What Do YOU Think Is Too Big?

madeleine, he's stocky, plenty of bone, with a good short strong back. that photo does not make me cringe in the slightest, although some of the ones on the other thread did. well done for sorting him out. he looks the opinionated sort!
 
kerilli said:
madeleine, he's stocky, plenty of bone, with a good short strong back. that photo does not make me cringe in the slightest, although some of the ones on the other thread did. well done for sorting him out. he looks the opinionated sort!
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thanks. i did refuse to jump him as i dont think he needed it as much and so i skinny mini could do it. he is very wel built other wise i wouldnt put me on a 14.2 and he really was opinionated. also i dont think anybody in here is to big but i agree with the op's self restrictions
 
Trinity Fox said:
I recently looked in to this as i had a bit of an issue with an organisation that was allowing riders well in to 20 stone plus ride horses that were clearly not big enough their argument was that the horses didnt object.

This is not a valid argument horses are willing beasts and dont really have the capacity to make desicisions as to what can be doing them harm 20% of a fit horses bodyweight was a figure often used there hasnt been that much research done but there was a small study done to see if this was a realistic figure as it was believed it was set by the cavalry a long time ago and they found that above this weight horses had significantly increased heart rates laboured breathing increased lactic acid and suffered from muscle soreness for many days after so didnt think it was a good idea to go above this.

Rider ability fitness of horse etc were also facts to take in to consideration,width of cannon bone length of back and width of loin were the most important things in decicding on a weight carrying horse and the taller the horse becomes the weight carrying capacity starts to come down again.

I also never understand why people always refer back what horses and ponies used to be used for in the past horses were used as machines until they dropped, they used to sling work horses up because if they lay down were unable to get up and horses also broke the side bones in their legs being forced to pull massive weights they also used to put kids up chimneys i would like to think we have moved on, you also have to consider the farmers or adults that are referred to would not be the weight people are now we are all bigger heavier and even taller than we were in the past as we have unlimited food and junk food.

I do think it is becoming a real issue and for the first time in recent history that in some cases it is verging on cruelty, i do not think you need to be a skinny minnnie to ride just be sensible when choosing your mount and if you want to ride even though people can struggle with weight surely it is worth trying to keep your weight down.

Just because horses are willing to carry any weight doesnt mean they should have to and if you consider yourself a true horselover you wont expect them too.

And it is coming to the point where this needs to openly discussed without people being called bullies etc.
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Very well said. I personally think 20% is too much. I was always brought up to believe it was a sixth of the horse's bodyweight that was a maximum of what they should carry. The problem is we have to balance protecting horses from (unintentioned) cruelty and protecting people's feelings. Nowadays everything is so PC! I personally think that the majority of overweight people are well aware if they are too heavy for their horse or not. But they are surrounded by people encouraging them and saying 'you are fine!'. It doesn't do them or the horses any good and is just a cop out for 'friends' who don't have the courage to tell the truth for fear of being though badly of.
 
Madeleine he looks a good sort to carry plenty of weight stocky good legs short back nice width of loin, and to the comment on tbs not being able to carry 12 stone look at what point to pointers carry, i think you need to be sensible otherwise only very light people will be considered fit to ride.

Most horses are not carrying above what they can there are just a few cases where they are it would be good if more research was done and one of the university or veterinary establishments or equine charities made a decisive ruling on this it would draw the line and stop some riders who have horses capable of their weight being discriminated against as views on this seem to go from one extreme to the other.
 
My 15.1 ISH Galaxy is happy with a skinny minni like me on him...5,4 with longer legs and 7.5 stone (and sometimes i wish i had a bit more weight behind be as if he wants to go, he has no troubles saying...get off my head, byeeeeee :rolleyes: ) but with my mum he can tend to be a bit stiff and unwilling and she is 9.5 stone. I think its all about age, back strength, correctly fitting tack and the build to carry extra weight. My horse doesn't seem to cope well with that little extra but OP you look fine on both horses, and, as above a little tall on the conny. I think the main problem from the other tread arose from age and overworking of the horse :)

Me on Galaxy:

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Mum on Galaxy:

