5 stone without ANY trouble or complaining at all and would happily and Willingly gallop around and jump fences with what some people on here would consider as an over-weight person.

Thats not what i say i don't ride anything over 13.1hh at the mo. I ride naughty little ponies who need sorting out for there little jockys :p :D :D How much a horse can carry is all down to how much bone they have (also condition and age of course) Lucy was only 13.2hh but had 9 inches of bone so she could have carried atleast 12 stone (i think) when she was younger. But my friends 16.2hh had less bone so in theory couldn't carry as much weight as Lucy.
 

Storminateacup

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I feel fat at 11st 5lb and 5ft 8inch, and am worried that my IDXCob 4 year old will buck me off when I first ride him as most of the trainers staff are under 10 st!
My husband at 15.5 st is far too heavy, IMO, to ride my 15.hh Gypsy cob and I would only consider a Shire cross, a Clydie Cross or an ID for him.
He thinks if John Wayne 6ft 4inch and over 15 stone could ride a quarter horse then why not ride a heavy cob, - the thing is for some reason, a quarter horse is immensely strong and can carry such a weight for some reason, (someone with quarter horses tell us why please) I guess Arabs can carry a fair weight too, after all you get big men riding them in the desert.
Very fat women on fine horses is a disgrace and show lack of consideration and not aesthetically pleasing to look at either.
 
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