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I think the OP looks fine, and in fact so does everyone on this thread, all the horses pictured look as if they have no problems with what they are being asked to do :)
As another skinny witch 5'6" and 9 stone, with a sister who insists on buying huge horses, I get fed up of looking like a pea on a drum when riding sisters 'Big Girls'. One is a 16hh Ardennes type, the other 16.3 IDx Hanno :D I look like a thewell cartoon! I much prefer, and think I look much more suited to, my own 15.3 Araby Appy. My mare is incredibly short backed (16 1/2 saddle) and the ID x is like riding a bus :D
 
It's all about proportions rather than weight for me, in the saddle I'm riding in I have to see a hands width of room front and back at least, if that size of saddle won't fit on the pony then I don't ride the pony. I could ride in smaller saddles and just take up more room, but that's no good for weight distribution and my ability to balance myself, never mind my pony. It's also nice if the horse takes up my leg, so that rules out anything finely built if it's under 14.2hh.
 
I've always been paranoid, but have recently allowed a 12st lady to ride my pony and they're both loving the long hacks and fast gallops! I don't think I'd want them to jump or xc together, but they're absolutely fine for doing the job the pony was bred for - wandering around the downland at various gaits!
 
Okay, how about me? Do you think I look too heavy for my mare? She's a 16.2hh Hanoverian, 7yrs old and been in work just over 3 months.

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Holly Hocks said:
Sorry to hijack, but I feel really big on my horse - too fat for her - she's a 16.1 TB. Do you think I look too big on her? Although this photo was taken when she first came out of racing last year, she is now in far better condition like the second photo, but I have no ridden photos of her recently....I am getting neurotic now about being too heavy for her! I don't want to start another thread, but I'm getting paranoid that I might be hurting her and my friends are all too nice to say anything to me!

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i was actually shocked that you even think your too fat for her!! you look great (and skinny!!!)
 
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This is me on my 15.3 Fresian X I am 5.'2 and it's no one's business what I weigh but I am of the proper type of a woman and have curves. He can carry me all day and we do fine.

But I reply to this thread because I am sick of these judgemental eat a slice of melon a day types who think that because they are thin they are right. Who the heck are they to tell anyone you are too fat/thin/ugly or what ever.

I have two friends one a big girl who does everthing with her horse from hunting all day to showing her cob and her are true partners and she is very well balanced. She eats and drinks what she wants had has a great life.

My other freind does look picture perfect on her horse something out of a catalogue she works hard in the gym and eats very little but it is what she is happy with and would not dream of having her go at her more coblet friends we are all different just like our horses from TB to cob.

So will slope of the soap box and slick off :0)
 
welshcobabe said:
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This is me on my 15.3 Fresian X I am 5.'2 and it's no one's business what I weigh but I am of the proper type of a woman and have curves. He can carry me all day and we do fine.

But I reply to this thread because I am sick of these judgemental eat a slice of melon a day types who think that because they are thin they are right. Who the heck are they to tell anyone you are too fat/thin/ugly or what ever.

I have two friends one a big girl who does everthing with her horse from hunting all day to showing her cob and her are true partners and she is very well balanced. She eats and drinks what she wants had has a great life.

My other freind does look picture perfect on her horse something out of a catalogue she works hard in the gym and eats very little but it is what she is happy with and would not dream of having her go at her more coblet friends we are all different just like our horses from TB to cob.

So will slope of the soap box and slick off :0)
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:confused: Don't know what you're complaining about, you look absolutely fine on your horse, as does UnaB on her connie. :confused:

I agree that what weight a horse is comfortable carrying depends on many things, build, conformation, age, fitness, what size saddle it can take and what the horse is expected to do whilst carrying a larger rider.

I do, however, agree with kerrilli - there has to be some sort of cut off point where you are just too heavy to ride anything, sorry.
 
marmalade76 said:
:confused: Don't know what you're complaining about, you look absolutely fine on your horse, as does UnaB on her connie. :confused:

I agree that what weight a horse is comfortable carrying depends on many things, build, conformation, age, fitness, what size saddle it can take and what the horse is expected to do whilst carrying a larger rider.

I do, however, agree with kerrilli - there has to be some sort of cut off point where you are just too heavy to ride anything, sorry.
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Not Complaining at all I am quite happy with how I look on my horse my point is that folk are so judgemental about weight. The trick is to get the right horse for you. The cut off point is when you get the orginal Mrs Doomspatterson ! but then as a rule they can not get on in the first place without a block and tackle !! ;0) said tounge in cheek by the way
 
welshcobabe said:
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This is me on my 15.3 Fresian X I am 5.'2 and it's no one's business what I weigh but I am of the proper type of a woman and have curves. He can carry me all day and we do fine.

But I reply to this thread because I am sick of these judgemental eat a slice of melon a day types who think that because they are thin they are right. Who the heck are they to tell anyone you are too fat/thin/ugly or what ever.
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Firstly, you look great on you lovely cob.

Secondly, people should not be told they are too fat/thin/ugly or whatever, unless they ASK. Then, people have the choice of whether to lie or tell the truth. They have to weigh up whether it is in the best interest of the asker to tell the truth or save their feelings.

However, where animal welfare is concerned, then I think it is an entirely different thing. If someone is clearly going to cause problems for their horse because they are too heavy for it, then some horse lovers will feel obliged to point this out. Of course, it should be done as constructively and tactfully as possible. It is one thing being overweight, and quite frankly, not anyone else's business, but another thing if the weight issue is detrimental to the welfare of the person's horse. :)
 
Holly Hocks said:
Sorry to hijack, but I feel really big on my horse - too fat for her - she's a 16.1 TB. Do you think I look too big on her? Although this photo was taken when she first came out of racing last year, she is now in far better condition like the second photo, but I have no ridden photos of her recently....I am getting neurotic now about being too heavy for her! I don't want to start another thread, but I'm getting paranoid that I might be hurting her and my friends are all too nice to say anything to me!

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I've seen more fat on a butchers apron!
 
I don't understand why so many seem incapable of seeing the middle ground-are we just not capable of judging what's acceptable for a particular type of horse any more? on this thread we have silf-like women worrying about their weight and on 'that' thread we had someone who frankly, shouldnt really be riding at all IMO, let alone on a very aged horse who deserves better than the questionable 'horsemanship' the poor sod was being subjected to. the fact that she was so pleased with herself on FB for causing a fight was also tragic. I don't think all riders should be skinny minnies, god knows I am not one anymore but seeing that FB group last night was plain disturbing. it seems that at both ends of the scale, women (and I am one) don't seem able to be realistic about their own weight. odd.

a good Highland, the old fashioned type used for stalking, regularly takes 18 stone of dead weight-but at the walk. I don't hold with the notion that carthorses, bred to pull, are necessarily weight carriers either. but I do think if you are 18-20stone of fat, don't expect to sit on an animal that can't make that choice.
 
Well, I'm around the 9&half stone mark, and ride a Suffolk Punch x Thoroughbred - I'm more than happy that I'm not too heavy to ride her. I ride astride most of the time, but I also ride sidesaddle.

As we only go out sidesaddle about once a week I know that:-

- As the weight of the sidesaddle and rider sits a little further back on a horse than an astride saddle, her back muscles that carry the weight of the sidesaddle aren't as strong as those that carry the astride saddle. Therefore I must respect her back and treat her as a 'less fit' horse for aside work than for astride work.

- also, the sidesaddle is considerably heavier than an astride saddle. So, while she is more than capable of carrying it - she is a sentient being and is going to notice the difference!

- and of course there is no rising in trot when aside, so the impact on her back, however soft I try to sit - is going to be more than when astride.

And all these are factors that any rider, however big or small, should be taking into account when asking the question - am I right for my horse. The weight is only a tiny slice of the answer, and the condition of the horse and the fitness and balance of the rider are much much more important parts of the whole.
 
Weeeeeell, since the OP asked what do 'YOU' think I thought I'd comment though maanged to keep away from the other thread (that one was a 'no brainer' to me).

Buuuut and please don't anyone take this the wrong way, although I haven't seen any welfare cases on this thread, in relation to BMI rather than weight alone, I do think that since riding is allegedly a sport (I know, so is darts!), to me, size does matter.

Certainly on my local hacking routes this seems to be largely ignored with all shapes and sizes riding all shapes and sizes. Riding is IMO cardiovascular and it requires a degree of fitness to ride well - although of course recreational riding is often less strenuous, I can't understand why larger people would choose to ride less 'size appropriate' horses than they could otherwise choose.

I own a 16.1hh WB and we have my son's section A. I have sat on the Section A twice in the year we have had her to have a discussion when my son couldn't manage and both times for no longer than ten minutes. I am too big for her! Also when I was pregnant I put on three stone and chose to regain my fitness before asking anything of my mare other than light hacking. How could I expect her to work properly when I was overweight and unfit?


I now am back to pre-pregnancy and weigh 10.5 stone and am 5'6 so in theory a 'normal' size but I certainly wouldnt ride the tiny one for any longer than ten minutes if I needed to and anyway I have a 5'2 nine stone friend so she gets on her rather than me.

Perhaps it's the media giving us all body dysmorphia both up and down the scales but TBH I think it's often less of a welfare issue and more common sense. If you feel big - you probably are. If you are less than nine stone and are even asking the question then, go and get a cake! :)
 
Its all a matter of perspective isn't it? I don;t think you are too big for either of your horses, but as someone else said, it is good that you are showing your connie consideration. Someone a stone or two lighter may well cause him more problems by lumping about on his back and being unbalanced.

I have a 15.1 TB although he is not a spindly type. I was around the 10st mark for many years, but in the last 3 years my weight has gradually crept up. As he is older (he's 30 now....) his work load was also decreasing. He now hacks out every now and then on a sunny day for 30 minutes or so - this is recommended by the vet as his really helps with his stiffness and believe it or not he seems happier after a hack! (and the devil can't be walked out in hand due to being a handful) However last year I hit 13stone and had had a skinny friend ride him instead. I have lost a stone and a half and am now back to hacking him out once a week or fortnight. I wouldn;t expect anythign else of him.

Your connie is a comparative youngster!
 
Just wanted to add - no one I spoke to about dieting etc believed I was 13 stone. I am 5 ft 7. They all thought I was 11 stone something. I htink this just goes to show how different perceptions can be.

Had I posted a pic of me at 13stone on my old horse I think most people would have said I looked fine.
 
nobody believed it when i told them i weight 12st 7. i'm 5ft 4 and short everything. compact is the word!!
i've no recent photos of me and my mare but this is us about two years ago.
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I'm not much taller now but am heavier BUT am losing about three stone as my mare is 13.3. Though the physiotherapist said she could certainly carry me easily, and does so, there is an unidentified something in her hind end and for that reason she gave her a weight limit of 10st 7. Because I love my moose alot and won't make her carry me when it could do her harm I am not going to until I'm a sensible weight for my height-and my horse!!

People that have lost weight-has your horses way of going changed? are they lighter? more 'free'? My mare can do anything with me on her and if she wants to can tank off when i'm board if she so wishes. dread to think of how much harder it would be to stop her when i'm two-three stone lighter! :rolleyes::rolleyes::D:D

Oh and OP plus everyone else with piccies-you all look fine!
 
Hmm, I'm a pony squisher - mostly because I'm 5ft8 and my littler one is 14,2 - he's 5 - and the bigger one is 15hh and 18. Little one mostly does dressage and working on jumping, bigger one I compete sj and xc. Neither seem to have trouble carrying me. I'm not fat, but I am well built, so... Well, feel free to insult away. Though my vet is well aware of what I do with them and didn't seem to think it inappropriate...

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weight perception is strange as when i was 11 stone i was a size 6 to 8 as i did rugby 3 times a week and rode twice.

now at 17 stone i am a size 14 to 16 but im only 5,7 i only ride now all be it 6 times a week.

in the photo on here the 14.2 cab, i was about half was between my two weights and i am currently working my was back down

however i dont think i look to big on my 16hh mare
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im 17 stone here
 
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Im a size 14/16 atm although I have started to loose a bit now. I dont think im too big but I wouldnt want to be jumping at any big heights until I have lost some more weight.

Samba is 14.1hh

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November
 
Welshcobabe - that's a little harsh! I am 5ft6 and wear a size 6-8 and weigh approx 8.5stone. That asides, I eat what I want when I want, I drink what I want when I want! I do not go to the gym and would die if I lived on a slice of melon. I am very lucky and I know this but not all skinny minnies live off fresh air! This morning I had a can of coke and left over Indian takeaway for breakfast....!!
 
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